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Elephant Retirement Park

Travel agency Animal shelter

👍👍 It was an amazing experience. I can't stress enough how worthy it was. Our guide Woody told us a lot of details about these magnificent creatures and also replied to all of our questions. Also, the elephants seemed to be well treated and taken care off and they were never told what to do. (Aside fro... People often mention elephants, experience, elephant, park, tour, care, water, amazing, great, staff,


Address

5 Kotchasarn Rd Lane 5, Tambon Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand

Website

www.elephantretirementpark.com

Contact

+66 53 270 732

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (161 reviews)

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Working Hours

  • Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Sunday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Monday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Tuesday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Wednesday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 8 am to 10 pm
  • Friday: 8 am to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: elephants (120) experience (42) elephant (30) park (25) tour (24) care (16) water (16) amazing (15) great (15) staff (14)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Rafał M. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome half day tour. Feeding and bathing of 7 elephants. Great experience. Tasty lunch is included. Price was 1700 Bht.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Christina B. 5 years ago on Google
    Lots of hands on elephant time. I do not believe this facility is there for the elephants but instead to make money from tourists. The baby elephant has been separated from its mother and when I asked where the mother was no one knew. Now they have another pregnant elephant, I am sure the same thing will happen to her.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Arnau Port F. 1 year ago on Google
    It was an amazing experience. I can't stress enough how worthy it was. Our guide Woody told us a lot of details about these magnificent creatures and also replied to all of our questions. Also, the elephants seemed to be well treated and taken care off and they were never told what to do. (Aside from a couple photo tricks and we were going back to the camp). If the elephant wanted to go somewhere further in the jungle to eat, it was allowed to roam freely and wasn't forced to do otherwise. Moreover, there was only 6 people in the group so that was lovely. Whereas, usually the ones recommned by tourist information points are packed with 20-30 people. Not only that, but the ones they recommned aren't as caring with the elephants, from what I read. We mentioned to a tourist information site that we were going to this place and insisted on we cancelling it and I'm so glad we never. (We searched for the ones they offered and they didn't seem to be as friendly.) So don't be lazy, do a little bit of research and your experience and the elephants one will be much more enjoyable. Don't contribute to places where the elephants are suffering.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jana Le G. 4 years ago on Google
    The elephant retirement park was amazing. They picked us up in a private car. When we got there we got tea and coffee and they explained they day to us. We got changed and immediately started having fun with the elephants- feeding them. Walking with them into the jungle followed by mud baths and swims. This was an amazing experience and we got the most delicious vegetarian lunch. I would definitely recommend The Elephant Retirement park. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ We booked everything through Alternative Travel agency with a lady named Tuk - Amazing service.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Axl R. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice little hostel and really lovely staff. Just the single bathroom becomes a problem if it's fully booked. Was staying there 6 days.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Xiao O. 1 year ago on Google
    The tour was great. The tour guide was very Knowledgeable about the elephants and the mission of the retirement park. The intern and photographer were very nice. However, both my friend and I were harassed by one of the guys working at the elephant park. He came up behind me and grabbed my calve. I immediately screamed and asked “why are you touching me.” He walked off to entertain one of the elephants but he didn’t stick around. I made it aware to the group I was with, my tour guide and the intern. I said, “he can’t touch me or any part of my body without my consent.” They said they spoke with him and he usually gets complains. So this wasn’t his first rodeo. Today, I found out that, the same guy also grabbed friend’s leg as well. My friend screamed a few times yesterday, alarmed by the elephants because it was her first time interacting with them so I didn’t think much of it until our recap today. She mentioned he grabbed her leg too and screamed, and thought I saw, which I didn’t. Why is the guy touching people, several people from this tour…..? This is not okay!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 G G. 4 years ago on Google
