As the sun sank into the horizon a blanket of black enveloped the forest. We sat around a chai kada, sipping cups of steaming tea and listening to the sounds of the jungle till midnight. We were camping in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary nestling deep in a valley between the Anamalai Ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliyampathy Ranges of Kerala in the Western Ghats.

The journey to Sakleshpur, 240 km from Bangalore, was an exhilarating experience. We passed by vast verdant coffee, pepper, cardamom, ginger and tea plantations and estates that dot its scenic landscape. Rows of coffee bushes covered with sparkling white blossoms greeted us and the whole area was heavenly with their exquisite fragrance. After reaching Sakleshpur town, we took a 14-km detour to Hanbal town. From Hanbal, we proceeded towards Agani where the tarmac ends and the natural terrain begins.

The elephant holds a special place in the Thai way of life. We experienced a slice of their fascination, concern and care for elephants when we visited the Patara Elephant Farm, a 30-minute drive from Chiang Mai. We had a rendezvous with the elephants rescued from unsuitable working conditions and cruel backgrounds.

Located in the picturesque Hang Dong Valley, Patara Elephant Farm focuses on conservation, healthcare and breeding management of elephants in Thailand and their reintroduction into the wild. To help fund the organization, Pattara has devised the 'Elephant Owner for a Day' programme  which enables visitors to get hands-on experience in interacting with elephants ...