Afternoon Half Day Tour
4.5
Ages 0-100, max of 30 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
- A delicious traditional Thai buffet is served at the end of the tour
- Snacks
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Free pickup from any hotel or hostel within 5 km radius of Chiang Mai’s Old City
- Pickup time 11:30 - 12:00
- Air-conditioned vehicle
What's not included- No Riding!
- Departure details
- Traveler pickup is offered.
- We offer a free transfer service to all places of accommodation within a 5 km radius of Chiang Mai’s Old City. Transport from locations outside this area will incur a surcharge.
- Hotel pickup is offered. View the hotel list on our checkout page to see if yours is included among the pickup points.
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 147467P2- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- Travelers who are pregnant or with back, heart or other serious medical conditions must advise when booking the tour
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
- All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
- What you can expect during your visit
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Temperature checks for tour participants upon arrival
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Face masks provided for travelers
Community- Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 147467P2
Currently unavailable
This product is unavailable to book via Tripadvisor. Contact the supplier for availability.
Explore other optionsAbout the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.
Kim B
0010/10 recommend! Really nice sanctuary
We were sceptic at first but totally loved it. We were in camp 1 and the ride there is long and rough :D The elepha…
Karen R
00Day with the Elephants
Booked this not really knowing what to expect and we had the best day! Our guide, Dayo was funny, friendly and …
Jacques Z
00Would recommend
Excellent experience overall! We interacted with 4 elephants which were in great conditions. We feed them, have the…
Tasha_C_Marie
00Incredible
Incredible!!! We did the full day and it was the best experience ever. We were picked up at our AirBnB in the city …
katepiniphrine
00My Elephant Trip 🐘
One of the most awaited trip I'm waiting. Playing with the elephants. The best tour I had with this vacation. Feedi…
SWGNOW
00it was ok
They have several camp sites so it really depends on which one you get sent to. when I compared our photos compared…
403sharnaa
00Best day ever
The entire day was amazing, we were picked up in the morning by a lovely driver in a jeep! So even the drive there …
DeanHado
00Amazing experience!
Such an amazing experience we had! We had made our research and knew what waited for us during the time in the camp…
702RickB
00Dumbo meets the Elephants
Waking up at 6 AM to travel an hour from my comfy hotel was not my idea of a good time. Fortunately my wife was on …
Stephhleem
00Wholesome
Such a wholesome experience! The employees did an amazing job educating us on these beautiful animals. They are all…
kat_6867
00The best place for an elephant to be loved and live out their best days
An absolute MUST while in Chiang Mai! The Mahouts love their elephants and the elephants show their love for them. …
bellentpch
00Unforgettable experience in Chiang Mai
It was our unforgettable experience in Chiang Mai with elephants. The staff (Thomas and Yang) were very entertained…
Ashleylynn703
00HIGHLIGHT OF OUR TRIP!!!!
If you are going to Chiang Mai, this is an absolute MUST DO ACTIVITY!!!! Truly, look no further! This experience wa…
148catb
00Amazing experience, just wow. Getting up close and personal with the elephants and learning so much about them. Best day
I couldn’t recommend this place enough. I had been to Thailand three times and I can honestly say this is the best …
Kate A
00Excellent!
The team clearly love their elephants and are incredibly welcoming to their guests! 10/10 recommend. Elephants see…
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
135 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
12
Average
9
Poor
5
Terrible
6
Scott P
6 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
Very enjoyable ethical elephant tour! Fun, informative, and the relationship between staff and elephants seemed positive and playful. They picked me up from my hostel even though it wasn't on the list of pickup spots. The drive took at least an hour but was very scenic and included a break at a gas station for snacks/bathroom etc. Activities upon arrival included intro talk about the animals and the camp itself, feeding bananas to the elephants, mixing up their dietary supplement and then feeding those, bathing the elephants in mud then rinsing in the river. After everyone is rinsed off and the elephants head off to relax after all the activity we were fed a substantial and tasty meal. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for an experience where you can be confidant the animals are treated well!
Written December 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ramona H
Germany1 contribution
May 2022 • Friends
It was worth every penny , the Elefants are rescued elegantly from the circus or elegant riding or elegant working farms. They can go freely in the jungle and when they get back we get to bath then to check if they have any cuts from the jungle and the mud protects them from infections. They are not tied up and are healthy and free. Like all animals should be. They are the same company in Phuket and Chiang mai. The money gets infested to expand the sanctuary so more elegant scan be rescued.
