Half-Day Elephant Sanctuary
- Duration
- Half day · ~6 hrs
- Pickup
- 08:00–08:30 or 12:00–12:30
- Region
- Chiang Mai
- Operated by
- Elephant In Wild Sanctuary
Overview
Our best-selling ethical elephant experience. Prepare fresh food for the herd, join them in a mud spa, then walk down to the river together for a bath. No riding, ever.
- Prepare bananas, grass and sugar cane for the elephants
- Mud spa that protects their skin from sun and insects
- Walk with the herd to the river and bathe them
- Small groups with the sanctuary's own mahouts
Itinerary
08:00Hotel pickup
Drive through rural villages and forest hills.
Arrive at the sanctuary
Change into sanctuary clothes and meet the mahouts.
Feeding time
Prepare bananas, grass and sugar cane and hand-feed the elephants.
Mud spa
Watch (and join) the elephants' mud bath.
River bath
Walk to the river and help scrub and splash them clean.
Thai lunch
Pad thai served at the camp.
14:00Back at your hotel
Times are approximate. Drop-off at your hotel: 14:00–14:30 or 17:00–17:30.
What's included
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- English-speaking guide
- Sanctuary admission
- Thai lunch (pad thai)
- Travel insurance
What to bring
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit or clothes that can get muddy
- Walking shoes
Frequently asked questions
What time is pickup, and when do I get back?
Pickup is 08:00–08:30 or 12:00–12:30. You'll be back around 14:00–14:30 or 17:00–17:30. We pick you up from your hotel in Chiang Mai.
What's included in the price?
The price includes: Hotel pickup & drop-off, English-speaking guide, Sanctuary admission, Thai lunch (pad thai), Travel insurance. Prices start from ฿1,300 per person.
What should I bring?
We recommend bringing: Towel, Sunscreen, Swimsuit or clothes that can get muddy, Walking shoes.
Will we ride the elephants?
No. This is a no-riding programme: you feed, walk with and bathe the elephants instead.
Who runs this tour?
This tour is run by Elephant In Wild Sanctuary, a local operator we work with. You book through Idea Smile Tour, a licensed tour desk (TAT licence 24/01168) in Chiang Mai's Old City.
How do I book and pay?
Send a booking request with your date and number of travellers. We check availability with the operator and confirm by message, then you can pay a deposit or the full amount online. You can also book by WhatsApp (+66 91 834 5330) or LINE (mammo2521).
Can I cancel or change my date?
Cancel more than 48 hours before the tour for a full refund of what you paid online (less card fees), or 50% between 24 and 48 hours. Date changes are free more than 24 hours ahead, subject to availability.
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