Can you imagine feeding one of these majestic creatures? Join us for an elephant feeding experience at 9 AM, 10 AM, or 3 PM. Few things in life are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Spending an awe-inspiring moment with these gentle giants is certainly an experience you will never forget. After you finish your time at Elephant Freedom Project, you will realize what an inspiring time you had. You can also join us for lunch (small surcharge) at 12 PM daily at the sanctuary looking out to the refuge.
FEEDING EXPERIENCE NOTES
- Our 9:00 AM Experience will not have an English-speaking guide. However, your encounter will most likely be private for your group.
- Our 10:00 AM Experience will have English-speaking guide(s), and you will join other guests in the feeding experience.
- Our 3:00 PM Experience will not have an English-speaking guide. However, your encounter will most likely be private for your group.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with us on WhatsApp daily between 08:00 and 20:00.
We have no greater joy than to share this experience with the friends we meet who come to visit us from around the world. Please get in touch with us on WhatsApp. We are available daily from 8 AM to 10 PM local time. Click the image to connect with us. 
This experience does not include transportation. However, we will gladly make any arrangements you may need for a small surcharge. Pictures and videos are included free of charge. Come experience these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
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Kirsten Valentiner24 October 2026
Amazing Day. Such great - up close and touching the elephants. Truly a memorable day.Posted on Google
Carla Marion24 October 2026Nous avons passé une incroyable journée en famille aux côtés de notre super guide Pat. Même si nous ne maîtrisons pas très bien l'anglais, cela ne nous a pas du tout empêchés d'en profiter, d'autant plus que Pat a su très vite nous mettre à l'aise. Le groupe composé de 8 personnes était idéal pour créer une ambiance conviviale tout en profitant pleinement des éléphants. C'est une journée inoubliable qui restera l'un des plus beaux souvenirs de notre séjour. Vous pouvez y aller les yeux fermés ! Encore un grand merci à Pat d'avoir contribué à rendre ce moment si magique ! Ps: "Mon amour"Posted on Google
Paolo Bellin Salarin24 October 2026Probably the best experience I’ve ever madePosted on Google
Brittney Duncan16 October 2026An incredible experience where we got to meet Minwee. I stayed in awe the entire time. I highly recommend this place, the experience package that comes with the ATV and hill tribe textile and bamboo rafting. The whole far was incredible.Posted on Google
Alex Vinelott11 October 2026We had the BEST time with the elephants today at elephant freedom project. With so many elephant sanctuaries in northern Thailand it can be daunting knowing which one to pick, but all I can say is that we couldn't be happier we came here specifically. Our tour guide was lovely, spoke great English and was really knowledgeable. You could tell just how much they cared for the elephants, and equally how much the elephants cared for the Mahouts. They have a baby elephant and she spent so much time chasing and playing with her Mahout - it was incredible. We did the afternoon tour and got to feed them, wash them and hike with them. Hands down one of the best things we've done in our lives, let alone on our travels.Posted on Google
Jadeleen Casaya19 September 2026Pat was excellent. The staff were very hospitable. The atmosphere was pleasant and felt safe and serenePosted on Google
Luca Sardone (Aquileia '69)16 September 2026Elephant Freedom Elephant Sanctuary Chiang Mai. Il nostro gruppo era formatoda sole 3 person, interazione intima e diretta. Le attività principali includono la preparazione del cibo, la camminata con gli elefanti nella giungla e il bagno al fiume. Il nostro accompagnatore, persona squisita, ci ha fatto fare un giro nella foresta fino alle cascate e lì abbiamo fatto il bagno. Esperienza indescrivibile. Finito il giro ci hanno dato da mangiare, abbondante frutta e da bere. Esperienza imperdonabile.Posted on Google
Scott Blackman10 September 2026Absolutely worth the time! My daughter and I agreed it was a top highlight of our trip. We while enjoying the elephants we also learned about the local culture from our wonderful guide Kevin.Posted on Google
alex nope5 September 2026Estuvo increíble la experiencia. Incluye almuerzo. Lee la letra chica al reservar, porque no leí y te cobran es una parte. El saldo lo pagas a los guías en el sitio y en efectivo. Fui en auto particular y fácil llegar.Posted on Google
Guilloud maud26 August 2026Un moment magique ! Sur notre parcours au sri Lanka, nous avons fait une halte pour découvrir cette association et ces 2 magnifiques éléphants… cela restera un des plus beau souvenir de notre séjour 🐘 Bravo pour cette association, pour penser tjrs au bien être animal et pour votre extrême gentillesse 🥰💋🫶🏻 l’équipe semble vraiment heureuse avec un métier qui a du sens et lors de la visite, ça se sent : de supers partages, des rires… merci pour tout 🫶🏻🥰💗Posted on Tripadvisor
Roger Lagart25 August 2026Verified
Pasar un día impresionante con elefantes felices y bien tratados Hemos pasado una experiencia increíble disfrutando de un tour de un día con estos bellos animales a los que alimentas, das un paseo con ellos (no sobre ellos) y bañas en un día inolvidable, es un Santuario Ético en los que los elefantes o han sido rescatados o han nacido allí, con grupos pequeños sin masificar ni agobiar al elefante y dejando a los elefantes a su aire donde ves la relación que tienen con su cuidador como si fueran familia. Era una de los aspectos que para nosotros era imperante y hemos podido verificar que están bien cuidados y sobre todo queridos y felices.Posted on TripadvisorRoger Lagart25 August 2026Pasar un día impresionante con elefantes felices y bien tratados Hemos pasado una experiencia increíble disfrutando de un tour de un día con estos bellos animales a los que alimentas, das un paseo con ellos (no sobre ellos) y bañas en un día inolvidable, es un Santuario Ético en los que los elefantes o han sido rescatados o han nacido allí, con grupos pequeños sin masificar ni agobiar al elefante y dejando a los elefantes a su aire donde ves la relación que tienen con su cuidador como si fueran familia. Era una de los aspectos que para nosotros era imperante y hemos podido verificar que están bien cuidados y sobre todo queridos y felices.
