3-Day Elephant Lover - Chang Thai Heritage Elephant Sanctuary

Chang Thai Heritage is a small elephant sanctuary in the countryside about an hour's drive from Chiang Mai. The 3-Day Elephant Lover program is the longest stay the sanctuary offers: three days with the elephants and two nights away from the city. It suits people who want to become part of the daily routine rather than visit it, and who are happy with a slow, repetitive rhythm of feeding, walking and bathing. There is no riding. Hotel pickup, an English speaking guide and lunch are included.

Each day is built around the same core. You chop sugar cane and bananas into snacks and feed the elephants by hand. You walk with them through the grounds and down to the river, where they lie in the water and you scrub them with a brush. Visitors describe making a natural soap from a local tree for the bath, and a cooking session where you prepare a Thai dish such as pad thai. Over three days you get to know individual elephants and their habits, and there is time to simply sit and watch the herd.

Practicalities: the program includes two nights away from Chiang Mai. Our office confirms where you sleep, which meals are included and the pickup time before you pay. You will get wet and muddy every day, so pack a change of clothes for each day. The child rate applies from age 3 to 10.