Surin Elephant Round-up

Not a round up in the usual sense, the Surin Elephant Round-up is a show of elephant training, skills and prowess. Elephants and riders perform shows, demonstrate traditional elephant hunts, play football games and compete in tug of war competitions. The day starts with an elephant procession of around 300 carrying local dignitaries and people in traditional dress. The parade ends with an ‘Elephant Breakfast’, a vast layout of fruit for the parading elephants to share. Local schools and performing arts troupes entertain the crowd of around 40,000 with music and dance between elephant events. Along with being an unusual cultural event, this is an amazing opportunity to appreciate the intelligence and agility of one of the world’s most impressive creatures. In recent years, the event has become more popular and tour companies have improved access to Surin.