Ethical Full-Day Elephant Tour - Bathe-Swim-Hand Feed The Elephants

Experience the magic of bonding with elephants on this immersive full-day tour, featuring a river hike, swim, hand-feeding the elephants, and a secluded waterfall visit in the mountains of Chiang Mai. Spend time with our baby elephants.

• Embark on a full-day elephant tour in Chiang Mai, an enriching journey with these majestic creatures amidst breathtaking natural settings with complimentary transportation.

• Delve into elephant care by preparing their meals, dressed in traditional Karen attire, a unique cultural immersion that's both fun and informative.

• Experience the tranquil charm of an elephant river hike, marvel at their natural behavior in a picturesque setting, and explore an untouched waterfall nestled in the jungle.

• From enjoying an authentic Thai lunch amidst elephants to bathing with them and capturing these moments in free downloadable photos, it's a day packed with unforgettable experiences.

• Fun Fact: Ever wondered why elephants are revered in Thailand? They symbolize good luck and prosperity, and there's even a National Elephant Day celebrated every year!

. Please CLICK HERE to view the video, and CLICK HERE for our brochure.

Tour Activities

• Food is provided to feed the elephants
• Hand-feed the elephants
• Elephant Jungle hike
• Lunch with the elephants
• Elephant River Hike
• Elephant Swim & Bathing Session
• Waterfall experience
• Use of Karen clothes (optional)
• Coffee and snacks when you arrive
• Onsite restrooms
• Onsite locker room to store personal items
• Free download of all photos and videos
• Free transportation from Chiang Mai City

Tour Exclusions

• Towels

• Shoes

• Hat

• Sun Glasses

• Sun Screen

• Bug Repellant

TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR VISIT

• Wear shoes that do not mind getting dirty and wet (while crossing the river).
• We discourage the wearing of flip-flops. Open sandals or sneakers are suitable.
• You will encounter water 12-18 inches deep at specific parts of the river hike.
• Take water with you to hike into the jungle and along the river. Stay well hydrated during the tour.
• Wear sunscreen. You may also wish to pack bug repellent for the hike into the jungle.
• Ensure your phone is fully charged (we will provide free pics and videos one day after the tour).
• We recommend wearing a hat during your tour to protect you from the sun.
• Free Karen Clothes for the day. Thai outfits are made of lightweight fabric, dry quickly, and Are loose-fitting.
• Eat a good breakfast. Lunch is served at 12 PM.
• You may wish to bring a bathing suit to wear under your Karen Clothes to swim in the river and waterfall.

FULL DAY TOUR ITINERARY

08:00 AM - 09:00 AM:

Complimentary pick-up from Chiang Mai City.

09:45 AM:

Arrive at the sanctuary and prepare for tour activities. Change into Thai Karen clothes.

10:00 AM:

Learn about the elephants we have rescued—mahout education session.

10:15 AM:

Prepare the elephant's feast.

10:45 AM:

Hand-feed these majestic creatures. Elephant feeding experience.

11:15 AM:

Elephant jungle hike: Walk with the elephants, observe them in their natural habitat, forage, and take a mud bath.

12:00 PM - 12:50 PM:

Lunch at the sanctuary overlooking the Elephants.

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM:

Elephant Cooking Class (Supplements & Vitamins)

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM:

Feed The Supplements To The Elephants

2:00 PM - 2:20 PM :

Elephant River Hike

2:20 PM - 3:00 PM:

Elephant Swimming & Bathing. Help bathe and swim with the elephants. 

3:00 PM - 3:50 PM:

Waterfall Experience

4:15 PM:

Journey Back To Chiang Mai, arrive in Chiang Mai between 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Few things in life are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Our sanctuary will provide just an experience. Spending an awe-inspiring day with these gentle giants is an experience you will never forget. Your guide's name is Pat and Nut. Pat is from a local tribe and has worked with the elephants his entire life. He speaks English. We also have a guide who is fluent in Chinese. This may be one of the more exciting tours you have taken. You will be in the mountains of northern Thailand. This tour is an authentic experience, and you will be experiencing the elephants in their natural habitat.

We do not force our elephants to do anything. Please realize these majestic creatures are brilliant. We will need to travel at their pace. Your experience with the elephants will be 100% natural and allow you to interact directly with these beautiful creatures. It is fantastic. Our guest reviews mention this is the best tour they have done in Thailand.