    The persons involved in this program are nice, but the program which was advertised was not followed and I found out from speaking with others on the tour that the price varies drastically. One person paid 1200 for the half day, another 1700. Also they force you to pay an extra 200baht for the photos which we were told at the time of booking was part of the package. The lunch was ok, but did not taste fresh. The elephants don't seem to have enough space to roam freely, and are coaxed/forced to be bathed. The feeding experience was nice, but they did not instruct or prepare medicine as we were told would happen. It was very unorganized. No official briefing or instructions. I am wondering where the three baby elephants they have came from. Sure one was born there but the other two...? How is it a retirement park if the elephants are forced to interact with groups of 10+ tourists twice a day? Doesn't seem very natural. One elephant seemed to have a skin condition, and after a quick google search I learned that it is not natural for elephants to bathe that often. Would not recommend supporting this as it is clearly first and foremost a business, not an animal conservation effort.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Eduard P. 4 years ago on Google
    Very very good, especially for the animals. You can prepare their food, feed them, walk them, give them a mud bath and wash them afterwards. There are showers and clothing available. Advise the wear good (water)shoes when entering the water.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Oliver K. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A place you will never forget ... The animals are doing very well there and we enjoyed every minute of it ... We booked over the internet, were picked up and brought back ... about 60 mins drive ... one Half a day is enough and impresses to the deepest .. We could feed, caressed, photographed in the mud and in the water with the animals bathing ... All were friendly, nice and fearful ... Must do ... Top 👌🇹🇭 🌴 ... water, coffee and tea are included plus the vegetarian lunch ... afterwards it was nice to take a shower before it went back ... (Original) Ein Ort den man nie vergessen wird... Den Tieren geht es dort sehr gut und wir haben jede Minute genossen... Wir haben über das Internet gebucht, wurden abgeholt und zurück gebracht... Ca 60 min pro Fahrt... Ein halber Tag reicht locker und beeindruckt zu tiefst.. Wir haben gefüttert, gestreichelt, fotografiert im Schlamm und im Wasser mit den Tieren baden können... Alle waren freundlich, nett und erfürchtig... Muss man machen... Top 👌🇹🇭🌴... Wasser, Kaffe und Tee sind Inkl plus das vegetarische Mittagessen... Konnten danach herrlich duschen, bevor es zurück ging...
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Tristen W. 5 years ago on Google
    Not quite what I was hoping for. We booked the full day tour and only spent about two hours with the elephants. We arrived around 10, waited a while, fed the elephants from 11-12, ate lunch, took a half hour "rest", then gave them mud scrubs and baths in a man-made mud pit and a pretty small pond from about 2-3. There were 5 elephants and at least 30 people. I enjoyed feeding the baby elephants and splashing in the mud and water, it just wasn't the experience I was wanting. The half day tour might be a better idea. I will say, the mahouts seem to really care about the elephants and these are rescued elephants, which was important to me in trying to pick an elephant experience
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Erica B. 5 years ago on Google
    We enjoyed everything here. It's a very simple place, not a fancy touristic hole. The guys are genuine and I like that nobody was forcing the elephants in doing stuff: we took a walk, they are some food and then they bathed. There wasn't a real guide, so don't expect many information. The only thing it was missing was some bottles of water for us - maybe better ask before starting the walk.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Holly C. 1 year ago on Google
