Adventure

Doi Suthep Temple & Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip.

Adventure

Doi Suthep Temple & Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip.

From US$ 54.36 per person

Certified

Experience Chiang Mai's highlights in a day. Visit an ethical rescued elephant private estate to learn about the elephants and visit the remarkable Doi Suthep Temple with a professional tour guide.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 1 day
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Pickup optional
Your Hotel in Chiang Mai City Center at 8:00AM
Small group
Limited to 9 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • Get up close and personal with the rescued elephants
  • Take the chance to be an elephant caretaker for a day
  • Make herbal medicine balls for the elephants
  • Enjoy delicious Thai dishes with rice
  • Climb up to the Doi Suthep temple and see its stunning architecture
Full description

Experience an ethical elephant estate and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on this outdoor adventure tour from Chiang Mai. Interact with the elephants in the forest and feed them treats, enjoy a Thai meal, and visit a temple on top of the mountain.

Begin your trip with hotel pickup and a scenic journey to a private elephant estate where you'll get to be their caretaker for half a day. Upon arrival, walk to the main base camp located up the hill and get changed into an elephant caretaker outfit.

Hear about the long history of Asian elephants as you learn to cook healthy herbal treats for them to eat for a snack. Afterward, feed the handmade treats to them and walk along their side through the lush forest.

Continue with elephant bathing in the river and say farewell to your new, big friends before taking some time to enjoy an authentic Thai lunch. Taste dishes with rice and a selection of fresh tropical fruits.

With a full stomach, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep next, a temple situated on the top of a mountain. You can reach the top by walking up or using the elevator. At the top, see a golden chedi and terrace adorned with small shrines, breadfruit trees, rock gardens, and an Emerald Buddha statue.

Round off your day on the mountaintop with breathtaking views of the greenery below, followed by drop-off back at your hotel.

Includes
  • Roundtrip transfers from your hotel in Chiang Mai City Center
  • 1st class travel accident insurance
  • Licensed and experienced tour guide
  • All entrance fees
  • Elephant caretaker guide
  • The use of elephant caretaker outfits, towel, sandals and Hill tribe shoulder bags
  • Food and healthy treats to feed the elephants
  • Shower rooms, toilets and metal lockers
  • Refreshing towel
  • Lunch

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Meet your guide at McDonald's, Tha Phae Gate, at Imm Hotel. They will be holding a GetYourGuide sign.

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    Important information

    What to bring

    • Change of clothes
    • Towel
    • Waterproof camera

    Know before you go

    • There is absolutely no riding of the elephants or the usage of hooks and sharp tools, it is prohibited on this tour
    • This package is suitable for all ages
    • The tour price includes one driver and one professional English speaking tour guide (who will happily take photos for you)
    • What to Bring: Insect repellent and some money for any of your personal expenses
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.9 /5

    based on 71 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.9/5
    • Transportation
      5/5
    • Service
      4.8/5
    • Organization
      4.8/5

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    Star rating:

    Elephant sanctuary was okay but i’m not sure about it being ethical - some caretakers were shouting at the elephants and they were scared and very obedient like trained. also there was a baby elephant with its mom in a cage. Group was 16 people not 9 so different than in the offer. Doi Suthep temple was amazing, very worth visiting. Big thanks to our guide Suthep, he told us a lot about elephants at the sanctuary, lots of interesting facts about thailand in general on our way and explained everything about the temple. We had all the time we needed to eat lunch and go some shopping near the temple. Overall very nice experience, worth visiting. One star taken for the elephant sanctuary.

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    March 14, 2023

    It was a smaller conservation area, but the animals were treated well. It was a great experience to feed and interact with the elephants. The tour guide and driver were excellent. Very knowledgeable about the elephants, local area, and temple complex. Would highly recommend.

    December 12, 2022

    Jackie and Pon are an amazing team! Very knowledgeable about the culture, elephants and the temple. Very friendly and take great pictures. They went the extra mile to make our day greats Couldn’t recommend this experience more. Ask for Jackie and Pon. The tour dream team! Their laughs are contagious! Haha

    October 20, 2022

    Product ID: 211956