Elephant Sanctuary FAQ

No. Elephant riding is not offered on any of our programs in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok or Pattaya, and there are no elephant shows either. That’s been our rule since 2007. Instead, you feed the elephants, walk beside them and get to watch them simply being elephants.

On our programs at all four locations, ethical comes down to something simple: you feed the elephants, walk with them and watch them, and that’s it. Water activity happens only when the elephants lead it and conditions are suitable. And there’s been no riding and no shows since 2007.

It depends on where you go. In Phuket there’s no tourist bathing with the elephants on any program; the elephants have their water time on their own. In Chiang Mai, river activity happens only when the elephants choose it and the river is suitable.

More: Location FAQs

Every day, mahouts care for the elephants at the sanctuaries we visit in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya. Nobody knows these elephants better, so on every program you spend your time with the elephants right alongside them.

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy, with closed shoes or strapped sandals, on every program in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya. Elephants are happily messy company. Pack swimwear only if your program includes water, plus a change of clothes for the trip back.

Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat and a camera to any of our elephant programs in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok or Pattaya. Add a towel if your program includes water. Don’t worry about drinking water: it’s included on every program, so there’s no need to carry your own.

Yes, and we love having them. Children are welcome on every program in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya. Kids under 4 join free in Chiang Mai, and under 3 join free in Phuket. Child prices apply up to ages 8–11, depending on the location; each location FAQ lists the exact age bands.

More: Location FAQs

Please message our team on WhatsApp at +66 98 145 5500 before booking a program with an infant or baby in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok or Pattaya, and we’ll talk it through with you. Children under 4 are free in Chiang Mai, and under 3 in Phuket.

Pick a location and program, then send the booking form or message our team on WhatsApp at +66 98 145 5500. Booking works the same way in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya. We’ll check your date and confirm availability before you pay anything.

Once our team confirms your date for a program in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok or Pattaya, you pay online through Stripe. You can use a debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PromptPay (Thai QR). There’s no card fee, and all prices are in Thai baht (฿).

Your full total, including any booking and confirmation fee, is shown before you pay. A pickup surcharge applies only if your hotel is outside the free pickup zones, and our team will tell you the amount before you pay. It’s the same for programs in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya. There’s no card fee, drinking water is included, and prices are in Thai baht.

You get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your pickup time, on any program in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok or Pattaya. Cancellations within 24 hours of pickup are not refunded. Life happens, so medical exceptions are possible when you send our team supporting medical documents.

More: Refund & Cancellation Policy

Yes. You can change your date up to 24 hours before your program in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok or Pattaya, as long as the new date isn’t sold out. Hotel or pickup changes also need at least 24 hours’ notice. Just message our team on WhatsApp at +66 98 145 5500 and we’ll sort it out.

A little rain doesn’t stop us. Programs in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya still run in light rain, and many guests find a rainy visit even more fun. Often it’s raining in the city and dry at the sanctuary. If it really pours, our team will move you to another date or refund you, no problem.