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Elephant Ride in Kerala

Andrew John
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Best Elephant Rides in Kerala

Kerala, as all tourists agree, is a land of wonder. The abundant water resources, lush greenery, and exotic beaches make the place the best holiday location. Nevertheless, Kerala is not a bland sightseeing location without any fun activities. There are many exciting adventures like elephant rides, trekking, camping, safari, snorkeling, paragliding, and so on. But if there is an activity unique to the land, which most Kerala travel agencies promote, it is the elephant ride.

Kerala is well known for its elephant population. They are used to add pomp to festivals and for heavy lifting work. Several elephant training centers tame the beasts. Most of them are open to tourists and they get to see the largest animal on land up close and learn the scientific training methods. Many also offer an exciting ride on the back of tamed elephants. As the activity is equal parts thrilling and scary, it is an integral part of most Kerala tourism packages.

But, if you are involved in the activity for the first time, your apprehension is understandable. You need to know some things that will help to make the adventure at once safe and enjoyable.  Here is a complete guide to all the necessary things to know if you are planning an elephant ride on your Kerala tour.

Several places offer elephant rides in Kerala. Below is the complete list of the places and their working hours.

Muthanga wildlife sanctuary

One of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala, Muthanga offers an elephant ride through the thicket. Enjoying the safari on the back of an elephant is a unique experience. So do not miss this opportunity while you are in Muthanga as part of your Kerala tour package.

Aanakoodu

Since ancient times, Konni is well known for elephant trapping and training. Though capturing of wild elephants was banned by the government of India, the place still has a training center for elephants. You can learn the scientific caring of the animals here. The bathing, feeding, treatment, and old age (geriatric) care of elephants is worth understanding.

Elephant Junction, Thekkady

An exquisite honeymoon destination in Kerala, Thekkady has some features that very few other hill stations offer. One of them is the thrilling elephant ride through the forest. It would be a great idea to include the adventure as part of your Kerala honeymoon package. It gives newlyweds the opportunity to involve in an adventure and bond effectively.

Carmelagiri Elephant Park

If you are planning a trip to Munnar, the king of hill stations in Kerala, you should take a stopover at Mattuppetty. Among many other attractions, the elephant ride is the most exhilarating one in the tourist destination. Many coming to Munnar on their Kerala honeymoon package take part in the adventure. Nevertheless, the drawback of the elephant ride in the Mattuppetty is that its duration is only 30 minutes.

Iruttukanam Elephant Camp

Iruttukanam Elephant Camp is a great place to enjoy an elephant joyride in Kerala. Most Kerala travel agencies include Idukki as a destination on their Kerala tour package because of its exquisite beauty and exhilarating adventures. Among them is the elephant ride, which is one of the most preferred activities here.

Spice Park Elephant Ride and Jeep Safari

Spice park is another center near Thekkady where you can enjoy an elephant ride. The favorable climate and charming natural beauty add color to the safari. The mahouts here are experts in their field and elephants are well trained. Hence you don’t have to worry about anything.

Safety measures

First and foremost, you should know that an elephant ride is safer than a horse ride. As the beast moves slowly and has trained professionals by its side, the number of accidents reported is almost zero. The Animal Welfare Board of India conducts routine checks and ensures the physical well-being of the elephants used for the ride. These measures help to circumvent cruelty towards animals and avoid the animals going berserk.

However, there are some things that you can keep in mind to make the ride comfortable. If you follow these simple tips, you can have a great time that you will cherish throughout your life.

Follow the instructions of the mahout

The mahouts are well-trained and have long experience working with elephants. They can pick up even the smallest signals given by the animals and can predict their behavior. So it is advisable to strictly follow their instructions. The travel agencies in Kerala insist that this is the best way to ensure a safe and hassle-free ride.

Be careful when the elephant gets up

The elephant will usually lie down to allow you to climb above it. Once you are seated, it gets up on the cue of the mahout. First, it leans on its hind legs and straightens its head; then the animal leans on its front leg and comes to a standing position. You have to lean forward first and back the same way at this time.

Hold on tight

A ride on the elephant back is surely enjoyable, but not as easy as you have imagined it. Yet, the excitement lies in the difficulty and it is what prompts the tourists to include the adventure even in their Kerala honeymoon tour. While you are on the ride, make sure to hold on tight to the saddle. Remember, safety is the priority.

Do not shout or scream

Elephants, especially those used for rides, are mild-natured animals. They are sensitive to loud noises and they love peace. Hence it is advisable to avoid shouting and screaming while on the ride on your Kerala tour. It can irritate the animal.

Do not hurt the animal

Though they are the biggest animals on land, elephants have a low tolerance for pain. They have sensitive skin that can break and damage easily. Please keep this in mind while on your adventure ride. While climbing up or getting down, it is best if you can avoid your shoes. Also, be careful not to pull the hair of the animal as it causes them a lot of pain.

Conclusion

By now, you are aware of the places in Kerala that provide elephant rides, their prices, and their timings. We have also furnished the safety measures to keep in mind while on the trip. The aforementioned are almost all that you need to know if you include an elephant ride on your Kerala tourism package. We believe that this will give you the confidence to choose the adventure for your next trip to Kerala.

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