From Chiang Mai: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Tour

The "From Chiang Mai: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Tour" provides an immersive, ethical experience centered around the welfare of these magnificent creatures. Guests can expect a hands-on approach, learning about elephants while participating in activities like feeding, bathing, and health checks. This tour not only offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature but also emphasizes the importance of humane interactions, ensuring the well-being of the elephants. With its comprehensive itinerary and focus on sustainable practices, this tour promises an unforgettable adventure.

Key Points

• This 7-10 hour tour from Chiang Mai offers a hands-on, ethical experience interacting with and caring for elephants at the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary.
• Activities include feeding, bathing, and participating in health checks for the elephants, as well as making herbal medicine balls and planting seedlings.
• The tour focuses on animal welfare, with no elephant riding and a prohibition on smoking, alcohol, and drugs to ensure a humane experience.
• Pickup from hotel, change into traditional clothing, and a 1.5-hour drive through rural areas are included in the tour.
• The tour is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, or individuals with back or heart problems.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

From Chiang Mai, the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Tour offers a unique opportunity to interact with these majestic creatures.

Priced from $47.13 per person, the tour lasts 7-10 hours with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Guests can choose between a half-day or full-day program, with the option to reserve now and pay later.

The sanctuary prioritizes animal welfare, ensuring a humane experience for both visitors and elephants.

With stunning natural scenery, delicious local meals, and a chance to participate in elephant health checks, this tour provides an unforgettable glimpse into the lives of these gentle giants.

Itinerary Details

The Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Tour offers two program options for visitors – a half-day program lasting 6-7 hours and a full-day program spanning 9-10 hours.

Both begin with pickup from the hotel and a 1.5-hour drive through scenic rural areas. Upon arrival, guests receive a briefing and change into traditional clothing before:

1. Feeding, interacting, and bathing the elephants in their natural habitat.

2. Participating in health checks for the elephants.

3. Enjoying a delicious local meal.

The full-day program adds activities like making herbal medicine balls and planting seedlings for elephant food.

Feeding and Interacting With Elephants

Visitors eagerly interact with the elephants at the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, feeding them a variety of fruits and vegetables. Guides provide instruction on proper feeding techniques to ensure the elephants’ safety and wellbeing.

Guests get up close to the gentle giants, hand-feeding them bananas, pineapple, and sugarcane. The elephants seem to enjoy the interaction, eagerly accepting the treats.

Visitors also participate in routine health checks, learning how the sanctuary monitors the elephants’ physical condition. This hands-on experience allows guests to forge a meaningful connection with the majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

Bathing the Elephants

After the hands-on feeding and health check experiences, guests eagerly venture to the nearby river to bathe the elephants.

This playful activity allows visitors to connect with the gentle giants on a deeper level.

Guests can:

1. Scrub the elephants’ wrinkly skin with natural brushes and sponges, providing a refreshing cleanse.

2. Splash water on the elephants, encouraging them to trumpet with joy as they playfully spray water back.

3. Observe the elephants’ unique bathing behaviors, such as using their trunks to wash themselves.

The shared experience of bathing the elephants leaves participants with a profound appreciation for these magnificent creatures.

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Participating in Elephant Health Checks

During the tour, guests have the opportunity to participate in essential elephant health checks. Under the guidance of experienced caretakers, visitors can help monitor the elephants’ vital signs, inspect their feet and skin, and ensure their overall well-being.

This hands-on interaction not only educates guests about elephant care but also reinforces the sanctuary’s commitment to the animals’ health and happiness. By actively contributing to these procedures, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the meticulous attention required to maintain the elephants’ optimal condition in their natural habitat.

Enjoying Local Meals

As part of the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary tour, guests can savor delectable local cuisine during their visit.

The tour includes a hearty meal featuring:

1. Authentic Thai dishes, showcasing the vibrant flavors of the region.

2. Fresh, locally-sourced ingredients that support the surrounding community.

3. Vegetarian options to accommodate diverse dietary needs.

The meal provides a fulfilling break, allowing visitors to refuel and reflect on their intimate interactions with the gentle giants.

With each bite, guests immerse themselves further in the sanctuary’s ethos of sustainability and respect for the elephants’ well-being.

Scenic Views and Photography

The Living Green Elephant Sanctuary tour offers visitors captivating views of the surrounding natural landscape.

As you’re driven through the rural countryside, you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas of rolling hills, lush forests, and winding rivers.

Upon arrival at the sanctuary, you’ll be immersed in a picturesque setting, with the majestic elephants roaming freely against a backdrop of towering mountains.

Visitors are immersed in a picturesque setting, with majestic elephants roaming freely against a backdrop of towering mountains.

The photography opportunities are plentiful, with the chance to capture the elephants in their natural habitat.

The tour’s guides will be happy to assist you in getting the best shots to commemorate your unforgettable experience.

Important Considerations

While the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary tour prioritizes animal welfare, there are some important considerations for potential participants.

First, the tour isn’t suitable for children under 2 years old, pregnant women, or those with back or heart problems.

Plus, smoking, alcohol, and drugs are strictly prohibited.

Finally, participants aren’t allowed to ride the elephants, as the sanctuary’s focus is on ethical, hands-off interactions.

Since You Asked

How Do I Get to the Elephant Sanctuary From Chiang Mai?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel in Chiang Mai. It’s a 1.5-hour drive through rural areas to reach the elephant sanctuary. Transportation to and from the sanctuary is provided as part of the tour package.

What Is the Group Size for This Tour?

The group size for this tour isn’t specified, but it’s likely a small group experience. The tour provides transportation from Chiang Mai, so you won’t need to worry about getting there on your own.

Do I Need to Bring My Own Food and Water?

The tour includes a delicious local meal, so you don’t need to bring your own food. However, it’s a good idea to bring water as the activities can be physically demanding.

Can I Interact With the Elephants Without a Guide?

No, guests can’t interact with the elephants without a guide. The tour includes a guide who leads all activities and ensures proper, ethical interaction with the animals to prioritize their welfare.

Is There an Age Limit for Participating in This Tour?

The tour isn’t suitable for children under 2 years old. Pregnant women and those with back or heart problems shouldn’t participate either. All other ages can enjoy interacting with the elephants as part of this ethical, animal-friendly experience.

The Sum Up

The Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Tour in Chiang Mai offers an immersive, ethical experience for travelers to connect with elephants. Guests can engage in hands-on activities like feeding, bathing, and health checks, all while learning about elephant welfare in a supportive environment. The tour’s focus on humane interactions and sustainable practices makes it a unique and meaningful way to appreciate these magnificent creatures.

You can check availability for your dates here: