The Best 4 Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai

Having the opportunity to see Thailand's national animal up close and personal is one of the major draws that brings tourists to Thailand year after year. More and more people are now looking for ethical elephant sanctuaries where the elephants can live out their lives in peace without the threat of mistreatment.

After years of campaigning from animal welfare groups as well as elephant loving locals, the industry is slowly moving away from the horrifically cruel practices that were once the norm. There are, unfortunately, still a handful of elephant parks that operate by training elephants to carry dozens of tourists on their backs or, for the sake of a photo, by forcing elephants to dance and paint pictures for crowds of paying customers.

We've put together a list of tried and tested ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai where you can be rest assured that they care for their elephants with the love and respect that these amazing animals deserve. We have also listed a handful of elephant sanctuaries that are not recommended to visit due to their unethical ways of looking after the elephants.

1. Elephant Rescue Park

Elephant Rescue Park is the best elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai. It is a place where elephants are treated with total respect and kindness.

All the elephants in the park are rescued from places like circuses, logging industry, mistreatment camps, hard working sites and unfortunate accidents.

In the park, you'll learn so much about elephants and what it takes to treat them with the respect that they deserve and need. You'll get to feed them, walk with them, hug them, play with them, bathe with them and so much more.

Contact us if you are interested in a responsible elephant tour. 

China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.

Seeing Bangkok with ease In Bangkok, our tour guide, Ying, was wonderful. She navigated all the sights with ease, gave us interesting tidbits on Thai culture and history, helped us pick the right food at all the restaurants, and was just a pleasure to be around. We had a great time, and it was so nice to not have to worry about any of the details. More Diane Elkins, Nov 2023

Thailand -insights, no stress and amazing team My husband and my Thailand trip was fantastic, stress-free and educational thanks to the amazing team coordinated by Albee at Asia Highlights. The whole team was incredibly accessible, responsive, sensitive to our needs and lovely to work with. End-to-end, the trip was truly remarkable and the knowledgeable and dynamic tour guides and drivers made it especially memorable! More AndrewsFamily, Oct 2023

Informative & Thorough / Thanks Sharon! Sharon the advisor that helped me was so thorough & informative and explained the details of the tour including questions about visas and what is included vs what is not included in the tour packages. I would recommend them to explain tour packages that would fit the schedule of your pending travels. More Chris, Sep 2023

Easy, fast responses I worked directly with Monica in Asia Highlights. She was incredibly helpful and answered all of my questions quickly. Working with her made the whole process easy and we are so excited for our trip! More Diana B, Sep 2023

Stress free Thailand Alisa has organised our 14 day Thailand holiday for 2024 for my family & I. She has been very accommodating & super quick with all of our requests & we cannot wait for a stress free holiday! Thank you Alisa! More Alana Mitchell, Sep 2023

Family Trip to Thailand-Cambodia All of our guides were very nice and knowledgeable, but we have a special mention to our guide in Cambodia, Chan, he was very kind with us and it was very amusing. He went the extra mile for us. We really enjoyed our holidays! More José Antonio Carrillo de la Pl, Sep 2023

Asia Highlights and Sharon Asia Highlights, specifically Sharon, has been wonderfully helpful as we get ready for a 2024 excursion to Thailand. We are beyond excited, and much of that has to do with the personalized attention that we have experienced with Sharon. She has been extremely responsive, obliging, and focused as she helped us design a tailor made itinerary. All of our questions have been addressed, our needs have been met, and the path has now been set for a very exciting trip.... thanks to Sharon. More Marcy Hoenig, Sep 2023

I was planning a trip to Thailand to… I was planning a trip to Thailand to especially see the Lantern Festival this year for our birthdays!! It’s been on our bucket list, but we were completely lost on how to go about planning for our trip. We’ve never really booked tours before but Alisa was extremely helpful, knowledgeable, flexible and efficient in providing all the information we needed to make our decision on the best tours and tickets to purchase. Thank you so much!! More https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/64d9a5a4657e4b39f768a21e, Aug 2023

