Chiang Mai Half Day Elephant Sanctuary Observation and Waterfall
Description
• Start your journey to the ethical Adventures in Joy Elephant Sanctuary: Dive into our responsible tourism with Elephant Observation programs! • Fun Interactions: Change into traditional Karen clothing, Learn, prepare elephants food and observe our gentle giants on their completely natural behavior while maintaining safe distance. • Elephant Paradise: Refresh yourself with herbal tea and take a break at the waterfall. All this in paradise located in lush forests and surrounded by serene rivers, our sanctuary ensures elephants thrive with a year-round food supply. • Engaging to the core of the culture: Learn how to craft your own Thai cultural handmade souvenir as a memorable gift.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Experience the Half-day Adventure with Joy Elephant Sanctuary exclusive Elephant Observation, Waterfall, and Cultural Activities program. Absorb the rich culture and history of the northern Karen Hill Tribe known for their close connection to elephants. Spend your time witnessing elephant’s daily routine, and observing their behaviors 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.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up from your hotel or accommodation in Chiang Mai. The pick up window for the Morning session is 06.30 - 07.00 a.m. The pick up window for the Afternoon session is 12.00 - 12.30 p.m. A free transfer service to/from all places of accommodation within a 4 k.m. radius of Chiang Mai’s Old City. Transport from locations outside this area will incur a surcharge. In that case, kindly provide us the hotel/ property name. 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.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Pets are prohibited
- Child seat is available up on request
- What to bring: Extra Clothes, Swimming Suit, Sandals, Trekking / Hiking Shoes Sunblock lotion, Insect Spray, Customers own allergy medication
Reviews(115)
Had an amazing time in this Elephant Sanctuary, where the Elephants are treated respectfully—no touching, bathing, or riding the Elephants. We got to feed the Elephants and followed them around their natural habitat. They even joined us to swim at the waterfall! Just know that it involves walking up and down steep slopes, and on rainy days it does become very muddy and slippery, so wear proper shoes and enjoy your time with these majestic animals. I highly recommend this experience! 10/10 ❤️
Had a lovely afternoon! My daughters loved it (and so did I!)
This is not an ethical sanctuary, while walking in the forest the elephants were being guided with sticks up the trail - not allowed to roam freely, they also moved them near the waterfall so they could be watched as people swam in the waterfall. There was no mention of conservation effort. When I have been to ethical sanctuaries in the past they allow you to observe the elephants behaving naturally and don’t pressure them to walk with you, previously they would explain details of their conservation efforts and charities they work with. There was no evidence of this here. The guide was encouraging everyone to be open minded about how they manage the elephants but if there is nothing to be concerned about, why would you have to be open minded. It seemed like they just want to present themselves as ethical but don’t practise complete ethical principles.
We would like to clarify that this review does not accurately reflect how our sanctuary operates. The sticks mentioned are not used for any purpose other than by staff, and are also provided to guests as walking support on uneven mountain trails, which is normal in this environment. Our elephants are generally free to move naturally, unless our team needs to apply safety protocols for the safety of the elephants, guests, or staff. Our elephants are domesticated elephants who have lived under human care for many years, and their welfare requires structured care, daily movement, supervision, proper food planning, medical care, and safe space. The jungle walk is part of the elephants’ normal routine and exercise, which takes place with or without visitors. Guests are there to observe this routine from a respectful distance, not to make the elephants perform or follow a tourist schedule. The elephants may also be near the waterfall area because this is part of their daily environment and resting routine. They are not moved there simply so guests can watch them while swimming. Regarding conservation and welfare efforts, our guide explains the elephants’ backgrounds, why domesticated elephants cannot simply be released into the wild, and how visits support their year-round care, food, medication, land maintenance, mahouts, and the local Karen community. We do not operate as a charity collecting guest donations; the support mainly comes through responsible visits. When our guide asks guests to stay open-minded, it is because caring for domesticated elephants is more complex than many people expect. Ethical care is not only about “no riding, no touching, no bathing.” It is also about understanding real welfare needs, safety, routine, veterinary care, and long-term responsibility. We understand that your expectations were different, but we firmly believe our approach is ethical, observation-based, and focused on the welfare of elephants who depend on structured human care. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
The experience came with high expectations and they were exceeded!!! The pickup was each and communication great. The education of elephants (asian vs african, what a sanctuary does, etc) was a great foundation to the day. The overall time with elephants, both feeding and walking through the jungle, was remarkable!! Ending at the waterfall was refreshing and unique as well. We had about 18 people in our group and that seemed good. We surely didn't feel like we ever missed out. The staff were all engaging and super kind. You could tell they loved what they did.
This was even better than described! Got SO much information on the elephants. Fed them and walked through the jungle with them. Awesome!!
Totally fantastic, highly recommended
An amazing experience! The tour guides are so friendly and funny sharing their knowledge and love for the elephants. It is an ethical sanctuary with 5 rescued elephants, no touching bathing or riding allowed. This is the perfect place to support and get a magical experience with the elephants. Id recommend wearing trainers as walking around is rugged making sliders/ flip flops muddy and slippy. Bring mosquito spray and sickness tablets if you suffer during car journeys as you go high up into the mountains. Would do this again, highly recommend!
What an amazing experience. BRING WALKING SHOES!!!! They really care about the animals here. They explained the care of the elephants super well. In addition, the guide gives you some life advice. You start with a brief explanation. Then you can start feeding the elephants. Then you can take the elephants for a walk through the jungle to the waterfall. This is a really good climb. It was also very slippery in many places. Don't underestimate this. At the waterfall you can swim and rest. For lunch vegetarian pad thai was served. We also started making aromatic spice jars, you can take these with you. You will be taken back to the starting point with an rv. Very nice and very ethical trip.
Awesome experience with Chablis and rest of staff. Very enjoyable Time..
great experience!! the elephants are lovely and they look for the animals, as riding, touching or bathing them is prohibited
