Anantara Golden Triangle

Activities

• Many guests – around a third – come especially for the elephant camp, and some spend several days getting to know these generally gentle giants. Of the 30 or so elephants, about half take guests on treks through the forest or are used for training mahouts. If that sounds fun, book one of the 1-day or 3-day mahout-training courses which include lessons in how to get on and off an elephant, how to command and steer her, and how to bathe with her in the river or pond (key tip: hang on to her ears).
  
  The other half of the elephants are recovering street-rescues, or babies, or new mothers, who are supported by a sister charity, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. A dedicated camp for the baby elephants is due to open in 2009. All guests are welcome to visit the camp and see the elephants feeding and bathing, between 8am and 2pm every day.
  
  Other activities include:
  
  
• Hall of Opium Museum, bang opposite the resort’s gates and a fascinating exposition of the Golden Triangle’s infamous history
  
  
• Anantara Spa, with a range of beauty treatments, Ayurveda and massages (including a special mahout massage to straighten you out after clenching thigh muscles you didn't know you had), all delivered in stylish suites with outdoor tubs and chill-out balconies
  
  
• Shopping and sightseeing in Chiang Saen, the ancient capital of the Lanna Kingdom (about 30 minutes by car), or in Chiang Rai, the provincial capital (an hour’s drive away); they can even arrange a 3-countries-in-one-day shopping bonanza (see the Los Angeles Times review)
  
  
• Excursions into the hills, to see colourful hilltribe villages, wonderful handicrafts, flower plantations and great views
  
  
• Walks along nature trails, guided or unguided
  
  
• Bird-watching, guided or unguided
  
  
• Mountain-bike rental
  
  
• Lanna Thai cooking school
  
  
• Yoga: two classes a day, plus private sessions
  
  
• Tree planting
  
  
• Day trips to Laos and Burma
  
  
• Golf at Santiburi Golf Course (70km away) and Waterford Valley (50km)
  
  
• Swimming in the infinity pool - where else can you float around while looking over 2 rivers and 3 countries?
  
  
• Trips along the Mekong river in longtail boats, continuing into Laos and all the way to Luang Prabang if you have 3 days to spare