One of my bucket list things to do, was to be with the elephants, Up close and personal. I don’t think I will ever forget this experience, and the people I met there, became friends for life. A lot of the elephants in Thailand are rescued, and so the cost of the tours go towards taking care of the elephants, and the staff that look after them. This guide will give you some insight on the elephants, the cost of tours, and some recommendations of where to book.
Different types of tours in Northern Thailand
There are a lot of good companies you can do your elephant sanctuary with. I chose to do mine with Maeklang Elephant constitution community. They are based in Chiang Mai, which is where was at the time, and it was a recommendation from quite a few other backpackers that I was around at the time. One of the best experiences of my life, and the company I highly recommend! The staff, and the whole process from start to finish was amazing – I can’t fault one thing.
You can book your tour directly with them on their website
They have 4 tours to choose from:
1/2 Day (morning):1700 tbh = £39
1/2 Day1700 tbh = £39
1 Full Day2400 tbh = £55
2 Days/1 night3500 tbh = £80
I chose the two days and one night tour. You get picked up in the morning and make your way into the forest to meet everyone and your guides.
Once you get to your camp, you change into your ‘staff uniform’ and start making protein balls for the elephants.
It’s made up of fruit, banana and oats all mushed up.
At around mid day, you get to feed the elephants from your bag, so they can get used to you. You are pretty much looking after them for the 2 days, and getting very close, so you can cuddle and kiss them!!
At night time after the Elephant are put to bed, you all enjoy cooking a traditional Thai BBQ, and we the wanted to have beers and make a fire whilst talking and playing card games. Honestly it does not get better than that!! No signal, just being with your new found friends, in the jungles of Thailand, looking after a herd of Elephants!
These were our wooden huts, that slept 2 per person, in the north of Thailand, it does get pretty chilly so make sure you take warm clothes. Even though they give you a couple of thick blankets each, I still wore my leggings and a hoodie to bed.
Before you go to sleep, a member of staff gives you a bucket of bananas to take to bed with you. At first you’re like, why? And then you are woken up in the morning with an elephants trunk sniffing you, in your bed! It’s the most amazing morning ever!
The staff open your windows and let the Elephants out, and they know that there are bananas in those wooden huts!
How can I find an Elephant sanctuary to visit?
To be honest, there are so many good Elephant sanctuaries that you can visit in the North of Thailand. Most tours are organised when visiting Chiang Mai and Pai. Usually you can get your hostel to organise the tour for you, and the tour company will pick you up from your hostel. The Elephant tours are promoted everywhere in Chiang Mai and Pai, it really is hard to miss! Here are some good sanctuaries that are well known for being ethical and eco friendly!
- Elephant Nature Park
- Elephant Hills
- Elephant jungle Sanctuary
- Elephant freedom project
- Friends of the Asian Elephant
I’ve heard nothing but good stories from everyone I know that has visited an Elephant sanctuary in the North of Thailand.
Just double check that it is a ethical sanctuary you are visiting. Run the name of the place by your accommodation, they will know the good from the bad!
And if a sanctuary is offering elephant ‘rides’ it is NOT a place you want to be supporting
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