Written May 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your 5-star
review! We will share this with the
store team to let them know to keep
up the amazing work.
Written May 12, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
petitecritique
Brantford, Canada103 contributions
Jan 2023
An experience NOT to be missed while in Chiang Mai!!! My husband and I were so delighted with our half day tour among the Karen People (tribe) who obviously have devoted their lives to caring for these majestic elephants in their sanctuary.
We feel the cost is nominal for what's included! They you pick up & drop off at your hotel, provide you with water and an amazing Thai meal (not just a snack) and plenty of interaction and photo opportunities with the elephants. There are toilets, clean water and showers on site, so no worries if you do the mud bath.
You can participate or just watch and admire.
The guides have a great sense of humour and wonderful disposition. It's a nice, laid back atmosphere. They explained a little how they care for the elephants and we participated in making their special meal to keep them healthy.
These impressive creatures are very well taken care of here, it gives us a good feeling to know that someone is looking out for the abused and mistreated elephants.
Don't hesitate to book a tour with any platform to this sanctuary. The cost you pay for your experience directly benefits the animals.
Thanks for a once in a lifetime encounter!
We feel the cost is nominal for what's included! They you pick up & drop off at your hotel, provide you with water and an amazing Thai meal (not just a snack) and plenty of interaction and photo opportunities with the elephants. There are toilets, clean water and showers on site, so no worries if you do the mud bath.
You can participate or just watch and admire.
The guides have a great sense of humour and wonderful disposition. It's a nice, laid back atmosphere. They explained a little how they care for the elephants and we participated in making their special meal to keep them healthy.
These impressive creatures are very well taken care of here, it gives us a good feeling to know that someone is looking out for the abused and mistreated elephants.
Don't hesitate to book a tour with any platform to this sanctuary. The cost you pay for your experience directly benefits the animals.
Thanks for a once in a lifetime encounter!
Written January 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicki H
West Byfleet, UK40 contributions
Jan 2022
Unfortunately this was the trip I was most excited about and turned out to be the worst. We were picked up from the hotel and driven for approx 1.5 hours in a song-thaew (an adapted form of a pick-up used as a taxi with 2 benches for the passengers to sit in the rear or vehicle) extremely uncomfortable for this length trip. There were 5 beautiful elephants at the sanctuary but 34 people booked in for this experience. Ok to feed them bananas and pineapple but not able to make up the food medicine as no room around the table. A lot of waiting around for people to take photos with the elephants which were then led down to a waterhole for people to get into the water to basically splash the elephants with. Again too many people and water just being chucked everywhere so did not entertain this. The food was not very warm and very unappertising. It was such a shame I guess people who were fortunate to go on a day with a smaller party had a different perspective about this trip. There are other options to try different companies who will collect in air conditioned vans and ensure the numbers are kept to a minimum. It was nice to feel that we contributed to the upkeep of these elephants but wished I had just made the donation rather than wasting half a day for this visit.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review.
We will make sure to share this with
the team to let them know how we are
doing!
Written May 13, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Erin M
2 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
I am sad that I have to write this review, because I didn’t do any research before I left and trusted my hotel when they said go to this one it is ethical. I planned this last minute, literally the day before so I take responsibility for not checking into it further.
I was first off very surprised to ride that far in the back of a pickup with open air. The exhaust smell was pretty intense and not good on the lungs. I enjoyed the people in my truck and talking with them.
The main guide was nice. And you begin your time feeding the elephants bananas which was fun. But as they let the elephants out to wander around I began to see issues. One elephant went off and so there were 3 of us that followed and I think I may be the only one that saw the handler hit or punch the elephant in its side. I was shocked because their verbiage is all happy elephants, ethical and free roaming. That is not true.
Even someone in a recent review says they get to roam free but they don’t. I asked what happens at night like do they get locked up somewhere? He said no they stay in the same area they were in when we arrived and they sleep there. I was also told there is a handler with them all night.
You can see if you just observe for a bit that the elephants are scared of the handlers. They get distressed around them. Especially the baby elephant he keep making whimpering sounds and trying to get away. I saw a handler pull the baby elephants tail several different times.
