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Elephant Sanctuary: Meet Majestic Giants
5.0
26 Ratings
Mae Win
Join a wild adventure in Chiang Mai: Elephant observation, Doi Inthanon hike, and cultural immersion. Discover Thailand’s natural beauty and rich traditions.
Join a wild adventure in Chiang Mai: Elephant observation, Doi Inthanon hike, and cultural immersion. Discover Thailand’s natural beauty and rich traditions.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Thung Luang - Embark on a one-day adventure with our Joy Elephant Sanctuary Observation, Doi Inthanon & Hiking Program. Relish the scenic rural views of Chiang Mai as you’re picked up and travel through picturesque landscapes.
At the sanctuary, don traditional Karen clothing for hands-on activities, preparing food for the elephants while learning…
- Thung Luang - Embark on a one-day adventure with our Joy Elephant Sanctuary Observation, Doi Inthanon & Hiking Program. Relish the scenic rural views of Chiang Mai as you’re picked up and travel through picturesque landscapes.
At the sanctuary, don traditional Karen clothing for hands-on activities, preparing food for the elephants while learning about their history and behavior. Watch the elephants in the jungle as they roam freely. Enjoy herbal tea while observing the elephants during their cool time before crafting a Thai cultural souvenir.
Afterward, savor your lunch before departing the Joy Elephant Sanctuary and heading towards Doi Inthanon.
- Doi Inthanon - Standing at 2,565 meters, Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s highest mountain, located in Chiang Mai Province. Named after King Inthawichayanon, the area is rich in biodiversity, including over 400 bird species, and features diverse ecosystems like rainforests and pine forests. Visitors can marvel at stunning waterfalls, the unique frost flower phenomenon in cool seasons, and visit Thailand’s highest peak.
- Twin Royal Stupas (Phra Maha Dhatu Nabha Metaneedol and Nabhapol Bhumisiri - Perched atop Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, the Twin Royal Stupas are grand monuments built to honor the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit. These elegant chedis are surrounded by beautiful gardens and offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests, making them a serene and culturally significant destination for visitors. The site also provides a picturesque setting for memorable photo shoots.
- Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail - Located on the Doi Inthanon mountain range, the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail exemplifies “eco-cultural” tourism, focusing on the sustainable preservation of nature and local culture. The trail is rich with various plant species and wildlife, such as the White-Handed Gibbon (also known as Lar Gibbon), and features the Pha Dok Siew waterfall as its highlight.
The trail is approximately 2.6 kilometers long and takes about 1.5-2 hours to walk, with a moderate difficulty level. It passes through the beautiful Pha Dok Siew waterfall, scenic streams, and terraced rice fields, ending at Mae Klang Luang village.
- Ban Mae Klang Luang - Mae Klang Luang village is recognized as a cultural and artistic museum of the Karen community, representing the concept of “people living with the forest.” Additionally, it is a low-carbon tourist destination that minimizes environmental impact. Mae Klang Luang village also has a coffee farm, adding to its cultural and economic significance.
What's Included
- Ticket (Inthanon National Park & Twin Pagodas)
- Elephant’s Food & Snack
- Lunch
- Tea and coffee
- Drinking Water
- Towel
- Insurance
- Ticket (Inthanon National Park & Twin Pagodas)
- Elephant’s Food & Snack
- Lunch
- Tea and coffee
- Drinking Water
- Towel
- Insurance
What's Not Included
- Other personal expenses
- Please bring Jacket or clothes that can keep you warm on top of the hill.
- Other personal expenses
- Please bring Jacket or clothes that can keep you warm on top of the hill.
Additional Information
Step into a wild adventure at Joy Elephant Sanctuary. Meet majestic elephants, conquer Doi Inthanon & Hike through lush forests, and immerse yourself in Thailand’s natural beauty. It’s a journey you won’t want to miss!
Dive into our responsible tourism with Elephant Observation programs!
