Top Chiang Mai Unique Experiences

Many Thai elephant camps offer hands-on encounters with the animals, rooted in abusive training that traumatizes these majestic creatures. Rather than touching or bathing them, enjoy an ethical experience at an observation-only elephant sanctuary, where you help prepare their food and enhance their habitat. Complete your day by learning to cook your own pad thai lunch, visiting a waterfall, and riding a bamboo raft down the Mae Wang River.

Hands-on elephant experiences often cause deep harm to animals by relying on abusive training to drive unnatural behaviours such as interacting with humans. See these majestic animals and learn about their habits without touching them on this enriching encounter outside Chiang Mai. As well as preparing food for the elephants, learn to cook an authentic pad thai from a family recipe, then enjoy it for your lunch.

Get away from Chiang Mai for a day to spend quality time with elephants at an ethically run Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Gain an insight into their history and behaviour while creating lifelong memories of your time with the stunning creature. Spend an enjoyable half-day with these lovely giant creatures.

It can be hard to get off the beaten track around Chiang Mai. Enjoy a little-known hike and get to know local villagers—activities that are hard to do independently—on this small-group tour to Mae Kampong, a village surrounded by forest and mountains. Look for rehabilitated gibbons, hike to a charming waterfall, and learn about local flora and fauna from your guide. Enjoy an authentic lunch before you return.

The Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is a non-profit organisation, home to a number of rescued and retired elephants, free-roaming in the jungle. On this tour, spend a night at a homestay in a local village belonging to the Karen people and discover their unique culture as you take part in a cooking class and try your hand at traditional handicrafts. The next day, hike alongside the elephants in their natural environment, learn more about the animals from an expert guide, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the jungle.

Get a comprehensive tour of Chiang Mai's handicraft scene with this tour to San Khampaeng. Learn about the methods and history of different traditional handicrafts through studio visits and insightful commentary from a guide. Get the chance to shop for authentic souvenirs, such as elegantly carved teakwood chairs, to bring home after your travels.