Thailand · ELEPHANT SANCTUARY TOURS IN CHIANG MAI

The 15 Elephant Sanctuary Tours in Chiang Mai That Earn Their Price

22 tours  ·  from $27

Good elephant sanctuary tours in Chiang Mai fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

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

Meet rescued elephants at Pon Elephant Thailand, feed them bananas, walk through the forest, and bathe with them under staff guidance. Add a waterfall swim, Thai lunch, and a gentle Mae Wang River bamboo raft ride. English-speaking guides such as Nop, Paul, Yaya, and Sunny lead the day.

“Fantastic experience, beautiful ethical elephant sanctuary who prioritises the Elephants well being and happiness. We had a wonderful guide”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour - Meeting Pon’s rescued elephants
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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

Spend seven hours from Chiang Mai with rescued elephants at Pon Elephant Thailand in Mae Wang. Feed, walk beside, and bathe them in the river, then hike to Mae Wang Waterfall. Guides such as Beer, Yaya, Nop, and Amy lead the day in English, with lunch and hotel transfers included.

“Elephants were incredible to see and feed. The mountains and waterfall are gorgeous. As a solo traveler, I wish I booked with people more my age, I was with a bunch of 19 year olds and would have enjoyed being with more adults.”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program Half-Day Tour - The 1.5-hour journey south of Chiang Mai
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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 $27Best value

Travel south from Chiang Mai to Pon Elephant Thailand for a five-hour visit with English or Thai-speaking guides such as Pat, Toto, Jackie, and Tuto. Feed elephants bananas, sugarcane, and Napier grass, prepare herbal treats, walk through the forest, and join them at the river if they choose to bathe.

“The best day!! The team at the elephant sanctuary are so lovely and truly love the animals. It is 100% ethical and would definitely recommend”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Long Neck & Sticky Waterfall - The road to the elephant sanctuary
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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 pairs hands-on elephant care with a Long Neck village visit and Buatong Sticky Waterfall. You will make herbal treats, feed and bathe elephants, eat Thai food, and climb the limestone falls. Guides such as Fluke, Amy, and Tiger are known for clear English and careful time management.

“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 into local clothes and meeting the care team
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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

Travel from Chiang Mai to Mae Tang for a hands-on elephant care day. Feed rescued elephants, prepare medicine balls, walk with them, join the mud and bath sessions, and meet baby elephants. English-speaking guides such as Francesco, Tin, and Disney explain elephant behavior, while lunch and hotel transfers are included.

“The guides weee great and the whole experience was amazing!! Great value for money, elephants seemed very well cared for”

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3-in-1: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, and Trekking Trail - The King and Queen Pagodas
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3-in-1: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, and Trekking Trail

6.3-in-1: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, and Trekking Trail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,087 reviews · from $48Top rated

You’ll visit the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, reach Doi Inthanon’s 2,565-meter summit, see the King and Queen Pagodas, hike the Pha Dok Seaw trail, and taste coffee in Ban Mae Klang Luang. Guides such as John, Jon, Note, Rainbow, and Sandy have received special praise.

“Prepare to do a bit of exercise, but the view along the hiking trail makes it worth every bit. Elephants in the sanctuary were well taken care of, and shoutout to the villagers who joined us on the hike and served us amazing coffee/tea at the end. Visit to the peak and 2 Pagodas was also great, a must join for any first time visitors to Chiang Mai!”

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Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Bamboo Rafting and Waterfall Tour - Bua Tong Waterfall: climb the Sticky Waterfall barefoot
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Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Bamboo Rafting and Waterfall Tour

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

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

Spend about eight hours outside Chiang Mai climbing Bua Tong’s sticky waterfall, visiting New Elephant Home, and rafting through forested Mae Tang Valley. Guides such as Paul, Fluke, Poppy, and Dam lead the day, with lunch, admission, pickup, and return to Three Kings Monument included.

“We had a wonderful experience on this tour! Our guide, Mr. Poppy was amazing, and would take great pictures of our family. My kids said that this was their favorite day of our entire trip, everything was beautiful and we had so much fun.”

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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Monk Trail & Doi Suthep Tour - Pickup and the long ride to Mae Wang
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary, Monk Trail & Doi Suthep Tour

8.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. Walk the forest trail to Wat Pha Lat, visit Doi Suthep, then care for elephants at Pon Elephant Thailand with feeding, medicine balls, forest walks, and river bathing.

“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: 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

9.Ethical Half Day Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall

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

Spend seven hours with Joy Elephant Sanctuary in Mae Wang, guided by an English-speaking team. Prepare food, feed elephants, and follow them through the jungle without riding, bathing, or touching them. Afterward, swim near a waterfall, eat Pad Thai, enjoy tea, and make a Thai herbal inhaler.

