Half-Day Morning Living Green Elephant Sanctuary

The half day morning program is the shortest way to spend real time with Living Green's elephants and still have your afternoon free in Chiang Mai. It suits families with younger children, people with a flight or evening plans, and anyone who would rather have a focused morning than a long day. 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 07:30, followed by about an hour and a half through the countryside. At the sanctuary you are briefed and change into traditional northern clothing, then spend a little over an hour meeting and feeding the elephants in their forest setting. You walk with them to the river and bathe them, if the weather and the elephants allow, then take part in a short health check. A local meal follows before you say goodbye. You leave the sanctuary at about 12:30 and are back in Chiang Mai around 14:00.

Transfers, an English speaking guide, the meal, drinking water, elephant food, insurance and a free photography service are included. Bring swimwear, sandals that can get wet, a towel and a change of clothes, plus sunscreen and insect repellent. A rain coat is useful in the rainy season and a warm layer on winter mornings.