Chiang Mai Kerchor Elephant Eco Park Tour (from Chiang Mai)
- Spend a day in an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, where you'll feed, bathe, and play with the animals
- Get an in-depth understanding of the gentle giants, and learn about what they eat and how they behave
- Feed the elephants, walk with them, interact with them, and observe them as they do their daily routines
- If you want to be a part of something special and visit a place where elephants are loved, this tour is for you
What to expect
Kerchor Elephant Eco Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand, is a local initiative promoting sustainable, elephant-friendly tourism. It is operated by the local Karen community, who have a long tradition of elephant keeping, where these grey giants are regarded as family members
Riding elephants is not allowed in the project; the elephants are only expected to display their natural behaviors. The majority of donations and tourism income at Kerchor are dedicated to elephant care, including habitat maintenance, forage, veterinary care, and rescue operations. The welfare of local people is also taken into consideration









Reviews
Reviews summaryI was very happy to participate in this tour. The day before departure, I called to confirm the vehicle, and the staff spoke English! (Though I'm not sure how to contact them if you don't have a Thai phone number.) I recommend listing your hotel as the pickup location; it's very convenient if the driver can pick you up directly! It's truly great value for money! There was also a significant discount for three people traveling together! Playing with the elephants was so much fun—it felt very pure to be in nature with them. You can get up close to the elephants 🐘😍, they're adorable! The bamboo rafting in the afternoon was also very relaxing! Overall, I highly recommend this tour for its excellent value! Group size: 8 people. Tour guide: Thai guides who speak English, and some also speak Chinese.
Definitely one of the best experiences we could have had in Thailand. Their transportation picked us up at the hotel. We didn't go to the reservation; they lent us the top shirt. Our guide, Ef, was excellent the entire time and explained everything very well. We walked with the elephants, fed them, and bathed them, all in a very respectful and ethical manner. They are very well cared for! Without a doubt, this is an experience we recommend 100%.
Amazing experience! The elephants were clearly well cared for, and the staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the animals. The guide was excellent, transportation was smooth, and the whole tour was well organized. I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Chiang Mai! 🐘
Great experience where elephants are well taken care of, easy transport to and from the park and guide was very thorough in explaining. Lots of interactions with the elephants up close and each person gets a bucket for feeding, and lunch by the river. Highly recommended!
Highly recommend this tour and especially Ef our tour guide— if you're lucky enough to get him as your guide, you're in for an unforgettable day! The sanctuary itself is ethical and well-run — no riding or mistreatment, just pure love and care for these gentle giants. Getting to feed, walk with, and bathe the elephants was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can really tell the animals are respected and happy here.
Itinerary: Pick-up from the hotel around 1 PM sharp. The vehicle is air-conditioned and the drive to the park is about 1 hour. After getting off the vehicle, you will be divided into two groups, one with a Mandarin guide and another with an English guide. After placing your personal belongings in a lockable locker, you will change into a Karen traditional shirt. Then, you will receive an explanation of elephant communication language and herbal ball making, after which you can feed the elephants and interact with them for photos (you can ask the guide to help take group photos). Afterwards, you will walk with the elephants in the jungle. At the river, you can apply mud to the elephants and bathe them. After the bath, you will return to the camp for a quick rinse, drink hot tea, and then take the original vehicle to their cafe for refreshments (fried rice, spring rolls, soup, and fruit are available). The cafe is located by the river, with a very relaxing atmosphere. Finally, you will be transported back to your Chiang Mai hotel. Guide: The whole activity is great, the staff are very friendly, and the interaction with the elephants is natural. They do not force the elephants to do anything. In addition, the park also has a baby elephant named Ai Ai, who is not yet three years old, and is very playful and cute.
Highly recommend this tour. We really enjoyed spending time with the elephant. We would like to highlight the ecopark to those who like to travel to Chiang Mai as the 50% of the payment will be use for the elephants food and maintenance.
It was so much fun! We had a close-up experience, feeding the elephants, hugging and kissing them, playing in the mud with them, bathing them, and walking with them. Everything was incredibly enjoyable. We even saw a four-month-old baby elephant playing and eating right next to its mother—so adorable! You couldn't even tell that one of the mother elephants was six months pregnant; it turns out elephants are pregnant for two years... that's a long time. Overall, it was a very special experience, highly recommended!
This tour was truly satisfying. Even though my hotel wasn't originally on the pickup list, they still picked me up, and everyone involved was very kind. The elephants were incredibly cute and lovable! I was so happy, I almost wanted to live with them! Interacting with the elephants was a wonderful experience.
The Elephant Eco Park tour was an unforgettable and meaningful experience. Seeing the elephants up close in a natural, caring environment was truly special. The staff were knowledgeable and passionate, sharing insights about the elephants and the importance of ethical care and conservation. The experience felt genuine, educational, and heartwarming, and it was clear the animals are well treated and respected. If you’re looking for a responsible way to experience elephants while learning about their lives and protection, this tour is absolutely worth it.
Good to know
- Please wear a hat, sunscreen, and sandals/flip flops
- Bring a towel, camera, and insect repellent lotion
- Bring a rain jacket during the rainy season (Apr-Oct)
- To confirm your pick-up time and location, please check the confirmation email or voucher sent to you after booking. If there's no communication from operator, contact our customer support for assistance
Contact us
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