Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Tour 2026: My Honest Review

Here's my personal, self-funded review of an unforgettable elephant tour!

During my recent trip to Chiang Mai, I embarked on an experience that many travelers highly recommend:

an **elephant tour**! Having only seen elephants behind barriers at zoos before, the chance to directly touch, feed, and take photos with these magnificent animals was a first for me, creating truly special memories.

I wholeheartedly recommend this tour!

What to Bring

- Sunscreen

- Hat

- Sunglasses

- Dark clothing (your clothes might get a little dirty when interacting with the elephants)

- Cash (there's a small cafe inside the elephant sanctuary, and they only accept cash, no cards).

I booked my tour through MyRealTrip, and it cost **~$20 per person**.

You can find the booking link for the best price right here!

Chiang Mai Elephant Farm & Cafe + Baan Kang Wat + Cypress Lanes (includes 100 Baht drink coupon) - MyRealTrip3ha.in

This specific tour included a visit to Cypress Lanes after the elephant interaction, and concluded with a stop at Baan Kang Wat. It was a well-paced and enjoyable itinerary!

And a great perk: after the tour, they'll drop you off at your desired location!

After booking, you'll receive a message confirming your hotel pickup time. I was in the lobby by 8:50 AM, and our guide was already there waiting for us. They spoke excellent English, which made communication super easy!

Since it's a join-in tour, we picked up other groups along the way before heading out.

It took about 40 minutes to reach the elephant sanctuary from the city center. The roads wind through the mountains, so I did feel a bit motion sick – a heads-up for those prone to it!

Inside the elephant sanctuary, there's a charming little cafe! They sell coffee, cookies, and more. An Americano typically costs around ~80 THB (approx. ~$2 USD).

Elephant food costs ~100 THB (approx. ~$3 USD). However, the tour I booked included a 100 Baht coupon per person for elephant food! So, our guide handed out coupons, and we could use those to get the food.

Then it was time to feed the elephants! I was genuinely surprised by how incredibly long their trunks were – my first 'wow' moment!

One brave kid from another country fearlessly fed the elephants. I, on the other hand, was a bit intimidated at first and ended up tossing the food from a distance. That child looked like something out of a postcard, feeding the elephants with such ease! There were many families with kids there, enjoying the experience.

A few important precautions to keep in mind:

It's dangerous to carry the entire basket of food at once; you should offer it to them one piece at a time. Also, avoid carrying bags directly, as the elephants might mistake them for food and try to snatch them!

The elephants' skin was surprisingly rough and bristly. When I leaned in for a photo, I was momentarily startled by the texture – my second 'wow' moment!

While it felt a bit intimidating at first, as I continued feeding them and interacting, I quickly developed a sense of connection with these gentle giants.

Rest assured, there were staff members constantly by the elephants' sides, ensuring everyone's safety at all times!

I noticed a baby elephant struggling to eat on its own, so I went over to help feed it. It was adorable!

I even got some fantastic photos with the baby elephant!

My clothes definitely got dirty quickly, but I wore an old outfit, so it was no big deal!

Also, it was incredibly hot! Seriously, make sure you pack a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. You'll thank me later!

At the end of the tour, we were dropped off at Baan Kang Wat. While you're there, you absolutely **MUST try Adirak Pizza**!

It's already a famous spot, and for good reason!

For more detailed information and their menu, just click the link below ><

[Chiang Mai Travel] Chiang Mai Baan Kang Wat Adirak Pizza Menu Recommendation & Reviewblog.naver.com