Fun Interactions: Change into traditional Karen clothing, Learn,…
Step into a wild adventure at Joy Elephant Sanctuary. Meet majestic elephants, conquer Doi Inthanon & Hike through lush forests, and immerse yourself in Thailand’s natural beauty. It’s a journey you won’t want to miss!
Dive into our responsible tourism with Elephant Observation programs!
Fun Interactions: Change into traditional Karen clothing, Learn, prepare elephants food and observe the gentle giants on their completely natural behavior while maintaining safe distance.
Elephant Paradise: Refresh yourself with herbal tea and take a break at the waterfall, surrounded by serene rivers.
Engaging to the core of the culture by learning how to craft your own Thai cultural handmade souvenir.
Pump your excitement with Inthanon hike: Experience the unforgettable beauty of the breeze and mist atop Thailand’s highest peak, visit the beautiful Twin Pagodas, followed by exploring the jungle and water fall in Pha Dok Siew.
- Pets are prohibited
- Child seat is available up on request
- The Pha Dok Siew hike is recommended for children above 5 years old.
- What to bring: Extra Clothes, Swimming Suit, Sandals, Trekking / Hiking Shoes Sunblock lotion, Insect Spray, Customers own allergy medication
- Driving from the city to the first attraction 3 hours (1.5 hours each way) - The rest of the 45 mins is being spent travelling within Doi Inthanon area
Location
Thung Luang
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
5.0
(26 Ratings)
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1 star
Camille_b
Nov 29, 2025
Very ethical elephant sanctuary - Most ethical elephant sanctuary you can find, with a no-touch policy. You do feed the elephants, walk with them through the jungle and observe them enjoying their bath while you eat your lunch (vegetarian pad Thai prepared by the sanctuary staff).
The Doi Inthanon tour is a little bit too rushed but it is magnificent. The hike to the waterfall is downhill so accessible to all.
Only the tribe village visit with coffee/tea tasting was disappointing, it felt a bit pushy and commercial, you're on a roaster there.
All in all, I recommend this tour, especially for the sanctuary and Chai, the amazing guide we had.
Review provided by Viator
Vaidehisindia
Nov 20, 2025
Great experience in beautiful location - The guides were friendly and helpful. The elephants gorgeous - and it was wonderful just to watch them do their own thing. And the hike in the afternoon was thru an amazing natural landscape. Highly recommend. Just remember to wear good walking shoes and bring a jacket!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Original
Nov 9, 2025
Amazing amazing amazing - An amazing intimate experience. We were picked up on time by our guides and drove out to the sanctuary after stopping at a 7/11 for breakfast.
The sanctuary is in the mountains, so a beautiful drive with a couple of steeps bends.
When you park you are then transported further down the hill by 4x4 and then walk the last couple of hundred meters across the river.
The guides are amazing and hilarious, we all had a real giggle. They are informative and passionate about the work. There are 5 beautiful elephants at the sanctuary, we found out lots about them. It’s hands off apart from feeding them some snacks at the start. Pumpkin was the snack the morning we went. We fed them 20-25 chunks each, so a great opportunity. After feed ing it’s time for a walk. The elephants dictate where the walk goes…. Was very uphill on our walk, who knew they were so nimble on their feet!
After getting back it was time for a cuppa and swim if anyone wanted. The elephants came over to the area and did go for a drink. Certainly no bathing or swimming.
After a delicious Pad Thai we all got to make a Yadom.
As only 20ish in our group it was a cozy experience. I know everyone goes on about elephant nature park, but the are other ethical sanctuaries in the area that deserve the financial support of tourists.
