Elephant Sanctuary: Ethical Wildlife Experience
  1. Engage with elephants in a natural and ethical setting
  2. Gain insights into elephant care and well-being from local specialists
  3. Back a sustainable eco-tourism initiative that focuses on elephant welfare
  4. Have a rewarding experience that aids in elephant rescue initiatives
  5. Dive into the culture and traditions of the local community
Duration: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Chiang Mai Karen Elephant Sanctuary - Explore Smile Elephant Chiangmai, an ethical and sustainable eco-tourism initiative located in Banchang, Chiang Mai. This cooperative unites traditional Thai elephant caretakers with local community members, all committed to the welfare of elephants.
    Gain insight into the project’s mission to rescue elephants…
What's Included
  • Lunch
  • Transportation (Air-conditioned van)
  • Tea and coffee
  • Insurance
  • Local Tour Guide (English-speaking)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(16 Ratings)
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Janeshaw123
Mar 13, 2026
Excellent elephant sanctuary choice - Wonderful to feed the elephants, learn about their feeding habits and see them covering themselves in mud before a dip in the lovely river. Many photo ops and Boy, the guide, was friendly and could answer many questions about the elephants
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thomas_t
Mar 5, 2026
Elephant Experience - We had a wonderful tour with our guide, Boy. Since we were staying inside the Old City, we were conveniently picked up right at our hotel. On the drive to the sanctuary, we made a quick stop so everyone could grab anything they might need. As we approached, we could already see the elephants from the road, which built up the excitement. Once the experience began, guests were offered a uniform shirt to protect their clothes—I’d recommend wearing it, as a precaution. At this point it’ll be good to apply mosquito spray. The first activity was feeding the elephants. The staff provided baskets filled with food, and the elephants were so gentle that feeding them felt easy and fun. Afterward, we learned more about their habits and care. Next, we helped prepare nutrient-rich food balls. One guest volunteered to use a manual machine to pound the raw ingredients, while others mixed everything together before forming the balls. We then crossed the road to the river, where the water was clean and refreshing. Watching the elephants play in the water was a highlight, and we even got to help bathe them by tossing water over their backs. Afterward, they used the dirt before heading back to the sanctuary. Before lunch, we had another chance to feed some of the elephants. The meal provided was simple but satisfying. Overall, this is a small operation that offers a more intimate and personal experience with the elephants—something we truly appreciated.
Review provided by Viator
Victor_p
Feb 9, 2026
This excursion was such a... - This excursion was such a memorable adventure. It was incredibly fun getting to engage with the elephants and observe the beautiful environment they live in. You can really feel how well they’re cared for, and being able to interact with them up close made the experience even more special. I also got some amazing photos with the elephants that I’ll treasure.
Review provided by Viator
Ericvp2361gk
Jan 10, 2026
Unforgettable experience at Smile Elephant - Our visit to Smile Elephant was an all around beautiful and impressive experience. You can tell from the first moment that the welfare of the animals is paramount here. Everything is completely transparent, respectful and animal-friendly – the elephants look relaxed, well looked after and happy. The guides were excellent: very friendly, competent and with a lot of heart in the matter. You always have the feeling of being well informed and safely accompanied. Also the food during the tour war super organized and really delicious. It is especially positive that everything is emphasized without stress or effort - it was just fun and felt good at all times. Although we booked at very short notice, it was incredibly well maintained by us. The whole process was perfectly organized. Another big plus: The photos from the tour were still provided to us in the aftermath, which is by no means self-evident and we very much strung. Many thanks to the entire team at Smile Elephant for this special experience. We can recommend it out of full conviction and would come back anytime! 🐘✨
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ruubking
Oct 24, 2025
Nice experience! - It was a great experience! Very cool to feed the elephants up close and wash them in the river. The sanctuary is well cared for and located in beautiful nature!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gpaikane2016
Oct 7, 2025
Amazing time with elephants in the nature. BOY was very friendly with great sense of humour. Highly recommend this. - Amazing time with elephants in the nature. BOY was very friendly with great sense of humour. Highly recommend this activity.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S2127khlilianm
Sep 15, 2025
Éléphant visit - Fun and peaceful place, beautiful sanctuary with great elephants and a lovely visit! A must-see for nature lovers. Thanks for all
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Konradkp3281ky
Sep 15, 2025
We love Jack - It was a great experience the guide(Jack) was super friendly and funny we had a lot of fun the group is not to big just the right amount
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Navigate752806
Sep 8, 2025
Respect and beauty. Amazing experience. - Great experience, water battle with elephants, understand how they live, feed them. The elephants are very well cared for, in a superb setting. I highly recommend it. Amazing, beautifull and respect full.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passenger43295106362
Sep 6, 2025
A wonderful experience with the elephants - A wonderful experience with the elephants and our guide, Adison. We were scared at first, but the elephants are very cute and affectionate. We had fun in the end.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $49
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).