Elephant Steps Chiang Rai - Ethical elephant sanctuary
Run by a French-born founder who relocated to Thailand to dedicate herself to animal rescue, Elephant Steps Chiang Rai is a sanctuary that prioritises the welfare of its resident elephants above all else. The operation is deliberately small-scale, housing four rescued elephants alongside a number of rescue dogs, and focuses on observation and gentle interaction rather than performance or riding. Visitors spend the day walking through forest with the elephants, taking part in feeding, and — depending on the program — enjoying a bamboo raft ride through the surrounding natural landscape. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, with friendly staff who are attentive to both the animals and their guests. Families with children are well accommodated, and the rescued dogs that roam freely through the property add to the relaxed, nature-immersed feel of the day. The sanctuary's ethos is grounded in education and conservation, making it a meaningful choice for travellers who want to engage with elephants in Thailand without supporting exploitative practices. Good to know: Rubber boots are provided for the walk, so specialist footwear is not required. Advance booking is strongly recommended, as group sizes are kept intentionally small. Transfers from nearby areas are available. Visit the website at elephantstepschiangrai.com to check current tour schedules, pricing, and booking availability before planning your trip.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Elephant Steps Chiang Rai - Ethical elephant sanctuary, round out your day in Chiang Rai with contrasting stops nearby.
Visitor Reviews
Incredible experience with the rescued elephants. My kids had a lot of fun during the day out with the gentle giants and the dogs that accompanied us for the walk. Pick up was on time, rubber boots, water and a satchel were provided by the team. It is quite evident that the team behind elephant steps were loving to the magnificent elephants who had went through so much in their lifetimes. It definitely struck a chord in me when I was able to make eye contact with the soulful gaze from the elephants and being allowed to hug them. It was really a very unique experience that is probably very hard to come by in other more commercialised establishments
Elephant steps is an amazing , ethical sanctuary! The whole day was very relaxed, and as others have said there are lots of other rescued animals here, who are all so happy and friendly! It may be a little more pricey than some other elephant sanctuaries, but if you care about the well-being of the animals it is well worth it to see them happy and showing natural behaviours! All of the elephants are so well cared for, one of them is even over 70 years old! Thank you so much to everyone at elephant steps for giving us the best day and allowing us to experience elephants in such a relaxed way!
It was very important for me to visit a truly ethical sanctuary, and I’m happy I found this one. Sophie is a person with a huge heart and a mission. She left France and dedicated her entire life to rescuing animals. There are 4 elephants, 65 dogs, cows and even rescued chickens. Nobody rides the elephants during the walk, we walked at their pace. Elephants need to walk 10-15 km every day, so the walk is not done only for tourists’ entertainment. I truly recommend supporting this sanctuary.
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 Rai

Rong Suea Ten Temple
Monumental, modern Buddhist temple distinguished by its vivid blue coloring & elaborate carvings.

Wat Rong Khun
Contemporary Buddhist temple drawing massive crowds with its unique, intricate white exterior.
Wat Huay Pla Kang
Temple complex featuring a 9-floor pagoda with 12 surrounding structures & a giant Buddha.

Choui Fong Tea Plantation
A working hillside tea plantation in Chiang Rai offering scenic terraces, tea tasting, food, and a shop.
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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). Bus from Chiang Mai takes ~3 hrs. 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)