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Tour Overview
There are few things in life that are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences, our sanctuary will provide just an experience. Spending an awe-inspiring day with these gentle giants is certainly an experience you will never forget.
Elephant Freedom Feeding Experience
- Mahout Chat
- Elephant Cooking Class
- Prepare The Elephants Feast
- Feed The Elephants
- Lunch In The Mountains (Small Surcharge)
- Photo session
Elephant Freedom Feeding Experience
The day starts with your optional pickup in Chiang Mai between. Before we start our day let’s get comfortable. What exactly are Karen Clothes? Traditionally, most Karen people are farmers who cultivate “hill rice”. They live in villages that are small clearings in the forest. Houses are made entirely of bamboo and thatch. A nearby stream or river may provide a place for villagers to bathe, do washing, and collect drinking water.
The type of traditional clothing worn by men and women varies on marital status: Karen men wear a longyi and a sleeveless shirt (usually red) or a white say plo (men’s dress). Unmarried Karen women wear long white dresses. Married Karen women wear a sarong and sleeveless shirt (usually black)
Now it’s time to prepare the food you will feed the elephants. Elephants eat roots, grasses, fruit, and bark—a lot of them! An adult elephant consumes up to 300 pounds of food in a single day. Think about that for a moment.
The interaction during feeding is just amazing. This is a great time to bond with these majestic creatures. These gentle giants welcome the interaction and loved to be fed.
Think of it this way, these majestic creatures love to eat, especially the special treats you will be offering. You will find a kindred spirit with these gentle giants, it really is something special.
Are you looking for a truly authentic Thai experience? You will find that as we exit our camp en route for Lunch. You can’t get more local than this. This perfect spot for lunch is just steps away from our sanctuary. Now sit back and relax and, enjoy yourself, spend time with your newfound friends.
Elephant Freedom Feeding Experience
What's Included
- Coffee and snacks when you arrive
- Use of Karen clothes (optional)
- Food needed to feed the elephants
- Onsite restrooms
- Onsite locker room to store personal items
- Lunch at a mountain retreat steps away from our sanctuary (Small Surcharge)
- Free download of all photos and videos
Items Not Included
- Transportation* We can arrange for a small surcharge
- Towels
- Shoes
- Hat
- Sun Glasses
- Sun Screen
- Bug Repellant
- Umbrella
Frequently Asked Questions
The travel time to the sanctuary is about 1 hour.
Yes, the full-day tour includes roundtrip transportation from any location in Chiang Mai. If you are outside Chiang Mai there may be a small surcharge, please inquire. If you selected any of our other tours please contact us by email at [email protected] or by calling/text or WhatsApp at 66 95 785-5191 for transportation options. We are available daily from 8 AM to 10 PM Thailand time.
Our tour is suitable for families with young children. If you have children younger than 6 please call/text or WhatsApp us @ 66 95 785-5191 for more information. You may also check out the following webpage which goes into greater detail; https://elephantfreedom.org/is-the-tour-suitable-for-children
The Feeding Experience is appropriate for all ages, and handicap accessible.
Most of the time we have between 4-6 elephants. We do our best to maintain a ratio of one elephant per four guests.
The group is typically between 10-18 guests per day. We aim for there to be no more than 3-4 people per elephant. This may vary depending on the tour you select. Our smallest groups are typically for the feeding experience. Our full-day or half-day afternoon tours are normally the most popular. Either way will maintain a good ratio of guests to elephants to ensure everyone has the opportunity to personally interact with the elephants.
We need a minimum of 2 people to be booked to operate each tour. If the tour you selected reflects availability then we have already met the required number.
Yes, you may book your reservation from this page. To start the booking process please click “Check Availability”. You have the option to pay in full online or place a deposit and the balance in Thai Baht upon pickup. Please call/text or WhatsApp 66 95 785-5191 with any questions.
Guests are welcome to bring one day pack or a standard check-in-sized backpack.
If you book our full-day or half-day afternoon tour we do recommend bringing a bathing suit. We will offer you Karen clothes (Thai outfits) for your day trip. Some guests will wear a bathing suit underneath to swim in the river or waterfall. The Karen clothes do dry quickly. We have a locker room for you to store your clothes.
Our elephant tour will still go ahead if it is raining. Elephants love the rain and ponchos will be provided. If there are weather conditions that we feel may place our guests in danger then the tour may be canceled. If in the rare chance, this were to happen you would receive a 100% refund.
Yes, we will send you an email within 24 hours of your tour date directing you to your tour photos and videos. You may download photos and videos free of charge.
We always try to accommodate our guests. There is never a fee to reschedule your tour. Our stated cancellation policy requests that you cancel your booking no less than 72 hours before your tour date. For more information please visit www.elephantfreedom.org to read our cancellation policy
A Thai-style lunch is provided with drinks. Please contact us if you have special dietary needs. We also provide water, coffee, and snacks upon arrival to the sanctuary. Lunch is included in all tours with the exception of the feeding experience.
Yes. You may modify your booking dates at any time free of charge.
Yes, probably 15% of our bookings are from single guests. Everyone is welcome at our sanctuary, single, couples, and families alike.
If you are making the journey on your own please use this link for the proper GPS directions to our camp. This is the only link to will get you to our exact location. https://goo.gl/maps/8mu3ARxtZbyeqDHC6
