Chiang Mai: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary & Bamboo Rafting

The Living Green Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai offers a unique opportunity to connect with Thailand’s magnificent pachyderms. Visitors can feed, bathe, and interact with the gentle giants, while also embarking on a serene bamboo rafting journey down the Wang River, surrounded by lush jungle landscapes. This comprehensive tour showcases the region’s natural wonders, from captivating wildlife to tranquil waterways, providing an immersive encounter with Thailand’s captivating environment. Whether you’re looking to get up close with elephants or simply learn about the area’s natural beauty, this tour promises an unforgettable experience.

Key Points

• Immersive experience to interact with and observe elephants in their natural habitat at the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary.
• Serene bamboo rafting adventure down the peaceful Wang River, surrounded by lush jungle scenery.
• Opportunities to spot diverse wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and other fauna, during the sanctuary visit.
• Comprehensive tour package including round-trip transfers, guided tours, local meals, and necessary equipment.
• Recommended items to bring: swimwear, change of clothes, towel, sandals, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Highlights

Entering the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, visitors enjoy the peaceful coexistence of humans and the majestic pachyderms. They’ll have the chance to feed, interact with, and even bathe the elephants in their natural habitat, forging unforgettable memories.

Leaving the sanctuary, guests embark on a serene bamboo rafting journey down the Wang River, surrounded by the lush jungle landscape. This half-day experience offers a comprehensive exploration of Chiang Mai’s natural wonders, from the gentle giants to the tranquil waterways, providing a truly immersive encounter with Thailand’s captivating wildlife and stunning scenery.

Elephant Encounter

Visitors to the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary can look forward to an unforgettable encounter with these majestic creatures. During the 2-hour guided tour, guests will have the opportunity to feed, interact, and even bathe the elephants in their natural habitat. They’ll witness the gentle giants up close as they roam freely through the lush greenery.

The experience provides a rare chance to learn about elephant behavior and ecology while observing them in their element. Visitors can hand-feed the elephants their favorite snacks and watch as they playfully splash in the river. It’s an immersive, memorable encounter that supports the sanctuary’s mission to protect these magnificent animals.

Bamboo Rafting Adventure

After the captivating elephant encounter, guests will embark on a serene bamboo rafting adventure down the peaceful Wang River. This one-hour experience allows visitors to enjoy the lush jungle scenery, surrounded by towering bamboo and diverse wildlife.

Gliding effortlessly on the calm waters, guests will have the chance to spot birds and other fauna native to the area. The gentle ride offers a tranquil respite from the day’s activities, providing a moment of relaxation amidst the natural beauty of Chiang Mai’s countryside. This enchanting bamboo rafting excursion complements the elephant encounter perfectly, creating an unforgettable half-day adventure.

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

The Living Green Elephant Sanctuary offers abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing. Visitors can spot various species of birds, such as egrets, herons, and hornbills, as they roam the sanctuary’s lush, verdant grounds.

Monkeys might also make an appearance, swinging through the trees or resting on the branches. Beyond the elephants, guests may catch glimpses of other mammals, including deer, squirrels, and mongooses, going about their daily activities.

The sanctuary’s diverse ecosystem provides a natural habitat for a wide array of creatures, allowing visitors to enjoy the vibrant tapestry of Chiang Mai’s wildlife. With patience and a keen eye, one can witness the sanctuary’s remarkable biodiversity firsthand.

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Included Activities and Inclusions

This tour includes a guided tour and wildlife viewing at the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, which lasts approximately 2 hours. Guests will also enjoy 1 hour of bamboo rafting on the peaceful Wang River.

An additional 1 hour is spent on further wildlife viewing at the sanctuary. The tour includes round-trip transfers to/from Chiang Mai accommodation, an English-speaking guide, a complimentary local meal, drinking water, elephant food and snacks, and insurance. Guests should bring swimwear, a change of clothes, towel, sandals, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

This half-day excursion provides an unforgettable opportunity to interact with elephants in their natural habitat and explore the jungle.

Important Considerations

There are some important considerations to keep in mind for this tour. The elephant encounter may not be suitable for certain individuals, including pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, and those over 70 years old. The tour also includes pickup and drop-off within a 5 km radius of Chiang Mai Old City, and timings are approximate, except for designated pickup times. Guests are advised to bring appropriate attire and supplies, such as swimwear, a change of clothes, towel, sandals, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Considerations	Details
Suitability	Not suitable for pregnant women, people with back/heart problems, or those over 70 years old
Pickup/Drop-off	Within 5 km radius of Chiang Mai Old City
Timing	Approximate, except for designated pickup times
Recommended Items	Swimwear, change of clothes, towel, sandals, sunscreen, and insect repellent

Pickup and Drop-off Details

Included in the tour package is round-trip transfer to and from accommodations within a 5-kilometer radius of Chiang Mai Old City. The pickup and drop-off times are approximate, except for the designated pickup time.

Travelers can expect to be picked up from their accommodations and transported to the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary. After the tour, they’ll be dropped off back at their original pickup location. This convenient transfer service ensures a seamless start and end to the day’s activities.

It’s important to note that the tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, individuals with back or heart problems, or those over 70 years old.

What to Bring

For a comfortable and enjoyable experience, travelers are advised to bring along a few essential items. These include:

• Swimwear – to change into for the elephant bathing activity and the bamboo rafting.
• A change of clothes – to wear after the activities to stay dry and comfortable.
• Towel, sandals, sunscreen, and insect repellent – for protection against the elements and to ensure a pleasant day.

Plus, it’s important to note that this tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or those over 70 years old. Proper attire and preparation will help make the most of this unforgettable half-day elephant encounter and bamboo rafting experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Food and Snacks?

The tour includes complimentary local meals and drinking water. While guests can bring their own snacks, the sanctuary provides elephant food and snacks as part of the experience. Personal expenses beyond the inclusions are not covered.

Can I Swim With the Elephants During the Encounter?

No, guests can’t swim with the elephants during the encounter. The tour focuses on feeding, interacting, and bathing the elephants in their natural habitat, but swimming with them is not permitted for safety and conservation reasons.

What if I Have Dietary Restrictions?

If you have dietary restrictions, you can notify the tour company ahead of time. They’ll accommodate your needs and provide a suitable local meal as part of the tour’s inclusions.

Is There a Minimum Group Size Requirement?

There’s no minimum group size for this tour. Travelers can enjoy the activities alone or with companions. The tour can accommodate individual bookings without requiring a minimum number of participants.

Can I Extend the Duration of the Tour?

The tour’s duration can be extended, though this may incur additional fees. Travelers should check with the tour operator about the possibility and cost of adding more time to the experience.

Recap

The Living Green Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai offers a unique opportunity to connect with Thailand’s captivating wildlife and natural environment. Visitors can interact with gentle elephants, experience the tranquility of bamboo rafting, and enjoy the lush jungle landscapes. This comprehensive tour provides an unforgettable and sustainable encounter with Chiang Mai’s remarkable natural wonders.

You can check if your dates are available here: