Northern Thailand · CHIANG MAI ELEPHANT SANCTUARY VISITS
The camps are an hour or more up the valleys, and the honest differences are group size, how long you get with the herd and whether the day includes a river or a raft. These 15 are priced and timed, with pickup points and what lunch looks like.
Join an English-speaking guide such as Nop, Paul, Yaya, or Mimi for a 9-hour trip from Chiang Mai. Feed and bathe rescued elephants, walk with them through the forest, swim at Mae Wang Waterfalls, eat Thai lunch, and float down the Mae Wang River by bamboo raft.
“It was absolutely amazing. If you come to Chiang Mai I highly recommend visiting the elephants.”
Spend about three hours at Pon Elephant Thailand learning each rescued elephant’s story, feeding them bamboo, walking beside them, and cooling them in the river. After lunch, hike to Mae Wang Waterfall. English guides such as Beer, Yaya, Nop, and Amy are praised for clear explanations and warm help.
“Our guide Sunny was really friendly, spoke english well and told us the story about the elephants living in the sanctuary and how they treat them with medicine etc. The elephants were also friendly and calm and it was a great experience to play with them. The food that the locals cook was really nice and we even got to meet the lady who‘s the owner of the whole sanctuary”
Spend about five hours at Pon Elephant Thailand, south of Mae Wang, feeding elephants, preparing herbal treats, and walking through their forest habitat. Guides such as Pat, Toto, Jackie, and Tuto explain elephant care, while river bathing happens only if the elephants choose it.
“A truly unforgettable experience. This tour made me fall in love elephants even more and it was great to see them in their own habitat with tonnes of space and freedom. None of the interactions felt forced (feeding and getting in the water with them) and felt like an actual ethical elephant sanctuary as many are branded as them but aren’t. Booking was easy, meeting point straight forward to find. Bit of a delay in leaving but the transport was clean, comfortable and spacious. I liked that we were in a small group (7 I think) and the drive took about an hour. We learnt the basics about Thailand on…”
You’ll visit a private elephant sanctuary, make herbal treats, feed and bathe elephants, stop at a Karen long-neck village, enjoy Thai lunch, then climb Buatong Sticky Waterfall. English-speaking guides such as Fluke, Amy, and Pong are known for clear explanations and helpful photos.
“We enjoyed our daytrip very much. The guide, Tiger (Satya) and the driver were amazing. It was such a beautiful experience. Can definitely recommend.”
Spend 5 to 6 hours at Elephant Retirement Park Chiang Mai with a live English-speaking guide. Feed rescued elephants, prepare medicine balls, follow them to the mud and sand spa, and help wash them. Guides such as Francesco, Tin, and Disney bring strong elephant knowledge, while lunch and hotel transfers are included.
“Can’t recommend it enough! The guides are super helpful from answering questions, to taking pictures & encouraging everyone to get stuck in. Being up close with the elephants is truly amazing. The bath especially was a highlight, getting splashed by the elephants was something I’ll never forget. I was also super pleased to see that pictures has been taken of my experience and I was able to view them all before I purchased. The money from the tour/photo purchases goes straight back into elephant care which I really loved Facilities were fab however I’d emphasise reading the packing list before you come. The majority of my group ended up not…”
Leave Chiang Mai at 7 a.m. for an ethical elephant sanctuary, Doi Inthanon’s summit and royal pagodas, then hike the Pha Dok Seaw trail to a waterfall and coffee-growing village. Guides such as John, Jon, Rainbow, Note, and Sandy have earned praise for clear explanations and warm service.
“Very enjoyable full day tour beginning with a visit to Living Green Elephant Sanctuary. Two tour groups combine together (approximately 24 people total) to feed the elephants and follow them to the river. Delicious lunch (vegetarian Pad Thai) aRead more”
Spend about eight hours visiting Bua Tong Waterfall, New Elephant Home, and a bamboo rafting camp near Chiang Mai. Guides such as Paul, Fluke, and Mr. Poppy lead the day, with time for waterfall climbing, elephant care, lunch, and a quiet river ride.
“Amazing experience! Mr. Poppy was great. Informative and hilarious. Couldn't have asked for a better guide. Seeing how happy and well cared for the elephants were really made the experience special. Highly recommended.”
