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Chiang Mai: Thai Cooking Class & Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip

Top rated
4.9
Activity provider: AsiaByLocals
Chiang Mai: Thai Cooking Class & Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip
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From farm to forest — cook 5 authentic Thai dishes on an organic farm, then meet rescued elephants at an ethical sanctuary near Doi Inthanon. Round-trip Chiang Mai transfers included.

Highlights

  • Two premium experiences in one day — a Thai cooking class AND an ethical elephant sanctuary
  • Cook 5 authentic Thai dishes farm-to-table on an organic farm near Doi Inthanon
  • Meet rescued elephants by name and hear their stories — no riding, no tricks, no chains
  • Hand-feed the elephants and walk with them through the jungle
  • Optional river bathing with the elephants (only if they're willing)
  • Small group (max 12), round-trip Chiang Mai hotel transfers & free professional photos included

Choose from 1 available option

Full-Day Cooking Class + Elephant Sanctuary

All-inclusive: market tour, cooking class with lunch, elephant sanctuary visit with dinner, transfers, guide & photos.
11 hours
English
Pickup
$65
Free cancellation

Full description

Leave the busy streets of Chiang Mai behind for a full-day journey that connects Thai culture, nature and ethical wildlife conservation — designed for travelers who want stories, flavors and meaning, not just sightseeing.

Your day begins with a hands-on Thai cooking class at Casa de Mango, an organic farm 45 minutes from the city beneath Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak. After a visit to a lively local market to choose fresh herbs and spices, you'll handpick ingredients from the garden and cook five authentic dishes at your own individual station — then sit down to enjoy the feast amid mango trees and mountain views.

In the afternoon, head deep into the forest to Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, one of Thailand's pioneering ethical sanctuaries (since 2016). Set among natural streams and green valleys, it lets rescued elephants live freely — no riding, no tricks, no chains. Meet each elephant by name, hear their rescue stories, feed them by hand, and walk alongside them through the jungle. If they choose, join them for a refreshing river bath. Every interaction is respectful and on the elephants' terms.

Tour Itinerary

Itineraries are customisable as per your request

The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

7:30 AM30 minutes

Hotel pickup in Chiang Mai

Pickup from your Chiang Mai city hotel

8:30 AM1 hour

Local Market Visit

Learn how locals choose fresh herbs and spices with your guide

9:30 AM30 minutes

Casa de Mango Organic Farm

Welcome herbal tea under the mango trees & organic garden tour

10:00 AM3 hours

Thai Cooking Class & Lunch

Hands-on class — 5 dishes incl. spring rolls, curry, Pad Thai & dessert, then eat your feast

1:30 PM30 minutes

Drive to Living Green Elephant Sanctuary

Transfer into the mountain forest of Chom Tong

2:00 PM45 minutes

Sanctuary Welcome & Elephant Welfare

Introduction to the sanctuary's ethical conservation work

2:45 PM1.25 hours

Meet, Feed & Walk with Elephants

Hand-feed the rescued elephants and walk with them through the jungle

4:00 PM30 minutesOptional

Optional River Bathing

Bathe the elephants in the river — only if they're willing

4:30 PM1 hour

Farewell Meal

Dinner at the sanctuary before heading back

5:30 PM1.5 hours

Return to Chiang Mai

Drive back to your hotel

Includes

  • Round-trip hotel transfers (Chiang Mai city)
  • Local market tour
  • Full Thai cooking class with individual stations
  • Lunch (your own cooking) + dinner at the sanctuary
  • Entrance to elephant sanctuary & all activities
  • Traditional Thai clothing for the sanctuary visit
  • English-speaking local guides
  • Drinking water, snacks & herbal tea
  • Insurance coverage
  • Complimentary photo service

Excludes

  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses

Important information

Meeting point

Hotel pickup in Chiang Mai city, 7:30–8:00 AM.

Know before you go

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more
Duration 11-12 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Pickup included
Driver will pick you up from hotel/airport or any desired location in Chiang Mai
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $65
$65
Tour Type
day-tripcooking-classethical-animal-experiencenaturefamily-friendlycultural-experience
Need a custom booking or have a larger group?Contact Support via WhatsApp
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more

Traveler Reviews

4.9/5
based on 5 reviews
Guide
4.9/5
Value for money
4.8/5
All reviews are from verified AsiaByLocals travelers
5
H
Hannah B. – United Kingdom
March 2, 2026

Easily the best day of our Thailand trip. The morning cooking class was hands-on and relaxed — we picked herbs from the garden and made five dishes, the Pad Thai and green curry were amazing. Then the elephant sanctuary in the afternoon was so moving. No riding, no chains, you just feed and walk with them. You can tell the elephants are genuinely cared for. They even sent us professional photos afterwards for free. Worth every penny.

