Thailand · ELEPHANT SANCTUARIES IN CHIANG MAI

15 Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai That Repay The Whole Day

41 tours  ·  from $22

Pick one of these 15 elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai and the rest of the week arranges itself. Prices, timings and the one thing to know before you commit are on every entry.

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting - Cooling off at Mae Wang Waterfalls
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting

1.Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9,160 reviews · 9 hours · from $60Our pick

Spend nine hours outside Chiang Mai with rescued elephants at Pon Elephant Thailand. Feed bananas, walk through the forest, bathe in river pools, swim at Mae Wang Waterfalls, eat a Thai lunch, and raft down the Mae Wang River. English-speaking guides such as Nop, Paul, Yaya, and Mimi lead the day.

“This tour made our holiday! Mel was so informative, full of energy and had us laughing at every activity. We were really pleased to see how happy all the elephants were and the experience was well balanced between for seeing and interacting with the animals whilst respecting them at the same time. Would recommend to anyone who comes to Chiang Mai!”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour - Meeting the elephants at Pon Elephant Thailand
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour

2.Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 5,780 reviews · 7 hours · from $50

Travel 80 minutes from Chiang Mai to Pon Elephant Thailand in Mae Wang. With an English-speaking guide such as Beer, Yaya, Nop, or Amy, you will learn about rescued elephants, feed them, walk beside them, and help cool them in the river. A Thai lunch, seasonal fruit, and a waterfall visit complete this active day.

“Beer was a great guide, explaining everything during the way. The experience with the elephants is unique.”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour - Meeting the elephants and the sanctuary team
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour

3.Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,527 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $27

Travel south of Mae Wang to Pon Elephant Thailand, where English or Thai-speaking guides explain elephant care, habits, and local hill-tribe ties. Feed bananas, sugarcane, and Napier grass, prepare herbal treats, and walk with the elephants toward the river. Bathing depends on the animals choosing to enter the water, so bring a change of clothes and expect a flexible plan.

“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…”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall - River bathing and what to pack
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall

4.Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,262 reviews · 9 hours · from $63

This $63 day trip combines an elephant sanctuary, Long Neck village, Thai lunch, and Buatong Sticky Waterfall. You will prepare herbal treats, feed and bathe elephants, then climb the limestone falls. Guides such as Fluke, Amy, Tiger, and Pong are praised for clear English, humor, and careful timing.

“This trip is totally worth it and absolutely well worth going! Everything was just perfect. The most interesting part was interacting with the friendly elephants, which was an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Fluke, was very professional and responsible. His knowledgeable explanations and considerate planning made the trip even better. Highly appreciated!”

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From Chiang Mai: Elephant Care Program and Nursery Tour - Changing clothes and meeting the elephants
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From Chiang Mai: Elephant Care Program and Nursery Tour

5.Elephant Care Program and Nursery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,899 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $53

Spend five to six hours at Elephant Retirement Park Chiang Mai, about an hour from the city. Feed rescued elephants, prepare medicine balls, watch their behavior, and join mud and bathing activities only when they choose to participate. Guides such as Francesco, Tin, and Disney explain elephant care, while lunch, showers, and hotel transfers keep the day easy.

“The half day experience was amazing! It was the highlight of my trip to Thailand. The staff was outstanding and passionate about their elephants. I highly recommend this excursion.”

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Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Bamboo Rafting and Waterfall Tour - The elephant sanctuary: ask what interaction means today
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Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Bamboo Rafting and Waterfall Tour

6.Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Bamboo Rafting and Waterfall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 870 reviews · from $58Top rated

Spend about eight hours visiting Chiang Mai’s climbable Bua Tong Waterfall, an elephant sanctuary in Mae Tang Valley, and a bamboo rafting camp. Guides such as Paul, Fluke, and Mr. Poppy lead the day, which includes lunch, entrance fees, transport from Three Kings Monument, and time for feeding or observing elephants under the sanctuary’s no-riding policy.

“We had a great time in the elephant sanctuary with preparing food for them and feeding them and then giving them bath in the river. Our guide Fluke was really knowledgeable and cheerful. We also had an exciting time at the sticky waterfall which was adventurous and must do activity. Then the bamboo boat ride was also good. Just one advice don’t buy beers for the captain of the boats which shopkeepers will insist you to do that. I think there are much better elephant sanctuaries out there so you can explore more options, I deducted 1 star just because of that.”

