Chiang Mai Pon Elephant Sanctuary Half-Day Tour - Elephant Feeding

Feed and bond with elephants
at a sanctuary south of Chiang Mai

This half-day elephant sanctuary tour takes place at Pon Elephant Thailand in the Mae Wang district south of Chiang Mai. There is no riding; instead, you observe and feed elephants that roam freely in a large reserve. An English-speaking guide and local staff accompany you, and the whole activity takes about 5–6 hours including travel.

Drive through mountains and forests to Mae Wang

Travel south from Chiang Mai to the Mae Wang district by van, with up to 10 people per vehicle. After about 1 hour 20 minutes past mountains, forests, and local farmland, you arrive at Pon Elephant Thailand. Depending on your option, join via hotel pickup, the city office meeting point, or by meeting at the sanctuary.

Learn about elephants and feed them by hand

At the sanctuary, learn the stories, habitat, history, and behavior of the more than 30 elephants living here, as well as the etiquette for interacting with them up close. You also learn how to prepare herbal snacks for the elephants.

Then hand-feed napier grass, sugarcane, and bananas to the elephants in their forest home and bond with them up close. You can also take photos with the elephants.

Watch elephants play and bathe freely

The highlight is watching the elephants play and bathe naturally with their families. The elephants choose their own activities and are never forced, so the schedule may change depending on their mood. Your visit supports the local community in protecting elephants and conserving the forest.

※ The schedule may change depending on the elephants' condition.
※ Your clothes may get wet or muddy.