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Chiang Mai: Small Group Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Tour

Top rated
4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9
1480 reviews
Activity provider:
Lanna Kingdom Tours
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Certified by GetYourGuide
Chiang Mai: Small Group Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Tour
Top rated
4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9
1480 reviews

Interact with elephants up close in a national park at Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai. Give the elephants a bath and learn all about the program to protect rescued elephants.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 5 - 8.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English, Thai
Pickup optional
Get picked up from your hotel in Chiang Mai between 1:30 PM and 1:45 PM. Please provide your room number for the pickup service and be ready in the lobby of your hotel at least 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.
Wheelchair accessible
Small group
Limited to 10 participants

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

5
5 out of 5 stars
D
Daniela Katramada – Greece

I had an amazing time at the Elephant Sanctuary! I happened to visit on a quiet day with no other tourists, so it felt like having a private tour such a special experience. The guide was incredibly friendly and made me feel welcome right away. You can really tell that the sanctuary takes great care of the elephants; they looked happy, healthy, and well looked after in a peaceful, natural environment. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a meaningful and respectful encounter with these beautiful animals.

5
5 out of 5 stars
L
Laura – Ireland

What a great experience. From start to finish we had the best morning. The sanctuary is really well kept and the elephants are happy out with lots of acres to roam free. Highly recommend if you’re in changmai

Select participants and date

Itinerary

  • Starting/pickup location

    Depends on the selected option

  • Van

    (1 hour)

  • Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary

    Visit

  • Van

    (1 hour)

  • 2 drop-off locations:

    Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan, Chiang Mai

Main stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Connect with elephants up close and learn about the program to protect them
  • Watch an elephant mud bath and then bathe with them in the river
  • Learn how to make herbal vitamin balls and then feed them to the elephants
  • See elephants in natural surroundings in the middle of the national park
  • Enjoy a freshly cooked Thai lunch while watching the elephants roam freely

Full description

Meet elephants on this guided day trip from Chiang Mai to the Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary, located in the middle of a lush national park. Here the elephants are able to roam freely in a large green space. Keep your clothes clean by wearing local clothes and boots. Feed and interact with rescued elephants before sitting down to a freshly cooked lunch. 
Depart Chiang Mai aboard an air-conditioned van and journey into the mountains of northern Thailand to visit the ethical Lanna Kingdom Elephant Sanctuary (approximately 1-hour drive from the city center).
Upon arrival, learn about the elephant conservation program and benefit from an introductory talk, and the chance to interact with the rescued animals. Get the chance to give them a hug and discover how to prepare a healthy meal to feed them.
Go for a walk around the sanctuary with the elephants and stop to give them a mud bath to keep their body temperature down and protect them from parasites. Feed them before enjoying a homemade lunch at a restaurant inside the sanctuary.

Includes

  • Hotel pick-up and drop off (if option selected)
  • English-speaking guide
  • Transportation by van
  • Lunch and seasonal fruits at the sanctuary (homemade vegetarian food)
  • Water
  • Bananas and sugar cane to feed the elephants
  • Uniform of big bamboo hat and boots
  • Towel
  • Shampoo and soap
  • Accident insurance of up to 1,000,000 Thai Baht (approximately $30,000) cover
  • Personal expenses
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips for the guide/driver (optional but appreciated)

Meeting point

Please meet your tour guide at the entrance of Phra Singh Temple. Pickup will be between 8-8:30AM.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Change of clothes

Know before you go

  • No riding of the elephants
  • Please bring your camera, sunglasses and sun lotion
  • Please remember to bring any personal medication
  • A change of clothes is recommended as you may get wet whilst bathing the elephants
  • Children (under the age of 9) are welcome at the sanctuary with a 50% discount
  • Please note that if the meeting point option is selected you must meet at Phra Singh Temple entrance. No hotel pickup will be offered for this option.

From $73 per person

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5
4.9 out of 5 stars

based on 1480 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.9/5
  • Value for money
    4.8/5

Customer photos

+228
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By star rating
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5
5 out of 5 stars
D
Daniela Katramada – GreeceJune 22, 2025 – Verified booking
I had an amazing time at the Elephant Sanctuary! I happened to visit on a quiet day with no other tourists, so it felt like having a private tour such a special experience. The guide was incredibly friendly and made me feel welcome right away. You can really tell that the sanctuary takes great care of the elephants; they looked happy, healthy, and well looked after in a peaceful, natural environment. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a meaningful and respectful encounter with these beautiful animals.
5
5 out of 5 stars
L
Laura – IrelandMay 19, 2025 – Verified booking
What a great experience. From start to finish we had the best morning. The sanctuary is really well kept and the elephants are happy out with lots of acres to roam free. Highly recommend if you’re in changmai
5
5 out of 5 stars
I
Ivana – AustraliaApril 19, 2025 – Verified booking
We had an absolutely amazing experience at the Elephant Sanctuary! What was supposed to be a group tour turned into a private one since it was just the two of us—and it couldn’t have worked out better. Our guide, Kon, was incredible—knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about the elephants and the sanctuary’s mission. Also, the vegan pad thai and local fruits were delicious. We got to spend a generous amount of time with the elephants—there were five of them—and it was such a privilege to be up close with these gentle giants in a safe and respectful environment. It felt great knowing that our visit was supporting a genuine sanctuary that puts the well-being of the animals first. The whole experience was fantastic value for money, and we left feeling super happy and fulfilled. We totally recommend this place to anyone looking for an ethical and unforgettable elephant encounter!

Response from provider

April 29, 2025

Thank you so much for teh greta review and your recommend to our place, we hope to see you again:-) Lanna Kingdom Team.

Product ID: 121815

Activity provider:
Lanna Kingdom Tours

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