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From Chiang Mai: Kerchor Eco Elephant Park Tour - Starting with elephant care and local context
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From Chiang Mai: Kerchor Eco Elephant Park Tour

7.Kerchor Eco Elephant Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 704 reviews · 5h 30m · from $48

Spend about five hours with Kerchor Eco Elephant Park, including a 1.5-hour drive each way, an elephant-care presentation, feeding, walking, mud play, and river bathing. Guides such as F, Fa, Fai, and NamNam add friendly local insight. Lunch, drinks, elephant food, and activity shirts are included.

“Everything was perfect honestly! Nothing much to say besides maybe upgrade the quality of the buffet”

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Care Pride Elephants: Full-Day Tour Experience - The drive south from Chiang Mai
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Care Pride Elephants: Full-Day Tour Experience

8.Care Pride Elephants: Full-Day Tour Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 658 reviews · from $91

Travel from Chiang Mai to Elephant Pride Sanctuary near Inthanon National Park for a full day with elephants. Guides such as Koko, Koko Loco, Dodo, and Cherry explain elephant care, then lead you through feeding, a forest walk, a mud bath, and river washing. Thai lunch, bottled water, and hotel transfers are included.

“This was my favorite excursion by far! From pick up to drop off, it was perfect! The small group was exactly what I wanted. We passed other groups on our way to the farm that were 2-3 times the size of ours. I don’t know how g the that many people could have had the intimate experience that we had. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. The lunch was wonderful. The elephants are so impressive. Each with their own personality. They are so well cared for and it was nice to be part of that for a day. I looked at many other elephant excursions online and I am…”

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Half-Day Elephant Experience at Rantong - The elephant school sets the tone
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Half-Day Elephant Experience at Rantong

9.Half-Day Elephant Experience at Rantong

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 625 reviews · from $58

Spend about five hours at Ran-Tong Save & Rescue Elephant Centre, roughly an hour from Chiang Mai. Learn elephant care, make vitamins, feed and walk with rescued elephants, then help bathe them. Guides such as Seven, Rambo, Nikon, Oh-Oh, and Dang lead sessions, with Thai food, fruit, showers, and hotel transport included.

“An excellent outing. They truly love the animals Our guide Seven was exceptional and knowledgeable. It was quite thrilling to interact with the animals”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Monk Trail & Doi Suthep Tour - Walking the Monk Trail to Wat Pha Lat
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Monk Trail & Doi Suthep Tour

10.Elephant Sanctuary, Monk Trail & Doi Suthep Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 563 reviews · 1 day · from $57

Spend a full day with an English-speaking guide such as Sumit, Paul, Ronnie, or Suriya, combining a forest walk to Wat Pha Lat, sacred Doi Suthep, and hands-on elephant care at Pon Elephant Thailand. Feed elephants, make medicine balls, walk through the forest, bathe them in a river, and enjoy a Thai lunch. Hotel transfers, tickets, water, and insurance are included.

“Our family really enjoyed this adventure and the guide, Sumit, went over the top and told us about the history of everything. He definitely made this adventure for us and we really enjoyed his personality. The Pon Elephant crew definitely needs to take care of Sumit.”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Dream Project Sanctuary - Half-Day - The early pickup and mountain road
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Dream Project Sanctuary – Half-Day

11.Elephant Dream Project Sanctuary – Half-Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 552 reviews · 4 hours · from $51

Spend time with five elephants at the locally run Elephant Dream Project, guided by JJ or Mr Dee. Feed them, walk beside them through the jungle, watch their natural routines, and learn about Asian elephants. The visit avoids riding, tricks, forced bathing, and other staged activities. Hotel pickup, lunch, water, entry, and elephant food are included.

“This was a great trip and overall experience. The driving was safe and professional. The elephants were wonderful and the pace of the day chilled. It was my favourite trip. The sanctuary needs more support so get involved elephant lovers!”

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Chiang Mai: Ethical Half Day Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall - The 1.5-hour ride from Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai: Ethical Half Day Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall

12.Ethical Half Day Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 450 reviews · 7 hours · from $54

Spend seven hours with Joy Elephant Sanctuary in Mae Wang, watching rescued elephants feed and forage without riding, bathing, or touching them. An English-speaking guide explains their care, then you can swim near a waterfall, eat Pad Thai and fruit, and make a Thai herbal inhaler. Hotel pickup, lunch, water, elephant food, insurance, and a towel are included.

