Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Waterfall Hike & Bamboo Rafting

Spend a day exploring Chiang Mai’s countryside, meeting rescued elephants, cooling off at Mae Wang Waterfall, and rafting along the Mae Wang River.

Getting started

Your experience begins with pickup from your hotel or accommodation in Chiang Mai City Centre. Travel southwest through the countryside, passing rice fields, local farms, and hill tribe villages before reaching the Mae Wang area. Your first stop is Mae Wang Waterfall, where you can relax and cool off in the natural pools.

What to expect

• Continue into the jungle to Pon Elephant Thailand, an ethical sanctuary dedicated to caring for rescued Asian elephants. Your guide will introduce you to the elephants and explain their background and natural behaviour.

• Get closer to the elephants as you feed them bananas and spend time observing them in their surroundings. A walk through the forest lets you watch them forage for food and interact naturally with other elephants.

• The river offers a refreshing change of scenery, with time to bathe alongside the elephants in the natural setting. Afterwards, walk back to the sanctuary and take a moment to say goodbye.

• A traditional Thai lunch provides a chance to relax before the final activity of the day. Set off on a bamboo rafting trip along the Mae Wang River and enjoy the peaceful jungle and countryside views.

• Once the rafting trip ends, settle in for your return journey to Chiang Mai with your round-trip hotel transfer.