If you’re planning a trip to Chiang Mai and want to experience elephants ethically (read: no riding, no forced interactions, no bathing, no weird circus tricks), then Elephant Nature Park (ENP) is the place to go. And let me tell you—spending two days and one night at this sanctuary? One of the best experiences of my life.
FYI – This post is not sponsored.
Below, we’ll give you tips on When and How to Book, we’ll explain the full 2D1N itinerary in detail, and we’ll also give you our honest opinion on whether spending that much time is worth it at the end of the blog.
When and How to Book (Don’t Wait Too Long!)
We booked the ENP Overnight (2 Days + 1 Night) package about a week in advance on their website, but if your travel dates are rigid, I’d suggest booking at least a month ahead. I think we snagged the last 2 spots on the days that we wanted, so it was quite risky to book so late.
This place is popular—and for good reason. I’d also recommend booking directly from their website so a) you can see what dates are still available and b) so you can be picked up with your group (more on that below). On their website, you’ll be able to see a calendar that shows you when they’re full, almost full, and wide open. You will also need to pay a deposit (online, using credit card) and then the rest of the balance upon arrival.
💰 Cost: 5,800 THB per person (It is expensive, but it is worth it. We went in 2024 and it cost ~$438 CAD total for two adults). This includes meals, unlimited water and coffee, and an overnight stay.
🕗 Start: 08:00-08:30 AM (hotel pickup) or 08:00 AM (ENP office)
⏳ End: 5:30 PM the next day
What to Expect (In Detail)
Day 1: The Journey to Elephant Paradise
Right on time, a van picked us up from our hotel at 8:30 AM and transported us to the park, about 1.5-2 hours north of Chiang Mai. Along the way, we had a short stop for a bathroom break and to buy snacks. I actually bought a waffle from a small little stall for just 10 baht ($0.30 CAD) to hold me over since we skipped breakfast this morning.
We hopped back in the van and were given a brief overview of ENP’s mission and the importance of ethical elephant tourism for the remainder of the journey. Founded by the incredible Saengduean “Lek” Chailert, a world-renowned elephant rights advocate, ENP is a leading rescue and rehabilitation center dedicated to giving abused elephants a second chance at life. No shady business here—just big-hearted people saving big-hearted elephants.
Upon arrival, we were seated at a table and met others in our small group (10 of us). With our guide for the day, we walked through the open-air huts (the main building for humans) and saw the beautiful gardens fertilized by yes, you guessed it, elephant poop. We were also given one very important rule: DO NOT cross into the field without a keeper unless you want a very large, unamused grandma elephant side-eyeing you.
We were then taken to the back of the huts. Where they store snacks for the elephants aka the snack stash. There were bananas, corn, and watermelons. Just look at this mountains of bananas—enough to feed an army—only to be told that this was just for snacks for one single day. These elephants eat a LOT.
Pro tip: Remember when we said we highly recommend booking directly from their website. We met another older couple from England who joined the same 2D1N tour, but booked with their travel agent. They arrived separately (I guess their agent book them a private transfer) and they arrived MUCH earlier (like 2 hours earlier) than everyone else, and were a bit annoyed that they had to wait for so long for the rest of us.
Up Next: Meeting our First Elephants
After paying the rest of our bill and getting a tour of the grounds, it was time to see the elephants! We left our luggage inside the open air-huts beside the water cooler and crossed into the field with our guide. We met some of the park’s elderly elephants, the grandmas of the herd. ENP often rescues older elephants because their previous owners no longer find them useful (heartbreaking) and, frankly, they’re cheaper to buy (even more heartbreaking). Each elephant has a story—stories of abuse, neglect, and hardship—but here? They roam free, safe, and respected.
Meet De Po. She’s a grandma and about 85 years old with some of the sharpest eyes. Her best friend is Yai boon, nearly 90 years old. Together, they greeted us right away. Confident, yet warm. They’re some of the OGs.
We then walked deeper into the field, where we met Medo. Medo’s history is truly so sad – you can tell from her hips and the way that she walks that she was used (abused) in the logging industry. Her hip bones broke and never healed quite well. She was sold to ENP because she was of no use to her owner anymore. Medo is only 45 years old. From what we could tell though, she was quite content eating in the shade. Beside her is Jam Sigh – her BFF who is also blind. Together, they help each other navigate the fields at ENP.
It’s rare that ENP will have young elephants. As mentioned earlier, most owners will keep their elephants until they either die or are of no use to them anymore. But on occasion, someone will donate a baby or child. One mai, who is 4 years old, although looks huge in the pictures, was donated from a riding camp. She has been here her whole life and our guide told us that One Mai comes with “no bad spirit”.
Up Next: The Best Lunch Date Ever
Lunchtime was a delicious vegan buffet with an unbeatable view—a live show of elephants grazing freely. Forget Netflix. This was peak entertainment.
Food is included, but drinks cost extra. There’s also an ice-cream vendor who comes on site during lunch time (that cost about $2 CAD).