“We did the half a day trip afternoon and it was amazing! Can’t stress enough how brilliant and beautiful the experience was. All the staff were amazing with us and the elephants. We got to feed and walk with them through the jungle and then just observe them while we went for a swim and then ate some pad thai and fruit. Can not recommend this company enough they are truly ethical and care deeply for their elephants, who have all been rescued.”

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Elephant care program at CHIANGMAI ELEPHANT CARE - Changing into a mahout-style uniform
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Elephant care program at CHIANGMAI ELEPHANT CARE

13.Elephant care program at Chiangmai Elephant Care

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 295 reviews · from $52

Spend about six hours with rescued Asian elephants at a care facility outside Chiang Mai. Guides such as Ford, Tom, Todd, and Tong explain elephant welfare, lead feeding and herbal supplement activities, and help you observe the animals as they roam. Hotel pickup, lunch, water, uniforms, transport, and insurance are included.

“If I could give this tour 6 stars I would! Our guide Todd was absolutely fantastic! He was full of information on our drive to and fro, and made ever portion of the tour enjoyable! He took tons of fabulous pictures on my camera, which was so very appreciated! The elephant sanctuary was beautiful and we really spent a lot of time feeding them, walking with them, and, of course, in the water with them! A day I will never forget!”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Bamboo Raft & Padthai Cooking - The 1.5-hour ride from Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Bamboo Raft & Padthai Cooking

14.Elephant Sanctuary Bamboo Raft & Padthai Cooking

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 245 reviews · 10 hours · from $54

Spend 9 to 10 hours with Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, about 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai. Feed and walk with rescued elephants, learn their stories from an English-speaking guide, cook vegetarian Pad Thai, and raft the Wang River. Guides such as Mark, Rainbow, Jon, and Tuctuc have been praised for their care and humor.

“It was amazing experiences. Grest atmosphere and peoples around. The workshop also was really great and tasty! ✨😍”

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Top Pick - Full or Half Day @Elephant in Wild Sanctuary ChiangMai - Trekking through forest to the waterfall
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Top Pick – Full or Half Day @Elephant in Wild Sanctuary ChiangMai

15.Top Pick – Full or Half Day @Elephant in Wild Sanctuary ChiangMai

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 229 reviews · from $42

Spend a full day near Mae Taeng feeding and bathing rescued elephants, trekking through forest to a waterfall, and rafting through gentle rapids. Hotel pickup, Thai lunch, and return transport are included. Guides such as Tony, Ping Pong, Sam, and Mint are praised for keeping the day lively and clear. Choose the half-day option for elephants only.

“We did the half day elephant experience and loved it. The drive is about 90 mins in a minibus, and when we arrived we changed into the company provided clothes. We then prepared some food for the elephants, fed them, and walked them down to the river where we bathed them. We were with 4 elephants who were all lovely and the tour operators were all great. After the elephants we had some pad Thai which was nice, then headed back in the van. Overall a really great hands on experience with the elephants who all looked really well loved and looked after.”

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New in Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai

★ 5.0Chiang Mai Chapulin Elephant Care and Sticky WaterfallFrom $389 reviews
★ 5.0Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Observation and Bamboo RaftingFrom $6144 reviews
★ 4.5Chiang Mai ATV White Water Rafting and Elephant Sanctuary Full-Day TripFrom $1388 reviews
★ 5.0Chiang Mai 3 in 1 Zipline, Elephants and Sticky WaterfallFrom $12029 reviews
★ 5.0Chiang Mai 1 Day: Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall & Bamboo RaftingFrom $7719 reviews
★ 5.0Half-day with Chiangmai Elephant Care program (12pm-6pm.)From $5427 reviews
★ 4.4Rantong elephant sanctuary ChiangmaiFrom $5721 reviews
★ 5.0Full-day with Chiangmai Elephant Care and Sticky waterfallFrom $6222 reviews
★ 5.0Chiang Mai Elephant Care Morning ProgramFrom $5459 reviews
★ 4.5Elephant Sanctuary & Jungle Trek w/ WaterfallFrom $6118 reviews
★ 4.8Elephant Habitat Park Feeding Entry & Rafting Van TransferFrom $3328 reviews
★ 4.7Chiang Mai Untouched Elephant: Nature Walk & Waterfall TrekFrom $5177 reviews
★ 4.8Chiang Mai | TeeTee Elephant Home Elephant Care Half-DayFrom $5724 reviews
★ 4.8National Elephant Care, Rafting, & Ziplines TripFrom $5148 reviews
★ 4.5Jungle Trek, Elephants care & Bamboo RaftingFrom $588 reviews

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