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Joy Elephant Sanctuary: Ethical Elephant Observation
4.9
64 Ratings
Mae Win
Join our ethical Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary tour. Observe elephants, enjoy a waterfall, and craft Thai souvenirs. Book now for a unique adventure.
Join our ethical Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary tour. Observe elephants, enjoy a waterfall, and craft Thai souvenirs. Book now for a unique adventure.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Thung Luang - Experience the Half-day Adventure with Joy Elephant Sanctuary exclusive Elephant Observation, Waterfall, and Cultural Activities program.
Absorb the rich culture and history of the northern Karen Hill Tribe known for their close connection to elephants. Spend your time witnessing elephant’s daily routine, and observing their behaviors…
- Thung Luang - Experience the Half-day Adventure with Joy Elephant Sanctuary exclusive Elephant Observation, Waterfall, and Cultural Activities program.
Absorb the rich culture and history of the northern Karen Hill Tribe known for their close connection to elephants. Spend your time witnessing elephant’s daily routine, and observing their behaviors in their natural habitat.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the breathtaking waterfall during your visit, and also learn to craft a Thai cultural souvenir to remember your experience.
What's Included
- Free photography
- Towel
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Elephant’s food and snack
- Insurance
- Tea and coffee
- Free photography
- Towel
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Elephant’s food and snack
- Insurance
- Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
- Other personal expenses
- Other personal expenses
Additional Information
• Embark on an ethical adventure at Joy Elephant Sanctuary: Experience responsible tourism through our Elephant Observation programs!
• Enjoy Fun Interactions: Dress in traditional Karen attire, learn to prepare food for the elephants, and watch these gentle giants in their natural behavior from a safe distance.
• Discover Elephant Paradise: Relax with…
• Embark on an ethical adventure at Joy Elephant Sanctuary: Experience responsible tourism through our Elephant Observation programs!
• Enjoy Fun Interactions: Dress in traditional Karen attire, learn to prepare food for the elephants, and watch these gentle giants in their natural behavior from a safe distance.
• Discover Elephant Paradise: Relax with herbal tea and unwind by the waterfall. Nestled in lush forests and bordered by tranquil rivers, our sanctuary provides a year-round food supply for the elephants to thrive.
• Immerse in Culture: Create your own Thai cultural handmade souvenir as a memorable keepsake.
- Pets are prohibited
- Child seat is available up on request
- What to bring: Extra Clothes, Swimming Suit, Sandals, Trekking / Hiking Shoes Sunblock lotion, Insect Spray, Customers own allergy medication
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
4.9
(64 Ratings)
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Merrymagpie93
Nov 22, 2025
Wonderful way to spend a birthday :) - Beautiful and most importantly, ethical elephant sanctuary. The elephants are a domestic group who are well loved and incredibly well cared for. They have a lovely patch of land to free roam and enjoy security as part of their family group. There is very little touching of the elephants and no riding or use of whips or sticks to manoeuvre them. We did a day of walking with the elephants, making medicine balls for them and making inhalers. I would 100% recommend this group, as they also work with a local native group to look after the elephants and maintain the sanctuary.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jesslq7181bw
Nov 9, 2025
Amazing, a must do experience. - Absolutely fantastic experience, could not fault anything from this tour. The guides were brilliant and funny.
There was even a small stop at the 7/11 on the way for coffee and breakfast.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Otilia_w
Nov 5, 2025
Amazing, unforgettable experience!! - In Northern Thailand, up in the mountains of Chiang Mai, there is an ethical elephant sanctuary where humans can observe elephants in their own habitat without riding, bathing them or disturbing them. The caretakers at "Joy Elephant Sanctuary" are dedicated to creating a respectful connection between humans, elephants, and nature. For example, they asked us to apply mosquito spray in the educational area (far away from the elephants) and then made everybody wash hands before we begun our trek. They provided vibrant red shirts from the "Karen Hill" tribe because the 🐘 know and trust the people from that tribe. They told us the 🐘 eyesight is not too good, but their memory is excellent. We trekked alongside the elephants to the top of the hill and marveled at these incredible creatures.
