Experience the magic of Patara Elephant Farm in Thailand with personalized private tours that connect you with majestic elephants in their natural environment. Immerse yourself in ethical elephant care and conservation while enjoying unforgettable memories.
Nestled in the heart of Thailand, Patara Elephant Farm stands as a beacon of responsible wildlife tourism and conservation. This sanctuary, dedicated to the well-being of elephants, provides an enriching experience for visitors looking to deepen their understanding of these magnificent creatures.
At Patara Elephant Farm, private tours are crafted to ensure an intimate encounter with elephants, allowing guests to engage in activities that promote respect and care for these gentle giants. Each tour is tailored to the individual, fostering a connection that highlights the importance of conservation while dispelling myths surrounding elephant tourism.
During your visit, you will explore stunning landscapes filled with lush greenery and witness the elephants in their natural habitat, enriched with diverse flora and fauna. Knowledgeable guides share insights into the elephants’ lives, their behaviors, and the ongoing efforts to protect their future.
The farm emphasizes ethical practices, focusing on the intricate relationship between humans and elephants. Guests can participate in activities such as bathing elephants in the river, feeding them nutritious treats, and learning about their diets and health care. This hands-on experience fosters a bond founded on trust and understanding.
Patara Elephant Farm also serves as a crucial educational platform, addressing the challenges faced by elephants in Thailand. Through these private tours, visitors are encouraged to become ambassadors for elephant conservation, actively promoting the welfare of these animals and their ecosystems.
By choosing to explore Patara Elephant Farm, tourists not only support a sustainable model of wildlife tourism but also contribute to significant conservation efforts. Each visit helps raise awareness about the plight of elephants in captivity and the initiatives necessary to ensure their survival in the wild.
The enchanting experience at Patara Elephant Farm leaves a lasting impression, allowing you to walk away with not just memories but an enriched perspective on the integral role elephants play in our world. With each private tour, you are guaranteed a unique adventure that blends education, compassion, and unforgettable moments with these beloved creatures.
For an insightful exploration of Thailand’s natural heritage, look no further than Patara Elephant Farm, where every visit nurtures a love for elephants and fosters a commitment to their protection.
ฟาร์มช้างภัทร ไพรเวททัวร์ (เมืองเชียงใหม่, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Attractions
6 miles
0.00 miles
0.61 miles
0.74 miles
1.86 miles
3.73 miles
4.01 miles
4.57 miles
5.00 miles
5.14 miles
5.20 miles
Patara Elephant Farm – Private Tours is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking 50230, Thailand
We didn’t like it because it’s not ethical.Breeding elephants to be used to entertain people or sell them is not what elephant lives are about.They could rescue older elephants and give a nice life but breeding with money in mind is not right. Just ask organizations like IFAW, etc. etc.
The warning of “does not meet animal welfare guidelines” listed on Trip Advisor says it all. These people pretend that they run an ethical elephant farm but the reality is far darker and frankly, really upsetting as a tourist in Thailand. I’m sorry I went there. The treatment of animals is barbaric and I would encourage everyone to do extensive research before booking an elephant encounter. There is a enlightening National Geographic article about the dark and abusive side of animal tourism and this place is yet another offender. If you care anything about the welfare of the animals you encounter, stay away from this place. You can spend your money in far better ways that make you happy and aren’t participating in animal abuse.
