Elephant Freedom Elephant Sanctuary Chiang Mai

The Elephant Freedom Project is worth every moment spent. I was picked up from my hotel by Boo and driven to the Elephant Freedom Project. We had vegetarian lunch that was tasty and easy on the stomach. Then it was time to make the elephants' food with sticky rice, tamarind, plantains, sugar cane and husk. We got quite a workout using the big 'mortar and pestle'. We had an amazing guide in Pad, who speaks Thai (of course), English (of course), Spanish and a little bit of French. Pad explained the entire project's goals, the reason for preparing a meal for the elephants in the manner we were, the pathways, the river currents, the impact of conservation on tourism, the important if sustainable tourism practices and the changes to the tourism industry because of Covid and misuse of the gentle giants. We walked by the river with these giants and some even swam near them in the river. After the walk, it was time to take a ride in an open truck to the nearby waterfall to take pictures and buy souvenirs from the local people (who sell the souvenirs near the waterfall). You can even buy some from the Elephant Freedom Project. We returned from the waterfall to feed the elephants, with the food that we had prepared. Leaving after an amazing half day trip was difficult, but I left feeling that I had gained so much from spending time with the giants and listening to Pad as well as Boo.

First of all, the best part: it was an amazing day! Spending time with the elephants was truly wonderful. The guides were super friendly, we did the full-day experience, and in hindsight, the price was really fair — it’s totally worth it for such an incredible experience with these amazing animals. The elephants are very well treated, and no riding is allowed, which is how it should be. Anyone who goes somewhere that allows elephant riding really doesn’t care about the animals. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there, spent the whole day, and even the shuttle service was excellent. The only downside: we booked for two people at 6,000 Baht. The listing said you could pay everything by card, so we thought the first 2,400 Baht was covered. But when we arrived, we got a link the day before asking us to pay the remaining 3,600 Baht by card with a 4.9% fee. It would have been nice if this fee had been communicated more clearly upfront, as it was a bit of a surprise. Other than that, it was an incredible day and we highly recommend it. Truly a 5-star experience!

A Heartwarming Encounter at Elephant Freedom Project On my recent visit (my second time), I relived an unforgettable experience at Elephant Freedom Project. From the moment I arrived, the atmosphere was great, and the connection with the elephants was amazing. There was something truly special about being able to slow down and be present with these magnificent animals. I really love this place and had to come back for a second visit. I always appreciate how natural the encounter is, allowing the elephants to simply be themselves in their own habitat. The staff made the experience even better — warm, fluent in English, and clearly passionate about the well-being of the elephants. It felt more like visiting a family than a tourist site. I left with a full heart and deep appreciation for the work they do. I look forward to returning again next year.