Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary — Local services in Chiang Mai Province

2.5/ 5 We booked this event last minute after our original plan at ENP was cancelled due to flooding. We booked the Full Day Elephant Experience, this is a play by play for the day and our thoughts.

Expectations: Pickup time between 8:30-9a and you’ll be driven on the back of a pickup truck Arrive at the sanctuary approx. 2 hours later and possibly wait for more groups to arrive. We were told it’d be a 12 person max group Change into traditional Thai clothing and head down to meet with the elephants Expect a feeding session with sugarcanes and bananas and a photo op for their Facebook page Then it’s time for their Mudbath. The elephants will guide you further down the hill. Make sure to wear a swimsuit as you’ll also want to be involved in the fun! Once everyone is muddy plus elephants, head back up the hill, past the sanctuary and down to the river Time to bathe the elephants, you might find one or 2 depending on which ones would like a bath Then you’ll keep going farther down the path to head to the waterfall and visit the Karen village. You’ll be there for about 30 minutes. If you’d like a drink it’ll be 40THB and you can pay when you get back to the sanctuary About a 15min walk up and down a dirt path to get back to the sanctuary Lunch time around 2p and from there anyone that signed up for the bamboo experience will head out Then you’ll prepare medicine balls for the elephants with a short explanation for each ingredient - followed by another feeding session with the prepped medicine balls You’ll head down to a shack where they make paper with elephant feces Head out around 5pm for another 2 hour drive on the pickup truck

Here’s what actually happened: We were picked up closer to 9:30 due to “traffic conditions” - I wasn’t sure if this was true since we had the truck bed all to ourselves and when we headed out, it seemed relatively quiet traffic. I think we were supposed to stop by a market on our way to the sanctuary Again, we were told a total of 12 people by the touring office so this may not have been their fault for the misinformation. There was close to 30 people there. I understand changing into tradition Thai clothing to help the elephants see us better but we never wore the shirts again after the feeding. It seemed like it was just for the photos they’re posting on their socials. You take them off for the Mudbath and then I guess the elephants can still see you for the Mudbath, the river, and the afternoon feedings? Not sure where the logic is. If the river bathing was ethical, why did we remove the mud (a natural mosquito repellant) from the elephants if it’s supposed to protect them? It was a fun experience and uncomfortable experience all at the same time. I wasn’t sure if what we’re doing was for the safe for the animal. The Karen village is quite small compared to others we visited and in my opinion not worth a visit. If you’ve already seen the Wachirathan Waterfall in Doi Inthanon or planning to on your visit then this waterfall may not be worth it. The paper making demo seemed out of place and a bit of a touristy gimmick because it didn’t look like any of the supplies had been used for a long time.

Final thoughts: it looks like most of the Chiang Mai elephant tours offered have a bathing section, I’m not sure how ethical it is. And it doesn’t make sense after a Mudbath! I think this would’ve been more enjoyable if we had done the half day tour. 1,500THB for half day and 2,000 THB for a full day experience. The visit to the Karen village and the waterfall, plus the last 2 demos didn’t add much to my experience and we spent a lot of time waiting around or going up and down hills that I wasn’t expecting. I would keep doing more research on other sanctuaries for a full day or just book the half day one for Chiang Mai...

Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary is a remarkable haven for abused elephants in the heart of Thailand. It's a place where compassion and sustainability take precedence over profit, making it a truly exceptional experience.

Visiting this sanctuary is a heartwarming journey into the world of these magnificent creatures. The sanctuary's primary mission is to provide a safe and loving environment for rescued elephants, allowing them to heal from years of mistreatment and abuse. It's evident from the moment you arrive that the staff genuinely care about the well-being of the elephants.

What sets Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary apart is its commitment to sustainability. They have implemented eco-friendly practices, such as minimizing waste and promoting responsible tourism. There are no rides or performances here; instead, visitors are encouraged to observe and interact with the elephants in a respectful and non-intrusive manner.

During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to feed, bathe, and simply enjoy the company of these majestic animals. The educational aspect of the experience is enlightening, as you learn about the challenges elephants face and the sanctuary's efforts to support their rehabilitation.

The setting is breathtaking, nestled in the lush jungle surroundings of Chiang Mai. You'll feel like you're in a serene paradise while contributing to the welfare of these elephants. It's a powerful reminder that responsible tourism can make a positive impact on wildlife, the environment and local communities.

Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary is a shining example of what ethical and sustainable tourism should be. If you're looking for an unforgettable and meaningful experience in Thailand, this sanctuary is a must-visit destination. Your visit supports a noble cause, and the memories you'll create here will stay with you...

I have mixed reviews about this place. Overall it’s a good experience, it’s not awe inspiring like I had hoped it to be. I take comfort in knowing these elephants were rescued from being ridden in the past, however there’s one thing in particular that I saw that didn’t quite sit right with me.

I’d like to say the elephants have a lovely environment to roam around in, they have access to lots of food, they do not get ridden, and apparently they are free to roam anywhere they want (not sure if this is true).

However, at one point when bathing the elephants, one of the handlers pulled at the elephants ears and then proceeded to shove a sharp device into its side. If this is a true sanctuary, then don’t make the elephant do something they don’t wanna do for the sake of the tourists. The elephants should come first always. If someone at the sanctuary sees this comment, please stop doing that.

I’m glad I’ve done it. Would I do...