Joy Elephant Sanctuary
Meet elephants, feed and observe, in the mountainous jungles of Chiang Mai
We’re super excited to support Joy Elephant Sanctuary (JES). The founders have many years of experience working with elephants and with the help of local Karen (minority tribe in Northern Thailand) they opened JES in 2024. It’s located in a beautiful mountainous jungle area, where the elephants can roam around freely in the sanctuary. We visited JES and can definitely see why it’s a great park for those who support local, an ethical environment for elephants and want to experience observation learning. It’s an amazing location, with great scenery to feed and watch elephants do their thing in nature.
We made a video of our trip to Joy Elephant Sanctuary, watch it on our Instagram!
Elephant Chiang Mai
Support local: Activities benefit elephants, locals, and visitors by supporting the community & promoting sustainable farming practices. This also creates job opportunities and provides locals with knowledge for a better quality of life.
Ethical Environment: Surrounded by forests and flowing rivers, our sanctuary is an ideal habitat for elephants. We ensure the well-being of the Elephants by having year-round food supply & opportunities for visitors to help grow food for them.
Observation learning: Our goal is to create an environment where visitors can learn and understand the lives of elephants through observation. Here, elephants can be themselves, freely expressing their personalities and remarkable intelligence.
Activities with elephants
Joy Elephant Sanctuary offers a variety of trips and programs which you can make, to get the most out of your trip. All of these include a visit to the elephant sanctuary. Below you can find the different programs which you can choose from!
Experience the half day adventure with our Elephant Observation, Waterfall, and Cultural Activities program.
Absorb the rich culture and history of the northern Karen Hill Tribe known for their close connection to elephants. Participate in hands-on activities, including preparing food for the elephants and feeding them. Spend your time witnessing elephant’s daily routine, and observing their behaviors in their natural habitat.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the breathtaking waterfall during your visit, and also learn to craft a Thai cultural souvenir to remember your experience.
Full activity details, prices and reservations are available from the Joy Elephant Sanctuary website. If you make a reservation, please mention us, WhattodoinChiangMai, to support our work.
Experience the half day adventure with our Elephant Observation, Waterfall, and Cultural Activities program.
Absorb the rich culture and history of the northern Karen Hill Tribe known for their close connection to elephants. Participate in hands-on activities, including preparing food for the elephants and feeding them. Spend your time witnessing elephant’s daily routine, and observing their behaviors in their natural habitat.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the breathtaking waterfall during your visit, and also learn to craft a Thai cultural souvenir to remember your experience.
Full activity details, prices and reservations are available from the Joy Elephant Sanctuary website. If you make a reservation, please mention us, WhattodoinChiangMai, to support our work.
Connect with nature and elephants through our Full Day Elephant Observation, Waterfall & Cultural Activities program.
Change into traditional Karen clothing and absorb the rich culture and history of the northern Karen Hill Tribe known for their close connection to elephants.
Engage in hands-on activities, including feeding the elephants while respecting their space. Learn about their daily routines.
Join in fun caretaking tasks, making herbal medicine balls beneficial for elephants’ digestion, plant seedlings that will become future food for the elephants and sip herbal tea while observing elephants in their natural habitat.
Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the breathtaking waterfall during your visit, and also learn to craft a Thai cultural souvenir to remember your experience.
Full activity details, prices and reservations are available from the Joy Elephant Sanctuary website. If you make a reservation, please mention us, WhattodoinChiangMai, to support our work.
Experience our Elephant Observation, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting adventure, spend a full day relishing rural Chiang Mai close to nature.
Change into traditional Karen clothing upon arrival at the sanctuary, as you soak in their fascinating culture.
Engage in hands-on activities, feeding elephants and learning about their history. Sip herbal tea while observing elephants in their habitat, then enjoy a cooling break at the waterfall.
Craft a Thai souvenir before a tranquil bamboo rafting journey down the Wang River passing through forests and listening to river sounds. End your day with nice memories to take back home.
Full activity details, prices and reservations are available from the Joy Elephant Sanctuary website. If you make a reservation, please mention us, WhattodoinChiangMai, to support our work.