It was definitely an unforgettable experience!
Review provided by Viator
Jerryr_c
Nov 3, 2025
Epic Experience with Majestic Elephants - This half-day trip was absolutely epic! The elephants were truly majestic, and it was amazing to observe them up close in a natural, ethical environment. The hosts at the sanctuary were super friendly and spoke great English, explaining everything about the elephants and their care. You get to feed them, but you’re not allowed to pet or touch them — which I appreciated, since it keeps both the animals and visitors safe.
The driver provided pickup and drop-off, which made everything really convenient, though he didn’t speak English. Overall, this was an incredible experience that felt authentic, respectful, and unforgettable. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Michelle
Nov 2, 2025
A wonderful ethical elephant experience - A comfortable ride in a minibus had us out of the city and heading to the mountains in no time. After a long and winding climb, we reached Joy Elephant Sanctuary. We were provided with Thai safety vests, traditional Thai tops in hot pink, and listened to a Q&A session on elephants and what to expect. After feeding the gentle elephants pumpkin, we walked with them through the forest and observed as they climbed, stopped, ate and interacted with each other. There was no touching or yelling as they made their way through the forest. There was lots of time to take photos and observe them, being watchful of them spraying themselves with mud. It was so peaceful and a wonderful opportunity to watch them, unencumbered.
There was a short walk to a refreshing waterfall, and after some down time, and a swim for some, we helped ourselves to Pad Thai, salad and fruit for an early dinner. Bring cash to buy a beer or soft drink; water provided. We also made a Thai inhaler to take home with us - so fragrant (can’t take it back to Australia due to use of seeds and pods).
This ethical experience will sit with us for a lifetime. Such a wonderful day observing the elephants being elephants, with no pressure or expectation of them to perform or behave in a particular way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catherine
Oct 24, 2025
Amazing experience viewing elephants in their natural environment - This was the best half day experience. The elephants are very well looked after and also allowed to do their own thing. We were looking for an ethical elephant experience where the elephants were not forced to do anything against their will. Joy elephant sanctuary did not disappoint. When we first arrived we fed the 5 elephants so they knew who we were. We then walked with them up the mountain. They went on their own path but we were very close to them. At the top of the mountain they were left to do their own thing for a bit and we could observe. It was great to see them interacting and digging for roots. They then went down the other side of the mountain to the waterfall. As it was very muddy we went back the way we came. At the waterfall we again got to observe them eating and playing in the water whilst we had lunch. You could also go in the waterfall a bit further along the river from the elephants.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
372arzue
Oct 12, 2025
Elephant sanctuary - This was a great experience,we had the best tour guide,he was very informatine and attentive,excllent facility.I highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philippe
Oct 1, 2025
Beautiful experience in Thai nature - Very nice morning in nature in northern Thailand. The discovery of elephants and their daily lives is done with respect and tranquility of the 5 elephants housed in the sanctuary. A very educational and attentive guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G_y
Nov 6, 2025
Walk with the Elephants - Peaceful environment in which to interact with the beautiful elephants. Up in the mountains and the mist. Being able to feed them and see them up close, and then to walk along with them on their afternoon stroll was inspirational.
Review provided by Viator
Nicole_h
Oct 26, 2025
Peaceful, postcard perfect tour - This was amazing and so incredible to see the elephants in their real environment.
Should be noted that to get down to the sanctuary you sit in the boxes of trucks for 5 mins and go off roading over bumps and down a steep hill.
Someone with knee neck and back problems definitely could not do this excursion. You also walk through the jungle for about 35 minutes up steep incline’s massive mud imprints from the elephants. So wear good walking sandals. It’s hot so we wore shorts but then walking through the forest, I got hit with branches and I came back with bruises and it looked like spider bites
Review provided by Viator
