Tour 1 of 3
Sylvis Hostel · Chiang Mai Old City
Meet rescued elephants in their natural habitat. Feed them, bathe them, walk alongside them — no riding, no tricks, no shows.
1,600 ฿per person · half day
Elephant Care
1,600 ฿
half day
Departures
8:00 & 12:00
morning & afternoon daily
Book at
Sylvis Reception
same or cheaper than any app
Tour 1 · Half day
A genuine half-day in the jungle with rescued elephants — intimate, ethical, and unlike anything you'll find on a booking app.
Pickup from Sylvis Hostel or your accommodation in central Chiang Mai.
Reserve your spotThe experience
Arrive at the sanctuary and meet your elephants alongside a local mahout who knows each one by name.
Prepare baskets of sugar cane, bananas, and sticky rice balls — then hand-feed them directly. Up close with the trunk.
Wade into the river and help bathe the elephants with buckets of water. Joyful, chaotic, and totally memorable.
Real photos from the sanctuary
Tour 2 of 3
Everything in Tour 1, plus a river adventure
All the elephant care — plus your choice of a peaceful bamboo float or heart-pumping white water rapids.
1,800 ฿per person · half day
Elephant Care + Rafting
1,800 ฿
per person · half day
Departures
8:00 & 12:00
morning & afternoon daily
Rafting style
Your choice
bamboo or white water — same price
Tour 2 · Half day
All of the elephant experience — then straight to the river. Tell us your rafting style when you book at reception.
Tell us bamboo or white water when you book. Same price either way.
Reserve your spotChoose your adventure
Same price. Tell us when you book. Both run right after the elephant experience.
Peaceful · Scenic · All ages
Glide down a jungle river on a hand-built bamboo raft steered by a local guide. Calm, beautiful, and perfect for photos.
Thrilling · Wet · Adrenaline
Helmet on, paddle ready — hit proper rapids with a professional guide. You will get completely soaked. Guaranteed.
Tour 3 of 3 · The full day
Best value — three experiences, one day
Everything in Tours 1 & 2, plus the legendary Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall — a limestone waterfall you can actually walk straight up.
2,200 ฿per person · full day · everything included
Full day price
2,200 ฿
per person · everything included
Departure
8:00 AM
return ~5:30 PM
Rafting
Your choice
bamboo or white water
Book at
Sylvis Reception
same or cheaper than any app
Tour 3 · Full day
Three completely different experiences back to back. Elephants in the morning, rafting after, riverside lunch, then the waterfall. The best value day trip from Chiang Mai.
Morning-only departure. Tell us bamboo or white water when you book.
Reserve your spotHour by hour
AC van from the hostel. 60–90 min mountain drive north.
Arrive at the sanctuary. Learn about the rescued elephants with your mahout guide.
Prepare food, hand-feed the elephants, walk alongside them through open land.
Wade in and help bathe the elephants. Expect to get soaked — that's the point.
30–40 minutes on the river. Peaceful or thrilling — whichever you chose when booking.
Traditional Thai meal by the river before the afternoon's highlight.
Walk straight up the limestone tiers while water flows over your feet. Swim, climb to the top, take photos. Give yourself at least an hour.
Drop-off at the hostel. Free cocktail at Add Oil Bar. You've earned it.
The afternoon highlight
Unlike any normal waterfall — the limestone creates a rough, grippy surface so you can walk straight up it while water flows over your feet.
Calcium carbonate deposits in the limestone create natural grip even when soaking wet.
Multiple tiers with rope guides on steeper sections. Most people make it to the top — easier than it looks.
Natural pools at the base for swimming. The jungle canopy lighting makes for incredible shots.
Sandals or grip shoes work well — barefoot is also surprisingly effective. You will get wet regardless.
Why it matters
Many elephants in Thailand were previously used in logging or tourist performance shows. Ethical sanctuaries give them a second chance — your visit makes that possible.
No riding — elephants' spines aren't designed for it, and training for rides involves harmful methods.
No tricks or shows — natural behaviour always, never commanded for entertainment.
Your visit funds the sanctuary: land, food, vets, and the mahouts' livelihoods.
Small groups only — every interaction stays genuine and calm.
Before you go
Change of clothes (you will get wet — possibly multiple times), sunscreen, insect repellent, sandals with grip, small towel.
Fully included both ways. AC van from Sylvis. 60–90 min mountain drive each way.
Bamboo for scenic and relaxed, white water for adrenaline. Both 30–40 min. Same price. Just tell us when you book.
Available year-round. White water peaks June–October. Sticky Waterfall and elephants run all year.
All ages and fitness levels. Bamboo and Sticky Waterfall are family-friendly. White water is beginner-safe with full safety gear.
Walk up to Sylvis reception or WhatsApp us. Book the day before. Same or cheaper than any app — plus a free cocktail when you return.
Book at Sylvis reception
No booking fees. Same price or cheaper than any app. Come to the desk and we'll sort everything.
Book any tour at reception → 1 free cocktail at Add Oil Bar