Elephantstay provides an elephantastic opportunity to live in the heart of Ayutthaya, Thailand, while engaging with majestic elephants. As a unique not-for-profit program under the Phra Kochabaan Foundation, it aims to foster a deeper understanding of elephant care and conservation. Participants can immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of the Royal Elephant Kraal village, learning about traditional practices and sustainable methods of living harmoniously with elephants. Through hands-on experiences, guests get to feed, bathe, and interact with these gentle giants, developing meaningful connections. This program not only enhances awareness of elephant welfare but also contributes to the local community. Whether you are an animal lover, a cultural enthusiast, or simply seeking adventure, Elephantstay provides memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression. Discover the beauty of Thailand’s rich heritage while making a positive impact on elephant conservation.
At Elephantstay, we invite you to immerse yourself in an extraordinary program dedicated to the well-being of elephants and the local community. Located in the breathtaking Royal Elephant Kraal village in Ayutthaya, this unique experience allows you to live, work, and play alongside these magnificent creatures. As a not-for-profit initiative under the Phra Kochabaan Foundation, Elephantstay is committed to ethical elephant care and education.
During your stay, you will engage in daily activities that foster a deep understanding of elephant behavior and needs. You’ll have the chance to feed and bathe the elephants, providing them with the care they deserve. Each interaction is designed to enhance your appreciation for these gentle giants and to educate you about the importance of conservation efforts.
In addition to spending quality time with elephants, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Thai culture. The Royal Elephant Kraal village is rich in history, and you will learn traditional practices integral to the community’s way of life. From participating in local festivities to exploring regional cuisine, your experience will be enriched by cultural exchanges that deepen your understanding of Thailand.
Your participation in Elephantstay also supports vital conservation efforts and the welfare of elephants in the region. By joining us, you help empower the local community, as the funds generated through your participation directly contribute to their livelihoods and the well-being of the elephants.
Whether you are looking for a unique adventure, hoping to develop lasting memories, or wanting to support an important cause, Elephantstay provides an unforgettable experience where you can connect with nature, culture, and compassion. Discover the magic of living and learning with elephants while contributing to a brighter future for these incredible animals and their communities. Join us for an unforgettable journey in Ayutthaya, where every moment is an opportunity for growth, learning, and connection.
วังช้างอยุธยา แล เพนียด (เมืองพระนครศรีอยุธยา, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Attractions
6 miles
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0.96 miles
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1.12 miles
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1.16 miles
Elephantstay is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking 74/1 Moo 3 Tumbol Suanpik, 13000, Thailand
My wife and I did the 3 day stay and enjoyed ourselves. We learned a great deal about Asian elephants and how to care for them. We also came to understand their domesticated role in the culture of Thailand. Six people during our stay; 2 sisters there for a week; and an Aussie couple for 2 weeks. They returned after a 2 week stay 5 years ago. We watered and fed our elephants several times a day, rode them twice but not on the tourist chairs but rather on their necks with our their mahout to steady us. We learned simple control commands; walked them to a grassy area where they loved to graze and then walked to the river where we all waded and cooled off. Our elephants loved the walks and river. Every morning we mucked out their areas, and in the afternoon team cleaned 2 of our elephants with a hose and scrub brush. Elephant Stay does an exceptional of daily cleaning and care. Their breeding program is well done and we got to interact directly with a 2 month baby elephant. We can’t wait to come back.
My Husband and I needed a holiday, a relaxing holiday. With no hassles and stresses of finding the right train, bus, tram, the right restaurant, cafe, hotel. No worries about being at a certain place at a certain time. A REAL holiday. I knew where to go, we have been there before – Elephantstay. We arrived for our two week stay to warm welcomes from staff and elephants, and everything was warm and familiar. The accomodation has had an upgrade, but is still very basic but comfortable. A clean room with air con and wifi is all we needed. It was so good to see our elephants again, and of course the closeness you feel when riding them to the river for a swim was wonderful. Playing with the babies, getting wet and dirty, was all part of the fun. Plenty of alone time to wander around the village and pretend I’m not just another tourist in Thailand. Oh and the food was wonderful. I’m such a picky eater, but they always made sure there was plenty for me to eat. We also celebrated my husbands birthday here, and they sure knew how to make it feel extra special. I hope to return to Elephantstay one day soon.
I enjoyed a wonderful and very unique experience at Elephant Stay where I was allocated a gentle giant called Jumpee to care for.Facilities are basic clean comfortable and airconditioned Food is excellent hosts Ewa and Michelle and their staff are attentive and informativeElephant stay is more than a holiday Its a five star very close up encounter with beautiful elephants including babies you get to feed clean water ride and swim with under the supervision of experienced peopleElephant stay is an individual or family adventure, a bucket list box you need to tick
Ayutthaya has many interesting attractions. I went to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Elephant Palace with my family. There are elephants to see the city. Very cute. Take photos and get a beautiful view. There was an impressive show of elephants, they were very friendly and skillful. The food they sell is good. If there is a chance me and my family will come back.