Spend a half day at Kerchor Eco Elephant Park with guides such as F, Fa, or Fai. Learn how the elephants are cared for, prepare snacks, feed them, walk beside them, and bathe one in a stream. A Thai lunch, drinks, tribal activity shirts, and Chiang Mai transport are included.
“The guy was amazing, great actitud and good English. I really enjoy my experience”
Spend about eight hours at Elephant Pride Sanctuary south of Chiang Mai, meeting the family who cares for the elephants. Guides such as Koko, Kiki, Coco, Dodo, and Cherry lead feeding, forest walks, a mud bath, river rinsing, and a Thai lunch. Hotel pickup and return are included.
“Amazing experience with genuine, caring, fun, safe and welcoming people. It was a pleasure to be able to visit, we were incredibly well looked after from the moment we were collected. A day we will never forget!”
Spend about five hours with rescued elephants at Ran-Tong Save & Rescue Elephant Centre near Chiang Mai. You’ll learn from guides such as Seven, Rambo, Nikon, and Oh-Oh, make elephant vitamins, feed and walk with the animals, help bathe them, and finish with Thai food and fruit.
“Visiting the elephant sanctuary was an unforgettable experience! The elephants were so well cared for, and it was amazing to see them up close in such a natural and ethical environment. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, sharing fascinating facts and stories that made the day even more special. The food was absolutely delicious — we even had to ask for seconds! Everything about the experience exceeded our expectations. I would definitely book again and highly recommend this sanctuary to anyone visiting Chiang Mai.”
Combine Chiang Mai’s forest temples with a hands-on visit to Pon Elephant Thailand. Walk the Monk Trail, see golden Doi Suthep, feed and bathe elephants without riding them, and enjoy a local Thai lunch. Guides such as Sumit, Paul, Ronnie, and Suriya are praised for their stories and care.
“We had a great time from the moment we were picked up. Our guide Paul was with us moment we stepped out of the hotel and guided us throughout the trip. Lunch was provided and the sanctuary was lovely and ethical. The temples were scenic and unique and Paul provided us with loads of insight. We were left alone to explore as well so it was a good balance. The hike at the end was scenic and we were able to get it done even though we didn’t pack the adequate footwear. Would recommend you bring walking shoes. Amazing experience that made our chiang mai visit memorable. Thank you Paul…”
Travel from Chiang Mai to the Elephant Dream Project, where guides such as JJ and Mr Dee introduce you to elephants cared for by local families. Feed them, walk beside them through the jungle, learn their stories, and eat a Thai lunch. No riding, tricks, or forced bathing.
“This day tour was an amazing experience. It was both educational and engaging, with great insights into elephants and their habitat at the sanctuary. Feeding the elephants was a highlight, and the delicious lunch made the day even better.”
Travel from Chiang Mai to Joy Elephant Sanctuary in Mae Wang for a respectful elephant encounter. Feed the animals, watch them forage, and walk nearby without touching, riding, or bathing them. Add a waterfall stop, Pad Thai, herbal tea, and a handmade Thai inhaler to a full seven-hour outing.
“Don’t be put off by the travelling, this was an unforgettable experience.”
Spend 12 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Jon, Nott, Rainbow, or Pete, depending on the day. Feed and walk with rescued elephants, enjoy Pad Thai, visit Doi Inthanon’s summit and Twin Pagodas, then hike past waterfalls and rice terraces to an organic Karen coffee farm.
“We enjoyed this trip very much! It was amazing to have the chance to see elephants up close and to feed them. We especially loved exploring the national park and the different plants and animals along the way. The waterfalls were beautiful, and the Twin Pagodas were extremely peaceful. There is a lot to experience in one day on this tour. The tour guides were knowledgeable and fun. It was a great experience.”
Travel from Chiang Mai to a small elephant care facility with guides such as Tom, Ford, Todd, or Tong. Change into a mahout-style uniform, prepare herbal supplements, feed and observe rescued elephants, and enjoy lunch before returning around 2 pm. Water activities can vary.
“I absolutely loved this experience! I would highly recommend to everyone! And for anyone skeptical, don’t be. This sanctuary is exactly the way a sanctuary should be run. Elephants are not forced to do anything, there are some sanctuaRead more”
Pick a mountain, a market or a kitchen.
