Embark on an unforgettable afternoon with our Elephant Freedom Half-Day Tour, starting at noon with a delicious lunch at the sanctuary. After a scenic one-hour journey to reach us, you’ll experience an incredible afternoon with our beloved elephant family. Your adventure includes preparing a feast for the elephants, hand-feeding them, and joining them on a river hike where you’ll have the chance to swim and bathe alongside these majestic creatures. We’ll wrap up with a visit to a hidden waterfall, adding a touch of secluded beauty to your mountain adventure in Chiang Mai. This is a day packed with memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
About this activity
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Tour Pick Up at 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Duration 4 hours
You may check online for availability or contact us
Live tour guide
English, Thai
Highlights
- Round-trip A/C transportation from Chiang Mai City is available (small surcharge).
- Our guest reviews rave about our elephant sanctuary and English-speaking guides.
- Amazing Mahout Elephant Experience. 100% ethical.
- Swim and bathe with the elephants in the Mae Wang River.
- Hand-feed these majestic creatures. An amazing experience
- Elephant River hike.
- Mae Wang Waterfall.
Includes
Tour Highlights
- Complimentary Thai lunch in a tranquil setting
- Elephant Feeding Experience
- Prepare vitamin balls and supplements
- Elephant River Hike
- Elephant Swim & bathing Experience
- Hike to the Mae Wang Waterfall
NOT INCLUDED
- Gratuities
- Towels
- Shoes
- Hat
- Sun Glasses
- Sun Screen
- Bug Repellant
- Umbrella
Not suitable for
- Children under one year old
- Wheelchair users
- Visually impaired people
- People over 309 lbs (140 kg)
Important information
What to bring
- Sun hat
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
Not allowed
Pets
Flash photography
Posted on Google
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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*Pictures and videos are included free of charge. Last-minute and same-day bookings are welcomed. Roundtrip transportation is available with a small surcharge. Click here to check out our other tours.
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 Half Day Afternoon
- Mahout Chat
- Elephant Cooking Class
- Prepare The Elephants Feast
- Feed The Elephants
- Lunch In The Mountains
- Elephant River Hike
- Swim with & Bathe The Elephants
- Majestic Waterfall Experience
- Photo session
Elephant Freedom Half Day Afternoon
Looking for a truly authentic Thai experience? You will find that as we offer you an authentic Thai lunch prepared by sanctuary staff. You can’t get more local than this. Now sit back and relax and enjoy yourself. Spend time with your newfound friends while having lunch and watching the elephants.
Our guests will prepare servings of supplements and vitamins for the elephants. The guide will explain elephant health, diet, and the benefit of each added ingredient. Mahouts will join in this activity when possible, so visitors get to know the elephant that they’re “cooking” for and the mahout who cares for her.
This is a hands-on event preparing food in the original Thai fashion.
Now it’s time to feed your prepared supplements and vitamins to our majestic creatures. Learn the importance of why we feed the supplements and vitamins to the elephants each day. It really is an amazing experience to have these gentle giants eating out of your hands.
Hiking along the river is very peaceful. The scenery is beautiful, and the river’s water flows endlessly. Hiking with the elephants in such a majestic area just adds to the fun.
As we do not control the elephants in any way, it’s great fun to see them entertain themselves along the way. They say elephants never forget, they know exactly where we are headed. To the river to swim and play.
Most visitors don’t realize how much elephants love the water. Watch as the elephants gladly take to the water. Elephants love to submerge themselves completely in water. They love to splash around and use their trunks to spray water on one another. We ask that you join in, get wet, and help bathe the elephants. Feel like swimming with an elephant? The opportunity very well may present itself.
You will finish this experience shaking your head in awe. You’ll think to yourself, gee, I never have done anything quite like this. Enjoy the moment!
Let’s transport to the waterfall Thai style. This journey will take about ten minutes to reach the waterfall, and parts of the drive will cut deep into the forest. Once we arrive at the waterfall we will hike for five minutes to reach the waterfall.
The waterfall experience is always a highlight of the day. The surroundings are peaceful, you really feel connected to nature. This is another spot you would never find on your own. Feel free to jump in for a refreshing waterfall swim.
It’s been a long day, but great fun. Time to say farewell to all your new friends. The journey back to Chiang Mai should take about one hour. Sit back, relax, and leave the driving to us. A small surcharge for roundtrip transport.
Elephant Freedom Half-Day Afternoon Tour
What's Included
- Coffee and snacks when you arrive
- Use of Karen clothes (optional)
- Lunch with the elephants
- Food needed to feed the elephants
- Elephant River Hike
- Elephant Swim & Bathing Session
- Waterfall experience
- Onsite restrooms
- Onsite locker room to store personal items
- Free download of all photos and videos
Items Not Included
- Towels
- Shoes
- Hat
- Sun Glasses
- Sun Screen
- Bug Repellant
- Umbrella
- Roundtrip Transport (small surcharge)
Frequently Asked Questions
There is one area along the Elephant River Hike that requires you to take some care. You will be on level ground, however, there is some area of the ground that will require some careful navigation. The area is approximately 15 meters long. The hike to the waterfall will require going down approximately 200 stairs. Going down is not difficult, but extra attention is required. When we are finished at the waterfall you will need to go back up the stairs. This is not difficult but can be exhausting depending on the shape you are in.
We recommend footwear such as all-terrain flip-flops or sandals. Sneakers are fine, but they will likely get wet and dirty. You can manage in flip-flops however certain parts of the trail are better suited for an open sandal with straps. Crocs can also work. Certain parts of the river hike will require you to cross the river. The depth of the water is approximately 6″ to 18″ and has large rocks on the river bed. These crossings are very small and only take 30 seconds to cross, but your feet will get wet.
The travel time to the sanctuary is about 1 hour.
We provide an air-conditioned car, SUV, or van from any location within Chiang Mai City for a small surcharge. Please email us at [email protected] or call/text or WhatsApp at 66 95 785-5191 with any questions. 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.
Yes, you may book your reservation from this page. To start the booking process, please click “Check Availability.” You will be kindly asked for a deposit to hold your reservation. You may pay the balance in Thai Baht when you arrive at our sanctuary. Please call/text or WhatsApp 66 95 785-5191 with any questions.
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.
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.
There is never a fee to reschedule your tour. Our stated cancellation policy requests that you cancel your booking no less than 24 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, 15% of our bookings are with 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
You will be in the open during part of your journey, we do recommend wearing a hat to protect from the sun. Bug repellent really depends on the person and the time of year you visit. Most of the journey is bug-free, but you may encounter some pesky friends during the jungle hike. A small amount of repellent for your feet, legs, and arms is recommended. Depending on the person you may wish to apply some sunscreen as well.
