6D5N Chiang Mai: Volunteer with Elephants & Healing Reset (Girls Only)

Slow down with rescued elephants and reset in a cosy farmstay retreat

5.0

|7 Reviews

Group size

Up to 11 guests

DURATION

6 days 5 nights

Booking type

Join-in trip

MEET UP

Free pick-up

Group size

Up to 11 guests

Experience Highlights
Itinerary
Inclusions
Accommodation
Availability
More Info
Host
Reviews

The healing trip you’ve been craving - elephants, mountains, and deep reset.
[27 May - 1 June] If you’re in a season of slowing down, healing, and going back to nature, this girls' Community Trip is for you. 💚This is one of the most wholesome things we’ve ever done - deeply grounding and healing. A Seek Sophie guest who joined us recently even said it was the best trip of her life. For us, healing isn’t about escaping the world. It’s about giving back, being held by nature, and meeting the kind of people who remind you what really matters. This trip has all of that.You’ll start by volunteering at a truly ethical elephant sanctuary, with some of Thailand’s top conservationists. Thailand has many sanctuaries, but only a few are genuinely ethical. Here, you’ll watch rescued elephants interact naturally, learn their personal stories, walk quietly with them in the forest, and prepare their fruit snacks. It’s simple, slow, and will change how you see the world.Then you’ll head to the cosiest farmstay in Chiang Dao, a place designed for slow mornings and soft days. Wake up to mountain views, do yoga by the lotus pond, forage ingredients straight from the garden, soak in natural hot springs, and our favourite part: hang out with the sweetest rescue dogs, cats, and ducks.And for your farewell night, we’ve planned something really special. Chiang Dao is incredible for stargazing, so we’ve arranged a stargazing dinner with a local astronomer - with every course thoughtfully paired to the constellations above you. It’s the perfect way to end a trip you won’t forget.One-Off Trip in 2026This girls only Seek Sophie Chiang Mai Community Trip is happening only once in 2026 [27 May - 1 Jun]. We’re keeping it small at just 11 female participants, so it stays personal and intimate, and for you a chance to connect with other like-minded female travellers in the group.Why We Created Community TripsWe created Community Trips because we’re always on the ground meeting cool people & finding hidden spots. So we thought: why not use all that insider knowledge to create the dream trip we’d take our own friends on? Think of Community Trips as a Seek Sophie omakase. We get to go a little wild with our ideas, bring you to places that aren’t usually open to the public, add the thoughtful touches we’ve always dreamt of, and make it feel really special for you. Every trip also gives back, so your adventure makes a direct impact on the communities and ecosystems you visit.What Makes This Seek Sophie Community Trip Special?1. Girls Only TripA rare girls-only healing reset where you can connect and feel comfortable with a small group of like-minded women.2. Truly Ethical Elephant Encounters This elephant experience is one of the rare ones that is truly humane. Most travellers go to elephant experiences that are marketed as "ethical" but are really not. Here in this no-touch, no bathe sanctuary, the elephants are in paradise, and each of them have a deeply forged relationship with their mahout. You’ll watch elephants interact naturally: eating, exploring, and playing - all without touching or riding them. This is one of the best examples of wildlife tourism done right.3. Slow Living Farmstay in Chiang DaoEscape to Chiang Dao, the hippie haven of Chiang Mai where most travellers don't go. This heartfelt bamboo eco-sanctuary is lovingly built by Yidan. She was originally from China, came to Thailand for work, and somehow found herself in Chiang Dao, after feeling burnt out. She found that the quietness and slow life of Chiang Dao was what she needed to heal. So with her savings and her dog Lucky, she built this bamboo home (by hand!) and started a small organic garden. Now, she works closely with the locals to nurture this thoughtful space - a sanctuary for anyone who needs a little rest.4. Stargazing Dinner with a Local AstronomerDid you know Chiang Dao is one of the best places in the world to stargaze? With its cloudless skies and low light pollution, you’ll enjoy a rare dinner under the stars with Ajarn O, one of Thailand’s most respected amateur astronomers and astrophotography educators. Over the past decade, he’s captured stunning deep-sky images, and is on a mission to help people experience the wonder of the night sky. We love how he calls humanity “just stardust” and encourages everyone to see themselves as part of the vast cosmos. While you dine, he’ll share stories about the stars and planets, with every course thoughtfully paired with the constellations.5. Community-basedThis Seek Sophie Community Trip is designed to be community-based, where every experience directly supports the local community, from the rescued elephants and the conservationists caring for them, to Yidan and her community-run farm.6. Stress-Free Experience You'll be joined by a dedicated Seek Sophie team member and every experience comes with an English-speaking local guide. We'll take care of the tricky bits - all transfers, accommodation, meals, so you can just focus on being present :)Facilities at hotel in Chiang Mai City  (Night 1)Accommodation:Charming boutique hotel in the middle of stylish Nimman neighborhood Beds: Comfy double and twin bedsAmenities: AC, mini fridge, toiletries, hair dryer and iron on request Facilities at the Elephant Sanctuary (Nights 2&3)Accommodation:Thai-style huts / basic roomsBeds: Mattresses on the floor or simple bed with mosquito netsFan: Provided in each roomStorage: Small hanging space for clothesBathrooms: Shared toilets with cold showersCommon Areas:Communal dining area: For all mealsHammocks & relaxation spots: Balcony and garden areasLibrary / small sitting area: For reading or relaxingSmall store: Snacks, soft drinks, T-shirtsSanctuary grounds: Gardens, free-roaming cats & dogs, nature trailsNo wifi and limited phone signalFacilities at The Farmstay in Chiang Dao (Nights 2 & 4)Accommodation:Guest houses / bungalows built from bamboo and natural materials.Shared room/dorm styleBasic bed in room with mosquito netsFans in roomsShared bathrooms / toilets with cold shower.Common‑Area:Free WiFi in common areaAnimals on site (goats, pigs, ducks, chickens, dogs, cats) as part of the farm‑stay experience.Organic garden and nature surroundings (mountains, rice paddies).MealsDay 1(Arrival in Chiang Mai):Welcome dinner included.Day 2 (Elephant Sanctuary):Breakfast, lunch on the way and dinner included.Day 3 (Elephant Sanctuary):Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.Day 4 (Elephant Sanctuary to Farmstay in Chaing Dao)Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.Day 5 (Farmstay in Chiang Dao):Breakfast, lunch and dinner included (including the private chef’s table farewell dinner under the stars).Day 6 (Departure Day):Breakfast is included. Lunch is not includedFlights & TransportNOT included: Flights to and from Chiang MaiIncluded: All on-ground transportImportant Things To NoteThis is a join-in trip with a small group of like-minded travellers (maximum 10 guests + 1 Seek Sophie Host).Rooms are shared or dorm-styleTravel insurance is required for this trip.

Experience highlights

Rare girls-only healing reset trip

The most ethical elephant experience

Observation only: no touch, no bathing

What You’ll be Doing

Day 1:

Arrival, Chiang Mai exploration, group dinner to start your adventure

Day 2:

Elephant treat prep, rescued animals, scenic drive, Thai meals, relaxing evening under stars

Day 3:

Elephant walk, picnic lunch, animal care, Thai dinner

Day 4:

Farmstay arrival, garden tour & cooking class in Chiang Dao

Day 5:

Farm fun, hot spring soak, and stargazing under Chiang Dao skies

Day 6:

Morning yoga or CrossFit, farewell breakfast, lunch at Lisu restaurant, airport transfer

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What’s Included

1 nights' accommodation in boutique hotel in Chiang Mai City

2 nights’ accommodation at an ethical sanctuary

2 nights’ accommodation at Chiang Dao farmstay

Seek Sophie English Speaking Host

English-speaking local guides for each activity

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners

All activities mentioned in the itinerary

Scenic drives between destinations, including airport transfers

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Who you’re supporting

Community Champion

Wildlife Protector

Women-led Wonder

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Where You’ll Sleep

Shared Room at the Boutique Hotel

Night 1

Shared Room at the Elephant Sanctuary

Night 2

Shared Room at the Elephant Sanctuary

Night 3

Next Available Dates

Prices shown in USD

Select Time for 25 Nov 2025

Additional Information

Where we'll meet

Start Point

Free pick-up from Chiang Mai International Airport(Chiang Mai International Airport, ถนน มหิดล, Thailand)

11:00am

End Point

End at Start Point(s)

Start & ends

11:00AM on Day 1 - 03:00PM on Day 6

Suitability / Accessibility

Vegetarian food available
Recommended Age: 18+

Cancellation & other policies

Cancellation
To secure your spot, your host will turn away other guests. Because of this, cancellations aren't allowed.
Extenuating Circumstances Policy
We understand plans can change. For this trip: - Cancel before 28 Feb 2026 – 70% refund - Cancel before 28 Mar 2026 – 50% refund - No refund after 28 Mar 2026 A 3% cancellation fee applies. During checkout, you may see a notice stating cancellations aren’t allowed—please disregard that and follow this policy.

What to Pack

Body soap, shampoo & conditioner
Change of clothes
Comfortable shoes for forest walking
Hat
Insect repellent
Lightweight long-sleeve shirts and pants or shorts for forest walks
Power bank
Sandals
Sunscreen
Sweater or light jacket for cooler evenings
Swimsuit
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Torch/flashlight
Towel
Universal adapter
Water bottle (refills available on site)

From

$1,570.8 SGD/person

5.0(7)

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Meet your host

Hi, we're Seek Sophie :) We created Community Trips because we’re always on the ground meeting cool people, hearing local stories, and stumbling onto hidden spots. At some point we thought: why not use all that insider knowledge to create the dream trip we’d show our own friends? Think of Community Trips as a Seek Sophie omakase. We get to go a little wild with our ideas, bring you to places that aren’t usually open to the public, add the thoughtful touches we’ve always dreamt of, and make it feel genuinely special for you. Every trip also gives back, so your adventure makes a direct impact on the communities and environments you visit. We’ve loved crafting these trips for you, and we can’t wait to explore with you :)

Experience: 7 years

Speaks: Fluent English

Acceptance rate: 100%

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