    NOT a sanctuary - these animals are caged and coaxed into the water. Past reviews I’ve read tell that the trainers carried knives or screws and made the elephants perform tricks, they even used to have elephant rides quite a few years ago. Nothing was told to us about where the elephants were rescued from, there was also a baby and it seems after through past reviews that they are continually breeding the elephants as a way to make money. We were told we were going to a waterfall- it was a man made mud pit with a hose pipe. After looking into it I now know that elephants shouldn’t bathe this often, and you could see one of the elephants clearly did not want to enter the water however it was made to come in by the trainer. The mum and baby elephant were inside a cage, and all elephants were put back in their cages after the tour. When we went for a walk with the elephants they would attempt to push their trainers over and one even pulled the hair of a trainer who laid down to take a nap with its trunk! Please do your research as there are ethical sanctuary’s in chiang Mai , this one was definitely a tourist attraction which I’m sad to have paid towards. The elephants are not free whatsoever unfortunately. There was also no safety talks at all which is quite telling that the elephants are trained for the majority of their lives. There are also quite a few dogs roaming around who all looked terrified of people and the trainers which also made me doubt this place when I was there.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tommy W. 6 years ago on Google
    An incredible and emotional experience feeding, bathing and looking after the elephants. A must do for anyone travelling in the area, the owners are very friendly and they look after you very well as the accommodation and the food is out of this world. So if you love your Thai Cuisine and you want your mind to be completely blown away then you need to come and have a look for yourself.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aleah L. 4 years ago on Google
    Driver picked us up on time at our hotel, arrived at park around 8.30am. Tea, coffee, water and biscuits were complimentary, Our guide was knowledgable, spoke good english. We made medicine balls for the elephants, fed them bananas which was an awesome experience to get up close to these gentle giants. Best part was giving soy milk to the babies which you buy for $100 baht. Mud spa and swimming with the elephants was an unforgettable experience you dont get to do everyday. Thouroughly enjoyed our time here, just wish we got more swimming time with them. Lunch is provided then you get to look at the photos the photographer onsite takes during the tour. $200 baht for photos which are then sent to your email, suggest buying if you want the pics of your bathing with the elephants.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Chet D. 1 year ago on Google
    This is billed as a retirement home for elephants that have been rescued from commercial exploitation/ show animals. They get to while away their lives in this sanctuary and you get to pay for their upkeep. In return you get a memorable experience feeding bathing and playing with these majestic beasts. Rule #1: they are not there for your entertainment. You are !!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Joe H. 1 year ago on Google
    The overall experience was amazing. The driver was prompt in pickup at 7:30 and we made it to the reservation around 8:30. We did the 1/2 day and there were 12 in our group. The tour is simple. We feed the elephants and we walk/ hike up the jungle. The views are amazing at the top and the elephant continued to eat as we walked. The tour guide spoke great English and was very knowledgeable. After the walking/ feeding potion, we gave elephants a mud bath. Next was the rinse off in the pond which was very refreshing after being covered in mud. Lastly we showered and at a delicious lunch. The pictures the photographer took were $700 Baht which is pricey but the quality was amazing. He got some great shots.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ethan G. 5 years ago on Google
    Did the half-day tour for 1700baht and it was the best $50-60 I've ever spent. Feeding the elephants including two baby ones, sloshing around a knee-deep mud bath and lathering their bodies with mud, and jumping into a pool and swimming with them was one of the most spectacular experiences of my life. The staff were also super friendly and accommodating. I have nothing but positive things to say about the experience, and the elephants looked happy and well taken care of. Tip: Pay for the little bottles of milk to feed the baby elephants; it was too cute.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Antoine B. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A great day, Woody the guide came to pick us up from our hotel to accompany us to the park, then free breakfast on site, and hop, we take saddlebags filled with bananas to go to the jungle to walk with the elephants while giving them bananas they love. The people who work there are VERY protectors of elephants, it was very touching to talk with them to understand their motivation to recover elephants in circuses and other tourist activities to take care of them here in this park. We have learned to care for them, with several different plants, we have learned their stories and their characters, it shows and it feels that they are very happy in this park, they play a lot of their own accord and when they do, don't want to play anymore, they stop and no one says anything to them. There are indeed large enclosures where at certain times of the day they are placed, so as not to have to watch them, because yes, an elephant, it goes for a walk and especially to eat the