Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
4.5
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About
Welcome to Ethical Elephant Sanctuary- A Karen Hilltribe Project. Here we don't ride or use hooks on our elephants. Gain a once in a lifetime experience, get to know and understand the elephants and immerse yourself in Karen Hill Tribe Culture!
Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
113 reviews
Excellent
99
Very good
4
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
4
David B
Blackburn South, Australia11 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
I booked this tour from home as they were associated with a Karen hill tribe initiative, so not the cheapest going around, but these guys are genuine, the elephant’s seem very well treated and cared for (and not a chain in sight like some other reviews for other companies). From their on time transfers, the final short leg over the bumpy mountain track in the Ute, our tour guide for the day “patchai?” (Even he joked it sounds like pad Thai) was great, jovial, very informative and spoke good English, plus a nice lunch, all as described.
It’s a well rehearsed routine for the tourists but we all had great fun feeding the elephants, short stroll into the forest, in the mud bath, cleaning them in the river and good old water fight. The mahouts were especially cheeky getting the elephants to spray us with water and getting the elephants to hug you. They also took lots of photos and uploaded to Facebook, which together with our own photos, make for some unique holiday happy snaps.
We had to ask questions to find out about the animals and the sanctuary, so perhaps a little more info and education would have been good, but thoroughly recommend these guys for a must do “touristy” adventure.
It’s a well rehearsed routine for the tourists but we all had great fun feeding the elephants, short stroll into the forest, in the mud bath, cleaning them in the river and good old water fight. The mahouts were especially cheeky getting the elephants to spray us with water and getting the elephants to hug you. They also took lots of photos and uploaded to Facebook, which together with our own photos, make for some unique holiday happy snaps.
We had to ask questions to find out about the animals and the sanctuary, so perhaps a little more info and education would have been good, but thoroughly recommend these guys for a must do “touristy” adventure.
Written January 10, 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.
Kerry N
4 contributions
Jan 2020
The day was fantastic. All of the guides made sure we had a really good time, and having so much time with the elephants was absolutely amazing.
I did the full day tour, which consisted of:
Pick up
Meet elephants, and feed sugar cane and bamboo
Walk through the jungle with them (AMAZING)
Lunch (I was veggie, it was very nice and plenty of food. Free water)
Mud bath with elephants
Water bath with elephants
Water fight!
Goodbye with elephants, feed some more
As I was going away in the 4x4 pickup truck out of the park I thought to myself I would pay more than what I paid, it was that good.
I watched the mahouts closely for mistreatment; I did not see any. I'm not 100% any elephant sanctuary is entirely 'ethical' but overall this one surpassed expectations.
I did the full day tour, which consisted of:
Pick up
Meet elephants, and feed sugar cane and bamboo
Walk through the jungle with them (AMAZING)
Lunch (I was veggie, it was very nice and plenty of food. Free water)
Mud bath with elephants
Water bath with elephants
Water fight!
Goodbye with elephants, feed some more
As I was going away in the 4x4 pickup truck out of the park I thought to myself I would pay more than what I paid, it was that good.
I watched the mahouts closely for mistreatment; I did not see any. I'm not 100% any elephant sanctuary is entirely 'ethical' but overall this one surpassed expectations.
Written January 17, 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.
Carly E
Baton Rouge, LA7 contributions
Jan 2020
If you're wondering which elephant experience to book, then look no further...book. this. now! We did the full day experience. Pachai (spelling?) and Sam picked my husband and I up at our hotel. About halfway through the drive we stopped at a local market where they bought the ingredients for our lunch. We then continued our journey to the Sanctuary. They were super friendly and talkative throughout the entire drive and answered all of our different Thailand related questions. Once we arrived at the sanctuary, the experience of a lifetime started. We started with meeting and feeding the elephants. That is followed by a walk through the forest with the elephants. We then had a delicious lunch prepared the the local Karen tribe. After lunch was time to bathe the elephants. First covering them in mud, followed by washing them off in the nearby stream. You spend so much time with the sweet elephants, you hate to leave them at the end of the day. All of the guides and Karen tribesmen are so friendly and really want you to take advantage of every second you have with the elephants. Another plus is that Pachai walks around with you the entire day and takes amazing pictures of you and the elephants, while telling you all about them. He later adds them to facebook and you are able to download them so you don't have to spend the day trying to capture the moments on your phone. It really allows you to disconnect from the world and enjoy your time in nature. I honestly can not say enough good things about this group of people. If you are looking for an amazing elephant experience, this is it!
Written February 13, 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.
JulieK58
Newark-on-Trent, UK156 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Excellent half day visit to the sanctuary. Early start as quite a long drive from Chiang Mai, and the last bit of drive was standing on the back of truck down a very steep, bumpy track, quite exciting but could be tricky if not very mobile...! We fed the three elephants sugar cane initially, then watched them eat grasses. We could get very close to the elephants, they didn’t mind being stroked. Then it was time for a mud bath which visitors could help with if wished, followed by washing off in the river. We had a nice lunch of rice, curry and vegetables. The guide took lots of photos (available free of charge from Facebook after the visit), there were a few souvenirs to buy if wished but not at all pushy. Well worthwhile.
