Joy Elephant Sanctuary Overnight: Elephants & Karen Village

Pickup is 08:00–08:30 and you'll be back Day 2, around 17:00–17:30 (2 days, 1 night). We confirm your exact pickup time after you book.

On this tour, free pickup covers hotels within 5 km of Chiang Mai Old City. Pickup from further away has a surcharge, so tell us where you're staying and ask for the price before you book. We'll confirm the exact pickup time after booking.

Here is what this tour's information says about children: Bamboo rafting: young children must stay close to a parent. Not recommended if you are pregnant. Children 4–9 pay the child price; infants 0–3 go free. If you're not sure it suits your family, message us before you book.

The price includes: Hotel pickup & drop-off (free within 5 km of the Old City), English- and Thai-speaking guide, Local meal, Drinking water refills, One night in a Karen village, 4 meals: lunch and dinner on day 1, breakfast and a boxed lunch on day 2, Bamboo rafting ticket, Karen cooking and a craft session with materials, Food and treats for the elephants, Accident insurance, Towel, Free photo service, All entrance and activity fees in the itinerary: nothing extra to pay on the day (hotel pickup outside the free pickup area has a surcharge: ask us for the price before you book). Prices start from ฿5,700 per person.

We recommend bringing: Change of clothes; Swimwear; Sandals; Insect repellent; Sunscreen; Any personal allergy medication; Small overnight bag; Hiking shoes; Soap and shampoo; Waterproof bag for wet clothes; Modest clothes for the temple (shoulders and knees covered); Rain jacket in the rainy season.

No. There is no riding and no bathing with the elephants on this programme. You prepare food and feed the elephants from a safe distance, then watch them forage, bathe and play on their own.

Yes. Please cover your shoulders and knees when you enter temples. A light scarf or sarong is handy, and you'll take your shoes off inside temple halls.

No riding and no bathing with the elephants. You feed them from a safe distance. What the elephants do depends on their behaviour that day. Bamboo rafting: young children must stay close to a parent. Not recommended if you are pregnant. Children 4–9 pay the child price; infants 0–3 go free. Pickup is free within 5 km of Chiang Mai Old City; there is a surcharge further out. You can also meet at McDonald's Imm Thapae, Joyliday Coffee (Sri Ping Muang Rd.) or Central Festival (KFC entrance). All times are approximate, except the pickup time.

This tour is run by Joy Elephant 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.

Pay online when you book to hold your spot. We then check with the tour operator and confirm on WhatsApp and by email, usually within 20 minutes. If the operator can't take you, you get a full refund, less card fees. Pay online when you book: QR payment (PromptPay, or scan with Alipay or WeChat Pay) with no fee; card +3% fee; other e-wallets +2.2% fee. You can also book and pay in person at our office. You can also message us on WhatsApp (+66 91 834 5330) or LINE (mammo2521).

Cancel more than 24 hours before the tour for a full refund of what you paid, less card fees. Less than 24 hours before, or no-show: no refund. Date changes are free more than 24 hours ahead, subject to availability.