Where do you pick me up?

At your hotel in Chiang Mai city. Pickup is free within a few kilometres of the Old City and a surcharge applies further out. The office confirms the exact pickup time with your booking.

Do you ride the elephants?

No. The sanctuary does not offer riding, shows or tricks, and the mahouts work without hooks. The elephants are guided with food and praise.

Where do the elephants come from?

The herd is third-generation domesticated, born in human care, so they cannot be released into the wild. The sanctuary's aim is to give them the best possible daily life in a forest setting.

Can I bring children?

Yes, all ages are welcome and the guides are used to families. At least one adult must be on every booking. Message us before booking for a child's price.

Clothes that can get wet and muddy, plus a swimsuit underneath. Bring a towel and a full change of clothes for the drive home.

An adult elephant and a young elephant stand together among pine trees and green plants

A small herd of elephants walks across a forest clearing with green hills behind

An elephant stretches its trunk up to pull leaves from a tree in the forest

Two adult elephants coated in dried mud stand close to a calf on a muddy riverbank

A baby elephant chews a mouthful of grass beside its mother's legs

An adult elephant and her calf walk through dry forest undergrowth

Three visitors sit on the forest floor watching a baby elephant and two adults eat grass

Top rated

1 / 7

Half-Day Morning Elephant Experience

Meet, feed and bathe rescued elephants in their natural forest habitat. A 5-6 hour ethical morning sanctuary near Chiang Mai - no riding, hotel pickup and Karen Hilltribe lunch included.

From฿2,000per person

5.0(923)

5.0TripAdvisor (923)

Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai

Wildlife Encounter

English Speaking Guide

Half Day

Instagrammable

Solo Traveler Friendly

Lunch Included

Family Friendly

Hotel Pickup Included

Highlights

Hotel pickup from Chiang Mai
Meet and feed the rescued elephants
Bathe and relax with the herd
Learn about elephant behaviour and rescue stories
Traditional Karen Hilltribe lunch and seasonal fruit

Duration

5 - 6 hours

Pickup

Included

Languages

English, Thai

Start your day with gentle giants at Elephant Pride Sanctuary, a family-run elephant sanctuary tucked into the forested hills north of Chiang Mai.

What you will do

The half-day morning program is a good introduction to the herd. You meet each elephant and learn their rescue story, hand-feed them seasonal fruit, then join them for a relaxing mud bath and river rinse. There is no riding: just unhurried, respectful time with animals that were rescued from logging and trekking camps.

A meal with the Karen Hilltribe family

After your time with the elephants, enjoy a home-cooked traditional Karen lunch with fresh seasonal fruit, served on site by the local community that cares for the herd.

Who this is for

Travellers of all ages who want a respectful elephant experience without the crowds. Small groups only, and the mahouts walk you through every step.

Select Date

Bookings open up to 150 days ahead; the latest date you can book is Fri 5 Mar 2027.

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Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
Secure payment via Stripe
Instant email receipt

From

฿2,000

Questions? Chat with us on:

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Frequently asked questions

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