I can’t recommend Joy Elephant sanctuary enough, such special memories were made
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicholasho9609hb
Jul 25, 2025
Beautiful and Fulfilling Experience - An amazing experience to see this well cared for and maintained elephant sanctuary. Great and informed guides. Also the hike was the highlight of the tour going through the Karen region seeing the rice fields and the small town was the best part. My favorite part of my trip visiting Chiang Mai
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M3423yqvictoriap
Jul 1, 2025
Excellent tour! - I've never booked a tour before but this tour was amazing from start to finish! The van that picked us up and took us between the activities was clean, spacious and very comfortable. At the sanctuary the elephants were very well cared for and after much research I am very happy we chose the Joy elephant sanctuary. For the rest of the tour, highest point, hiking and visiting the Karen tribe, our guide Joe was kind, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. What an unforgettable experience to learn about elephants, northern Thai culture and the communities that live here. Thank you to everyone involved!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daniel_n
Apr 30, 2025
We enjoyed the trip a... - We enjoyed the trip a lot, our guide was very nice. The Elephant sanctuary indeed was great with no bathing or riding, only feeding the elephants and having a walk with them.
The peak of Inthanon was beautiful but the trail was quite short on the other hand, the hike with the waterfall to the village was breathtaking, highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Paulina
Apr 13, 2025
A perfect day - Great trip! A perfect way to spend the day if in Chiang Mai. Spending time with the elephants was awesome. And then hiking through the jungle was great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wildexplorer2017
Mar 31, 2025
Well organised fun ethical Elephant Sanctuary day trip - Booked the full day tour comprising of half day elephant sanctuary, Doi Inthanon and hiking tour via Viator. Easy enough to book. Was picked up in a mini bus from our hotel on time, collected the other group members (8 in our group) and then drove Joy Sanctuary which took about 1.5 hrs. Stopped once on the way, able to get snacks and a coffee. Once we arrived a quick swap into a keel takes you into the sanctuary. We were welcomed nicely and they give you a Karen (local clothing) top. Had a chance to settle in and was told information about the sanctuary and our days itinerary. No bathing or riding the elephants. Each elephant had a 1:1 carer. Total of 5 female elephants in the sanctuary. We fed the elephants and then went for a short walk with them. Then there’s a chance to go into the river or just have tea and observe the elephants. Then it was lunch time; tofu pad Thai and fruit, bottled water provided. There are basic toilets onsite. We then did a short activity and went off to Doi Inthanon. Hour drive up, saw the twin pagodas and then drove for the hike. Hike was about 1.5 hrs, saw some small waterfalls, no Gibbons were seen, apparent sights are very rare to see them. The hike was ok, ended in a local native coffee and gift shop where you taste different locally made coffees.
Overall the trip was great, very friendly and welcoming staff. Well organised, ran to time, started at 8am and dropped off at 7pm. The lunch was basic but tasty and there was plenty.
The sanctuary is 9 months old and appears to be ethical from what we experienced
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Curiosity10142929729
Mar 30, 2025
Best day of my trip - The best day of my trip by far
Jade was out tour guide for the day and he was absolutely fantastic knowledgeable and fun
Made the day memorable and fun
We got picked up from our requested hotel in Chang Mai We stopped for a break half way for coffee for 15 mins then headed to joy elephant sanctuary
We got to feed the elephants and then walking along by them through the jungle to see them in their own habitat
We then went back to the rock pool and waterfall for a swim and the elephants came to the pool to drink while we swam in the water and sat under the waterfall which was a lovely back massage
Had a go on the bamboo raft which was fun then had tea and lunch which was delicious 😍
All round amazing experience😊
We then went on to the highest point of Thailand where the kind ashes are buried, I was suprised at how cool it was there and jade told us that it can get to -degrees up there during cold season .
We then went to see the king and queens temples and it is so beautiful the gardens are amazing aswell as the temples and the views .
We ended the tour with a hike through the Karen community trail which was not a hard hike to do at all and is a lovely 1 and half hours through beautiful area well worth every minute
Again jade was a knowledgeable guide and fun with it
Thank you for an amazing day all round
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wayne_h
Nov 29, 2025
A full day - A long day, pick-up at 6:30 am and return by 6:30 pm. The three activities were all enjoyable, the walk with elephants observing their behavior was relaxing. The hike to the waterfall and along the river was nice, the 1 1/2 hrs passed quickly. The guide did a good job in navigating the day activities on time.
Review provided by Viator
