On 13th July, 2018 (Friday the Thirteenth), we drove from Death Railways in Kanchanaburi to Chang Wangpo. We followed the road number 3343. Actually, we wanted to go to Elephant World. However, we landed in Chang Wangpo. The road signs do not state Chang Wangpo. Instead, they state Elephant Camp.
Before I state the details, please take a look at a video of our Elephant Ride at Chang Wangpo.
How to reach Chang Wangpo?
From Kanchanaburi, along road number 3343, we drove towards Sai Yok. The distance is just over 35 KMs. This road is very beautiful and very well maintained. There are lush green fields on both sides with hardly any population. However, there are lots of sharp curves. Also, it was raining steadily. So, I needed to drive very carefully.
Just on reaching Sai Yok, we found the road sign for going to Elephant Camp. We took a left turn from the highway and then followed a single road to reach Chang Wangpo.
There is ample parking space at Chang Wangpo. We did not need to pay any Parking Charges.
Activities at Chang Wangpo
There are 3 activities at Chang Wangpo.
- Elephant Ride
- Bamboo Boat Ride
- Bathing the Elephant
We did not have spare clothes and so we had to rule out Bathing the Elephant. For this activity, we needed to be in swimming gears as it involves getting into the River along with the Elephant.
We decided to go for Elephant Ride and Bamboo Boat Ride. First, we decided for Elephant Ride.
Elephant Ride costs 600 Bahts per person. So, we paid 1,200 Bahts for 2 of us. On making the payment, we were taken to the place from where we could alight the Elephant.
A Mahaut got an Elephant to the Alighting Point and we sat in the seat and locked the gate. Due to the constant rains, the ground was very wet. So, we were a bit scared. However, the Elephant was very steady. The Elephant’s name was Lali. Lali walked for about 20 minutes and brought us to the banks of River Kwai. This was quite a scary ride as Lali climbed down the hills through very slippery ground.
Lali took us into the River Kwai and played with the water for some time. It was ver thrilling.
At this stage, I requested our Mahaut if I could drive Lali. He agreed and got down from Lali. So, I took over.
Then started the adventure.
Lali walked through the forest. The Mahaut was clicking our photographs and also keeping an eye.
We got off Lali at the same point where we had alighted. We thanked the Mahaut for allowing me to drive Lali. We tipped him 200 Bahts.
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