Written January 26, 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.
Companion41077163963
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
Dreadful place. I saw one guy hit an eleon the back of the legs. It was to my extreme left and everyone else was looking to the right. I told the people there what I saw and their reply was - perhaps it was a naughty elephant to which I replied - no it was not. When we arrived I saw a young guy with a stick in his hand next to their only baby elephant allegedly rescued from Myanmar. Within seconds he had dropped it. What a horrible terrible experience. Dear God I want to cry . Oh God . Then we stopped on route and there were 2/3 elephants in tiny enclosures for the benefit of the tourists. They must think we are all brain dead. I just want to cry with all that I saw and witnessed
Richard Bannan
14 Studholme Street
London SE15
United Kingdom
Richard Bannan
14 Studholme Street
London SE15
United Kingdom
Written March 5, 2024
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.
Olivia B
Southampton, UK8 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
After a lot of research into where to spend the day with elephants we decided on the Ethical Elephant Sanctuary.
I am so glad we chose this place, everything was perfect, an absolutely amazing experience.
The elephants are looked after well and you can tell by the way they are left to roam and if they don’t want to go in the water or play with the mud, they don’t, they are left to do what they want and we are just there to be part of it with them.
We did the half day trip and it was just right, nice early morning hotel pickup and only a small group of 4 for the morning.
We got to feed the elephants sugarcane, bathe them in mud and scrub them clean in the river. This was followed by a homemade lunch, and a walk with the elephants through the jungle.
To finish the day, our group hiked down to a waterfall and through the jungle back to our ride home.
Absolute perfect, friendly guide and elephant handlers.
Overall, well organised, good facilities and location and well cared for elephants!
I am so glad we chose this place, everything was perfect, an absolutely amazing experience.
The elephants are looked after well and you can tell by the way they are left to roam and if they don’t want to go in the water or play with the mud, they don’t, they are left to do what they want and we are just there to be part of it with them.
We did the half day trip and it was just right, nice early morning hotel pickup and only a small group of 4 for the morning.
We got to feed the elephants sugarcane, bathe them in mud and scrub them clean in the river. This was followed by a homemade lunch, and a walk with the elephants through the jungle.
To finish the day, our group hiked down to a waterfall and through the jungle back to our ride home.
Absolute perfect, friendly guide and elephant handlers.
Overall, well organised, good facilities and location and well cared for elephants!
Written January 7, 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.
Graeme Leahy
15 contributions
Jan 2020
Fantastic day out at the elephant dream valley. From start to finish it was just great. Amazing experience and made even better by the tour guide and driver , two great guys who were great fun! Would happily recommend + a lovely lunch!
Written January 24, 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.
Chris T
10 contributions
Jan 2020
We did the half day experience, and it was one of my best experiences ever. We lucked out and had the elephants to ourselves for the first hour. They are amazing creatures. The elephants appeared to be in great health and appeared to be very well taken care of. If I find myself back in Chiang Mai, I will absolutely go back for another visit.
Written February 12, 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.
Simran
5 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
I decided to book a 3 days, 2 night (72 hrs) stay here and boy was that the biggest mistake i made. I went in the first week of november 2018, and apparently it was dead season, so there was only two other people on the tour with me who didnt sign up to stay the night. I was the only one who would have spent the night there, and i am super glad i didnt. the men taking care of the elephants were not treating the elephants all too well, and were making extremely inappropriate sexual remarks and gestures to me and to the other girl on the tour. They also purposely got our shirts wet during bathing the elephants and offered us drugs.There are only boys who run the camp, so beware, and the cabins dont lock and the beds are on the floor with bugs all over them. So please, feel free to spend the day there, it's wonderful to be in nature with the elephants, but DO NOT spend the night there. ps- no, i didnt get a refund!
Written November 14, 2018
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.
lugaruz
Liverpool, UK10 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
I went for a half day trip to this place and it was terrible. There is a young elephant that you can see in the pics, that was not key in having a bath. So instead leave the elephant alone doing whatever he wanted, he was persecuted by this man forcing to the elephant to get into the mud and water with us. The man was shooting at him stones with a slingshot when nobody was looking at him, but I was keeping an eye on him as the elephant was crying when was hit. I ask him to show me the slingshot and why he was doing it... he refused. I went to the guide asking for an answer why he was doing that... and he basically told me that was normal, when the have a naughty elephant they do that. So they don't leave the elephants free, they need to performance the show they are supposed to do, if not they are punished. How sad is it? You could feel in the atmosphere all full of men that were there to make some money, nobody cared about the elephants.
