Mae Sa Elephant Camp... continued from Click here!
(KM.4 north turn - 9 km.)
The sealed side road just before the gas station leads to a charming less visited waterfall. Past the falls the road is unsealed (4WD) and leads to Hmong villages.
(KM. 6 south turn - 500 m. Doi Suthep - Doi Pui National Park. 30 Baht. Vehicles, 10 Baht adults)
Asphalt paths follow the stepped cascades that extend for almost two kilometers. Quiet, shady spots away from other people are easy to find during the week. Food stalls and a small visitor center are located by the car park. The tumbling river may also be seen at other places higher up the valley (Suan Damrong Achip at KM. 11 and the resorts).
Mae Sa Elephant Camp(KM.10 Elephant shows at 08:00 and 09:40; show only 80 Baht. Elephant treks every hour from 07:00 to 11:00. Ride prices per elephant - max. 2 adults: 5-10 min. 80 Baht; 30 min. 600 Baht; 60 min. 800 Baht; Tel: 297060.)
The elephant show is good and the short ride offers the experience without pain to the pocket or the backside!
(KM. 12 Visiting hours 08:00 - 17:30. Office Tel: 299753)
Semi-paved walkways lead through grassy landscaped slope, where similar species are grouped. Occupying 3,500 Rai (almost 1400 acres), the gardens have a boardwalk and a five kilometer nature trail. Vehicles are not allowed and some zones are restricted in keeping with the scientific purposes of the gardens.
Founded in 1992 as a state enterprise under the Office of the Prime Minister. This is the first botanical garden in the kingdom.
They are being developed with advice from Kew Botanical Gardens in Great Britain, and are becoming the major attraction in the valley.
The villages close to the valley are good examples of how the Hmong pursue the modern economy but keep their ways. Ban Nong Hoi (KM. 1 5 north turn - 7 km. 4WD needed to go extra 3 km. to the more interesting Ban Nong Hoi Mai (New Ban Nong Hoi) has a royal project. A sealed road (KM. 16 south turn - 5 km.) goes through land used for flower cultivation to Ban Pha Nok Kok. Further, villages may be reached by dirt roads (4WD) at KM.23 & KM.26.
Pong Yaeng Elephant Camp(KM. 18 south turn - 1.5 km. Show times 09:15, 10:15. 100 Baht Adults. Elephant rides from 1- 6 hours at 1000 Baht per hour; Tel: 215943, 409198)
Located higher up the valley, the camp offers scenic rides. The lane past the camp continues to a Thai village (1 km.) and then becomes a dirt road into the hills (4WD).
See also: [Wat Phra Non Rocket Festival] [Orchids] [Mae Thorani]