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Half Day Elephant Village Sanctuary Visit: Experience Intimate Wildlife Encounter
4.3
7 Ratings
Chiang Mai
Explore a modest elephant haven run by a resident family of elephant caretakers, where wisdom is transferred from one generation to the next. Navigate through the thick, verdant woods and cool off with a dip in a petite waterfall.
Explore a modest elephant haven run by a resident family of elephant caretakers, where wisdom is transferred from one generation to the next. Navigate through the thick, verdant woods and cool off with a dip in a petite waterfall.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Elephant Village Sanctuary - Adventure with the local elephant keeper to forest trekking, enjoy a splash at the waterfall, and learn about their routine in keeping the Elephants.
- Elephant Village Sanctuary - Adventure with the local elephant keeper to forest trekking, enjoy a splash at the waterfall, and learn about their routine in keeping the Elephants.

What's Included
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Transportation
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Transportation
Location
Elephant Village Sanctuary
96/1 Ragang Rd.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(7 Ratings)
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1 star
Beckywalker22
Jan 30, 2026
Proper experience of elephants in beautiful surroundings - This was a fantastic experience to meet the elephants in a natural surrounding
The trip started badly as we were told to be ready from 6.50 and no-one tuned up until gone 8am. However from that point it was great.
We arrived in the village and after a very steep climb down we arrived to a small talk about the elephants. Then we went on a trek through the jungle to find some elephants in their natural setting which was hard work but magical.
We found two sisters one who was pregnant wandering in the jungle eating bamboo shoots and then we could watch them eating standing right next to them. They extended their trunks to say hello and smell us.
Then we followed them for a while and then trekked through the jungle to find the remaining two. Please note this experience is only suitable for those with moderate fitness and you need good shoes and long trousers.
We returned to the village via a waterfall stop to cool down for lunch tasty of egg fried vegetable rice and fruit.
Then we learned how to cut Bamboo and how to make elephant medicine from herbs. Two elephants returned to the water and we gave them the bamboo and then they wandered off again.
A real experience where you could get close to the elephants and learn about them without exploiting them. Fantastic well worth visiting this one.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindsey_c
Nov 19, 2025
This experience was once... - This experience was once in a life time! Such a cool experience, felt natural and ethical to the animals. Staff was wonderful.
Only thing of note- you are in the jungle and you walk some terrain that was way more treacherous than anticipated, would recommend hiking boots and or rainboots of your own to wear.
Review provided by Viator
Clairemm1582nw
Nov 17, 2023
Great experience, very wholesome and ethical - Really lovely day and very kind people. They really care about the elephants and it’s all very authentic and interesting. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bigmix13
Nov 29, 2022
Caring for elephants - Our driver was excellent, very friendly. Our tour guide at the sanctuary was also excellent. You could really tell he cares about the elephants.
One thing I would like to point out, which was not a problem for my group is that there us a but of a hike to get to the sanctuary. There are some steep inclines and declines that need to be navigated.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Inspire02484770306
Oct 28, 2022
Amazing first experience with elephants - It was an amazing experience! We gave bananas to the elephants and played with them. Then we walked 5 minutes to a nice waterfall in which we could swim. We also walked through the rice fields to go back to the starting point where the elephants took a nice bath. The guide was so nice and funny! Finally we had a delicious lunch with the whole group, we really had a blast. Highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway53603253504
Apr 18, 2023
Still no ethically sold… - I was very surprised when I saw chains around the necks of the adult elephants, was a great experience but walked away confused.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cynthia_l
Jul 23, 2023
Irresponsible Tour Company - I would have given this tour company zero stars if not for the guide, Cha who went out if his way to make sure I was safe. First of all, I signed up for morning tour but no one showed up. I had to Google the number to reach them but was informed they moved me to afternoon because no one else signed up. Another person told me, Ken missed my booking. At the sanctuary, the tour surprisingly included a difficult uphill trek in the jungle to a waterfall which I did not sign up for due to a heart condition. Thankfully, the guide stayed with me to make sure I was ok and offered me his water. The trail was so steep and slippery, I fell once. The elephant experience was wonderful and the caregivers were very kind. I’m disappointed this tour could have turned so much better.
Review provided by Viator