Elephant Sanctuary + Inthanon Hiking

This is the longest of Living Green's programs and the one for people who want elephants and the mountain in a single day. The sanctuary is about an hour and a half from Chiang Mai and only half an hour from Doi Inthanon, which is what makes the combination work. Living Green says it never offers rides or shows, that all activities are based on animal welfare and that the elephants are never forced. River bathing depends on the weather and on whether the elephants want to go in.

Pickup is between 07:00 and 07:45. After the drive and a briefing you change into traditional northern clothing and spend a little over an hour meeting, feeding and walking with the elephants. Then you walk with them to the river and, if they feel like it, bathe them. A local meal follows before you say goodbye. From the sanctuary it is a short drive up to Doi Inthanon. You visit the summit, the highest point in Thailand, then the twin pagodas and the botanical garden. The main hike is the Pha Dok Siew nature trail, a medium difficulty walk that takes in a waterfall you can dip in and a Karen coffee farm. You are back in Chiang Mai around 19:00.

The national park entrance fee is included, along with transfers, an English speaking guide, the meal, drinking water, elephant food and insurance. The hike is recommended for children over five. Bring hiking shoes for the trail, swimwear for the river and a warm layer for the summit, which is cool all year.