“I had an amazing experience at this elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai. It felt truly ethical and everything was done with great respect for the animals. There was no touching and no bathing with the elephants, they were free, and we simply observed them in their natural habitat. We learned about them, fed them, and walked alongside them while always keeping a respectful distance. The guide was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. We also enjoyed a delicious Pad Thai and fresh fruit, swam in the river (without the elephants), and finished with a lovely DIY souvenir :) They pick you up at your hotel and then it’s about 2 hours of…”

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Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon Hiking & Elephant Sanctuary Program - The morning drive from Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon Hiking & Elephant Sanctuary Program

10.Doi Inthanon Hiking & Elephant Sanctuary Program

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 324 reviews · 12 hours · from $56

Spend 11 to 12 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Jon, Mod, Pete, or Rainbow, depending on the day. Feed and walk with rescued elephants, hike Pha Dok Siew Trail, visit Doi Inthanon’s Twin Pagodas, and taste Karen coffee. Transport, clothing, and lunch are included.

“We enjoyed this trip very much! It was amazing to have the chance to see elephants up close and to feed them. We especially loved exploring the national park and the different plants and animals along the way. The waterfalls were beautiful, and the Twin Pagodas were extremely peaceful. There is a lot to experience in one day on this tour. The tour guides were knowledgeable and fun. It was a great experience.”

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Elephant care program at CHIANGMAI ELEPHANT CARE - The 1.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai
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Elephant care program at CHIANGMAI ELEPHANT CARE

11.Elephant care program at CHIANGMAI ELEPHANT CARE

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

Travel from Chiang Mai to a small elephant care facility, change into a mahout-style uniform, prepare herbal supplements, feed rescued Asian elephants, and watch them roam and socialize. Guides such as Ford, Tom, Todd, and Thong lead the visit. Lunch, transport, water, and fees are included, but bathing access can vary.

“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 early drive from Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary Bamboo Raft & Padthai Cooking

12.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. Wear northern Thai clothing, feed and walk with rescued elephants, cook vegetarian Pad Thai, and raft the Wang River. Guides such as Mark, Rainbow, Jon, and Tuctuc are praised for their warm, informed care.

“Guide and staff were very knowledgeable regarding the care and welfare of the elephants”

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From Chiang Mai: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Tour - The 1.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai
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From Chiang Mai: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Tour

13.Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 144 reviews · 7 - 10 hours · from $46

Travel 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai to Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, where you feed and walk with rescued elephants without riding or performances. Choose half-day or full-day visits with English-speaking guides such as Pao, Rainbow, John, or Mr Su, plus river time and Pad Thai.

“Good night! I loved the activity, but I would like to point out that the photos from the afternoon of 12th December are missing from the drive that was made available to us. I would appreciate it if you could make them available soon. Thank you.”

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From Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai Elephant Care Morning Program - Getting changed and learning safe contact
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From Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai Elephant Care Morning Program

14.Chiang Mai Elephant Care Morning Program

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 5 hours · from $54

Leave Chiang Mai for a small-group morning at Chiang Mai Elephant Care. With guides such as Ford or Thong, you will feed elephants, prepare herbal medicine balls, walk beside them, and bathe them only when appropriate. A homemade pad Thai lunch and hotel transfers are included.

“The amount of time spent with the elephants and the interaction was beyond expectations”

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Chiang Mai: National Elephant Care, Rafting, & Ziplines Trip - The ride south from Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai: National Elephant Care, Rafting, & Ziplines Trip

15.National Elephant Care, Rafting, & Ziplines Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 48 reviews · 6 hours · from $51

Spend six hours south of Chiang Mai with elephant families at Mae Wang National Park, then choose 45-minute bamboo rafting or a forest zipline course with 15 platforms. Guide Nop is praised for clear English and elephant knowledge. Pickup, lunch, water, and transfers are included.

“This trip was spectacular. I can’t rate it high enough. The elephants were clearly very happy and roamed freely in the jungle and were never forced to do anything. Being so close to these awesome animals was a life affirming experience, I felt privileged to walk with them and observe them in their natural habitat. The guide was knowledgeable and provided us with lots of insight. The rafting was fantastic with amazing scenery and the lunch was plentiful and freshly cooked, so tasty. Thoroughly recommend.”

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New in Elephant Sanctuary Tours in Chiang Mai

★ 4.5Elephant Sanctuary & Jungle Trek w/ WaterfallFrom $6118 reviews

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