Chiang Mai · ETHICAL ELEPHANT SANCTUARY VISITS
The word sanctuary is not regulated here, so the differences are in the detail: herd size, whether there is bathing, whether anyone sits on an elephant. The 15 below are compared on all three, with prices, half-day versus full-day timings and how far north each one is.
Spend a full day with rescued elephants, swim at Mae Wang Waterfalls, enjoy Thai lunch, and raft through the jungle near Chiang Mai.
“Loved it. Exactly what it said it would be. Tons of time with the elephants and a special experience.”
Spend seven hours with rescued elephants, hike to Mae Wang Waterfall, swim, share a Thai lunch, and learn about responsible elephant care.
“the animals are treated very well, lots of interaction with the elephants, good food”
Feed elephants, prepare herbal treats, and visit the river at Pon Elephant Thailand on a practical half-day tour from Chiang Mai.
“Jackie our tour guide was amazing. Spoke really good English and made the trip humorous, interesting and fun. The elephants were able to roam free without chains and wherever they liked to go whilst being safe. The staff took lots of care and love towards the elephants. 100% reccomend, thank you.”
Spend nine hours with elephants, visit a Karen village, eat Thai food, and climb Chiang Mai’s slippery-looking Sticky Waterfall.
“Had an amazing time at the elephant sanctuary and sticky waterfalls. Everything was really well organised, including transport, the day ran very smoothly. The food provided at lunch was very good too! Our guide Paul was great, he was very friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole tour enjoyable. Highly recommend!✨✨✨”
Spend a half-day feeding, caring for, and bathing rescued elephants near Chiang Mai, with Thai lunch, transfers, and an English-speaking guide.
“Excellent! the feeling and love to the elefants was awesome, and you ned to try it! we were lucky to be guided by an Italian sponsor who was very exited (in a good way) and allover a very very good guide.”
Combine ethical elephant care, Thailand’s highest peak, a jungle trek, waterfall, pagodas, and village coffee on a long Chiang Mai day trip.
“This tour is a fantastic way to see Chiang Mai’s highlights in one day—ethical elephant sanctuary, Doi Inthanon National Park, and the beautiful Pha Dok Siew waterfall. Lunch was tasty, and hotel pickup/drop-off made it easy. However, keep in mind that driving time is significant, so plan for a full day mostly on the road. Still, the experiences are worth it!”
Climb Chiang Mai’s Sticky Waterfall, meet elephants at an ethical sanctuary, and float through the forest on a bamboo raft.
“So fun. Amazing experience!! A must do experience. Staff accommodating and friendly. Fluke our guide was knowledgeable and made our experience special”
Spend five hours with elephants at Kerchor Eco Park, feeding, walking, and bathing them, with a Thai lunch and Chiang Mai pickup included.
“Very friendly staff, well organized transfer and most importantly, Elephants seemed to be in their natural habitat with no barriers. Ivery very close and prrsonal contact with them, walking, feeding and barhung…would not hesitate to reccomend this experience to anyone. Thanknyou so much !”
Spend a full day with rescued elephants near Chiang Mai, feeding, walking, mud bathing, and washing them, with lunch and hotel transfers included.
“This was the best experience we had with the elephants. Family was very nice. Kiki picked us up spoke English well. He explained everything to us about the elephants. We got to feed them bathe them and spent whole day with them. I would highly recommend this tour. We didn’t feel rushed. Elephants are treated so well. Highly recommend this tour”
Review of Chiang Mai’s Rantong elephant experience, with feeding, bathing, Thai food, hotel pickup, practical tips, and honest drawbacks.
“I loved every second of meeting and interacting with the elephants! The sanctuary team was all so professional but fun and informative at the same time. Highly recommend!”
Spend a full day hiking Wat Pha Lat, visiting Doi Suthep, and caring for elephants at Pon Elephant Thailand for $57.
“Sumit was an AMAZING guide! Funny, patient, knowledgeable and took all the photos for the girlies — good ones, too! The elephants were incredible of course. It is a long experience and did not feel rushed at all. Request Sumit as your guide!!”
Feed and walk with elephants in Chiang Mai’s jungle, learn from local guides, and enjoy Thai lunch at this small, welfare-focused sanctuary.
“We had a really good time at the Elephant Dream Project Sanctuary. We were looking for an ethical sanctuary where we could see the elephants, and the Dream Project is perfect! Local, respectful, simple. We had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the elephants and learn more about them. We would recommend it to anyone, and we are very grateful for this experience.”
See elephants forage freely at Joy Elephant Sanctuary near Chiang Mai, with feeding, jungle walks, waterfall time, lunch, and a Thai craft.
“It was so nice walking along side the elephants, without them being pressured about it. They look well-cared off and free. The guide explained really well the abuse these elephants suffered and how we as humans can treat them better. Everyone was really nice.”
Review of Chiang Mai’s 12-hour Doi Inthanon and ethical elephant sanctuary tour, with hiking, pagodas, waterfalls, Pad Thai, and Karen coffee.
“This is a whole day event, and we had an amazing time. The elephant program is ethical and they truly care for their elephants. But they are domesticated rescues, they aren't truly wild and they don't live like they are. This isn't the place to go if that's what you're looking for. The lunch was great, the pagoda sites and high elevation nature trail were cool. The hike to the coffee plantation was amazing, much longer and tougher than the nature trail but nothing crazy. Great day but be aware it will take all day”
Spend six hours caring for rescued elephants near Chiang Mai, with hotel transfers, a local lunch, scenic countryside, and no riding.
“Wonderful experience. I learned a great deal. The staff were knowledgeable and patient with all the questions. Highly recommend.”
Pick a temple, a herd, a mountain or a kitchen.