Experience a Full Day adventure with our Elephant Observation & Doi Inthanon Hiking program. Enjoy scenic rural Chiang Mai as you’re picked up and journey through picturesque landscapes.
At the sanctuary, change into traditional Karen clothing for hands-on activities, preparing food for the elephants and feeding them while learning about their history and behavior.
Take a refreshing break at the waterfall, then sip herbal tea and observe the elephants before crafting a Thai cultural souvenir.
Enjoy a local meal before heading to Doi Inthanon National Park. Experience the summit’s refreshing breeze, exploring The Twin Pagodas and Botanical Garden. Hike the Pha Dok Siew nature trail, visit a waterfall, and relax at an organic Karen Hill Tribe coffee farm before returning to the city.
Full activity details, prices and reservations are available from the Joy Elephant Sanctuary website. If you make a reservation, please mention us, WhattodoinChiangMai, to support our work.
Looking for only hiking or (1-2-3 day) jungle trekking trips? Have a look at Jungle Trekking with Dechawat or consider a trip to Doi Nangmo!
Experience a Full Day adventure with our Elephant Observation & Doi Inthanon Hiking program. Enjoy scenic rural Chiang Mai as you’re picked up and journey through picturesque landscapes.
At the sanctuary, change into traditional Karen clothing for hands-on activities, preparing food for the elephants and feeding them while learning about their history and behavior.
Take a refreshing break at the waterfall, then sip herbal tea and observe the elephants before crafting a Thai cultural souvenir.
Enjoy a local meal before heading to Doi Inthanon National Park. Experience the summit’s refreshing breeze, exploring The Twin Pagodas and Botanical Garden. Hike the Pha Dok Siew nature trail, visit a waterfall, and relax at an organic Karen Hill Tribe coffee farm before returning to the city.
Full activity details, prices and reservations are available from the Joy Elephant Sanctuary website. If you make a reservation, please mention us, WhattodoinChiangMai, to support our work.
Experience a dynamic journey with our Full Day, Elephant Observation & Authentic Thai Cooking Class program. After a hotel pick-up, visit a local market for fresh ingredients.
Under our experienced cooking teacher’s guidance, prepare authentic Thai dishes, including Spring Rolls, curries, soups, salads, and stir-fries. Indulge in a delicious meal paired with Thai Tea and Mango Sticky Rice.
At Joy Elephant Sanctuary, change into traditional Karen clothing and engage in hands-on activities, feeding and observing the elephants. Sip herbal tea next to their natural habitat and then take a refreshing break at a waterfall.
Craft your own Thai cultural souvenir before enjoying a local meal. Bid farewell to the elephants before returning to Chiang Mai.
Full activity details, prices and reservations are available from the Joy Elephant Sanctuary website. If you make a reservation, please mention us, WhattodoinChiangMai, to support our work.
Only interested in a cooking class? That’s fine! Check Team Aim Cooking Class for more information!
Bamboo Rafting Chiang Mai
Bamboo rafting is a popular activity around Chiang Mai! Why not combine bamboo rafting with visiting an elephant sanctuary? This is your chance!
With bamboo rafting you’ll go on a serene adventure through the lush forests of Chiang Mai province with a bamboo rafting experience along the Wang River. As you glide effortlessly through the gentle currents, take in the breathtaking scenery of towering trees, and the occasional villagers along the way. This eco-friendly activity allows you to connect with nature while supporting local communities who maintain the bamboo rafts and lead the journey. With a skilled guide to navigate the river and share insights about the surrounding flora and fauna, bamboo rafting in Wang offers a unique and unforgettable way to experience the beauty of northern Thailand.
Bamboo rafting is a fun and safe activity for young and old, just keep in mind you will get wet as water comes through the bamboo raft and splashes around!
Booking and information
You may visit the website of Joy Elephant Sanctuary for further details and reservations regarding these activities. We highly appreciate it if you mention us, WhattodoinChiangMai, when you make a reservation, as this will support the work we are doing!
Joy Elephant Sanctuary is located in Mae Wang District, near Doi Inthanon. It’s a beautiful mountainous area, nicely located from the city of Chiang Mai. Truly a great activity, also to escape Chiang Mai city!
