velvetropevacations.com » March http://www.velvetropevacations.com Velvet Rope Vacations Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:18:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament – Thailand http://www.velvetropevacations.com/2009/02/exclusive-offers-test-2/ http://www.velvetropevacations.com/2009/02/exclusive-offers-test-2/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:03:04 +0000 crystalclark http://www.velvetropevacations.com/?p=249 The game of polo has been around for centuries.  However not many have had the opportunity to play it quite like this!  Imagine the wind blowing past as you charge down the pitch, atop of an elephant as the majestic animal carries you toward the opposing team’s goal line.  Hear the excitement of the crowd as they roar in support of your agility. 

The “Game of Kings” Package Includes (March 22-29):four-seasons-elephant1

  • Round-trip airfare to/from Chiang Rai International Airport
  • Round-trip private airport transfer
  • Luxurious tented accomodations at the most notable resort in the region overlooking the Ruak River, Burma, the mountains of Laos or the jungle and Golden Triangle
  • All meals and beverages, including house wines and spirits
  • One spa treatment per person, per stay
  • Full-day mahout training and trekking
  • Golden Triangle excursion down the Mekong River (when seasonal water level permits) and scenic drive to Chiang Saen to explore a local market and temple
  • Half-day excursion to visit the market in Mae Sai, Thailand and cross the border to Tachilek, Myanmar (Burma)
  • Access to the daily King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament activities:
    • March 24, 2009 – Elephant-blessing ceremony at the elephant polo pitch
    • March 23, 2009 
      • Lunch at Nong Yao Restaurant
      • Opening parade in the nearby village of Baan Sob Ruak with all elephants
      • Dream Team opening match 
    • March 25 to 28, 2009 – Opportunity to watch and possibly join the matches as a polo player
    • March 29, 2009 – Final game and award ceremony of the 2009 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

    • The King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament is part of the World Elephant Polo Association Championship series. Taking place in Northern Thailand, the tournament is an annual charitable event that raises money for the country’s National Elephant Institute.
To date the tournament has raised over US$200,000 for the National Elephant Institute, which provides medical care, sustenance, employment, and mahout training to Thailand’s elephant population. In 2008 the funds were used to run the custom build ambulance that was donated at the opening ceremony of the most recent tournament. It is estimated that Thailand has around 2,500 domesticated elephants and 1,500 wild elephants. This is down from an elephant population of around 50,000 in 1950 and 100,000 in 1900.  The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) fully endorses the King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament, having identified it as one of the country’s prime annual special events.

 

Contact Us for more details and exclusive pricing.

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