We enjoyed our meals from the main hut, where we could look out and watch the elephants and oxen (yes, there were also ox) roam around.
After lunch, we had free time to wander the park (the areas that were safe for humans to explore of course). We checked out the skywalk (a wooden bridge offering breathtaking views of the elephants below). There was another area with another wooden bridge that would offer views of the river from above (we’ll get to that later).
We sat on the skywalk for a few minutes, just watching an elephant play with mud. It brought me so much joy. No chains, no keeper whipping them into action. Just an elephant and mud.
Oh, during this free time, there was also an option to get a massage and a small shop to buy some ENP merch because why not?
We did not opt for the massage as it would have taken time away from watching these beautiful creatures. Instead, we just continued to wander around the many human-friendly safe zones and watch elephants from afar.
After a nice long break, it was time to walk into the field with our guide again. Only this time, we’d be checking out the other side with the river. Here, we met By thui. She’s another baby elephant, originally from the circus. She’s quite shy and afraid of people. But one time, she observed One Mai playing around and no one hit her, so she’s starting to warm up a bit.
We walked deeper into the field and that’s when we saw it—an elephant mud party!
At first it was just three elephants, splashing around. They were bouncing between the mud puddle and the river and boy, do these elephants run fast!
It was another live show and we loved every minutes of it. No riding, no bathing. Just watching them play.
And then more elephants came!
The mud puddle looked too small now.
Pro Tip: Wear shoes you can easily wash, like sandals or slippers! Bring lots of sunscreen!
Here’s a photo of By Thui and her friend, Lek Lek. Lek lek is 4 years old and blind. It so cute how they hold trunks.
We spent at least an hour or two in the field, and time flew by. Just watching them play between the mud puddle and the river. It was amazing, so surreal!
Up next: A Room With a (Perfect) View
Later in the day, we were shown our accommodation for the night—a spacious room with a private bathroom and hot water. It was more spacious that any other budget hotel we’ve stayed at thus far in Thailand. No A/C, but the fan was more than enough in the cool Northern Thailand night. You’re given a mosquito net too. Plus, there’s a couch and a balcony overlooking the river! Pro Tip: Request this room by the river if you can! I think there are only a handful of riverside rooms (I think there was only one when we were there)!
We dropped off our luggage, took a quick shower, changed our clothes, and then wandered around the premises again (wherever humans were allowed).
Just before sunset (around 5:00pm), we were told that some of the elephants on the other side of the river would be coming back to where we were. It was a magical site, watching these amazing animals, all in a line, crossing back with their keepers along the riverbank.
After dinner (another epic vegan buffet), we watched a heart-wrenching documentary about one of ENP’s rescues. If you weren’t emotional before, this is where the tears flow.
Day 2: Waking Up to Elephants (A Dream Come True)
The next morning, we had breakfast by the same tables outside the lunch hall—meaning another meal with elephants just casually chilling nearby.
Today, we’d be crossing the bridge (not the skywalk that overlooks the field from above), but the bridge that crosses the river to see the elephants that lived on the other side. We grabbed bags of snacks and then it was time to hike!
We met Ka Pai, a 45 year-old elephant that has a 12 year old son and fed Su Pa, a 33 year-old eating machine!
And we also met Rudi and Arun, 77 and 65 years old. Rudi is known for being a “greedy” eater. He ate the rest of our snacks!
After we gave away all our snacks, we crossed over the bridge and came back to our huts. It was time for our lunch.
Another delicious vegan meal! I’m not a vegan at all, but I could eat this lunch buffet for at least a week. Did I mention that at lunch time, they have this noodle kiosk!? You can customize what type of noodles and toppings you want. It’s amazing and is in addition to the regular lunch buffet.
Then came another highlight to end our two days at ENP: preparing food for the elephants.
We made rice balls and fruit platters before hand-feeding these gentle giants.
It was one of those pinch-me moments. I just stood there, an elephant in front of me, eating the meal we prepared, unable to believe this was real life.
Final Thoughts (Not Sponsored, Just Obsessed)
We know that you’re probably limited on time if you’re vacationing in Thailand, but if you have 2D1N to block off, we think it’s worth spending it at ENP. ENP also offers full day and half day tours for cheaper, although the group sizes are much larger than what we experienced. We also had a great guide, which can make or break your experience too. All that to say, we loved our guide and appreciated our small group. We loved that we could roam the human-friendly zones during our free time, when the crowds of tourists already left for the day. And we LOVED the vegan buffet options throughout the two days we spent there. We met so many elephants and fully embraced just watching them from afar. If you’re looking for an ethical, unforgettable elephant experience in Thailand, Elephant Nature Park is it. No gimmicks, no performances, no bathing, no riding—just rescued elephants living their best lives.
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So, do yourself (and the elephants) a favor—book that stay.
P.S. This is not a sponsored post. I’m just a person who spent a night in elephant paradise and wants the world to know about it. 😆
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