Chiang Mai: Elephant Jungle Sanctuary With Lunch & Transfer

Travelers to Chiang Mai can enjoy an ethical, hands-on experience at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. This 3-6 hour tour provides a chance to interact with free-roaming pachyderms, learning about their care and conservation through activities like feeding, bathing, and a mud spa. With hotel transfers, traditional Karen attire, and a delightful lunch included, it’s an opportunity to support sustainable tourism while forging a deeper connection with these magnificent creatures. But what makes this sanctuary truly special, and why is it drawing visitors from around the world?

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Lunch Experiences In Chiang Mai.

Key Points

• The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai offers a 3-6 hour tour with activities like feeding, bathing, and interacting with free-roaming elephants.
• The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a safety briefing, a guided tour, and a 30-minute buffet lunch featuring seasonal fruits.
• Highlights of the experience include bonding with elephants, a mud spa treatment, a river bath, and an opportunity to wear traditional Karen clothing.
• The sanctuary has a flexible cancellation policy, allowing for full refunds up to 24 hours in advance.
• The tour may not be suitable for pregnant women or individuals with mobility challenges, and pets are not allowed, except for assistance dogs.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Activity Overview

The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai offers an immersive experience, featuring a half-day tour that allows visitors to bond with free-roaming elephants through feeding, bathing, and interactive activities.

Priced from $52.41 per person, this 3-6 hour adventure includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Chiang Mai.

Guests can explore the sanctuary accompanied by knowledgeable guides who provide a safety briefing before the guided tour.

Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in a rejuvenating mud spa with the elephants and enjoy a refreshing river bath alongside them.

The experience concludes with a delicious buffet lunch featuring seasonal fruits.

This ethical, insightful tour is suitable for all ages, except pregnant women.

Itinerary

Visiting the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary begins with a pickup from one’s accommodation in Chiang Mai, followed by a 1.5-hour van ride to the sanctuary.

Upon arrival, guests will receive a 15-minute safety briefing before embarking on a guided tour that lasts around 3 hours. During this time, they’ll have the chance to feed, bathe, and interact with the free-roaming elephants.

After the tour, there’s a 15-minute break before a delicious 30-minute buffet lunch featuring seasonal fruits.

Experience Highlights

Guests can bond with the free-roaming elephants through feeding, bathing, and interactive experiences. They’ll have the chance to participate in a rejuvenating mud spa treatment alongside the majestic creatures.

Afterwards, everyone can enjoy a refreshing river bath together, feeling completely at peace surrounded by the elephants.

Visitors will also get to wear traditional Karen clothing during the tour, seeing the local culture.

To top it off, guests can savor a delicious buffet lunch featuring seasonal fruits after their engaging time with the elephants.

Cancellation Policy

According to the information provided, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

This flexible policy allows guests to book the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary experience with confidence, knowing they can get their money back if plans change.

Considering the immersive nature of the activity, which includes interacting with the elephants and enjoying a buffet lunch, this cancellation policy is quite generous.

It demonstrates the tour operator’s commitment to customer satisfaction and understanding that unexpected situations can arise.

Guests can feel assured that their booking is secure and that they won’t lose their investment if they need to cancel within the specified timeframe.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Suitability

The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary generally isn’t suitable for pregnant women due to the physical nature of the activities involved. Traversing uneven terrain, being in close proximity to large animals, and participating in activities like mud baths could pose potential risks.

Here are a few other important suitability considerations:

1. This experience may not be appropriate for individuals with mobility challenges or physical limitations.

2. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

3. Visitors should disclose any medical conditions or allergies to the staff prior to the visit.

4. Visitors should wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and be prepared for potentially getting dirty or wet during the activities.

Pets and Assistance Dogs

Pets aren’t allowed at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, with the exception of assistance dogs, which are permitted.

The sanctuary has a strict policy in place to ensure the safety and well-being of both the elephants and visitors. This policy is designed to minimize any potential disruptions or distractions that could arise from the presence of domestic animals.

While the sanctuary understands the importance of service animals for individuals with disabilities, it asks that all other pets remain at home during the visit.

This policy is enforced to maintain a peaceful and enjoyable experience for everyone, and to prioritize the care and protection of the sanctuary’s resident elephants.

Customer Ratings

Impressively, the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary boasts an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 143 customer reviews, highlighting its ability to consistently deliver insightful experiences, knowledgeable guides, and ethical treatment of the elephants.

Guests frequently praise the sanctuary’s commitment to responsible tourism, with many noting the following:

1. The opportunity to bond with free-roaming elephants through feeding, bathing, and interactive experiences.

2. The knowledgeable and passionate guides who provide valuable insights into the elephants’ behavior and conservation efforts.

3. The delicious and authentic Thai cuisine served during the lunch break, complementing the immersive elephant encounter.

4. The comfortable and convenient transportation to and from the sanctuary, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable day.

Guest Feedback

While the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, a few guests have offered constructive suggestions for improvement.

Some noted the need for better communication regarding booking confirmations, as well as the desire to have the total activity duration include the travel time to and from the sanctuary.

Despite these minor points, the vast majority of visitors praised the ethical treatment of the elephants, the knowledgeable guides, and the overall enjoyable experience.

Guests appreciated the comfortable transportation and the quality of the provided lunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Bring With Me for This Activity?

When attending an elephant sanctuary, visitors should bring comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a camera to capture the memorable interactions with the elephants. It’s also a good idea to bring any necessary personal items.

Is There Any Age Requirement for Participating?

There is no minimum age requirement for this activity. Children of all ages can participate, though parental supervision is recommended for younger participants to ensure their safety and enjoyment during the elephant interactions.

Can I Take Photos or Videos During the Visit?

Guests are generally allowed to take photos and videos during the visit, as capturing memories is an important part of the experience. However, they should be mindful not to disturb the elephants or violate any sanctuary policies.

Are There Any Additional Fees or Costs Involved?

According to the activity overview, there are no additional fees or costs involved beyond the listed price. The price includes pickup, guided tour, lunch, and return transfer to your accommodation in Chiang Mai.

What Is the Dress Code for This Activity?

The activity encourages visitors to wear comfortable, casual clothing that can get dirty. Participants should avoid wearing formal attire, as they’ll have the opportunity to wear traditional Karen clothing during the visit to the elephant sanctuary.

Recap

The Chiang Mai Elephant Jungle Sanctuary offers an immersive and ethical experience interacting with free-roaming elephants.

Visitors can enjoy feeding, bathing, and a mud spa, all while savoring a delicious buffet lunch.

This tour provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature and support sustainable tourism, making it a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts in Chiang Mai.

You can check if your dates are available here: