Maerim Elephant Sanctuary – Full Day & Half Day

Overview

One of the most incredible things to do in Thailand is to spend the day with elephants. At the Maerim Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, go with friends or family to pet, feed, play with, and bathe these beautiful animals in their natural jungle home. Plus, there’s no riding and no hooks. Their tours are offered at different times and different lengths. Choose between a half day tour (morning or afternoon) or a full day visit. It will be the best day you’ve ever had on vacation!

If you’re interested in the half-day Maerim Elephant Sanctuary tour

Half day morning tour from 7 AM to 1:30 PM

• Meet in your hotel lobby
  • 7 AM to 7:15  AM : the area of the old city center and Night Bazaar
  • 7:15 AM to 7:30 AM : within 3 km outside the old city
• 8:30 AM : Arrive at the Maerim Elephant Sanctuary and change into traditional mahout clothing
• 8:45 AM : Greet the elephants and feed them from your own basket of bananas
• 9 AM : Play with the elephants and learn about their history and natural behavior
• 9:30 AM : Walk with the elephants through the jungle and past local farms and then watch them enjoy bathing with elephants in a nearby stream
• 10:30 AM : Relax in the sun by the swimming pool
• 11:30 AM : Learn how to make a traditional Thai noodle soup
• 12:30 PM : Depart the elephant sanctuary and drive back to your hotel
• 1:30 PM : Return to your accommodation

Half day afternoon tour from 2 PM to 7:30 PM

• 2 PM to 2:30 PM : Meet in your hotel lobby
• 3:30 PM : Arrive at Maerim Elephant Sanctuary and put on traditional mahout clothing
• 3:45 PM : Meet the herd of elephants and feed them bananas
• 4 PM : Play the elephants while learning about their past and their natural behavior
• 4:30 PM : Go on a walk through the lush jungle with the elephants and then cool off by playing and bathing the elephants in a local stream
• 5:30 PM : You guide will teach you how to make traditional noodle soup
• 6:30 PM : Depart the elephant sanctuary and drive back to your hotel
• 7:30 PM : Return to your accommodation

If you are interested in the full day Maerim Elephant Sanctuary tour

Full day tour from 9 AM to 5:30 PM

• Meet in your hotel lobby
  • 9 AM to 9:15 AM : the area of the old city center and Night Bazaar
  • 9:15 AM to 9:30 AM : within 3 km outside the old city
• 10:30 AM : Arrive at the Maerim Elephant Sanctuary and change into traditional mahout clothing
• 11 AM : Meet the elephant family and win them over with a basket of bananas
• 11:30 AM : Play with elephants and learn about their individual pasts and healthy elephant behavior
• 12 PM : Learn how to make your own traditional Thai noodle soup
• 1 PM : Join your guide in foraging for elephant treats, then walk with the elephants through the jungle, give them a mud bath, and then bathe them in a local stream
• 3 PM : Relax in the sun and reflect on your experience by the swimming pool
• 4 PM : Say, “Goodbye” to the elephants and change into clean clothes
• 4:30 PM : Depart the elephant sanctuary and drive back to your hotel
• 5:30 PM : Return to your accommodation

Please Note: The times above are approximate and may vary depending on the weather and traffic.

About the Maerim Elephant Sanctuary Tour

The Maerim Elephant Sanctuary is a peaceful sanctuary in Northern Thailand that promotes an ethical and sustainable elephant experience for visitors from all over the world. This sanctuary has five rescued elephants that now enjoy life in a natural jungle habit. Join them for an unforgettable day, without riding or hooks.

After a scenic drive through the countryside, you’ll arrive at the Maerim Elephant Sanctuary where you tour guide will greet you. You’ll be given traditional mahout (elephant trainer) clothing to wear before meeting the elephant family.

Your English-speaking guide will introduce you to the elephants. You’ll learn their names and the history about each of them as well as some fun elephant facts about their behavior and life cycle. To help win over the elephants, you’ll be given a basket of bananas to feed them. This is a great time to take photos, so be sure to bring a camera!

The tour continues with visitors’ favorite activity: giving the elephants a bath! Your group will walk through the scenic jungle, past a local farm, and along a shady nature path that follows a stream. At a special spot in the stream, everyone can take a refreshing dip in the stream, including the elephants! Splash and play with the elephants to your heart’s content.

All tours, whether you choose a full day or half day, will also include the chance to learn how to make your own traditional Thai noodle soup.

After you’ve played with the elephants in the stream and thoroughly cooled off, relax in the sun and enjoy a dip in a swimming pool while reflecting on the incredible experience you just had.

At the end of the trip, say, “Goodbye,” to the elephants and change into clean clothing. Sit back and relax on the ride back to your hotel in Chiang Mai. There are no additional stops or ‘add-ons’ during this Maerim Elephant Sanctuary tour.

What's Included

• A free pick-up and drop-off service is included within 3 kilometers of the city center
  • If you’re out of town, contact us to arrange a meeting point
• Transportation via pickup truck with driver
• English-speaking tour guide
• Drinking water and Thai lunch
• Food for elephants
• Admission fees
• Travel accident insurance

What To Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals that can get wet
• Swimming suit (worn under your clothes)
• A towel and a change of clothing
• A raincoat (during the rainy season of June, July, and August)
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Any prescription medication you require such as an asthma inhaler or allergy medicine
• Camera (optional)

Additional Informations

• Free for children 3 years old and under.
• If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, please inform your tour guide. We can serve vegetarian food upon request.
• This is a small group tour, approximately 35 persons.
• Tour operated by our Tour Operator Partner.

Cancellation Policy

Learn more about our Free cancellation - 24 hours in advance.