I would definitely recommend Asia… All of our guides were wonderful (Mr. Bank - Bangkok and Ms. Kai in Phuket & Khao Sok plus antoher guide who assisted in Koh Samui). Sharon took care of tours, private drivers, flights and hotels within Thailand and our trip went off without a hitch. The hotels were great and the transportation always arrived on time and with a clean, More Guinevere Provance, Aug 2023

Great Experience WOW! I’ve traveled Asia some & I must say Sharon & Asia Highlights made this trip so much more enjoyable and easy More Stephen Hollis, Aug 2023

Alisa has has been great to work with Alisa with Asia Highlights has has been great to work with. Very friendly and responsive. More Ana Rausch, Aug 2023

Using Sharon right now to book our… Using Sharon right now to book our upcoming trip to Thailand. She has booked everything that we asked for. Has answered all of my inquiries, which has been many! Looking forward to having a great girls trip in Thailand More Tracy, Aug 2023

Thailand, Singapore, Bali In Thailand, Tanny and Nori(Suparp), were both incredible! They were both fun, funny, and full of knowledge and made sure we got the full experience. They went the extra mile and always made sure we had cold bottled water and towels to cleanse our hands. In Singapore, Nicole was an absolute gem. She was so kind and knowledgeable and guided us in the right direction to make our day as enjoyable as possible. She helped us choose a top notch local lunch and coffee spot in China Town and taught us so much about the country! In Bali, Emon was an absolute joy. He was very knowledgeable and kind and absolutely made sure we were feeling comfortable and was willing to be flexible with us. He was fun to converse with and made our time traveling between destinations so enjoyable! I cannot recommend Asia Highlights enough! Accommodations, travel arrangements and guided tours were all a breeze. More Cassi Thunker, Jul 2023

Very supportive Very supportive ! I have received eticket for Sky Lattern Festival very fast More Chi?n Nguy?n Ng?c, Jul 2023

My experience in Chang Mai with Asia Highlights I greatly enjoyed my experience with Asia Highlights for a trip I booked to Thailand.All of my interests were catered too. My guide in Chang Mai Gemma was excellent.I truly felt the soul of Thailand culture and Buddhism. More Richard, Jul 2023

A pleasure to plan with Well, this has been a painless and pleasurable process to find such a wonderful company. I had specific dates and places to be and Sharon worked with me diligently to refine the schedule and costs to suit my travel needs and budget. She informed me of a special tour on the dates I am to be in Thailand and I added that to my previous plans. More Chris Williams, Jul 2023

Large multi-generational holiday in Thailand The holiday was wonderful. Our guides, Mr Monchai (Bangkok), and Ms Tipagorn (Tippy) (Chiang Mai) were exceptional. Travelling in a large multigenerational group with many children requires patience and our guides truly understood that. Mr Monchai and Ms Tippy shared their extensive knowledge of the many wonderful places we visited, and were flexible to take us to additional places along the way based on discussions. While everyday was busy, having them greet us with patience and a smile truly made this a memorable holiday. The hotels we stayed at were equally wonderful and went above and beyond to celebrate not only my parents 50th anniversary but also celebrate 2 milestone birthdays that occurred. We will cherish this holiday for many years to come. We hope to use Asia Highlights again. More CL, Jul 2023

I never used a travel agent in my life I never used a travel agent in my life, but Sharon for Asia Highlights did a phenomenal job helping planning and coordination a family vacation. The best part of working with Sharon was that she maintained an open line of communication and provided answers to my question well within 12-24 hours. Additionally, Sharon was flexible and customized our vacation to my families needs. Overall great experience. More Antione Barry, Jul 2023

Great company to plan a trip to Southeast Asia! Sharon Haung has been wonderful to work with! Very patient and accommodating. Responds immediately given time change and is prepared, prompt, and professional. More Debi Hinerfeld, Jul 2023

