Description
From Chiang Mai: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Tour
Highlights
- Experience an ethical sanctuary — no riding, no chains, no performances
- Feed, walk with, and observe elephants in their natural environment
- Enjoy scenic forest trails and elephant bathing moments
- Choose a convenient half-day or full-day program with hotel transfers included
- Learn to cook and enjoy your own vegetarian Pad Thai
Full description
Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Chiang Mai offers a deeply meaningful and ethical elephant experience in the heart of northern Thailand’s lush landscapes. Nestled just 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai, near the scenic mountains of Inthanon National Park, the sanctuary provides a true haven for rescued elephants—where they roam freely, no chains, no riding, no performances, live naturally, and are treated with respect.
Your experience starts with wearing traditional Mo Hom clothing and learning about the elephants’ individual stories and behaviors. Hand-feed the elephants, walk with them through the forest, and observe their playful moments in the river and mud baths—all guided by expert caretakers focused on elephant welfare.
Choose between a half-day or full-day program. Both options include transportation from Chiang Mai, a delicious authentic Pad Thai, prepared with local ingredients, and enriching activities that support ethical elephant care. Join this heartwarming experience and make a difference in the lives of these incredible animals.
Half-day Program:
– Morning Session: 07:00-14:00
– Afternoon Session: 12:00-19:00
– Duration around 6-7 hours
Itinerary:
• Pick up from Chiang Mai hotel
• Scenic drive through rural landscapes: rivers, rice fields, banana plantations
• Welcome briefing & change into traditional northern clothing
• Feed and interact with elephants in their natural habitat
• Walk with the elephants to the river and observe them bathing naturally
• Enjoy a delicious local meal
• Return to Chiang Mai (1.5-hour drive)
Full-day Program:
Time Session: 08:00-17:00
Duration: 9-10 hours
Itinerary:
• Pick-up from Chiang Mai hotel
• Scenic drive through rivers, rice fields, and plantations
• Welcome briefing & change into traditional northern clothing
• Feed and walk with elephants in the forest
• Pad Thai Cooking Workshop – cook and enjoy vegetarian Pad Thai
• Prepare herbal medicine balls to support elephant digestion
• Plant seedlings that will grow into natural elephant food
• Walk with elephants to the river and observe natural bathing
• Change clothes and say goodbye
• Return to Chiang Mai (1.5 hrs)
***The Pad Thai Cooking Workshop will be available starting from 2 December.
Remarks:
Elephants are never forced into the river during cold weather.
Duration includes transportation; traffic conditions may affect timing.
Voucher time indicates morning/afternoon; exact pick-up is confirmed one day prior.
Thank you for supporting ethical elephant care!
Chinese guide available for full-day program only.
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Includes
PHotel pick-up and drop-off
PTraditional northern clothing for the visit
PInteraction with elephants
PFeeding and bathing elephants
PEnjoy a delicious local meal
PPhotography service
PTravel insurance
PBelow are specials for the full-day package
PMake a medical ball (if option selected)
PPlant seeding (if option selected)
PVegetarian Pad Thai cooking workshop (if option selected)
PLunch: your own handmade vegetarian Pad Thai (if option selected)
OPersonal expenses
OTips
Not suitable for
- Children under 2 years
- Pregnant women
- People with back problems
- People with heart problems
Important information
What to bring
- Hat
- Swimwear
- Change of clothes
- Towel
- Sandals
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable clothes
- Insect repellent
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Not allowed
- Smoking
- Alcohol and drugs
- Riding the animals
Know before you go
- All activities with elephants are based on animal welfare, no force is used
- Weather conditions may affect bathing activities with elephants, so ensuring their comfort is a priority
- Bring a change of clothes as you will get wet while bathing the elephants
- The duration including transportation time might be different depending on the local traffic conditions
- Chinese guide available for full-day program only
