elephant experiences
The elephant is a symbol of Thailand. The connections between elephants and Thai culture run deep and have evolved over thousands of years. In recent times, elephants have become a key tourist attraction which has often come at the expense of the welfare of these amazing animals. But conditions for elephants and the people who care for them are improving and rely on the support of responsible travelers. Experiencing elephants in Thailand can be a meaningful part of your journey. Do your research to find accredited camps who have been certified and provide healthy conditions for elephants, mahouts and the community. You can have a positive impact on the lives of elephants and they on yours.
tourism experiences that support elephant welfare
Meet the majestic elephants of Thailand:
Thailand & responsible elephant tourism
Thailand is working towards more sustainable elephant experiences. Travelers can help by choosing elephant experiences that support elephant welfare and benefit the community (Mahouts/caretakers).
Thailand and elephants have a rich history and travelers can choose to support responsible elephant experiences. Need help selecting the best elephant experience? While there are differing opinions on how strict the standards between human and elephant interactions should be, nearly every certification and animal welfare organization agree that responsible elephant experiences should NOT:
Make elephants perform unnatural behaviors such as circus tricks, standing on hind legs and associated activities.
Feed their elephants poor diets with a lack of seasonal variety.
Be engaged in wildlife trafficking or the illegal use of fauna or flora.
Have poor mahout training and/or mahouts that show any form of harm towards elephants.
The following elephant experiences have been vetted or certified by respected animal welfare or sustainable tourism certification organizations, including World Animal Protection, Asian Captive Elephant Standards (ACES), or TraveLife. The experiences vary in their levels of human and elephant interaction, while offering humane elephant tourism and high standards of care for the elephants.
Choose your elephant experience
Glassfac
CHANGCHILL in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Identified as an elephant friendly experience by World Animal Protection
Happy Elephant Valley, located in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, started its journey in 2017. Moving away from commonly seen activities that allow tourists to ride, bathe and feed the elephants, ChangChill took a step towards becoming a truly elephant-friendly venue.
The transition gives the six resident female elephants the freedom to roam the valley, graze, and bathe in the river, mud and dust, while socializing with each other. Visitors are no longer encouraged to interact with the elephants, but are now given the chance to see how the elephants choose to spend their days in the forest. Observe elephants navigate the lush forest, learn about Karen hill tribe culture with local community members, or enjoy the breathtaking view from the elephant observation deck.
visit a sanctuary on the outskirts of Kanchanaburi with exo travel
EXO Travel is certified by travelife for proven commitment towards sustainability
Spend a day in the wild Thailand’s beloved elephants. Come eye-to-eye with the gentle giants at a sanctuary on the outskirts of Kanchanaburi. Feed the elephants and walk with them through the jungle before jumping into the Kwai Yai River for a refreshing bath.
Tree tops elephant experience with exo travel
EXO Travel is certified by travelife for proven commitment towards sustainability
Spend half a day on a visit to responsible Tree Tops Elephant Reserve in Phuket for a truly ethical experience of feeding, walking and observing these gentle giants. Learn all about their daily habits then sit back and relax at the lounge for a delicious vegetarian Thai buffet.
North Thailand Highlights with nutty’s adventures - 5 days/4 nights
Nutty’s adventures is certified by travelife for proven commitment towards sustainability
Discover the magic of Northern Thailand, its temples and markets, stunning scenery and hill-tribe villages. Enjoy an adventurous tour by 3-wheel tuk tuk along mountain roads, learning about the way of life of the local people, visiting an elephant sanctuary and taking a relaxing trip down the river on a bamboo raft.
ECO-CULTURAL THAILAND with PANORAMA DESTINATION -13 Nights
From the timeless charm and crumbling relics of Ayutthaya, to the glitzy modern glamour of Bangkok, Thailand is an intoxicating blend of old and new, where ancient traditions stand alongside contemporary comforts. This eclectic and unforgettable tour takes you to some of the Kingdom’s most captivating sites, using the latest green technology and transport solutions to ensure your carbon footprint is kept as light as possible. On your eco-friendly travels you will explore Thailand’s ancient Kingdom, buzz through the modern capital, discover blissful northern Buddhist temples, meet fascinating hill tribes, visit an ethical elephant sanctuary, and relax on irresistible tropical island beaches. Along the way you will get an idea of the amazing cultural complexity that makes Thailand one of the world’s favorite travel destinations.
elephant-friendly venues
These venues offer the highest level of care for their elephants, and have been vetted by World Animal Protection* or Asian Captive Elephant Standards (ACES)**.
thank you to our elephant experiences film partners
GLP Films and Tourism Authority of Thailand worked with the following elephant camps in the production of this video. These camps were choosen to showcase the variety of elephant camps and experiences in Thailand dedicated to improving elephant welfare. Thank you to ChangChill, Into the Wild, and Patara Elephant Farm, for sharing the stories of their beloved elephants and of their Mahouts and team of caretakers, and for their ongoing dedication to the improvement of elephant care in Thailand.
