A vetted shortlist of Chiang Mai experiences: ethical elephant reserves, hidden trails, hipster villages, and temples in the sky.

Our Top Picks for Chiang Mai: Elephant Reserves, Trails & Temples

Our Top Picks for Chiang Mai 

A vetted shortlist of the few Chiang Mai elephant sanctuaries we found where elephants are free to roam, stay wild, and live well.

Ethical Elephant Experiences in Chiang Mai: Our Top Truly Ethical Picks

Ethical Elephant Experiences in Chiang Mai

Make a difference in Chiang Mai! Support true ethical sanctuaries, verified by international elephant welfare bodies.

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A vetted shortlist of Chiang Mai sanctuaries where your visit supports real rescue and conservation work, verified by international elephant welfare bodies.

Rescue & Conservation in Chiang Mai: The Best Sanctuaries

Rescue & Conservation in Chiang Mai

Make a difference in Chiang Mai! Support true ethical sanctuaries, verified by international elephant welfare bodies.

See Happy Elephants in Paradise

Watch elephants roam free. No riding, bathing or forced contact.

Gibbon Trek with Local Conservation Stories in Mae Kampong

Really heartfelt community conservation work with rescue gibbons & local stories

2D1N Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Experience

Engage with elephants & community at BEES.

4D3N Elephant Sanctuary Immersion & Community Experience

Immerse in BEES, a haven where rescued elephants just BE elephants.

Cream (our guide) was very friendly, explained to us about the elephants, and helpful with taking pictures for anyone who wanted them in our group. 
 Our group was 8 people, which felt like a good size. When you arrive at the sanctuary, the elephants are freely walking around, so you just set out to find them with your guide. We found 3 of the 4 quickly but had to do a brief bit of trekking to find the fourth. Definitely wear sturdy shoes and pants /high socks, as you’re walking through natural jungle &amp; dirt (mud) paths.

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Cream (our guide) was very friendly, explained to us about the elephants, and helpful with taking pictures for anyone who wanted them in our group. 
Our group was 8 people, which felt like a good size. When you arrive at the sanctuary, the elephants are freely walking around, so you just set out to find them with your guide. We found 3 of the 4 quickly but had to do a brief bit of trekking to find the fourth. Definitely wear sturdy shoes and pants /high socks, as you’re walking through natural jungle &amp; dirt (mud) paths. 

This was an amazing experience! The elephants and sanctuary are gorgeous and well looked after and the team is amazing, especially Thanya! She answered all our questions and had lots of information to share- Chang Chill is clearly very passionate about their work!

This was an amazing experience! The elephants and sanctuary are gorgeous and well looked after and the team is amazing, especially Thanya! She answered all our questions and had lots of information to share- Chang Chill is clearly very passionate about their work! 

It was a amazing day. Our guide was so kind, funny and you see that she loves her work and the place. 
 We went hiking and see the elephants on a distance. You see them In their natural habitat. It was amazing to see. 
 The experience was a 10/10.

It was a amazing day. Our guide was so kind, funny and you see that she loves her work and the place. 
We went hiking and see the elephants on a distance. You see them In their natural habitat. It was amazing to see. 
The experience was a 10/10. 

Fantastic trip, really lovely mixture of culture and nature. Would highly recommend.

Fantastic trip, really lovely mixture of culture and nature. Would highly recommend.

A wonderful day! Thanks to our guide, Nee, for sharing her knowledge about plants with us. We were able to observe a family of gibbons. My 10-year-old daughter really enjoyed the experience.

A wonderful day! Thanks to our guide, Nee, for sharing her knowledge about plants with us. We were able to observe a family of gibbons. My 10-year-old daughter really enjoyed the experience.

Lovely team, Em was super helpful and knowledgeable. Burm was extremely passionate about the elephants and is doing an amazing thing by running the sanctuary. 
 You go on long walks with the elephants and they are allowed to do what they want.

Lovely team, Em was super helpful and knowledgeable. Burm was extremely passionate about the elephants and is doing an amazing thing by running the sanctuary. 
You go on long walks with the elephants and they are allowed to do what they want. 

Expérience exceptionnelle dans la jungle

Expérience exceptionnelle dans la jungle 

Just the right amount of trekking, stops to learn about the flora and the environment at Mae Kampong and take in the scenery. The town is full of tourists but somehow these guys manage to avoid. Lunch was delicious and then we saw the beautiful gibbons. It's a beautiful area and the team make it feel even better with the way they run it. And we even had 2 dogs to a company us. Perfect.

Just the right amount of trekking, stops to learn about the flora and the environment at Mae Kampong and take in the scenery. The town is full of tourists but somehow these guys manage to avoid. Lunch was delicious and then we saw the beautiful gibbons. It's a beautiful area and the team make it feel even better with the way they run it. And we even had 2 dogs to a company us. Perfect. 

Rescue & Conservation in Chiang Mai

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