ELEPHANT SANCTUARY > ELEPHANT FREEDOM VILLAGE - TWO DAY PROGRAM
Elephant Freedom Village - Two days
Elephant Freedom Village is a small, family-run elephant sanctuary nearby Nong Tao Village on the foothills of Doi Inthanon, about two hours south of Chiang Mai. Owner Non and Canadian veterinary Carmelle try to spread accurate knowledge about domesticated elephants and their place in Karen Tribal culture. The Karen people highly revere elephants. This was the case even before their migration from Burma into the North of Thailand nearly 600 years ago. The places these elephants hold in the life of the Karen people have shifted over time. The elephants are now part of their families and have been for generations, and they seek nothing more than to see them living out free, happy, and healthy lives.
Elephant Freedom Village has been created by Karen tribal member Non, to restore some of the damage humans have done to elephants over time, and to return them to the forests where they belong.
Seeing the passion and love that Non has for his elephants and to hear the story about his life, the village, and the connection that his family has with the elephants is the highlight of this trip.
In the evening, we will visit Nong Tao Karen Village and spend the night at Nong Tao Home-stay. We will cook together, have dinner and drinks, and enjoy the evening with Non’s family. You will get the chance to experience the real Karen culture, music, and even pick up some words of the Karen language. The hospitality of this family is fantastic. After spending the night in the village, you will get the option to do a sunrise hike, and we will have breakfast and coffee in the village before we head back to the elephants to feed and play with them in the morning. We will drive back to the city at 10 am and arrive back at your hotel around noon.
We highly recommend this elephant sanctuary if you are looking for a real, honest, and more private elephant experience that also shows you the background and challenges that come with growing up in the villages of Northern Thailand.
Children 5 to 9 years of age pay only 2400 Baht for the entrance fee. Children 1 to 4 years of age can join the trip for free.
Itinerary & Practicalities
Price: 4800 THB
Pick up from your hotel 8:30 am - 9:00 am.
Scenic two-hour drive to Nong Tao Village deep in the mountains south of Chiang Mai. Transport by air-conditioned SUV or minivan.
Arrive at Elephant Freedom Village and enjoy the impressive views of Doi Inthanon from the house.
Introduction presentation by Non and Carmelle.
Prepare elephant herbal medicine.
Meet the elephants, feed them, and try to bond with them.
Enjoy a typical Karen lunch, fresh fruits, including drinking water and Karen rice wine. (If you dare)
Take the elephants on a hike through the jungle and observe them searching for food.
Take them for a bath and scrub in the river.
Observe how the elephants cover themselves with dust to protect against bugs and the sun.
Walk back to the sanctuary and feed the elephant their herbal medicine to improve their digestion.
Have a coffee, tea, or beer at Nong Tao Village and see the real rural Karen life.
Have dinner and drinks at the village and meet Non’s family and friends.
Spend the night at Nong Tao Home-stay.
Enjoy breakfast and coffee in the village.
Interact with the elephants in the morning.
Drive back to Chiang Mai and arrive at your hotel around noon.
Included in price: Transportation by comfortable SUV or minivan, English-speaking guide, Karen Tribal outfit, lunch, dinner, and breakfast, overnight stay at Nong Tao Home-stay, food for the elephants, and insurance.
What to bring: Bathing suit, towel, walking shoes, flip flops, extra set of clothing, toothbrush, warm sweater + long pants for the night time, flashlight, bug spray, and sunscreen.
How can I book this tour? Please fill in the booking request at the bottom of this page. We will do our best to respond as quickly as possible.
Would you like to visit the Elephant Freedom Village for one day? Check out the full day tour >>