We took a 15 days trip (10 days Vietnam and 5 days Thailand … It was an amazing experience the guides and drivers were there awaiting for us at each airoport for a transfer to the hotels also on time for all the tours all the guides were so lovely , very experienced and spoke very good English , one of the days on tour in Thailand I lost my phone in a temple in Bangkok mr chai went out of his way in a middle of thousands of visitors and managed to find an bring it back to me I found that amazing , also while on a trip I contacted Jason li out tour organizer few time via whatup and he replied and helped on the spot I recommend asiahilights 150% The quality of the service hotels the guides the drivers outstanding From start to finish ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT ???? More SIMO el ghobar, Jun 2023

2. Elephant Nature Park

Elephant Nature Park was the first ethical sanctuary in Thailand. It was a unique project set up by the famous conservationist Lek Chailert in the Chiang Mai countryside. Established in the 1990s, the park's aim has always been to provide a safe haven for rescued elephants.

The park has provided a loving home for dozens of mistreated elephants from all over Thailand for decades. You won't just find elephants there, however. The park also houses cats, dogs, buffalo, and many other rescued animals. This place truly is an animal lover's paradise!

Elephant Nature Park Program Highlights

Enjoy a full day at Elephant Nature Park or an overnight stay. You will get to observe the elephants bathing but you can no longer go into the river with the elephants as there were concerns that it was causing too much stress for them.

At feeding time, you'll learn about the elephants' eating habits.

A delicious vegetarian buffet lunch is included in the price.

At the end of the day, you will have the chance to watch a film about how elephants are 'trained' to work and perform in shows and camps in Thailand. It makes for some difficult viewing but is definitely educational in highlighting just how badly elephants can be treated for the amusement of tourists in other less ethical places.

• Price (day trip): adult rate: 2,500 baht; child rate: 1,250 baht (2–11 years)
• Location: 60 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai
• Starting from: 8–8:30am. You will be collected from your hotel in Chiang Mai.
• Returning: 5–5:30pm to Chiang Mai city.
• Website: https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/

13-Day Essence of Thailand Tour Far More beyond Temples

3. Chang Chill

Formerly known as Happy Elephant Valley, Chang Chill has moved away from interactive activities, such as riding, bathing, and feeding the elephants, that you'll commonly see at other camps. Visitors at Chang Chill are no longer encouraged to interact with the elephants so that they are left to go about their daily business in peace.

There, you will get the chance to learn about the Karen hill tribe people and their local traditions as well as to enjoy the mesmerizing view from the elephant observation deck. Chang means 'elephant' in Thai and chill obviously means 'relax', and that's exactly what the six resident female elephants do there...relax!

Chang Chill Program Highlights

On arrival, you will be given an introduction to Chang Chill's past, present, and future along with the program schedule. You will then follow your guide into the forest to see the elephants grazing and interacting with each other from a safe distance.

You will learn about Chang Chill's six resident elephants as well as some interesting facts about Asian elephants and their mahouts.

There is the opportunity to take part in an 'elephant cooking class' where you will prepare food and supplements for the six elephants. You will learn about the elephants' diet and the health benefits gained from each of the ingredients used.

The day ends with a short discussion about what you have learned about the elephants and how you can continue to help them even after leaving Thailand.

Lunch is included in the price and there are vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available. Specific requests for food can be made at the time of booking.

• Price per adult (day trip): 2,500 baht
• Price per child: 1,800 baht (under 10 years old)
• Location: 65 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai (1½ hours)
• Starting from: 7:30-8am. You will be collected from your hotel in Chiang Mai.
• Returning: 4:30–5pm to Chiang Mai city.
• Website: http://changchill.com/

4. BEES — Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary

BEES, or Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary, is a community based elephant retirement and animal rescue center in Maechaem, located 2½ hours outside of Chiang Mai city.

Currently, there are just three permanently retired elephants at BEES, meaning that they receive the love, care, and attention that they truly deserve.

