Full Day Elephant Observation
About This Activity
Connect with nature and elephants through our Full Day Elephant Observation, Waterfall & Cultural Activities program.
Change into traditional Karen clothing and absorb the rich culture and history of the northern Karen Hill Tribe known for their close connection to elephants.
Engage in hands-on activities, including feeding the elephants while respecting their space. Learn about their daily routines.
Join in fun caretaking tasks, making herbal medicine balls beneficial for elephants’ digestion, plant seedlings that will become future food for the elephants and sip herbal tea while observing elephants 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.
Full Day Session begins with a pick-up from your Chiang Mai accommodation, starting off on a scenic 1.5-hour journey through beautiful rural landscapes of flowing mountain rivers, green rice fields, golden cornfields, and lush banana plantations along the way.
Upon arrival at the sanctuary, you’ll receive a warm welcome and absorb the local culture by changing into traditional Karen clothing. Our experienced tour guides will brief you about the sanctuary’s projects and the lovely elephants.
Engage in hands-on activities as you join in preparing nourishing food and snacks for the elephants, building a deeper connection with these majestic creatures. Enjoy feeding the elephants while maintaining a safe distance. Learn about their history and behavior and develop a connection with these magnificent creatures.
Enjoy a delicious local meal in the peaceful surroundings before witnessing the elephants foraging in the jungle and having playful mud baths as they bond within the herd. Play the role of a caretaker as you participate alongside the mahouts in planting seedlings or cutting grass, contributing to the elephants’ well-being. Restore yourself with freshly harvested herbal tea while observing the elephants in their natural habitat.
Learn the art of making herbal medicine balls, useful for the elephants’ digestive health, and help the mahouts in checking the elephants’ physical well-being.
Take a refreshing break at the waterfall, surrounded by serene beauty, before starting off on a cultural experience of crafting your own Thai cultural handmade souvenir to treasure.
End your day while bidding farewell to the elephants in Joy Elephant Sanctuary and return back to Chiang Mai
Itinerary
Duration 8-9 hours
08.00 – 08.30
- Pick up from your hotel or accommodation in Chiang Mai
- Drive approximately 1½ hours through a beautiful rural area where you can catch sight of flowing mountain rivers, rice fields, corn fields, and banana plantations.
10.00
- Upon arrival at the sanctuary, you will be greeted and welcomed
- Change into traditional Karen clothing and receive a briefing about the sanctuary and the Elephants by our knowledgeable tour guides
- Participate in preparing food and snacks for the elephants, a hands-on experience
- Enjoy feeding the elephants while maintaining a safe distance, as you learn about their history and understand their behavior
12.30
- Enjoy a delicious local meal
13.00
- Watch the elephants’ daily routine, which might involve observing them as they look for food in the jungle, bathe with the mahouts, or relax in the mud as they bond within the herd (subject to the natural behavior and preferences of the elephants on the day of the visit)
- Participate alongside the mahouts in planting seedlings or cutting grass, Involving yourself in the role of a caretaker.
- Drink freshly harvested herbal tea from the village while observing the elephants in their natural habitat
- Make herbal medicine balls which are good for the elephant’s digestive system
- Assist the mahouts in checking the elephants’ physical health, ensuring their well-being
- Take a refreshing break at the Water Fall ( No Elephant Bathing )
- Craft your own Thai cultural handmade souvenir to take back home
15.30
- Leave Joy Elephant Sanctuary and ride approximately 1½ hours back to Chiang Mai
17.00
- Arrive at your accommodation after enjoying your Full Day Elephant Observation
***The timings are only approximate with the exception of designated pick-up times
Pick-Up Time
08.00 – 08.30
Include
TRANSFER
Round-Trip Transfer to/from your Accommodation in Chiang Mai
TOUR GUIDE
English – Thai
MEAL
Complimentary Local Meal
DRINKING WATER
Free refill drinking water
ELEPHANT’S FOOD & SNACK
INSURANCE
Accident insurance
TOWEL
Free Service
PHOTOGRAPHY
An additional photography service at no extra charge.
Need to know
WHAT TO BRING?
- Extra Clothes
- Swimming Suit
- Sandals
- Insect Spray
- Sunblock lotion
- Customer own allergy medication
NOTE
- A free transfer service to/from all places of accommodation within a 5 k.m. radius of Chiang Mai’s Old City.
- Transport from locations outside this area will incur a surcharge.
- Customers will travel in a 12-seater, air-conditioned van, switching to a roofed 4×4 truck for the last 10 minutes to reach the sanctuary.
Have A Question ?
Need more details? Our expert team is just a message away.
PRICE
ADULT
2,200 THB
CHILD (4-9)
INFANT (0-3)
FREE
Honoring Your Contribution
With every payment, you’re making a positive impact on the lives of our elephants and local community. We’re deeply grateful for your contribution and for being a vital part of their journey!
