Hong Kong, 21 October 2008 – The majestic elephant has featured prominently throughout Thai history, not least as the steed of war carrying Thai kings and warriors into battle. Today, Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi offers you the chance to get up close and personal to these mighty creatures with a four day/three night Elephant Experience package.

Much more than just a chance to see and pat elephants, the Elephant Experience package features a memorable half-day excursion to the Elephant Life Experience park in Mae Taman Valley. After a private air-conditioned transfer to the park, you’ll change into your very own mahout’s outfit (yours to keep) before being introduced to your personal elephant for the day.

Spend time getting to know your elephant with a bath in the river, then learn basic elephant training techniques including commands in the local Karen language. Suitably briefed, it’s time to practise your new-found skills during a ride along the river or through the jungle. A further demonstration of these gentle giants’ skills can later be seen as they paint pictures – with your help of course – and which likewise you can keep as souvenir of a wonderful experience.

There’s an opportunity to visit the mahout’s living area before rounding off your excursion with a leisurely and picturesque 30-minute bamboo raft ride downriver. Then it’s back to the resort with many stories to tell.

Priced at THB 137,000+++ double occupancy and valid until 20 December 2008, the Elephant Experience package also includes:

• Three nights luxury accommodation in a Grand Deluxe Villa with Plunge Pool

• American Buffet Breakfast for two persons on three days 

• Round-trip airport transfer in a Mercedes-Benz Limousine

• Half-day excursion to the Elephant Life Experience park for two persons

• 80-minute traditional spa therapies for two persons

• One Thai set dinner at Le Grand Lanna restaurant for two persons

Terms and Conditions
Price is subject to 10% service charge, 7% VAT and 0.8% provincial tax. Commissionable to travel agents at 10% from base rates. Subject to availability and reservations in advance. 

Reservations can be made by contacting the hotel directly on +66 (53) 888 929, through mocnx-reservations@mohg.com as well as through Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s worldwide sales and reservations offices or the Group’s direct on-line reservations service at www.mandarinoriental.com/chiangmai.