Thailand
Ethical Elephant Experience
Venture into Northern Thailand’s elephant country—where ethical encounters, empowered communities, and native jungles are reshaping elephant tourism.
Thailand
Ethical Elephant Experience
Empower local experts redefining elephant tourism
Walk alongside semi-wild elephants with local mahouts, support sanctuaries caring for rescued herds, and learn how communities are reimagining ethical tourism. Between encounters, hike waterfalls, spot wild gibbons, cook Khao Soi, summit Thailand’s tallest peak, and unwind with a Thai massage.
Combine & Save up to $1,200:
Thailand Hill Tribes I Thailand Elephants I Thailand Scuba I Laos
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Elephant Experience Itinerary
Trip Length: 8 Days – Chiang Mai • Doi Inthanon • Huay Pakoot • Mae Chaem
Days 1-2
Hike & Swim with Elephants
Touch down in Chiang Mai and meet your GIVE guides and fellow travelers. Kick things off with orientation, get hyped for what’s ahead, and enjoy your first Thai meal together. The next morning, journey into the Doi Inthanon mountains to visit an ethical elephant camp and meet the local mahouts who care for them. Feed, bathe, and walk alongside elephants in the forest, then head to a nearby Karen hill-tribe village for slingshot practice, cultural exchange, and a traditional dinner with your hosts.
Day 3
Journey to Huay Pakoot
Spend the morning with the elephants before heading to Huay Pakoot, a remote village at the heart of ethical elephant tourism. Explore the community, play sports with local youth, and enjoy a Thai BBQ feast with your homestay hosts and mahouts.
Day 4
Track Elephants in the Wild
Trek deep into the northern Thai jungle with local mahouts to find a roaming herd of semi-wild elephants. Spend the day observing their natural behavior and learning about the deep spiritual bond between elephants and their caretakers. Along the way, craft your own bamboo cup and soak in the sights and sounds of the jungle. While you may have a few close-up moments, most of your time will be spent watching these majestic creatures from a respectful distance.
Day 5
Get Up Close to Bull Elephants
Take a short hike to spot bull elephants in the jungle, then head to the mountain town of Mae Chaem. Receive a blessing from a Buddhist monk at a local temple and explore a colorful market filled with fresh produce, handmade goods, and everyday life. Wind down in this peaceful village as you get ready for tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 6
Support Elephant Sanctuaries
Spend the day at BEES—an ethical, no-contact sanctuary for aging and injured elephants. Learn about their mission, help with food prep or upkeep, and observe the elephants roaming freely in a peaceful forest setting. That evening, cook your own Thai dinner and celebrate with traditional Northern Thai music and dance during a night of reflection and community.
Days 7-8
Temples, Massages & Farewell
Start your day atop Thailand’s highest peak, exploring sacred mountain temples at the summit of Doi Inthanon. Back in Chiang Mai, unwind with a traditional Lanna-style spa treatment before a final dinner, night market strolls, and heartfelt goodbyes. Soak up your last moments with your GIVE crew—or gear up for your next adventure in Southeast Asia.
What's Included
When you travel with GIVE, you won’t be surprised by hidden fees upon arrival. Dive into all that’s included in our all-in-one trip prices.
- All accommodations
- Transportation (not including flights)
- 3 meals per day & clean drinking water
- 24/7 guide support
- All adventures and cultural experiences
- Funding for volunteer projects & sustainability initiatives
- Pre-trip & in-transit support from GIVE’s Travel Specialists
- Access to your personalized GIVE Profile
- Access to GIVE’s preferred insurance & flight partners
- Trip preparation tools, guides and checklists
- Access to GIVE’s Ambassador Community post-trip
Simply put: we care. GIVE goes above and beyond for our travelers before, during and after your trip. See all that’s included in your GIVE trip here!
What's Not Included
Pretty much everything except your flights, insurance and travel documents, but GIVE will help you organize it all! Dive into what’s included here.
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), & vaccinations (if required)
- Personal souvenirs, snacks and refreshments (drinking water is included 24/7)
- See all that’s included in your GIVE trip here!
* GIVE reserves the right to change program dates
* Winter trips are slightly shorter due to school/holiday breaks
Trip dates & Combinations
Mix & match trips, travel for 1-7 weeks, and save big when you combine 2 or more.
Stack your trips and save up to $1,200. Prices drop when you stay longer–lock in your seat before spots fill up.
🏝️ All-inclusive trips 🌱 Real Impact ⛰️ Real Adventure
Thailand Hill Tribes Immersion I 14-days
$2,795
Laos Culture & Community I 14-days
$2,595
Thailand Scuba Conservation I 11-days
$3,195
Thailand Elephant Experience I 8-days
$2,295
Thailand Hill Tribes + Laos I 28-days
$5,390 $4,790 Combine & save $600
Thailand Scuba + Laos I 25-days
$5,790 $5,290 Combine & save $500
Thailand Hill Tribes + Elephants I 21-days
$5,090 $4,690 Combine & save $400
Thailand Scuba + Elephants I 18-days
$5,490 $5,190 Combine & save $300
Thailand Elephants + Scuba + Laos I 33-days
$8,085 $7,385 Combine & save $700
Thailand Hill Tribes + Elephants + Scuba I 32-days
$8,285 $7,585 Combine & save $700
Thailand Hill Tribes + Elephants + Scuba + Laos I 46-days
$10,880 $9,680 Combine & save $1,200
Laos Culture & Community I 14-days
$2,595
Thailand Scuba Conservation I 11-days
$3,195
Thailand Scuba + Laos I 25-days
$5,790 $5,290 Combine & save $500
Thailand Scuba + Elephants I 18-days
$5,490 $5,190 Combine & save $300
Thailand Hill Tribes + Elephants + Scuba I 32-days
$8,285 $7,585 Combine & save $700
No Hidden Fees
Your GIVE trip includes everything you need—from meals, guides, and accommodations to local transport, epic adventures, cultural experiences, and funding for the volunteer projects you’ll help bring to life. Just show up ready to make an impact—we’ll handle the rest.
How to Book a Trip
Lock in your spot with a $595 USD trip deposit in your GIVE Profile. For add-ons or multi-trip packages, it's just $295 more per trip. Your deposit counts toward your total cost, never expires, and can be transferred if plans change.
Pay the rest on your own schedule—just be paid in full 80 days before your trip. Need more time? We’ve got you. [Terms & conditions apply.]
Worry-Free Booking
Plans change—we get it. Your deposit is fully transferable, never expires, and lets you switch trips or dates for free. Total flexibility, zero stress. [Learn more about our worry-free booking policy.]
We Got Your Back
We’ve got your back—every step of the way. Before your trip, we’ll help you book flights, secure travel insurance, and handle passport or visa needs without the headache. On the road, our team’s on call 24/7 to help with anything that comes up.[Learn more about our 360° travel support.]
Small Groups, Big Vibes
Travel with a tight-knit crew, guided by a team of local and international GIVE guides. With an average group size of 16-20 people, a 5:1 traveler-to-guide ratio, and 24/7 support, you’ll never feel lost in the crowd.
Thailand Hill Tribes + Elephants + Scuba + Laos I 46-days
$10,880 $9,680 Combine & save $1,200
Don’t see your preferred trip combination or dates? Contact us.
Unfiltered Traveler Reviews
Hear what it’s really like to travel with GIVE
Voices from the ground
Hear from the locals and leaders who bring GIVE to life:
The Heart of Your GIVE Experience
Ethical encounters
Beyond elephants
cultural connections
