Ethical Elephant Tours
Supported by Asian Elephant Projects
One Day Trips - Chiang Mai
SADDLE OFF PROJECTS NOW OPEN TO VISITORS
SUNSHINE FOR ELEPHANTS
Guests to this elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai will experience a close encounter with rescued elephants as part of a small group in beautiful natural surroundings. Feed the elephants, and walk with them through the forest as they stop to forage along the way. Help to reforest their natural habitat by planting saplings or tying protective Buddhist sashes around the trunks of trees.
KAREN ELEPHANT SERENITY
Set among the hills of Northern Thailand, this ethical elephant project is home to a small family of elephants, including a 3 year old female, her mum and nanny. At this project, guests have the opportunity to observe the remarkable interactions of an elephant family, now enjoying their lives with time to form bonds, roam, forage, and play freely together.
ELEPHANT DELIGHT
This ethical elephant tour offers the perfect chance to experience being with elephants in a lovely natural setting in a small group, accompanied by an experienced tour guide. Prepare food and feed the elephants and then join them on a scenic uphill forest walk. Bathe the elephants in the river, and then cross to the other side in a bamboo raft.
ELEPHANT PRIDE
Spend the day by the beautiful Mae Taeng River in Northern Thailand with three happy elephants now retired from riding. As part of a small group, get to know the elephants while feeding them, and join them on a jungle trek that crosses the river over a bamboo bridge. In the afternoon you will have the chance to bathe the elephants, followed by whitewater rafting down the river.
MAJESTIC ELEPHANT PROJECT
Arriving at this ethical elephant project, located in a scenic valley near Chiang Mai, meet the herd and get to know them a little while feeding them. Join the elephants on a hike through jungle hill trails, handing them fruit along the way, and after lunch, bathe the elephants in the river. The day ends with a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure down the Mae Taeng River.
SPECIAL SADDLE OFF PROJECTS
These are two special elephant sanctuaries offer guests a longer experience with rescued elephants. Care for Elephants includes a visit to Elephant Nature Park in the afternoon and Elephant Highlands is a unique elephant sanctuary set high in the mountains of Northern Thailand.
CARE FOR ELEPHANTS
Spend the day with three elephants retired from a hard life of logging and elephant riding. At this elephant sanctuary, an emphasis is placed on providing visitors with insights into the nature of elephants, how to properly care for them, and interact with them respectfully. The program includes a visit to Elephant Nature Park where you can see the resident herds socializing.
ELEPHANT HIGHLANDS
Set high in the lush mountains near Baan Lao, this elephant sanctuary boasts some of the most stunning scenery in Northern Thailand. Walk with rescued elephants along mountain paths, feed the elephants, and watch them bathe and play happily in the mud pit, making for an unforgettable day. This project also offers sanctuary to cows, dogs, wild boar and other rescued animals.
Volunteer with Elephants
One Week - Northern Thailand & Cambodia
JOURNEY TO FREEDOM
Become an elephant sanctuary volunteer and spend an unforgettable week in the jungle with a small group of volunteers caring for the elephants and learning about the Karen people who have a generations-old tradition of working with elephants. You will have the opportunity to positively impact the lives of the elephants and people in the local community.
ELEPHANT SANCTUARY CAMBODIA
Join our eco-volunteer program and play a vital role in helping to protect and regenerate 25,000 acres of forest so that elephants and other native species can re-populate the wildlife reserve. The elephants at this project are free to roam the sanctuary, offering volunteers the special experience of observing them foraging and socializing at will in nature.
SADDLE OFF PROJECTS - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
KAREN ELEPHANT HOME
This elephant sanctuary offers the special experience of visiting a century old Karen settlement and spending time with two magnificent, gentle elephant brothers. By visiting this project you will gain insights into the nature of this remarkable species while feeding them, walking with them in nature, watching them play in the mud, and bathe in the river.
KAREN ELEPHANT OASIS
This elephant sanctuary near Chiang Mai offers guests an amazing experience being with elephants in beautiful natural surroundings including a jungle canopy and a cascading stream. Feed the elephants, walk with them along hillside jungle trails, watching them forage, and later watch them take a mud bath and bathe them in the stream.
PAMPER A PACHYDERM
This is the first ethical elephant sanctuary created where the traditional activities of elephant camps were transformed under the Saddle Off model. Guests spend meaningful time with these elderly elephants now enjoying their retirement roaming in nature, foraging, and socializing. End the day white water rafting to Elephant Nature Park to observe the herds.
