Skip to main content
Toto's Elephant Sanctuary - Office
Activities & Tours
Chiang Mai

Toto's Elephant Sanctuary - Office

4.9(226 reviews)

Located in central Chiang Mai, Toto's Elephant Sanctuary offers visitors the chance to spend meaningful time with rescued elephants in a setting that prioritises animal welfare over performance. The experience centres on small-group interaction — feeding elephants bananas, walking alongside them through jungle terrain, and observing their natural behaviours — with no riding or forced activity involved. The sanctuary currently cares for two adult elephants and one baby elephant, creating an intimate atmosphere that larger operations rarely match. Visitors consistently highlight the naturalistic approach, where elephants are largely free to roam and forage rather than being kept on a fixed programme. Knowledgeable guides lead the day, sharing insight into elephant behaviour, health, and rehabilitation while keeping the tone relaxed and engaging. Families with children have found the experience well-suited to younger travellers, and the full-day format includes hotel pickup and a drive north into the surrounding hills. The office is based at 57 Kotchasarn Road in central Chiang Mai and operates daily from 8 AM to 6 PM, making it easy to fit into most itineraries. As pickup is typically arranged from your accommodation in the morning, booking in advance through the sanctuary's website at totoelephantsanctuary.com is strongly recommended to confirm your slot, review current programme details, and arrange logistics. Wear comfortable clothing you don't mind getting muddy, and bring water-resistant footwear for outdoor terrain.

Experience hints

Hidden gem
Visitor favorite

Pair your visit. After Toto's Elephant Sanctuary - Office, round out your day in Chiang Mai with contrasting stops nearby.

Visitor Reviews

This was the highlight of our 5 days in Chiang Mai. A great day for our family of 4 (children 8 and 11). Pick up from our hotel at 8.15 then approx 1 hour drive north into the hills. We had a toilet / coffee stop on the way. There are several elephant sanctuaries in this area. These elephant tours / day trips have changed a lot since my last visit to Chiang Mai around 15 years ago. There is no more riding on elephants which is a good thing. At this sanctuary the elephants can roam freely over a large area of jungle. Large variety of landscape, rivers, mud pools, thick forest, bamboo, steep slopes. When you arrive at the camp you get a set of loose fitting blue clothing, this is to protect your own clothes and also the elephants recognise these. We met the elephants - there are 7 here, all females, and fed them bananas so they were familiar with us. We then did a 90 minute walk with them. You can see them in their natural habitat eating different plants and pulling up bamboo. This was a fantastic experience for all of us. You need reasonable mobility to do the walk, it is slow paced but over rocky and uneven ground. 2 other people on the tour with us. The guide was great, good English and excellent knowledge of the elephants. At the end we helped bathe the elephants in mud then washed off int the river. You can get in with them. A nice lunch was provided and water. Then drive back to our hotel. We would highly recommend this tour 😀.

Unforgettable! A must do. By far one of the highlights of our trip to Chiang Mai. We have visited an elephant sanctuary on a previous trip but Toto's is by far the best. The experience is much more natural as the elephants roam and eat in their natural habitat while we merely observe. They are clearly very happy and loved. We were also able to give the elephants a mud bath and wash. There is a cute baby elephant who is very mischievous! Watch out for the cute michevious boy as well! Highly recommended. Take a change of clothes, swimwear, mosquito repellent, hat and sunblock

A must do experience if you are visiting Chiang Mai, we loved every minute spent with the elephants. Feeding them and walking along them through the jungle was an unreal experience. You can tell the animals are genuinely happy and well cared for. The hiking and the rafting was a pleasant surprise, the jungle lands are really beautiful and the finishing waterfall was astounding. Rafting the end of the trip was really fun and exciting.

Location Info

57 Kotchasarn Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand+66 62 456 6839www.totoelephantsanctuary.com/
Opening Hours
Monday08:00-18:00
Tuesday08:00-18:00
Wednesday08:00-18:00
Thursday08:00-18:00
Friday08:00-18:00
Saturday08:00-18:00
Sunday08:00-18:00

Tips for Visiting Activities & Tours

Vet Elephant Sanctuaries

Only visit sanctuaries that prohibit riding, use no chains or bullhooks, and let elephants roam freely. Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai set the standard. If a place offers painting shows or circus tricks, walk away.

Book Through Klook or GetYourGuide

These platforms offer instant confirmation, free cancellation on most activities, and prices that are often lower than walk-up rates. Compare with local agencies for multi-day trips where negotiation might save more.

Do Outdoor Activities in the Morning

Heat and humidity peak from noon to 3 PM. Schedule jungle treks, cycling tours, and outdoor cooking classes for early morning. Water activities are more flexible since you're in and out of the sea.

Also Popular in Chiang Mai

Doi Suthep Temple
Featured

Doi Suthep Temple

4.6(58,000)
Doi Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200

Hilltop temple overlooking Chiang Mai with stunning golden chedi

Tha Phae Gate

Tha Phae Gate

4.4(28,355)
Tha Phae Road, Tambon Chang Khlan, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Chiang Mai's iconic eastern gate to the Old City, a historic Lanna-era landmark free to visit any time.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

4.3(26,375)
Changklan Rd, Tambon Chang Moi, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

Bustling night market featuring street food vendors & local crafts, plus souvenirs.

Wat Phra That Doi Kham

Wat Phra That Doi Kham

4.7(22,083)
Moo 3, Mae Hia, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

A hilltop golden Buddha temple near Chiang Mai offering panoramic city views, free entry, and genuine tranquillity.

Similar Activities & Tours Across Thailand

JK Thai Inter Language School (ED visa)
Featured

JK Thai Inter Language School (ED visa)

5.0(167)
456 54 หมู่ 12 Soi Pratumnak soi 6, Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand

Pattaya language school offering Thai courses and ED visa support, open daily 9am–8pm in Pratumnak.

Safari World

Safari World

4.4(47,746)
99 Panya Indra Rd, Khwaeng Sam Wa Tawan Tok, Khet Khlong Sam Wa, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10510, Thailand

Zoo & entertainment park featuring safari rides, marine attractions, live feedings & stunt shows.

Lumphini Park

Lumphini Park

4.5(39,388)
Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Central urban park featuring manicured lawns, playgrounds & an artificial lake with boat rentals.

SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World

SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World

4.5(28,532)
ชั้น บี1-บี2 สยามพารากอน 991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand

Spacious aquarium offers hundreds of marine species on display, 4-D films & underwater experiences.

Visitor Information

Best time to visit

November – February

Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)

Rainy season

June – October

Avg. temperature

15°C – 36°C(59°F – 97°F)

Crowds

High

Peak: December – January & Songkran (April)

Getting there

Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) has direct flights from Bangkok (1 hr), Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Overnight sleeper trains from Bangkok take ~12 hrs.

Getting around

  • Red songthaews (shared pick-up trucks)
  • Grab (available in city centre)
  • Motorbike rental (฿150–250/day)
  • Tuk-tuks (negotiate price first)