Hey Leosquad! If you’re looking for a meaningful way to experience Thailand’s wildlife, visiting an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai 🐘💚 is one of the most responsible choices you can make. Instead of elephant rides or performances, these sanctuaries focus on compassion, rehabilitation 🌿, and creating a safe environment where elephants can live freely. For travelers who want an authentic and ethical encounter, an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai offers a chance to see these incredible animals up close—without harming them.

🌿 What We Did at This Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

Living Green provides a structured full-day program, so I simply followed their itinerary. It’s a long day — about 11–12 hours — so make sure you’re well-rested.
(For context: I actually caught a fever halfway through the Pha Dok Siew trail… so pace yourself!)

🕒 Full-Day Itinerary

07:00 – 07:45 Pickup from your hotel or accommodation.

07:45 – 09:15 Drive around 1.5 hours to the elephant sanctuary.

09:15 – 10:00 Arrive at Living Green. Briefing + change into traditional northern clothing.

10:00 – 11:15 Meet the elephants, feed them, and learn how the caretakers interact with them.

11:15 – 12:00 Walk to the river with the elephants and bathe them — only if they want to. Some choose not to, and that’s respected here.

12:00 – 12:45 Enjoy Pad Thai and say goodbye to the elephants.

12:45 – 13:15 Drive 30 minutes to Doi Inthanon National Park.

13:15 – 14:00 Feel the cool mountain air at Thailand’s highest peak.

14:00 – 15:00 Visit the famous Twin Pagodas.

15:00 – 17:30 Start the Pha Dok Siew nature trail hike — this is where your stamina matters.

17:30 – 19:00 Leave Doi Inthanon and drive back to Chiang Mai.

Watch my vlog for more stories!

✨ How My Perspective Changed After Visiting here

Elephants Roaming around

Elephants taking their bath

At Living Green, elephants roam freely. There are no rides, no performances, no chains. Instead, you get to watch them just being elephants—eating, walking, splashing in the river, and interacting with their caretakers. When I asked one of the mahouts who works with the elephants every day, he explained how they develop trust through respect, not control. It opened my eyes to how these gentle giants should truly be treated.🐘

🍃 Why Elephants Thrive in an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai?

Many travelers come to Thailand imagining the magic of riding an elephant—I did too. But once I learned what elephants endure just to carry humans, everything shifted for me.

That’s how I found Living Green, a sanctuary that focuses on real care. They let the elephants choose what they want to do. After feeding them, the next activity is usually bathing—but some elephants simply walk away because they don’t feel like getting in the water, and no one forces them. That alone told me everything I needed to know 🤔.

Before coming to Chiang Mai, I even read about a Spanish tourist who was trampled to death by an elephant. It made me realize that safety in sanctuaries isn’t just about tourists—it’s about giving elephants lives where they don’t feel threatened or stressed 😩.

At Living Green, the elephants roam freely. No rides, no shows, no chains. Just elephants being elephants—eating, wandering through the forest, splashing if they feel like it, and staying close to their caretakers. When I spoke to one of the mahouts, he explained that their bond is built on trust, not control. Hearing that changed the way I saw these gentle giants completely. 🐘

💞 The Emotional Connection You’ll Feel at an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

My first time talking to an elephant was unforgettable. Standing so close, hearing her breathe, watching her think, and seeing how she responded to her mahout made the entire experience feel deeply human👤🤝🐘.

A mahout is an elephant rider, trainer, or keeper.

🕒 When to Visit this place?

If you’re wondering when to go, Chiang Mai’s ethical sanctuaries welcome visitors year-round, and mornings are usually the best time for cooler weather and more active elephants.

📍 Location: (Living Green Elephant Sanctuary) Mae Win, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai 50360, Thailand
💰 Entrance Fee: 2,200 THB (68.90 USD)
💡 Tip: Book in advance to secure your spot

💚 Why Your Choice Matters: Support an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

So why choose an ethical sanctuary? Because every traveler has the power to encourage better treatment for wildlife. When you choose a place like Living Green, you support a home where elephants are valued, cared for, and allowed to live naturally. And how you travel matters—your choices shape the future of Thailand’s elephants.

When you’re in Chiang Mai, skip the rides. Visit a sanctuary that truly loves these animals back.
Follow Leotrails for more real travel experiences that make a difference.

Planning your trip to Chiang Mai? Don’t forget to check out my Top 9 Things to Do in Chiang Mai here.👉✨🐘

Follow Leotrails for more exciting adventures and insider tips from Thailand

That’s it for this blog post! If you found this helpful, give it a thumbs up! See you in the next post! Love you all! Thank you!
Travel Deeper, Eat Bolder, Live the Moments, and Follow the Trails.✈️🍜🔥🌏
Bye Bye!

Source: Trip.com

Where I Stayed: Nampiangdin Boutique Hotel

Staying at Nampiangdin Boutique Hotel feels calm and homey, with cozy rooms, a quiet garden, and a small azul-blue pool that’s perfect for slowing down after a day out or even getting some work done. It’s peaceful, welcoming, and a nice little escape just outside the busy part of the city.

Want to learn more about Nampiangdin Boutique Hotel? Check out this blog post here!

Source: Trip.com

Other Recommended Stays: Akira Thaphae Hotel

The rooms in Akira Thaphae Hotel are stylish and comfy, the pool is a nice place to chill, and the staff are friendly and helpful. It’s close to Thaphae Gate and all the fun cafes and markets, so it’s easy to wander out for food or exploring