The message there is clear: Let elephants just be elephants! No riding, no bathing, and certainly no tricks. BEES is the ultimate happy place for retired elephants.

A message from their website:

"Our program focuses on allowing elephants their freedom to just BE an elephant, free from exploitation and abuse. By joining us, you're directly helping these elephants to live a happy, more natural life. This is a responsible and ethical program focused on giving back to the elephants after they have spent their lives working for humans. BEES is a place where humans now work for them. This is NOT a program to pat, play, kiss, bathe, or hand-feed elephants. This is a place where you can observe elephants in a natural setting and help with other aspects of their care."

There are no day or half-day tours available at BEES. The minimum stay is overnight. Anyone who wants to delve a little deeper into animal conservation and really see the hard work that goes into looking after these wonderful animals will be truly rewarded. This is an experience like no other.

7-Day Central Thailand Exploration Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Khao Yai National Park -Kanchanaburi

Example Itinerary at Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary

Day 1: You will be collected in Chiang Mai and enjoy sightseeing along the way. Have lunch at a waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park with a full park tour available upon request.

Arrive at BEES and go through some health and safety regulations. Then you are free to chill out with the resident cats and dogs before you have your Thai dinner.

Day 2: Have breakfast before starting your hike through the beautiful forest to observe the elephants in their natural surroundings.

Have lunch in the forest while observing the elephants before heading back to prepare the elephants' dinner back at the camp.

You'll get to watch the elephants eating all of the tasty food you have prepared for them before meeting your driver to head back to your Chiang Mai hotel.

The price includes four meals and free drinking water (you must bring your own bottle to refill).

• Price per adult: starts at 6,000 baht for an overnight stay
• Price per child: 3,500 baht (10–17 years). Childen under 10 years are not allowed on this program as it is not safe or suitable for young children.  
• Location: 65 kilometers outside of Chiang Mai (2½ hours)
• Starting from: 8:30–9am. You will be collected from your hotel in Chiang Mai.
• Returning: 7pm (the following day) to Chiang Mai city.
• Website: http://bees-elesanctuary.org/

6-Day Bangkok and Chiang Mai Highlights Tour From Exotic Bangkok to the Enchanting Northern City of Chiang Mai

Elephant Camps in Chiang Mai That You Should Avoid

Here is a list of elephant camps and so-called sanctuaries that we recommend you avoid during your trip to Chiang Mai:

• Chiang Mai Zoo
• Phutawan Elephant Camp
• Baan Chang Elephant Park
• Chiangmai Jungle Trekking
• Patara Elephant Farm
• Mae Malai Elephant Training Camp
• Maetaman Elephant Camp

Why we recommended that you avoid them: All of the above camps advocate the riding of elephants, the use of bullhooks to control them, chaining the elephants up when the visitors leave, not feeding the elephants adequate amounts of food, and forcing the elephants to interact with tourists for long periods when they should be relaxing in their natural habitat. These are effectively the same as the old working tourist camps that are just being dressed up as 'ethical sanctuaries'.

What to Take on Your Elephant Adventure

• 1. Comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting muddy. You might want to consider wearing long sleeves and pants.
• 2. Hiking shoes and perhaps some flip-flops or sandals in case you need to go into the water.
• 3. A hat, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent.
• 4. Drinking water or a refillable bottle to use on-site.
• 5. Some snacks to eat between meals.

Visit Chiang Mai with Us

In our opinion, experiencing elephants in their natural habitat is a must-do activity during your Thailand trip, and our premade itineraries can easily accommodate a trip to one of these amazing sanctuaries. Alternatively, our knowledgeable travel advisers are on hand to take the hassle out of planning your trip and to help you create your own customized trip . Take a look at some of our most popular Thailand tours below and start dreaming about your next Thai getaway today.

• 13-Day Essence of Thailand Tour
• 14-Day Myanmar and Thailand Essence Tour
• 15-Day Myanmar, Thailand and Bali Honeymoon