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace, Lapniad, where elephants take care of elephants Shows the cuteness and abilities of elephants. Elephant trekking activities to see ancient sites serving tourists There are many interesting activities here. There are many places to take photos. I had the opportunity to visit lovely elephants. And is a very interesting tourist destination. It’s a place I recommend.
We stayed at this wonderful elephant village for two nights and three days. The Eva, Lexi, the mahouts and overall staff were incredible. We had a detailed immersion experience into the cultural and societal aspects of the role elephants play in Thailand. Elephantstay gave us an opportunity to learn about the welfare of elephants and what is required to care for them on a daily basis. The facilities are well maintained and staffed with professionals who dedicate their lives to the betterment and welfare of the elephants they care for. Hearing each elephant’s unique story and observing their individual personality was sublime. Cleaning their areas, gathering their food, taking them to graze in the field, bathing in the river, riding with the mahouts were some of the highlights during our stay. Although we had one specific elephant to focus on, Rasamee, we were able to interact with multiple elephants at various ages. We particularly enjoyed our visits with one of the infant elephants, taking him to bathe and play in the river everyday. It is an experience we will never forget. We spend the evenings enjoying the company of the staff who were fountains of knowledge about elephant welfare and their significance in Thai culture. The accommodation was fantastic, comfortable, clean, and well furnished, not to mention A/C (so important!). During our stay, locals would frequent the elephant village to bring extra food resources to help the elephants. We truly enjoyed and treasure our time here with the elephants, and hope to come back for another visit soon! Kombucha!
Well my “Happy Place” has been found at last, an amazing little village to immerse yourself in the amazing life of the Mahout,Up close and personal with your very own elephant to feed, clean, bathe, swim, walk & talk with and LOVE !!.The homestyle food is so good and the accomodation is adequate and comfortable enough for the price, everybody here makes you feel welcome and part of the family ….The amazing friendly staff, the directors, the villagers, and the beautiful children all become your best friends for life at Elephantstay ….BUT be prepared it is a working village and the day is busy …. I suggest waking up early everyday and take in the sights and sounds of the start of everyday you wont regret or forget it !!Thank you all at Elephantstay for all that you do for these beautiful animals ….It was my first time here and it wont be my last, it really is an incredibly humbling experience to be part of this place even for a short time …. ? Thank you Pi Om, Michelle, Ewa, Lexi, Mr Pong and all of the wonderful mahouts , children and family’s that made my week long holiday so happy !!Adrian B ?
If you understand what ethical means this is not the place for you. I went undercover as an elephant advocate. I travel to camps and sanctuaries to unlock the truth. Unethical behavior for profit and elephant tourism is why Asian elephants live in captivity. The lack of freedom, choices and use of a bullhook, chains, feeding, riding, bathing with elephants is the opposite of ethical.Ethical is Elephant Nature Park rescues in Chiang Mai where elephants decide their agenda per day. They decide where to go, when to eat, when to bathe. The beauty is to see elephants be elephants not for human entertainment. Avoid unethical experiences at ELEPHANTSTAY. They are marketing to people who do not know better. Please don’t be that tourist. Do your research on Thailand and Elephant Tourism.
A superb way to learn and experience the ecosystem that supports Thailand’s endangered Elephant population. Elephantstay is managed by an American and Australian team who work with Thai Mahouts and their families. Our one-day visit included cleaning, feeding and riding our Elephant into the nearby river, lunch and plenty of water. Visitors are given a private on-site bedroom to change and shower, with towels and soap provided. It’s a well organised and efficiently run activity. Definitely recommended.
What an honor it is to be able to review our FOURTH visit to Elephantstay!!!My husband and I have been visiting Elephantstay since 2017 and have brought our children on the last two trips. We initially came for the elephants, but we continue to return for the community, culture, and compassion of everyone who lives and works in the village. When you’re at the Kraal, you truly belong, and there is nothing else like it.Each visit, we have been blessed with the opportunity to learn about the culture, Asian elephants, and to have a hands-on experience of getting to know the elephants in a very real way. This past trip exceeded our wildest imaginations because we were fortunate to witness the birth of twins! At 9:05PM on a Friday evening, Lexi came to our rooms to inform us that a baby had been born. We arrived just in time to see Jumjuree give birth to the second elephant about 10 minutes later. Celebrating the miraculous birth of the twins was an unforgettable experience, and we still can’t believe how incredibly lucky we were to be there. Over the next few days, we celebrated not only with the village but also with the greater community, as many people came to make merit and pray for blessings for the twins.Words cannot fully express the sense of community we felt during our visit. Elephantstay is truly a place where you can find a sense of belonging when you immerse yourself in the environment. Michelle, Ewa, and Lexi work incredibly hard to give all their guests a truly personal experience. The mahouts and the rest of the elephant staff are so friendly and inclusive that it is easy to forget that most of us don’t speak the same language. Bonds are formed through laughter, washing produce together, playing with the children, and caring for the elephants. Words are not needed where camaraderie exists.Thank you all so much for an absolutely amazing two weeks! You have given us such a gift, and we can’t wait to come back and see you all again soon!
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