A long time ago, prior to the internet and social media giving us the latest information so quickly, a lot of people said it was their dream to ride and elephant. An aunt and uncle of mine did back in the day and raved about it, but that was in the “Before times.” No more.Things are different now. And once you see something, you can’t unsee it.I have made 10 trips to Chiang Mai since 2017, sometimes staying in the area for months at a time. I love animals. I visited several offices and went to a couple of different camps. Not all sanctuaries are created equal. The fact that Tripadvisor won’t even book visits to Patara Elephant Farm on its website because it doesn’t pass the animal welfare test, so let that tell you everything you need to know. Avoid!After my experience “bathing” elephants, I went away feeling it was nothing more than a stupid water fight exercise and completely unnecessary. Elephants are natural swimmers and don’t need humans using tiny baskets to throw water at them for a photo op. We are too noisy and it can stress them out. Stop.To ride an elephant – admit it is a completely unnatural activity for any animal, much less an elephant, which has a protruding bone for its spine, making the back more fragile than you’d thing for a large creature. Its ears are particularly sensitive, often making any pulling on them hurtful. Climbing up onto an animal that does not want you there is wrong. Don’t do it.But how did such a big, strong, powerful elephant come to be in such a position anyway?Forced breeding. Babies stolen from their mothers, who were often killed or left for dead as they fought to save their offspring. Or the “lucky” ones were born as naturally as possible in an existing camp, but sold into a life of servitude, be it in the illegal teak logging industry, street begging, or riding camps and circuses. And then, the young elephants are crushed.You don’t have to take my word for it. Google it. Go on YouTube. The crush. Pajaan. Its captors pin their meal ticket in a restrictive pen, then beat, punch, stab, kick it, step on it till the elephant succumbs to their commands, essentially forgetting they are wild elephants with mothers who once suckled them. A few try to end themselves by stepping on their trunks and suffocate. If you see a baby elephant swaying and are told she is dancing, it is a lie, I learned. The rocking back and forth is a stress mechanism (the eyes may also be highly dilated). I have video of this that I took, myself, and was even shown posters of hooks and chains to tell me why they were necessary to train and maintain control of an elephant. “They are dangerous animals!” I would be dangerous too if you beat me with a metal hook. Okay, so you may not see a hook at Patara, but at the end of the day, they are part of the problem. Also at the end of the work day, they return elephants to their pens, where they are possibly chained to prevent escape. The longer you support this type of elephant tourism, the smaller their numbers grow; the more stressed the elephants become; the more shameful the practice, because we know better now. Please don’t contribute to this horrible practice. Visit a true elephant sanctuary, like, Elephant Nature Park (also out of Chiang Mai) where their elephants are over 90% cast-offs past their prime or injured beyond their useful function in those horrible jobs, but where they learn to trust humans for the care and love they are given. Elephant Nature Park (ENP) used to hold elephant bathing sessions, too, but realized, basically, it was another job the elephants didn’t enjoy, so they stopped. They since built skywalks where we can observe elephants closely, but not too close, although they have several that don’t mind and we can still take photos with them. You can volunteer there to help out for a week, too, if that’s your jam. Full disclosure: I saw a couple of posts that said the owner one of the young elephants that was cared for at ENP wanted his elephant back to start work as soon as he is trained. That owner – and I’m just going to call it like I see it, having spent much time at these parks – turned out to be the owner of Patara, and he is probably wanting to make some money back after the recent devastation caused by heavy flooding.* Don’t cause more secondhand cruelty if you don’t have to. You will still have an incredible experience and be up close. Just please choose responsibly. Don’t ride elephants. It’s not cool. It’s cruel.*NOTE: As of my writing this in October 2024, I am aware much of the region is closed due to horrific flood damage after a typhoon. Hopefully, Chiang Mai (and the truly good sanctuaries) will reopen stronger and better soon, but I expect it will be early 2025.
Elephants in chains. We left because we do not support elephant abuse of any kind. The elephants were chained and swaying back and forth.
One of the best experiences anyone can have, everyone was so kind and the work they do to take care of these majestic animals is amazing!!
I am devastated I took part in this abuse. These elephants are clearly being chained at night, and have obviously undergone sadistic torture (the phajaan “crush”) to get them to comply to such obvious human tricks and rides. I thought this place was ethical!? I am sick I didn’t check TripAdvisor first, that I now know WON’T even book tours for this place because it violates ethical animal treatment! I saw elephants swaying side to side in clear psychological distress and that set off alarm bells. Chains in the enclosures, far too many babies, and not a single example of positive-reinforcement training… Look up “phajaan” online and you’ll throw up: it’s deliberate baby elephant torture, and this farm does it for tourism. PLEASE AVOID!
My nephew and I had so much fun at the Patara Elphant Farm. The experience was fantastic being an elephant care-taker for the day. It’s very humbling being next to one of these gentle giants and how well-behaved they were. Initially, we were quite scared riding on top since it was so high up. But they were as sweet can be and turned out lovely. Their primary care-taker were exceptionally kind and warm. They took great care of us and therefore you can see the tremendous bond between them and the elephants. This farm also provides great medical care for these elephants as needed. I would highly recommend the full experience of being an elephant care-taker for the day.
The elephants here are chained at night, and the baby elephants are abused to break their spirit and allow riding -would not revisit and would visit a more ethical sanctuary in Thailand such as Elephant Nature Park
Patara Elephant Farm offered the best experience with the elephants. One-on-one elephant to guest, feeding, 45-minute elephant ride to the waterfall, elephant bathing, delicious lunch banquet, and professional pictures of each experience captured by the photographers–AMAZING!!!! This experience was by far the highlight of my 10 days in Thailand! I cannot imagine another elephant offering a fuller experience. Patara Elephant Farm is the best choice for your elephant-riding adventure!
The best experience I’ve ever had! It was amazing how much I enjoyed it! Highly recommended to go! The way you connect with the elephants it’s unbelievable!