Elephant Peace Project
Situated in the Mae Yao district outside Chiang Rai, this sanctuary offers visitors a genuinely ethical alternative to conventional elephant tourism. The project is run by a Karen family — a community with generations of deep-rooted mahout tradition — and centres on the welfare and natural behaviour of rescued elephants rather than performance or rides. This cultural dimension adds meaningful context to the visit, with guides sharing knowledge about both elephant care and the Karen people's historic relationship with these animals.
Visitors can expect an unhurried, naturalistic experience that typically includes feeding and bathing the elephants, walking alongside them through spacious grounds, and learning about individual animals from knowledgeable hosts. The atmosphere is calm and personal rather than crowd-driven, and groups are kept small enough that the experience feels intimate. Standout hosts like Tanya have been highlighted by visitors for their fluency, warmth, and depth of knowledge, making the educational side of the day as engaging as the animal interactions themselves.
Book tours & tickets in Chiang Rai
Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Elephant Peace Project — book ahead and skip the on-the-ground markup.
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Elephant Peace Project, round out your day in Chiang Rai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
This was one of those days that will be carved into my brain for the rest of my life. A true bucket list activity. I was looking to have a really good elephant experience but i wanted to do it with a group that was ethically sound. These guys really ticked that box. The elephants were freebto roam but allowed us to interact with them through out the session. We fed them, bathed them, walked with them, learned all about how elephants have been living with people in the area for 1000's of years and then had a wonderful dinner that overlooked the elephants as they fed in the pasture. This day exceeded my expectations and is an experience i will never forget.
So much fun!!! Feeding and bathing the elephants, enjoying the nature. The place is owned by karen family. To nowadays karen people are the most known mahouts - elephant caregivers and drivers. There’s a big difference between riding and driving elephants. There’s no riding here! Animals are free and walk literally right by and around you when the host is talking and answering questions. Elephant Peace Project is also an educational center and it has big plans on increasing awareness about karen culture and saving elephants of Thailand.
Came by and Elephants weren't there, cause I didn't book it online, which is pretty good and shows the elephants get their space. They told me to come back and I just joined another group. Very lovely people and respectful treatment with the elephants, way better than a lot out there. Main focus is the bond between elephant and human and not the money. Such a good experience
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 300 reviews on Google.
Also Popular in Chiang Rai

Rong Suea Ten Temple
Free to enter, electric blue from floor to ceiling, and quieter first thing in the morning.

Wat Rong Khun
All white plaster and mirror glass, dazzling in the sun, and packed with people from the moment it opens.

Wat Huay Pla Kang
A 79-metre Guan Yin you can climb inside, plus a nine-storey pagoda and hilltop views, all free to enter.

Choui Fong Tea Plantation
A working tea estate where the terraced views, the cafe and the winding road up all pull their weight.
Elephant Peace Project: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elephant Peace Project worth visiting?
Elephant Peace Project holds a 4.8★ rating from 300 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated activities & tours in Chiang Rai.
What are the opening hours of Elephant Peace Project?
Elephant Peace Project is typically open 09:00-17:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Elephant Peace Project?
The best months to visit Chiang Rai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – February — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (smoke & heat).
Where is Elephant Peace Project located?
Elephant Peace Project is at 69 หมู่ 10, Tambon Mae Yao, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand, in Chiang Rai. Getting around Chiang Rai: Grab (available in city centre); Songthaews.
Location Info
69 หมู่ 10, Tambon Mae Yao, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand+66 80 845 6889elephantpeaceproject.org/Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – September
Avg. temperature
14°C – 35°C(57°F – 95°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Mae Fah Luang Airport (CEI) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). The bus from Chiang Mai takes ~3 hrs. There's also a scenic Golden Triangle road trip from Chiang Mai.
Getting around
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Songthaews
- •Motorbike rental (฿200/day)
- •Car hire (for Golden Triangle & hill tribes)
Where to stay near Elephant Peace Project
Find hotels in Chiang Rai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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 Popular Activities Online
Booking platforms like GetYourGuide give you instant confirmation and, on many activities, free cancellation — and you can read recent reviews before committing. 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.
Nearby Places

Huai Mae Sai Waterfall
A forested waterfall retreat in Mae Yao, offering hiking and natural scenery on the outskirts of Chiang Rai.

Doi Bo Viewpoint
A remote hilltop viewpoint near Chiang Rai offering panoramic views, accessible only by 4x4 or confident motorcyclists.
Similar Activities & Tours Across Thailand

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket
No rides, no shows, just feeding, mud and washing rescued elephants in the Kathu jungle.

Safari World
A full day out east of the city, and the shows are what people remember most.

Nongnooch Pattaya Garden
Half a day minimum, 500 acres of themed gardens and dinosaurs, and you'll want to be there by 8am.

Lumphini Park
Bangkok's green lung, free to enter, and full of water monitor lizards the size of your leg.
Where to stay near Elephant Peace Project
Find hotels in Chiang Rai on the booking sites travellers trust most.
- Compare prices across sites
- Filter for free cancellation
- Secure checkout on the partner site
Compare rates on Booking.com
Largest selection
Compare rates on Expedia
Bundle & save
Compare rates on Hotels.com
Member prices
We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Location Info
Visitor Information
Best time to visit
November – February
Avoid: March – May (smoke & heat)
Rainy season
June – September
Avg. temperature
14°C – 35°C(57°F – 95°F)
Crowds
Peak: December – February
Getting there
Mae Fah Luang Airport (CEI) has direct flights from Bangkok (1.5 hrs). The bus from Chiang Mai takes ~3 hrs. There's also a scenic Golden Triangle road trip from Chiang Mai.
Getting around
- •Grab (available in city centre)
- •Songthaews
- •Motorbike rental (฿200/day)
- •Car hire (for Golden Triangle & hill tribes)
