This Chiang Mai tour offers an immersive experience where you can connect with elephants in their natural habitat. From feeding and bathing the gentle giants to exploring a hill tribe village, the itinerary promises an unforgettable day. With comfortable transportation and an expert guide, you’ll gain insights into elephant conservation and local culture. Whether you’re seeking adventure or a deeper appreciation for these magnificent creatures, this tour could be the perfect way to spend your time in Northern Thailand.
Good To Know
- This 5-hour experience in Chiang Mai allows visitors to engage in the daily life of elephant caretakers, including feeding, bathing, and walking with the elephants.
- The tour includes a visit to a traditional hill tribe village, where visitors can enjoy home-cooked meals while learning about the local lifestyle.
- The itinerary features a 3-hour guided tour with hands-on activities at the Elephant Sanctuary Care Park, followed by a visit to the picturesque Mae Wang Waterfall.
- Complimentary hotel pickup and transportation are provided, with the option to upgrade to a roofed 4×4 truck for the journey to the sanctuary.
- The tour has received positive reviews, with high ratings for value for money and experiences with elephants, though some feedback suggests room for improvement in the transportation and guide performance.
Tour Overview
The tour, named "Chiang Mai Untouched Elephant: Nature Walk & Waterfall Trek," offers a 5-hour experience priced from $48.05 per person.
Pickup is included from hotels in and around Chiang Mai Old Town.
The tour has a flexible cancellation policy, allowing free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
An English-speaking guide accompanies guests throughout the journey, providing an immersive cultural experience.
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Highlights of the Experience
Become a Mahout for a Day, engaging in the daily life of elephant caretakers.
You’ll prepare food, feed, walk, and bathe the elephants naturally, without chains or hooks. This hands-on experience allows you to connect with these gentle giants in their natural environment.
Enjoy the local culture by visiting a traditional hill tribe village. Enjoy home-cooked meals from families as you learn about their way of life.
Enjoy local culture by visiting a traditional hill tribe village and enjoying home-cooked meals as you learn about their way of life.
This non-commercialized tour focuses on authentic interactions, giving you a true glimpse into the lives of elephants and the communities that care for them.
Itinerary Breakdown
After hotel pickup in Chiang Mai, the tour begins with a 1.5-hour drive to the Elephant Sanctuary Care Park.
Guests will then embark on a 3-hour guided tour, where they’ll engage in hands-on activities with the elephants, including feeding and walking alongside them.
Following the elephant experience, the group will visit the picturesque Mae Wang Waterfall, with free time to explore the natural setting.
The tour concludes with a 1.5-hour drive back to Chiang Mai, ensuring a well-rounded encounter with the region’s natural wonders and elephant conservation efforts.
Transportation Details
According to the tour details, the transportation for this experience includes a free transfer service within a 5 km radius of Chiang Mai’s Old City.
For locations outside this area, there’s a surcharge.
Travelers will ride in a 12-seater air-conditioned van or open-air pickup truck, which will then switch to a roofed 4×4 truck to reach the sanctuary.
This combination of vehicles ensures a comfortable and safe journey to the elephant sanctuary.
The transportation is well-organized, providing a seamless start and end to the tour.
More Great Thing To Do NearbyFitness and Dietary Considerations
As the tour involves moderate physical activities like trekking and outdoor adventures, a reasonable fitness level is required from participants.
The highlights include:
Trekking through natural surroundings, engaging with elephants, and accommodating dietary restrictions for the best experience.
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Trekking through the natural surroundings to reach the elephant sanctuary and waterfall, which may involve uneven terrain and inclines.
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Engaging in hands-on activities with the elephants, such as feeding and bathing, which require a certain level of mobility and endurance.
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Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, but participants should notify the tour operator in advance to ensure the best experience.
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Customer Feedback and Ratings
Travelers have overall rated the Chiang Mai Untouched Elephant: Nature Walk & Waterfall Trek tour positively, with an average score of 4.6 out of 5 based on 59 reviews. The tour’s transportation received a solid 4.4/5 rating, while the value for money was exceptional at 4.6/5. However, the guide’s performance was slightly lower at 3.7/5. Positive experiences with the elephants and staff were commonly mentioned, though some noted discomfort during transportation. The tour’s highlights, such as the mahout experience and natural interactions with elephants, seem to have resonated well with customers.
| Metric | Rating |
| — | — |
| Overall | 4.6/5 |
| Guide | 3.7/5 |
| Transportation | 4.4/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.6/5 |
Pricing and Cancellation Policy
The Chiang Mai Untouched Elephant: Nature Walk & Waterfall Trek tour is priced from $48.05 per person.
This price includes:
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Pickup service from hotels in and around Chiang Mai Old Town.
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A 5-hour experience with a professional English-speaking guide.
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
The tour offers an immersive encounter with elephants, allowing participants to prepare food, feed, walk, and bathe the animals in a natural setting, without any chains or hooks.
Enjoy an authentic elephant experience, feeding, walking, and bathing the animals in a natural setting, chain-free.
With a moderate fitness level required, this tour provides a unique and authentic cultural experience in Chiang Mai.
About the Elephant Sanctuary Care Park
The Elephant Sanctuary Care Park, located approximately 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai’s Old City, is the destination for the Chiang Mai Untouched Elephant: Nature Walk & Waterfall Trek.
At the sanctuary, travelers will enjoy a 3-hour guided tour, interacting with the elephants through feeding, walking, and bathing them. The experience prioritizes the natural behavior of the elephants, with no elephant riding or forced activities.
After the elephant encounter, the tour includes a 1-hour visit to the nearby Mae Wang Waterfall, allowing participants to explore the lush natural surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Kind of Clothing or Footwear Is Recommended for This Tour?
Comfortable, lightweight clothing and closed-toe hiking shoes or boots are recommended. The tour involves outdoor activities like walking and trekking, so participants should dress for the weather and terrain.
Are There Any Medical Requirements or Restrictions for Participants?
Participants should have a moderate fitness level, as the tour involves trekking and outdoor activities. Visitors with medical conditions or mobility issues should consult the tour provider in advance to ensure the activities are suitable for them.
Can I Bring My Own Camera or Are There Any Photography Restrictions?
Participants can bring their own cameras to capture the experience. However, there may be some restrictions on photographing the elephants, so it’s best to check with the tour operator before the tour.
Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration or Include Additional Activities?
Yes, there’s an option to extend the tour duration or include additional activities. Customers can contact the tour provider to discuss customized packages or request longer tours that incorporate more experiences, such as additional village visits or hiking.
How Does This Tour Compare to Other Elephant Experiences in Chiang Mai?
This tour offers a more immersive, hands-on experience with elephants compared to some other Chiang Mai options that focus on observation or short interactions. It provides opportunities to actively care for and engage with the elephants in a natural setting.
The Sum Up
The Chiang Mai Untouched Elephant: Nature Walk & Waterfall Trek offers an immersive and affordable experience. Guests can connect with elephants and explore the local culture through hands-on activities, comfortable transportation, and an English-speaking guide. The tour emphasizes conservation and authentic interactions, making it a popular choice for those seeking a unique and meaningful adventure in Chiang Mai.
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