Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary

We went 2 days ago. We were a small group. The Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary was all that we'd hoped for. Our guide, Tommy, was knowledgeable and all around fun to be with along with all of the Sanctuary caretakers.

The elephant caretakers seemed to genuinely care for them and their well being. It was wonderful to go and be where the elephants are and not have the elephants on the side of the road waiting for shuttles or buses coming to them.

A word of caution - if you have arthritis, going to the waterfall may be difficult. If you have diabetes, be sure to wear good hiking shoes.

Great experience. It’s fairly priced, fun, and the elephants seem to be healthy and happy. The staff is excellent and our guide Nuki was a really fun dude. Delicious lunch included!

Booked the 1 day Doi Inthanon tour through this agent. I was very happy with both the tour and the agent. I booked it the night before, but that was no problem and the woman helping me was great (and speaks excellent English). I exchanged whatsapp details with her just in case there were any issues with the pick up in the morning (I've been burnt before), and she messaged me to check I'd been picked up. The price for this tour was also one of the more competitive that I'd seen for similar/same tours. I can recommend booking through this agent.

Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary is a remarkable haven for abused elephants in the heart of Thailand. It's a place where compassion and sustainability take precedence over profit, making it a truly exceptional experience.

Visiting this sanctuary is a heartwarming journey into the world of these magnificent creatures. The sanctuary's primary mission is to provide a safe and loving environment for rescued elephants, allowing them to heal from years of mistreatment and abuse. It's evident from the moment you arrive that the staff genuinely care about the well-being of the elephants.

What sets Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary apart is its commitment to sustainability. They have implemented eco-friendly practices, such as minimizing waste and promoting responsible tourism. There are no rides or performances here; instead, visitors are encouraged to observe and interact with the elephants in a respectful and non-intrusive manner.

During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to feed, bathe, and simply enjoy the company of these majestic animals. The educational aspect of the experience is enlightening, as you learn about the challenges elephants face and the sanctuary's efforts to support their rehabilitation.

The setting is breathtaking, nestled in the lush jungle surroundings of Chiang Mai. You'll feel like you're in a serene paradise while contributing to the welfare of these elephants. It's a powerful reminder that responsible tourism can make a positive impact on wildlife, the environment and local communities.

Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary is a shining example of what ethical and sustainable tourism should be. If you're looking for an unforgettable and meaningful experience in Thailand, this sanctuary is a must-visit destination. Your visit supports a noble cause, and the memories you'll create here will stay with you for a lifetime.

Great tour guide Nookie, great experience. Very personal and down to earth, you can see the bond with the animals especially with the older female elephant and her care taker.

Did the half day on a Sunday morning, my partner and I had the guide all to ourselves which made it even better.

Definitely recommend.

We did the one day experience. Being up close and personal with the elephants was fantastic. We were in a small group of six with Roberto as our guide and he really was part of the whole experience. His knowledge and clear love for the elephants is written all over his face and in everything he does. The elephants did not appear to be mistreated. They didn't jump or flinch when the mahoots went near them. They were no hooks whips or other devices used or even around. When the one elephant had had enough its was allowed, without any fuss or shouting, to just wander off back to the jungle.
In the afternoon we walked to a waterfall and on our return had some lunch. We were then taken to do some Thai style rafting that was another thai experience and we thoroughly enjoyed that passing other elephants on the river bank including a mum and baby.

All in all a great day out, thank you.

Feb 2018
Great fun to be up close and personal with elephants. We walked with them from their stable, along a creek, fed them, then returned for a local meal. Fun experience!

Good ethical sanctuary. Great interaction feeding and bathing elephants. Bit of a hike and a swim in the forest at a waterfall too. Finished up with a late lunch which was really nice.

This is my first time to get close to the elephant 🐘 like this I'm so happy 😊 great adventure for me..such a good time for-. The waterfalls amazing..

I absolutely recommend this sanctuary. They really care about the animals. It was almost a private occasion, they do it in very small groups probably to help lower stress on the elephants. You can tell Simon especially really cares. This place is amazing please don't hesitate and book this tour! Best vacation day EVER.

we had an amazing time in the elephant sanctuary - it was truly wonderful!! it was in the middle of the jungle, we were a very small group and the guide was very funny. definitely recommend!

cannot recommend this place enough!! my husband and i had the absolute best time! our favorite thing we’ve done on thailand! you could really tell how much they care for the elephants and truly provide them the best lives! the staff was beyond amazing! they were so on taking photos and everything, allowing us to fully live in the moment! definitely a must do in chiang mai!

This was a great tour. Small group. Tons of interaction with the elephants! Our guide Simon was high energy and made it all fun!! The elephants are treated very very well. No riding, no hooks. Just fed and bathed and happy! This was so much fun and we will definitely recommend it to anyone heading this way!!

Unreal experience... Lovely guides. Happy, healthy elephants. We got to massage, bathe and feed them bananas. Bought the tickets two hours before from the office and we were taken there ( takes about one hour and a half).
Lunch included ( delicious) however the drive up there is tough (worth it).

Me and my partner had an amazing experience here. We took part in the 2 night/3 day package and enjoyed every second of it, from the first day with the elephants, swimming in the waterfall, trekking through the jungle etc.
The most authentic part of the experience however lied within the homestay of the tour. We stayed at our tour guide’s house which overlooked an amazing view. Simon (our tour guide) made the experience incredibly unique and lighthearted which made the few days fly by.
All in all, I would recommend for those who are willing to venture off the beaten track for a few days and keen to see how the Karen Hill Tribe live.

Thank you to this sanctuary for treating the elephants with so much love & care.
What I love about this place is that, We were only allowed to feed, give them bud baths and bathe them by down the river.
Riding elephants here were not allowed which I did not want to do anyway, so it was good to know they didn’t allow people to ride them. 👍🏼
& thank you to our tour guide TJ, he was so amazing! 💙

Beautiful experience at the elephant sanctuary,
great day trip .
mud baths , river water falls to wash of .
feeding elephants and fresh cooked food after activities. Good for groups

I recommend at 100%. Amazing experience, the elephants are very happy and the sanctuary really take care of them. The little baby is so fun and love to play! I recommend to spend several days there as you can create link with elephants and with local people, go in the jungle, learn to cook thai food, etc.

Very nice experience; the elephants were treated well and it was very fun. Staff is nice and has passion for the elephants. Worth the money

Excellent experience! Staff very nice and it seems that they really care of the elephants . Thanks Simon and all the staff for the amazing day . The food was increíble too !