Meet elephants who truly enjoy your company
Ethical Elephant Sanctuary · Chiang Mai
Our third-generation elephants have never known trauma or harsh training. They trust people because kindness is all they've ever known.
Loved by thousands of guests · No riding · No circus tricks · Forest habitat · Fully licensed by Thai authorities
A sanctuary built on love & respect
Asian elephants have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. Our elephants are third generation: born into this relationship, they have never known trauma or harsh training. They trust people because that's all they've ever experienced: kindness.
Nestled in the lush mountains south of Chiang Mai, we give these gentle giants exactly what they deserve: freedom to roam, natural foraging, family bonds, and the human companionship they've come to love. When our elephants join you for a mud bath or feeding, it's because they want to, not because they have to.
3rd Gen Generations with us · 16,000+ Happy visitors · Natural Forest habitat · 100% Ethical & humane
The Elephant Pride Sanctuary difference
Asian elephants have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. We honour that history by giving our elephants the best possible life: freedom, family, and meaningful connection.
Generations of trust
Our elephants are third-generation domesticated, born into a caring relationship with humans. No trauma, no 'breaking in', just a lifetime of trust built through kindness.
They choose us
Free to roam our forest habitat, our elephants come to visitors because they genuinely enjoy the interaction. If they want space, they simply wander off. Here, elephants decide.
Natural days
Our elephants spend their days foraging in the forest, bathing in rivers, and socialising with their herd. Active, enriched lives, not standing around waiting for tourists.
Kindness only
We use only positive reinforcement: treats, praise, and gentle guidance. Our elephants respond to voice and gesture, never fear. That's why they're so relaxed around visitors.
Family together
Natural family bonds are sacred here. Mothers stay with their calves, social groups remain intact. Our elephants live as elephants should, in the company of their own kind.
Karen community
We partner with the local Karen Hilltribe who have cared for elephants for generations. Your visit supports their community and preserves traditional knowledge of elephant care.
Choose your adventure
Every program is designed for meaningful, ethical time with our elephant family. All prices include hotel pickup, Karen Hilltribe lunch, drinks, insurance, and guide support.
Which tour should you pick?
Short on time? The Half Day Morning is the perfect intro. Want more time with the elephants? Full Day Elephant Care gives you extended hands-on time. Love both elephants and nature? Full Day Trekking & Elephant Care pairs elephant time with a jungle hike to a waterfall, note it's a challenging trek, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended and it may not suit young children. Want the day built around you? Premium Elephant Care gives you your own guide, vehicle and timing, agreed with you in advance. The elephants themselves are shared with a small number of other guests.
Half Day Morning Elephant Care
Perfect introduction to our sanctuary. Meet, feed, and bathe with elephants in their natural environment while learning about their behaviour and history.
฿2,000 Regular · ฿1,500 Child (3-8) · 5-6h
- Hotel pickup 7:15-7:30 AM
- Meet the elephants & feeding
- Bathe & chill with elephants
- Learn about elephant behaviour
- Karen Hilltribe lunch & fruits
Full Day Elephant Care
Our most immersive experience. Spend the entire day with our elephant family, learning about their care, behaviour, and history.
฿2,800 Regular · ฿1,900 Child (3-8) · 8-9h
- Hotel pickup 8:00-8:30 AM
- Meet the elephants & feeding
- Extended time with elephants
- Mud spa & river bathing
- Learn about elephant behaviour
- Karen Hilltribe lunch & snacks
Full Day Trekking & Elephant Care
The perfect blend of elephant encounters and jungle adventure. Meet our elephants, then trek through the forest to a beautiful waterfall.
฿2,200 Regular · ฿1,600 Child (3-8) · 8-9h
- Hotel pickup 8:00-8:30 AM
- Meet & feed elephants
- Jungle trek to waterfall (1.5h in)
- Swim at the waterfall
- Traditional Lunch at Waterfall
- Trek back through the forest (1.5h)
Premium Elephant Care
Your own guide, vehicle and timing, with the day built around you. The elephant part of the day is semi-private.
฿4,500 Regular · ฿2,700 Child (3-8) · 8-9h
- Private hotel pickup 8:00-8:30 AM (up to 10 AM on request)
- Your own guide, who is also your photographer
- Every digital photo included
- Karen Hilltribe lunch
- Waterfall walk, optional
Infants (0-2) are free. Child pricing applies to ages 3-8. All bookings require at least one adult (18+).
