Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary in the Mae Taeng valley north of Chiang Mai. Its visits focus on watching elephants in their herds and learning about their individual histories, with the day’s pace shaped by the animals rather than a performance schedule.
The park was founded by Saengduean Chailert, widely known as Lek. A visit offers a way to understand the care of rescued elephants while spending time in a rural sanctuary setting. Book a named programme in advance, as the half-day, SkyWalk and overnight options provide different experiences and time commitments.
Watching the Elephants and Learning Their Stories
Guides explain the elephants’ backgrounds and the way their needs affect daily care. Some have come from demanding working or tourism environments, so learning why an individual needs a particular diet, support or social group gives context to what you see.
Expect to observe elephants walking, eating and interacting with one another. Water, mud and resting areas are part of their surroundings, but an elephant bathing or joining a particular group is not a staged appointment for visitors. Patience is more useful than expecting every animal to approach you.
No Riding or Visitor Bathing
The park does not offer elephant riding, and visitors are not permitted to bathe with the elephants. Observation is the central experience, with staff directing where groups stand and walk.
Follow your guide’s instructions around every elephant and never move closer for a photograph without permission. Do not bring food to offer independently or assume an animal’s apparent calmness means it is safe to touch. Children need close supervision throughout the visit.
Choosing a Programme
Half-Day Morning or Afternoon
The half-day programmes suit visitors wanting time at the main sanctuary without an overnight stay. The morning visit includes a guided walk and vegan buffet lunch, while the afternoon offers a later start and time observing the herd towards the end of the day.
Both currently cost 2,500 THB per adult. Remember that ‘half day’ also includes travel from Chiang Mai, so it occupies a substantial part of your schedule. Read the specific itinerary rather than assuming the morning and afternoon routes are identical.
SkyWalk Full-Day Visit
SkyWalk combines an elevated boardwalk view of a separate herd area with a visit to Elephant Nature Park Sanctuary. It gives a different perspective from simply walking at ground level, while guides explain the elephants’ social groups and stories.
The adult price is 3,500 THB. This is an observation programme, and any food-preparation activity follows the current itinerary and staff instructions. It is a longer outing than the half-day visits, making it suitable when you want to dedicate most of the day to the sanctuary.
Two Days and One Night
The overnight programme costs 5,800 THB per adult and includes accommodation and meals as specified in the booking. Staying gives more time with the setting and herd, including a further opportunity to observe the elephants the next morning.
Accommodation is rustic, with fan-cooled rooms rather than resort-style facilities. Check room arrangements before reserving, especially if travelling alone, because single guests may be asked to share. Pack an overnight bag and read the luggage allowance for this programme.
Volunteering and Other Projects
Longer volunteering arrangements are separate bookings with their own duties, eligibility and accommodation details. They should not be confused with the two-day sightseeing stay.
The booking website also lists other elephant projects in different locations. If your priority is the main Elephant Nature Park sanctuary, check the programme name and location carefully; similarly priced trips do not necessarily visit the same place or offer the same activities.
Prices, Inclusions and Booking
For the main half-day, SkyWalk and overnight programmes, children aged 3 to 11 pay half the adult rate and infants aged 0 to 2 pay one quarter. That means infants are not automatically free. Age policies for other projects can differ.
The listed sanctuary programmes include transport from the designated Chiang Mai pickup arrangements, admission, a guide and meals described in the itinerary. Day programmes commonly include a vegan buffet. Tell the operator about allergies or other dietary needs before booking rather than assuming every requirement can be handled on arrival.
Reserve early for your chosen date and pay the required deposit. Online bookings normally close 24 hours before departure; contact the office directly for any last-minute availability. Read cancellation, date-change and balance-payment conditions before paying, as these are part of the booking rather than an ordinary gate ticket.
Families, Accessibility and What to Bring
The half-day programmes welcome wheelchair users, but the operator asks visitors to discuss access needs by email before booking. Wheelchairs are not supplied. Describe your needs so staff can confirm a suitable route and transport arrangements instead of assuming every part of the sanctuary or SkyWalk is accessible.
Strollers and pushchairs are not permitted on these programmes. Families with infants should plan accordingly and ask about practical arrangements before reserving. Keep children with the guide and allow for the road journey as well as outdoor time.
Wear comfortable clothes and bring walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a refillable water bottle. A rain jacket is useful in the wet season. Carry what you need in a small day bag, checking the separate allowance if staying overnight.
Expect an outdoor visit with possible heat, rain and uneven or muddy ground. Let the operator know about mobility concerns before arrival, and keep photographs secondary to the guide’s instructions and the elephants’ space.
Transfers from Chiang Mai
The sanctuary is in Mae Taeng, roughly 60 kilometres north of Chiang Mai, and is separate from the city booking office. The office is at 1 Ratmakka Road in Phra Sing, with office hours of 7am to 5pm daily.
Hotel pickup is available within the operator’s designated city area. If you are staying outside it, arrange an agreed meeting point or join at the office. Do not assume airport, railway-station or remote hotel pickup is included.
Morning half-day and SkyWalk hotel pickups generally begin around 7:30am to 8am, while afternoon pickups are around noon. The required office meeting time varies by programme. Use your confirmation for the exact arrangement, and leave the rest of the day flexible enough for traffic or changes to the sanctuary visit.
Elephant Nature Park FAQs
Can I ride or bathe with the elephants?
Riding is not offered, and visitors are not allowed to bathe with elephants. The experience centres on observation and learning under the guide’s direction.
Do I need to book in advance?
Reserve a named programme before travelling. Online bookings normally close 24 hours before departure, with late availability handled by the office rather than guaranteed walk-in admission.
What is the difference between half-day and SkyWalk visits?
Half-day visits focus on the main sanctuary. SkyWalk adds an elevated boardwalk view in a separate herd area alongside the sanctuary visit and takes a full day.
Are hotel transfers included?
Transfers use a defined Chiang Mai pickup area. Confirm that your accommodation qualifies, or arrange to meet at the city office or another agreed location.
Are babies free?
For the main programmes described here, infants aged 0 to 2 pay 25% of the adult rate. Children aged 3 to 11 pay 50%, while other projects can have different age rules.
Can wheelchair users visit?
The half-day programmes offer arrangements for wheelchair users, with advance contact required to confirm individual needs. Bring your own wheelchair because the operator does not supply one.
Can I bring a stroller?
Strollers and pushchairs are not permitted on these programmes. Contact the operator about your family’s needs before booking so you can plan for carrying an infant and the outdoor conditions.
Where is the city office?
The booking office is at 1 Ratmakka Road in Phra Sing, Chiang Mai. It is a meeting and booking point, not the Mae Taeng sanctuary itself.
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