When I was planning my time in Chiang Mai, there was one experience I knew I wanted to have, and that was to see the elephants.

But there was a problem.

I was aware of how badly some elephants in Thailand are treated seeing videos online and knew that not every “elephant sanctuary” is actually a sanctuary. Many still allow riding, bathing, performances or other interactions that put tourists before the welfare of the elephants.

I made a promise to myself before I arrived, if I couldn’t find a place that genuinely put the elephants first, I simply wouldn’t go.

I’d rather miss out completely than support an industry that profits from animal suffering.

Researching the Right Sanctuary

Out of everything I planned for my time in Chiang Mai, this was by far the thing I researched the most.

I spent hours reading Reddit discussions, travel blogs and reviews. Whenever a sanctuary was recommended more than once, I’d visit its website, read about its philosophy and, importantly, look carefully at the photos.

Sometimes I didn’t even need to read much because if I saw people riding elephants, washing them, hugging them or posing for staged photos, that sanctuary immediately came off my list.

Even my hotel had dozens of leaflets advertising elephant tours. It was honestly overwhelming. Every company claimed to be “ethical,” but that word doesn’t seem to mean very much anymore.

For some places, “ethical” simply means they don’t allow riding anymore, but they’ll still encourage tourists to bathe, feed or touch the elephants throughout the day.

That wasn’t what I was looking for at all!

My Personal Criteria

Everyone has their own opinion on what makes an ethical sanctuary. For me, these were the things that mattered:

• No elephant riding.
• No bathing the elephants.
• No performances or tricks.
• No forced interactions/touching
• The elephants choose how close they want to come.
• Observation over entertainment.

I wasn’t travelling halfway across the world so I could post a selfie hugging an elephant. I wanted to see them simply being elephants.

Why I Chose Big Boy Elephant Sanctuary

After all my research, I decided on Big Boy Elephant Sanctuary.

From everything I could find before booking. and from my experience on the day, it aligned with exactly what I was looking for. Instead of feeding the elephants directly, we first prepared their food together, which was surprisingly fun. Afterwards, we carried it to wooden feeding stations where the food was left for the elephants.

Each elephant was accompanied by a mahout, who gave them space and guided them calmly throughout the day. There was no touching, no bathing, no riding, no making the elephants perform for photographs. We simply observed them as they wandered around freely, eating and interacting naturally.

And honestly… That was more than enough!

You Don’t Need to Touch an Elephant

I think there’s a common misconception that the experience is somehow “better” if you can touch, wash or feed an elephant yourself.

After spending the day there, I completely disagree.

Standing only a few metres away from such enormous, gentle animals was incredible on its own. Watching them walk through the landscape, use their trunks, communicate with one another and simply exist in peace was far more rewarding than trying to create some perfect Instagram moment.

Learning Their Story

One of the saddest parts of the day was learning about what many elephants have experienced before arriving at sanctuaries.

Some had spent years working in tourism or entertainment.

Others had lived difficult lives before finally finding somewhere they could simply exist without being expected to perform.

It really does make you think differently about the attractions we choose to support while travelling. Every ticket we buy helps shape the kind of tourism that continues to exist. Supporting businesses that prioritise animal welfare gives more incentive for others to do the same.

What the Day Was Like

The experience itself was brilliantly organised from start to finish. I was picked up directly from my accommodation before travelling around an hour and a half to the sanctuary.

Once we arrived, we had a short introduction explaining the sanctuary’s approach and what to expect throughout the day. We were then split into smaller groups to prepare food for the elephants before walking out to the feeding area. After spending time observing the elephants, it was back for lunch, but not before another surprise.

We actually got to cook our own Pad Thai together divided into 2 groups. It was a really fun activity and, even better, the pad thai was surprisingly tasty.

Because I booked the full-day experience, the afternoon included the waterfall and bamboo rafting.

Floating quietly down the river while taking in the scenery was a great way to finish the day, and I even got lucky enough to spot elephants nearby.

Was It Really Ethical?

I’m always cautious about using the word “ethical” because everyone seems to define it differently.

Some people consider feeding elephants acceptable. Others don’t. Some believe bathing is harmless. Others strongly disagree. I can only judge the experience I had. From everything I saw, the focus genuinely seemed to be on the welfare of the elephants rather than creating entertainment for tourists. Nothing ever felt forced, which is so important and nothing made me uncomfortable… 

In fact, it felt quite the opposite. The elephants appeared relaxed, free to move around and completely in control of how close they wanted to come to people. And there definitely were times where you were reeeeaaaally close! 

Practical Information

Cost

The full-day experience was 1800 baht which is around £40. I think it’s absolutely insane value when it includes pick up from your accommodation, seeing the elephants, plus the additional activities of bamboo rafting and the waterfall. 

You can do half days which is 1600 baht which is around £35. 

Booking

I actually booked quite late by messaging the sanctuary on WhatsApp and still managed to get a place the following day. That said, I’d recommend booking earlier if you’re travelling during busy periods so you don’t miss out.

My Top Tip

If you choose to do the full-day package with bamboo rafting and the waterfall, bring a waterproof phone pouch! They’re inexpensive and incredibly useful.

I didn’t have one, so I had to rely on my Insta360 GO 3 Action Pod, which meant I could really only record video and couldn’t easily take photos during the rafting or at the waterfall.

It’s a small thing, but it’s something you’ll be glad you packed. Trust me on this one because I envied the people who had one! 

Would I Recommend It?

Without hesitation. Whether you’re travelling solo like I was, as a couple or with family, it’s an unforgettable experience. 

The guides were knowledgeable, friendly and are always happy to help take photos, so I never once felt awkward travelling alone. Most importantly, I left feeling that I’d supported a place that genuinely cared about its elephants rather than treating them as tourist attractions.

If you’re visiting Chiang Mai and want to experience elephants in a way that puts their welfare first, I’d encourage you to spend a little more time researching before you book.

Based on everything I researched beforehand and what I personally experienced during my visit, Big Boy Elephant Sanctuary ticked all the boxes that mattered to me. If more of us choose experiences that put animal welfare before entertainment, we can help encourage a better future for these magnificent animals.