5
L
Lukas M. – Germany
February 21, 2026

We specifically looked for an ETHICAL sanctuary and this delivered. The guide explained each elephant's rescue story and you feed them by hand in their natural forest setting. The river bath was optional and only happened because the elephants wanted to. Combined with the cooking class it's incredible value for one day — two proper experiences plus pickup from our Chiang Mai hotel.

5
S
Sophie L. – France
March 9, 2026

The farm where you cook is beautiful, surrounded by mango trees and mountains, and each person gets their own cooking station. Loved that you choose your own dishes and protein. After lunch we drove to meet the elephants — gentle giants, completely free to roam. A perfect mix of culture and nature. Small group so it felt personal. Highly recommend for couples and families.

4
D
Daniel R. – Australia
February 16, 2026

Brilliant full day out from Chiang Mai. The cooking class was genuinely fun and the food was delicious, and the elephant sanctuary is the real ethical deal — no tricks, just respectful interaction. It is a long day (around 11-12 hours with the drive) so be prepared, but it never felt rushed. Bring clothes you don't mind getting muddy. Guides were friendly and spoke great English.

5
M
Mei T. – Singapore
March 12, 2026

Did this as a solo traveller and felt completely looked after. Vegetarian was no problem in the cooking class — they accommodated me without any fuss. The sanctuary is set in gorgeous mountain forest and the team clearly love the elephants. The free photo service was a lovely touch, got beautiful shots I couldn't have taken myself. One of my favourite days in Thailand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Living Green is an ethical sanctuary that has cared for rescued elephants since 2016 — there is no riding, no performing tricks, and no chains. The elephants roam freely in a natural mountain-forest setting with streams and valleys. Your visit is built entirely around the animals' welfare: you meet them by name, hear their rescue stories, feed them fresh fruit by hand, and walk alongside them. Even the river bath is optional and only happens if the elephants choose to enter the water. By visiting, you directly support the sanctuary's conservation work and the local staff who care for the herd.
This is a full-day experience of roughly 11–12 hours with round-trip hotel transfers from Chiang Mai city. The morning is a hands-on Thai cooking class at an organic farm near Doi Inthanon — including a local market visit, garden tour, and a 5-dish menu you cook and then eat for lunch. In the afternoon you transfer to the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary to feed, walk with, and (optionally) bathe the rescued elephants, followed by a farewell meal before returning to the city. Both your lunch and dinner, all entrance fees, English-speaking guides, traditional Thai clothing for the sanctuary, drinking water and a complimentary photo service are included.
Absolutely. The cooking class is fully customizable — for the soup, stir-fry and curry courses you choose your preferred protein (prawns, pork, chicken) or a vegetarian option. Vegetarian, vegan and most allergy or dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, so please let us know your preferences at the time of booking and the team will prepare accordingly.
No — river bathing is completely optional and only takes place if the elephants are willing to enter the water that day, in keeping with the sanctuary's animal-welfare-first approach. If you'd like to join in, bring swimming clothes and a towel. If you prefer to stay dry, you can simply watch and continue feeding and walking with the herd. Nothing is forced, for you or the elephants.
Yes, it's suitable for all ages and fitness levels, which makes it a great family day out. It's a small-group experience (maximum 12 guests) so children get personal attention during both the cooking class and the sanctuary visit. The pace is relaxed, the elephant interactions are gentle and supervised, and kids love both making their own Thai dishes and feeding the elephants by hand.
Round-trip hotel transfers from within Chiang Mai city are included in the price. Pickup is typically between 7:30 and 8:00 AM directly from your hotel, and you're returned to the city in the early evening (around 7:00 PM). The farm and sanctuary are about 45 minutes from the city in the peaceful Chom Tong district beneath Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, swimming clothes and a towel (if you'd like to bathe the elephants), sunscreen and insect repellent, a change of clothes, and any personal medications. A camera is optional since professional photos are provided free of charge. Departures run daily, and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour.
Starting from$65