15

Best Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai

Happy Elephant Home stands true to its name by making both the tourists and the elephants eternally happy. The magical tour picks you up from your hotel room and then you have to change into the beautiful Thai local attire, as the elephants are more familiar to that smell.

After you reach the sanctuary, you are greeted with a brief lecture on elephants and their habitat. Thereafter you are taken to meet the beautiful beast, walk with them, feed them and pet them as much as you want.

The mud spa with elephants is the thing that makes Happy Elephant Home one of the best elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai. 

Timing: 09:00-17:30

Price: 5400/- INR.

Location: Mae Taeng district, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Patara elephant camp is one of the best elephant nature park Chiang Mai. The camp is widespread and has a lot of open grounds for elephants to play and breed. The tourists are given a lecture on the history and the working of the camp over their arrival. Then the tourists need to prepare food for the gentle giants and after feeding them, the tourists can walk them in the jungle and rub them with mud and ultimately swim with them.

There are various programs that Patara elephant camp offers including one which is a volunteer program which lasts for 4 weeks and where you have the opportunity to serve and take care of these beautiful animals. Short on time? Don’t worry; Patara has got you covered with its full day as well as half-day programs.

Location:  Ban Pong, Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai 50230, Thailand.

Timing: 08:00-18:00.

Price: INR 5000/ THB 2170.

Located around 45 kilometers away from the city of Chiang Mai, Maerim elephant sanctuary is one of the most elite elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai. The tourist gets an opportunity to get up and close with the giant beasts and be their friend, feed them, pet them walk with them and even swim with them.

The amount of fun that one has there with those elephants is unparalleled. The food is equally appalling. At Maerim, you also learn to make your own noodles soup and you also learn about the medicines and the herbs that are used to treat the elephants.

Location: Ki Lek, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand.

Timing: 07:00-17:00.

Price: INR 4500/ THB 1950.

Elephant Rescue Park is a place where rescued elephants and homeless elephants are given shelter, a life, and a very natural habitat. Elephant Rescue Park is one of the few elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai which put all the revenue that is generated in the well-being of the elephants.

The tours are designed in such a way that you would have a blast and also help the elephants in a very gentle yet enjoyable way. Along with feeding and walking with elephants, the mud bath remains the most loved and fun part of the tour for both kids and adults alike. The special attraction is planting trees which would grow up to become food for these lovely animals.

Location: 24 Ratchamanka Rd, Tambon Phra Sing, Amphoe Mueang, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

Timing: 08:00-22:00.

Price: INR 6600/ THB 2860.

Apart from being one of the best elephant nature park Chiang Mai has, Kanta elephant sanctuary is a retirement home for elephants who have spent their lives in hardships while shifting logs and people in the name of tourism. At Kanta, these elephants are given a chance to live life in the most natural and harmless ways. Moreover, the tourists are also asked to participate in activities which basically nourish the lifestyle of these gentle beasts.

Even for tourists activities such as bathing, feeding and walking with elephants become the highlights of their trips. The Kant elephant sanctuary ensures that the tourists gain some education as well. They are taught how to make foods for elephants using natural herbs and fruits. All in all Kanta elephant sanctuary is a must-visit destination.

Location: Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai 50150, Thailand.

Timing: 07:00-18:00.

Price: INR 3600/ THB 1560.

Located in the lush mountains on the banks of river Chao Phraya, Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary provides one of the most amazing elephant tour Chiang Mai. It is a great way to relax and connect with nature and its wonderful creations.

Activities such as feeding, bathing, rubbing, walking and cuddling with the elephants make this place one of the most desired. But what makes it the best is the various activities that follow, such as going on a river safari using the traditional bamboo raft and standing beneath the waterfall while playing with your friends. And when you’re tired of all the enjoyment, there is always the delicious Thai meal waiting for you.

Location:  Rachapaklnai Rd, T. Phra Singha A.Muang Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

Timing: 08:00-22:00.

Price: INR 4400/ THB 1900.

Elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai showcase a wide spectrum of varieties. Thai Elephant Home is no different than the others, except in some other avenues. The Thai Elephant Home actually rescues all the elephants across the Asian continents who have become a victim of ruthless treatment in the name of tourism.

Setting a new example for eco-friendly tourism, Thai Elephant Home has a lot of exciting things that tourists can do. They can feed the elephants, walk with them, pet them, and play with the baby elephants and many more exciting activities.

Thai elephant home also has a lot of adventure sports such as white water river rafting, zip-lining and what not. 

Timing: 08:00-17:30

Price: 10,900/- INR

Location: Kuedchang Mae Taeng, Mae Taeng district, Thailand

Into The Wild Elephant Camp gives the best elephant tour in Chiang Mai. The tour picks up the tourists from the doorstep of their hotels. After reaching the sanctuary, the tourists are given an introduction about the elephants.

Here the tourists have to wash the food for the elephants before feeding them, such kinds of activities really give them a glimpse of the lives of those volunteers working at the sanctuary. The mud spa an elephant bathing part of the tour is undoubtedly the most fun and enjoyable part.

However, into the wild elephant camp also provides a super fun and educational sessions where the tourists are taught how to make medicines from herbs for the elephants. 

Timing: Open 24 hours

Price: 5600/- INR

Location: Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The list of Chiang Mai elephant sanctuaries is not completed without the mention of Maeklong Elephant Conservation Community. Here at Maeklong, elephants are treated as a part of the family and are looked after accordingly. Unlike many places, in Maeklong the mother is never separated from her child.

The tourists can enjoy the great location of this sanctuary as it is situated on the banks of a river. After scrubbing the elephants in the mud they can have a bath at this mighty river along with the elephants.

They are also supposed to feed the elephants with their own hands. Here, the tourists are also educated about the uses of elephants in the agricultural field, without causing them any harm or tyranny.

Location: Mai win, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Timing: 09:15-17:00

Price: INR 5400/ THB 2335.