Don’t be fooled by the language that they say, because it is not true. The elephants are not free and they are not cared for well by the handlers. I am not going to say they aren’t cared for at all, they look healthy, but the handlers are definitely there to put fear into the elephants so they behave for the tourists to take their pictures. I am sad I witnessed this and I won’t be back.
Please find a truly ethical place, after doing some research it seems The Elephant Nature Park is a better option.
I was first off very surprised to ride that far in the back of a pickup with open air. The exhaust smell was pretty intense and not good on the lungs. I enjoyed the people in my truck and talking with them.
The main guide was nice. And you begin your time feeding the elephants bananas which was fun. But as they let the elephants out to wander around I began to see issues. One elephant went off and so there were 3 of us that followed and I think I may be the only one that saw the handler hit or punch the elephant in its side. I was shocked because their verbiage is all happy elephants, ethical and free roaming. That is not true.
Even someone in a recent review says they get to roam free but they don’t. I asked what happens at night like do they get locked up somewhere? He said no they stay in the same area they were in when we arrived and they sleep there. I was also told there is a handler with them all night.
You can see if you just observe for a bit that the elephants are scared of the handlers. They get distressed around them. Especially the baby elephant he keep making whimpering sounds and trying to get away. I saw a handler pull the baby elephants tail several different times.
Don’t be fooled by the language that they say, because it is not true. The elephants are not free and they are not cared for well by the handlers. I am not going to say they aren’t cared for at all, they look healthy, but the handlers are definitely there to put fear into the elephants so they behave for the tourists to take their pictures. I am sad I witnessed this and I won’t be back.
Please find a truly ethical place, after doing some research it seems The Elephant Nature Park is a better option.
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pmj310162
Perth, Australia19 contributions
Dale was very knowledgeable, very good guide, also very funny. All the staff were very helpful. It is clear that the staff care a lot about the welfare of the elephants, the region and their people. Lunch was delicious. Highly recommended.
Written January 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dream00815558254
18 contributions
This was by far the best experience in my whole trip (2 weeks so far around SE Asia). This place is ethical which was top of my list of requirements, the elephants seemed happy and playful. There were 4 grown females and one baby elephant. We learnt a lot about elephants, difference between African and Asian and what they do/don’t like. We fed them fruits and protein balls, took pictures/videos, bathed them and covered them in mud (good for their skin). The guys at the sanctuary showed them a lot of love and really made this an enjoyable day. And even better, the professional pictures they took were all free on their Facebook page. I cannot recommend this place enough. Thank you for this amazing experience guys 🐘
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K Williams
1 contribution
Mar 2020
The staff showed their love of the elephants and it was lovely to see the interactions, the care provided and the understanding of the elephants needs and well-being.
The staff made sure we were all safe and that we all had a great time, they were encouraging, full of humour and interesting facts about the elephants.
The elephants were amazing to see in their habitat, very gentle and sensitive animals, I would highly recommend! I went for my birthday and I will remember it always!
The staff made sure we were all safe and that we all had a great time, they were encouraging, full of humour and interesting facts about the elephants.
The elephants were amazing to see in their habitat, very gentle and sensitive animals, I would highly recommend! I went for my birthday and I will remember it always!
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EJSChiangmai
Thank you. The elephants are always so happy to see our guests and just love to be feed their favorite snacks and pampered in the mud spa, hosed down in the pool and scrub up in the shower, and I know that they look forward to seeing you again one day soon. Love EJS.
Written March 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
andykingan
Bath, UK7 contributions
Jul 2022
I enjoyed the time with the elephants. The on-site guides were good and engaged with everyone. The group size, around 25, was fine. My concern was the transport. It was uncomfortable and the info beforehand that it was air-conditioned was false. The driver's speed on the return journey made us feel unsafe.
Written July 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manjunath S
Auckland, New Zealand5 contributions
AMAZING afternoon! Mr Chai and his team were great, very engaging and informative but also very, very funny and entertaining! The elephants are well looked after and they’re such gentle creatures, really have a renewed sense of awe and respect for them. Feeding them, mud bathing and then washing them was so so much fun! Thank for a great afternoon, will defs recommend it to anyone who will be visiting Chiang Mai!
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
