Experience Ethical Elephant Encounters at Living Green Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai
If you’re traveling through Chiang Mai and want to spend a day doing something meaningful and unforgettable, a visit to the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary is a must. As a traveling couple passionate about animal welfare and authentic experiences, this half-day adventure quickly became one of the highlights of our Northern Thailand travels.
🐘 Our Day at Living Green Elephant Sanctuary – Chiang Mai’s Ethical Elephant Experience
Is It Child-Friendly?
Yes! One of the first things we noticed was how calm and family-friendly the atmosphere is. Kids can safely take part in all the activities, from feeding the elephants to walking alongside them. The sanctuary staff are warm, knowledgeable, and keep a close eye on everything to ensure a safe experience for all. If you're traveling with little ones, just keep in mind that some light walking is involved.
What You Actually Do There
This isn’t your typical touristy elephant show — it’s the real deal, and done right. The day starts with learning about elephant care and the sanctuary’s mission. From there, you’ll:
Feed the elephants their favourite snacks and watch their personalities shine.
Walk with them through beautiful natural surroundings (and yes, they lead the way!).
Join them for a splash in the river – bathing and brushing them in the water is an experience we’ll never forget.
Bamboo rafting might be included in full-day packages – a slow, scenic float that’s super relaxing.
What stood out most is that the sanctuary focuses on natural interactions. There are no rides, no tricks, and absolutely no chains. Just happy elephants living in peace.
How Much It Costs
The sanctuary offers both half-day and full-day programs:
Half-Day Program
💵 ~roughly around $47 USD or 1,700 THB per personFull-Day Program
💵 ~roughly $93 USD or 3,350 THB per person
The price includes round-trip transport from Chiang Mai, lunch, drinking water, travel insurance, and all the elephant food you'll need. So it’s not just ethical – it’s great value too.
Why We Chose This Place
We’ve always been cautious about animal tourism, especially when it comes to elephants in Southeast Asia. After doing our research, Living Green stood out for its genuine care for the animals and positive reviews from other travellers. Everything we read was true — the experience was educational, emotional, and completely unforgettable.
Would we recommend it? 100% yes.
Whether you’re a couple like us, a solo backpacker, or a family traveling with kids, the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary offers a chance to connect with these gentle giants in the most respectful way possible.
📍Planning a visit? You can learn more or book directly through their website: Living Green Elephant Sanctuary
Let us know if you go — we’d love to hear what you thought!