Written December 29, 2018
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.
Is it necessary to have injections if going to Elephant camps..
Written January 17, 2019
Can anyone advise as to how long the walks are please ? Due to lung problems, I am unable to do long walks,or hilly walks..
Written July 23, 2018
Hi, it’s a very small place - you won’t walk more than 200 metres or so and the people that run it are amazing - I’m sure you could explain if you were having trouble - enjoy!
Written July 26, 2018
Hi,
We want to go for 2 days and stay but worried about making it back to Chaing Mai for the 6 pm train to Bangkok.
Can I check that the transport will be back on time? Is it likely to be delayed?
Also can we bring our bags?
Thanks
Written July 17, 2018
I only did the day trip and it got us back to Chaing Mai at around 5pm but that’s totally dependent on traffic. The camp are quite on the ball about leaving around 3.30/3.45! And yeah you can bring bags as you can leave them in a hut no problem! Hope this helps
Written July 19, 2018
What was the exact name of this sanctuary and location, please? I want to make sure that I go to this one!
Written July 4, 2018
It’s called The Ethical Elephant Sanctuary and it’s a couple of hours drive outside Chiang Mai - they pick you up from your hotel/hostel and drop you off again afterwards. Do the overnight stay if there is any way you can!
Written July 5, 2018
HI MYTSCHL,
thank you for your feedback. we would like explain to you about this case so between dream valley camp and ethical elephant sanctuary camp are same camp because before we used this dream valley camp name then we moved to other place because quite large land also good for the elephants then we would like to change name ethical elephant sanctuary camp.now facebook page we use ethical elephant sanctuary but also we still post visitor photos in dream valley facebook page because we just want to keep it both so after this please booking online with our new website only or new facebook page/ethical elephant sanctuary
thank you for your feedback .we hope you enjoyed with the elephants also welcome back to our camp.see you next time.
king regards,
karen hill tribe team
Written January 10, 2018
Hi , my wife and I are going to visit Chiang Rai next month and are planning to visit an elephant sanctuary. Can you please tell me where exactly this sanctuary is? How far is it from CM and do you have to book with them directly or can you also visit independently? Many thanks.
Written November 21, 2017
Book directly. They pick you up from Chiang Mai. The drive is approx 2 hours from memory but it’s not unpleasant. It’s basically just a staffed property with Elephants. They provide lunch. We definitely felt it was worth it
Written November 22, 2017
I was wondering what a 2 or 3 day visit includes? Is it worth staying longer than 1 day? And how long should we book in advance?
Thanks!
Written November 14, 2017
Hi. We have just spent 5 days and 4 nights at this place and it was incredible. The best experience ever. I would recommend 3 day the people that spent just one night all wished they stayed longer.
Our itinerary was completely up to us. Day 1 you are picked up from hotel along with all day trips. You arrive about hour or so later at the camp. Where you start by feeding the elephants breakfast saying hi and photos. Once this is finished you go for a hike through a small jungle with the elephants. Watching them hike is breath taking and impressive. After this you have lunch usually a rice or noodle with fresh fruit and water. After lunch you change into swimming stuff ready to play with the elephants in the mud and then over to the stream where you was the mud off and play with the elephants so more before that start squirting water over you in a small water fight. You then have chance to shower and change before a final session of stroking and photos with the elephants and careers. The day trip people will leave you then move over to the cabin with your stuff.
Afternoons/ Evenings consisted of you deciding what you would like to do. Each day we choose something different. One was cutting sugar cane, visiting local waterfalls at off peak time, temples, visited local school teaching English to the children and playing with the infants (the sanctuary also support the school financially) delivering rice to locals, collecting bananas for the elephants, teaching some of the refugee workers english and spending time learning about the local culture. The evenings would consist of food around the fire whilst speaking to the workers. Food was a choose of bbq, noodles, rice, Thai curry, fish, soup and other local delicacies. Each meal was different. A local whiskey would be shared around or a green tea/coffee if you prefer. Night above the stars was pretty impressive and something we will always remember. Before retiring to your hut for a good nights sleep.
Breakfast usually consisted of toast with jams and either egg or noodle and fresh fruit. There is also a little 1 to 1 time with the elephants before the next tour arrives. You can then decide if you would like to go off and do another activity or spend the day around camp helping with the elephants and next tour group.
It’s really an incredible all round experience not just spending time with the elephants but also the people and the area. We have completely falling in love with it and would love to do it all again some time soon.
Email them as they have an extremely quick response time which is very helpful and accommodating.
But I would imagine a couple of days warning would be enough for them to prepare for your stay.
Written November 14, 2017
Sarah Eaton
Encinitas, California
How do I purchase a ticket and transfer. We are staying in Hangdong. How far is the drive?
Written November 3, 2017
Go to their Webpage: ethicalelephantsanctuary
You can buy the ticket online there and they also provide you with transport.
Written November 4, 2017
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