This program includes pick-to-drop-off and everything in between. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Pictures and videos are included free of charge. Come experience these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. We have no greater joy than to share this experience with the friends we meet who come to visit us from around the world. Please get in touch with us on WhatsApp. We are available daily from 8 AM to 10 PM local time. Click the image to connect with us. 

*Tour includes Roundtrip transportation from Chiang Mai City, Pictures, and videos, all free. Last-minute and same-day bookings are welcomed. This tour is not accessible by wheelchair. The estimated difficulty level is moderate. Special request for lunch is accepted. Our customer service lines are available daily from 08:00 to 20:00. CLICK HERE to contact us on WhatsApp

FAQS

Q. Do you accept last-minute reservations?

A. Last-minute reservations are welcomed. You may book your reservation online here. 

Q. How far is the Elephant Freedom Project sanctuary from Chiang Mai city?

A. The travel time to the sanctuary is about 1 hour.

Q. Is the tour suitable for young children?

A. We have welcomed many young children to our sanctuary. Click here to check out our blog post on this subject. 

Q. Should I bring a change of clothes? A bathing suit?

A. We offer you free use of Karen Clothes for the day. These Thai outfits are made of lightweight fabric, dry quickly, and are loose-fitting. You may wish to bring a bathing suit to wear under your Karen Clothes to swim in the river and waterfall.

Q. Do you force the elephants to do anything while participating in the tour activities?

A. We do not force our elephants to do anything. Please realize these majestic creatures are brilliant. We will need to travel at their pace. Your experience with the elephants will be 100% natural and allow you to interact directly with these beautiful creatures. It is fantastic.

Q. Is there a room to change clothes? Do you have bathrooms?

A. We have a changing room and separate bathrooms for you. The room is locked upon the tour starting, but you may leave your items in it.

Q. Can I make a special request for lunch?

A. Yes, we welcome any requests you may have. Our typical lunch is vegetarian, but we do accept lunch requests for Vegans. Please do not hesitate to request anything you may need. If it’s within our ability, we will honor your request.

Q. Are pictures and videos available after the tour?

A. We do offer complimentary photos and videos of the tour. We post the pictures and videos to a Dropbox link 24 hours after the tour finishes. We will send you an email with this information after the tour.

Q. What is an elephant sanctuary?

A. Elephant sanctuaries serve as havens for elephants, providing them a secure and natural environment. Their core objective is to rescue and rehabilitate elephants that have faced abuse, exploitation, or injury, ultimately enabling them to live without fear and maltreatment.

With spacious enclosures and surroundings resembling their natural habitat, these sanctuaries allow elephants to roam, socialize, and exhibit natural behaviors. Additionally, many elephant sanctuaries prioritize education and research, working diligently to promote awareness about elephants’ challenges while advocating for their conservation and welfare.

Q. Are elephant rides offered at the Elephant Freedom Project?

A. The Elephant Freedom Project does NOT allow elephant riding. Elephant rides in Thailand have long been a tourist favorite, drawing visitors from around the globe. Regrettably, many fail to realize the troubling mistreatment and brutality involved in training and domesticating these majestic creatures. In light of these disturbing practices, we must question the ethics behind elephant rides in Thailand and reconsider our support for this industry.

While the idea of riding elephants may initially appear exciting, the actual reality is far from enjoyable – in fact, it is undeniably inhumane. Elephants are brilliant and sociable beings that thrive in their natural habitats. However, when these creatures are trained and domesticated solely for entertaining tourists, they are subjected to severe physical and emotional abuse. These are the very elephants we have rescued.

Q. How long can visitors spend at the sanctuary?

A. We offer four different elephant experiences daily. You may join us for a full-day tour lasting eight hours or one of our half-day tours lasting four hours. We also have a one-hour feeding experience.

Q. Do you accept last-minute reservations?

A. Last-minute reservations are welcomed. You may book your reservation online here. 

Q. Are there any accommodation options available at the elephant sanctuary?

A. We do not offer accommodations at our sanctuary. However, steps away, our friends at the Plern Home offer a lovely mountain retreat at reasonable prices. Please click here to check their Facebook page. We are happy to help with arrangements if needed.

Q. Are the elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai regulated or certified in any way?

A. Over the last ten years, the Thai government has started taking a proactive approach to the care and well-being of Elephants. All elephant sanctuaries must now meet specific certification requirements and inspections to operate legally.

Q. I have a child who is three years old; what do you charge?

A. Kids three years old or younger are free of charge.