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View all Chiang Mai toursEthical Half-Day Elephant Sanctuary and Waterfall in Chiang Mai
Full-day tour in Chiang Mai, taking in Mae Wang District. Run by Joy Elephant Sanctuary, booked direct rather than through a reseller.
Highlights
- Mae Wang District
- Runs 7 hours
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Guide
- Lunch
- Water
Ethical Half-Day Elephant Sanctuary and Waterfall in Chiang Mai: Key Facts
| Price | From $70.5 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 hours |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Guided Tour |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
Full description
This is a 7-hour experience from Chiang Mai, built around Mae Wang District. It is run by Joy Elephant Sanctuary, an operator we book with directly rather than through a reseller, which is why we can hold your place with them before we treat your booking as final.
A private day with a driver-guide is the way to see the most of a Japanese city or region in one day, because it removes the transfers between sights that eat a third of the day on public transport. Prices are usually per vehicle for up to a set number of guests rather than per person, and cover the car, fuel, tolls and the guide; entrance fees and lunch are paid as you go unless the listing says otherwise. Japanese guides are licensed for the work and typically punctual to the minute. Give the operator your priorities, and expect them to reorder the day around opening hours and crowds; that is what you are paying for.
Pickup is offered from Mueang Chiang Mai District and Mueang Chiang Mai District; the exact spot and time are agreed with Joy Elephant Sanctuary once the booking is confirmed, and the option you choose sets whether transport is included.
The price covers Hotel pickup and drop-off, Guide, Lunch, Water and Elephant food. It does not cover Tips, so budget for those separately. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.
Hotel pickup in Chiang Mai. Joy Elephant Sanctuary confirms your pickup time and the exact spot once the booking is in. We need at least one day's notice, and we confirm the date with Joy Elephant Sanctuary before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
2 pickup location options
Mueang Chiang Mai District, Mueang Chiang Mai District
Van
(1.5 hours)
Mae Wang District
Guided tour, Wildlife viewing (3 hours)
Mae Wang District
Lunch (30 minutes)
2 drop-off locations
Mueang Chiang Mai District, Mueang Chiang Mai District
Detailed Itinerary
2 pickup location options: Mueang Chiang Mai District, Mueang Chiang Mai District
Van: (1.5 hours)
Mae Wang District: Guided tour, Wildlife viewing (3 hours)
Mae Wang District: Lunch (30 minutes)
2 drop-off locations: Mueang Chiang Mai District, Mueang Chiang Mai District
Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Guide
- Lunch
- Water
- Elephant food
- Insurance
- Towel
Excludes
- Tips
Important information
Meeting point
Hotel pickup in Chiang Mai. Joy Elephant Sanctuary confirms your pickup time and the exact spot once the booking is in.
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts
About this activity
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Traveler Reviews
This was an amazing excursion. It was raining our entire trip, however, that seemed to make it better. The elephants loved to play and roll in the mud. We were told by our guide, Pong, that they only do this in the rain. Pong was very knowledgeable about the elephants and their history. It was so cool to learn more about elephants and their history in Thailand. This place seems like they take great care of their elephants! Definitely a cause worth supporting. If I come back to Thailand, I would do this again! Because of the rain, we didn’t get to swim or do the full hike, but we got some other
I had an amazing trip at Joy Elephant Sanctuary. Staff was attentive and thoroughly explained the purpose of the sanctuary. There was no elephant riding, bathing nor touching. I would definitely recommend.
Was an amazing trip. Would recommend they really love & care for the elephants.
The guides were brilliant and very informative and the food provided at lunch was lovely. The souvenir making activity was also a nice touch.
Great day. Not too close to these beautiful animals to make them uncomfortable but close enough to observe them in “their own habitat”. Guides were great. Wonderful to walk with the elephants through the jungle. Lunch was yummy by the waterfall observing the elephants. Couldn’t swim because the water wasn’t that clean that day. Just a mention that if you suffer from motion sickness you might want to take something for it. Windy road up the mountain and then a change of vehicle further up the mountain path. Absolutely worth it
Best Elephant Sanctuary by far, if you want something ethical and most important, respectful this is your place. The guide was someone who truly loves what he does, and the food is amazing btw.
Seeing elephants this close, being able to help feed them & understanding that we cant touch them, we're not bathing them or riding them really helped me feel that this was ethical. The explanations on what and how an elephant lives was excellent. Then the trek through the jungle was great. the waterfall swim at the end was so refreshing with some lovely food to finish.
great tour. Joy elephant sanctuary is a cause worth getting behind.
So well organised and I was so surprised at how close we were to the elephants walking through the forest.
Jade and the team were incredibly kind and knowledgeable. The whole day from pick up to drop off was very well organised. The team at Joy are passionate about the elephants welfare and ensuring we learn as much as possible about them and the Thai history with elephants. The day was one we will forever remember. The setting and scenery, plus our walk alongside the elephants made it more magical. We will cherish our self made souvenirs! Thank you
Fantastic experience. The drive is worth it. The guides awesome. Food was delicious. Elephants were a profound experience
Amazing experience. The guides were knowledgeable and kind. The elephants seemed very well cared for. I thoroughly enjoyed walking through the jungle next to the elephants while they lived their natural lives. I did research to ensure a true ethical elephant sanctuary and Joy was perfect.