Know the difference
Not all elephant experiences are alike. Here's what ethical sanctuary care looks like compared to practices we strongly reject.
- Elephants roam freely in natural forest (✗ Practices we reject: Chained or confined to small spaces)
- No riding or performances (✗ Practices we reject: Forced to carry tourists or perform tricks)
- Natural family groups preserved (✗ Practices we reject: Separated from mothers and family)
- Positive reinforcement only (✗ Practices we reject: Trained using hooks, fear, or punishment)
- Well-fed with natural diet (✗ Practices we reject: Malnourished or fed unhealthy food)
Everything you need for an unforgettable day
Hotel pickup
Free round-trip from Chiang Mai hotels
Karen Hilltribe lunch
Traditional food with local ingredients
Insurance
Full coverage for peace of mind
Traditional clothing
Karen-style elephant keeper shirt
Photo opportunities
Unlimited photos with elephants
Ethical experience
No riding, chains, or hooks
Drinking water
Unlimited water throughout the day
Multilingual guide
Experienced, multilingual guides
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty or wet (you'll be bathing with elephants). Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a towel, a change of clothes, and a swimsuit if you want.
Why are these elephants in human care?
Our elephants are third-generation domesticated. They were born in human care, know no other life, and could not survive in the wild. Rather than pretend otherwise, we focus on giving them the best possible life: freedom to roam, natural foraging, family bonds, and the human companionship they've grown to enjoy.
Is it safe for children?
Yes! We welcome children of all ages. Infants (0-2) are free, and child pricing applies to ages 3-8. Our elephants are third-generation domesticated, meaning they have grown up around humans and genuinely enjoy our company. Our guides are experienced in creating safe, fun experiences for families. We recommend the Half Day Morning or Full Day Elephant Care for young children. The Full Day Trekking tour involves a challenging forest trek and is not ideal for young children.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel 48 hours or more before your tour and we refund the tour price, or issue a credit voucher valid for one year, whichever you prefer. The card processing fee charged at booking is not returned, because our payment provider keeps it. If we cancel, for weather or any other reason, you receive everything back including that fee, or a free reschedule, your choice.
How does the credit voucher work?
Cancel 48 hours or more before your tour and we refund the tour price, or issue a credit voucher valid for one year, whichever you prefer. The card processing fee charged at booking is not returned, because our payment provider keeps it. If we cancel, for weather or any other reason, you receive everything back including that fee, or a free reschedule, your choice. The voucher can be used for any of our tours, or with our partner chiangmai-tours.com, which offers a wider range of Chiang Mai experiences.
Where exactly is the sanctuary located?
We're located about 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai city centre. All programs include free hotel pickup and drop-off from Chiang Mai city. The journey itself is scenic, passing through countryside, forests, and local farming areas.
How can I book and pay?
You can book directly through our website using secure payment. We accept all major credit cards. After booking, you'll receive a confirmation email with pickup details. You can also contact us via WhatsApp for questions or custom arrangements. We accept online bookings up to 150 days ahead. If your trip is further away, message us and we will hold your date and arrange payment nearer the time.
What our guests say
The most incredible experience of our Thailand trip! The elephants were so happy and well cared for. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate. Feeding and bathing with the elephants was magical.
Sarah M., London, UK
We chose this sanctuary specifically because of their ethical practices and we were not disappointed. You can tell the elephants are truly free and happy here. A must-do experience!
Michael & Lisa, Sydney, Australia
Worth every baht! The full-day program gave us so much time with the elephants. The forest setting is beautiful, the food was delicious, and the staff were wonderful.
David K., New York, USA
Our kids (ages 7 and 10) still talk about this experience months later. Safe, educational, and so much fun. The elephants were so gentle and friendly!
Emma & Family, Toronto, Canada
Rated 5 stars by thousands of happy guests on TripAdvisor, Google, and Facebook
Ready to meet our elephants?
Have questions? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out via WhatsApp for the fastest response, or use any of the contact methods below.
hello@elephantpride.com · WhatsApp +66918793942 · Office 48 · Online 24/7
The Astra Condo - 198/521 Chang Khlan Sub-district, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Astra Sky River - Changkhlan Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Free pickup within 4km · ฿400 surcharge 4-8km · contact us beyond 8km.