Elephant experience
Elephant Experience
8 Days
Elephant Welfare & Conservation
GIVE’s Thailand Elephant Experience takes you through Northern Thailand to trek with elephants in the jungle, empower local experts, and volunteer at an ethical elephant sanctuary! Every step of the way, you will learn from and support local experts who have committed their lives to the welfare and conservation of Asian elephants. Want to travel longer? Our Southeast Asia packages allow you to experience 2 countries and up to 4 unique programs on one unforgettable journey!
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“My experience with GIVE Volunteers was nothing short of life changing. P’Ann was an incredible guide who was so knowledgeable about everything she showed us; the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of elephant tourism and its history. I’m so grateful for my experience where I learned so much more in this hands-on, culturally immersive adventure than I ever could in a classroom. If you want to truly see the elephants of Thailand and their people, this is how you should do it.”
– Hanna, Elephant Experience Volunteer
Why support ethical elephant tourism?
Aside from spending a full week hanging with elephants in the jungle…
“Because you vote with your dollar,’ I voted to have my tourism dollars support the first Elephant Hospital in Thailand, which offers free veterinary care to elephants throughout the country, a mahout-training program that teaches positive reinforcement training techniques, and a reforestation program that regenerates the tropical forests necessary to sustain elephants in the wild.”
This Keystone Species is Disappearing
Asian elephants are currently listed as endangered and their population is decreasing. By supporting elephant sanctuaries and conservation centers, you’ll help to ensure these incredible creatures are around for future generations to see.
Understand Elephant Conservation
Every day you will be learning from local elephant trainers, mahouts and conservationists about the complex issues Asian elephants face. More importantly, you will be able to support and witness their holistic solutions in action.
Preserve Mahout Culture & Integrity
The bond between mahouts and elephants is centuries old and, unfortunately, is being lost with each passing generation. Empower mahouts to maintain their culture, livelihood and integrity, and directly support elephant welfare.
Elephant Experience Itinerary
here’s A GLIMPSE of ALL That awaits you
Day 1
Arrival & Introductions in Chiang Mai
After a warm welcome and orientation from your GIVE guides, the evening is free to explore the city, try out some amazing Thai cuisine and get to know your fellow travelers!
Day 2
Hiking, Swimming & Feeding at an Ethical Elephant Camp
Head into the Doi Inthanon mountains to our first stop – an ethical elephant tourism camp (~2 hour drive by minivan)! We’ll follow our local mahouts (elephant caretakers) into the forest for a meet and greet and feeding session with the elephants. Note: This is the most hands-on of any of the places we’ll visit, so get those elephant hugs in while you can!
After lunch, we will spend more time with the elephants – swimming with them in the river and learning about elephant behavior and anatomy from their mahouts. After that, we’ll create native tree seed pods and slingshot them into the elephants grazing area as a fun way to regenerate their native habitat! That evening we’ll head to a Karen hill-tribe village to learn about the tribe’s culture, history and language, and enjoy an authentic Karen dinner in the village.
Day 3
Doi Inthanon National Park to Huay Pakoot Village
After spending more time with the elephants in the morning, we’ll say our goodbyes and then drive north through the rolling green landscape of Doi Inthanon National Park towards the Karen hill-tribe village of Huay Pakoot (~3.5 hours by minivan). Learn more about the community’s storied history of keeping elephants and how they’ve adopted a unique and innovative form of community-based ethical elephant tourism. That afternoon, we’ll tour the village, and then take part in a sports day with local kids! For dinner, we’ll enjoy a Thai barbecue dinner with our homestay hosts and local mahouts.
Day 4
A Day in the Life of an Elephant Caretaker
Trek into the northern Thai jungle with your mahouts in search of familial elephants of semi-wild elephants. Spend the entire morning and afternoon observing the herd in their natural habitat, while learning about the unique spiritual bond these elephants share with their mahouts. Our mahouts will also teach us how to make our own bamboo cups in the jungle! Note: There will be some brief moments of hands-on interaction, but these elephants are semi-wild, so prepare to observe them from a safe distance most of the time.
Day 5
Bull Elephants, Buddhist Temple and Night Market
After breakfast we’ll do a short hike and spend time with different bull (adult male) elephants before heading to the town of Mae Chaem for the night (~1.5 hours by minivan). Before dinner, we will visit a temple to receive blessings from a Buddhist monk and then explore the local night market!
Day 6
Elephant Sanctuary & Thai Cooking Class
Spend the day at an Elephant Sanctuary that provides a home for old, sick, injured and retired elephants needing rest and/or permanent care. This is a special place where elephants are free to just be elephants. We will learn about the sanctuary’s mission from its founders, observe elephants in their natural habitat, and volunteer to prepare food for the elephants or maintain facilities around the sanctuary. Note: this is a no-contact sanctuary, so prepare to observe these gentle giants from a safe distance.
That night, we’ll take part in a Thai cooking class and then enjoy our home-cooked meal while a local student group performs traditional dances from Northern Thailand! This will be a night of discussion, reflection, and celebration with your GIVE family.
Days 7-8
Thailand's Tallest Mountain, Massage & Departure
On day 7, we’ll drive to the top of the tallest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon (~1 hour by minivan), to explore the summit and check-out some mountain top temples before heading back to Chiang Mai (~2 hours by minivan). That afternoon, all your hard work will be rewarded with a Thai massage at a local spa styled in the traditional Lanna Thai style. After our final dinner together, you’ll have some free time to explore local shops and markets in Chiang Mai.
On day 8, soak up your last few hours in Thailand before heading home, or continue onto your next Southeast Asia adventure with GIVE!
Want to continue your journey in SE Asia?
Learn how you can extend your trip for up to 5 weeks and save up to $1500 by combining trips here.
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
Extend Your Trip
Southeast Asia Packages
Thailand
Volunteer in Thailand with GIVE and immerse yourself in Thai culture and remote hill-tribe villages as you work alongside host community members on our organic farming, reforestation and English education projects. Learn more about GIVE's Thailand Volunteer Trip!!
Elephants
GIVE’s Thailand Elephant Experience takes you trekking deep into the jungles of Northern Thailand for a unique, eye-opening experience with these gentle giants while learning about elephant conservation. Learn more about GIVE's Elephant Experience Add-On!
Scuba
GIVE’s Thailand Scuba Conservation trip takes you to breathtaking Southern Thailand to get PADI Open Water Scuba Certified and dive amongst incredible marine life while engaging in marine conservation projects. Learn more about Thailand Scuba Marine Conservation with GIVE!
Laos
GIVE’s Laos volunteer trip takes you into the heart of Laos for an authentic cultural experience filled with adventure. Volunteer alongside host community members on wildlife conservation, permaculture, English education projects, and more. Learn more about GIVE's Laos Volunteer Trip!