Observe a group of elephants including mothers & their babies interacting and forming bonds with one another thanks to this new ethical elephant project
Walking with Giants is a new ethical elephant project near Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand that is home to more than 20 elephants, who were previously used for elephant riding and performing in shows. During the Covid crisis, with the support of Save Elephant Foundation, the project started to transition towards a more ethical model of care to improve the lives of the elephants. By joining this new ethical elephant tour, guests will be supporting this positive change so that the elephants can live more naturally.
The project offers day trips where a small group of visitors, accompanied by an English-speaking tour guide, has the opportunity to walk with these gentle giants through the fields and experience the fascinating interactions between the various elephants in the herd, including several mothers and their babies. Spend time with the elephants while feeding them fruit and vegetables, watch them play in the mud, bathe in the river, and observe them exploring their newfound freedom in nature.
Walking with Giants
Walk with Elephants
Feed the Elephants
Observe the Elephants
Elephant Bathing
Visit Elephant Nature Park
Activities
- Greeting and introduction to the project
- Prapare food and feed the elephants
- Walk with the elephants through the grassy fields
- Vegetarian buffet lunch overlooking the riverside
- Prepare special healthy treats for the elephants
- Walk to the river to bathe the elephants
- Watch the elephants playing in the mud pit
- Visit Elephant Nature Park to observe the herds
Tour Details
Number of Guests: 12
Number of Elephants: 20
Tour Type: Full Day Visit
Fitness Level: Easy
Age Suitability: Adults & Children 7+
Tour Includes
- Transportation from Chiang Mai city to and from project
- Food for the elephants
- Freshly prepared vegetarian buffet lunch
- Admission fee & insurance
- Qualified English speaking tour guide
- Afternoon visit to Elephant Nature Park
Tour Price
Adults & Children 12+: 2,500 Thai Baht
Children 7-12 yrs old: 1,250 Thai Baht
Adults & Children 7+
Easy
Tour Guide
Buffet Lunch
Transportation
Ethical Elephant Project
This is a small Saddle Off project with a limited number of guests. Our model is based on ensuring the well-being of the elephants, which means no riding or other unnatural activities.
Itinerary
8:00 – 8:30 am: Pick up from the hotel and depart to Walking with Giants north of Chiang Mai
10:00 am: Arriving at Walking with Giants Project, your tour guide will provide a safety briefing, introduce the elephants and the new concept of ethical tourism at this project.
10:15 am: Prepare food and walk to meet the elephants
12:00 am: Vegetarian buffet lunch at the riverside
1:00 pm: Help to prepare some special treats to feed the elephants
2:00 pm: Walk with the elephants to the river where you can simply observe the elephants playing at the river or join the herd in the river while they enjoy bathing
2:30 pm: Follow the elephants to the mud pit & observe them as they cover themselves in mud
3:00 pm: Visit Elephant Nature Park and meet the elephants living at this world renowned elephant sanctuary
4:00 pm: Depart back to Chiang Mai city
About Your Trip
Start: 8:00am – 8:30am mini-van pick up from your Chiang Mai city hotel, or from our office at 7:45am. If staying out of town (outside the middle ring-road) additional charges apply. Please advise on your reservation form.
Travel Time: Around 90 minutes (safety talk en route to project).
Return: Arrive back in Chiang Mai city 5:00pm – 5.30pm.
Baggage Allowance: One small day pack per person.
What to Bring: Hat, sunscreen, sandals/flip flops, change of clothing (as you may get muddy or wet), towel, walking shoes, camera & insect repellent.
Operational Months: All year round.
Age Suitability: Adults & children over 7 – guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Fitness Level: Easy – walking over flat terrain in potentially muddy conditions for about an hour.
Topography: Grasslands, field & river.
Extra Activities: Includes a visit to Elephant Nature Park in the afternoon.
Location: Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.
Nearest Airport: Chiang Mai (CNX) – we recommend you stay in Chiang Mai city the night before your visit. Please note that we cannot collect you from Chiang Mai Airport – only from your Chiang Mai city hotel or guesthouse.
Booking Details: Bookings close at 5pm (GMT+7) on the day before the date of your tour if made in person at our office, or 24 hours in advance if booking online. A 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. The balance can be paid at our office in Chiang Mai or or by cash to the tour guide when they collect you from your hotel on the day of your tour.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ETHICAL ELEPHANT TOURISM