banana trees of the neighbors and it can quickly become very complicated to manage. In the same way as in an equestrian center the horses are in small boxes, with different ratios because the elephants' boxes are much larger, and they generally stay there only at night. It took a LOT of time before we decided to go to a park other than the most famous naturalpark, and we don't regret going to this one! Big up to Woody once again, who was at the top, totally transparent with us, it was very touching to understand his motivations. So yes, when there are several people who come to stick the elephants to take selfies where we see your head more than theirs, when you are not educated or not sensitive to these brave animals it becomes ridiculous. Don't be shocked by the collar, you put one on your cat, on your dog. (Original) Une super journée, Woody le guide est venu nous chercher à notre hôtel pour nous accompagner au parc, puis petit déjeuner gratuit sur place, et hop, on prend des sacoches remplies de bananes pour aller dans la jungle marcher avec les éléphants tout en leur donnant des bananes dont ils raffolent. Les personnes qui travaillent la bas sont TRES protecteurs de éléphants, c'était très touchant de parler avec eux de comprendre leur motivation à récupérer des éléphants dans les cirques et autres activités touristiques pour s'en occuper ici dans ce parc. Nous avons appris à les soigner, avec plusieurs plantes différentes, nous avons appris leurs histoires et leur caractères, ça se voit et ça se sent qu'ils sont très heureux dans ce parc, ils jouent beaucoup de leur plein gré et quand ils n,ont plus envie de jouer, ils arrêtent et personne ne leur dis rien. Il y a effectivement de grand enclos où à certains moments de la journée ils sont mis, afin de ne pas avoir à les surveiller, car oui, un éléphant, ça part se balader et surtout manger les bananiers des voisins et ça peut vite devenir très compliqué à gérer. Au même titre que dans un centre équestre les chevaux sont dans de petits box, à ratio différents car les "box" des éléphants sont bien plus grand, et ils y restent généralement que la nuit. Nous avons mis BEAUCOUP de temps avant de nous décider à aller dans un parc autre que le naturalpark le plus connu, et nous ne regrettons pas d'être allé dans celui la ! Big up à Woody encore une fois, qui a été au top, totalement transparent avec nous, ce fut très touchant de comprendre ses motivations. Alors oui, quand il y a plusieurs personnes qui viennent coller les éléphants pour prendre des selfie où l'on voit plus votre tête que les leurs, quand vous n'êtes pas éduqué où non sensible à ces braves bêtes cela deviens ridicule. Ne soyez pas choqué du collier, vous en mettre un à votre chat, à votre chien.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Stephen I. 5 years ago on Google
    Seemed to have ethical practices overall, but the tour left a lot to be desired. A "full day" tour gave us about 2 hours with the elephants. Lots of sitting around and doing nothing. People even took naps after lunch. We paid to see elephants -- not nap!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aldo Eduardo Vites A. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is a very good place. Zero mistreatment of the elephants, and on the contrary, much care and love towards them. (Original) Es un muy buen lugar. Cero maltrato a los elefantes, y por el contrario, mucho cuidado y cariño hacia ellos.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Mariah R. 3 years ago on Google
    I regret going here. I remember at the time having an off-feeling and watching instances where the mahoots would make a gesture with their hand to the elephant as if hiding a nail (potentially actually hiding a nail but I never did see one). It was obvious though they weren't chained, they certainly weren't free. I didn't enjoy how little space they had, how they were forced into the baths and how we got in there with them. It's not safe for us, not the elephants. Regretful. Unfortunately some people want experiences like this but aren't willing to front up to the real price of an experience like it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark H. 4 years ago on Google
    The Elephant Retirement Park has 6 rescued elephants, 3 adults and 3 juveniles. We fed the elephants bananas and milk, prepared a medical supplement, scrubbed them with mud, and washed them off. It was a meaningful chance to experience the size and majesty of these creatures. The elephants seemed to be well-cared for and the Park well run. Visited included a tasty lunch.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 anna f. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) We really enjoyed the experience! We only went half a day, we fed the elephants, the medicine, we were able to touch them and give the bottle to the babies. Some of them bathed, and we with them ... it was fun. The guy that guides us, was honest and very nice. We wanted to go somewhere, to respect the elephants, and there they do it. (Original) Nos gustó mucho la esperiencia!..sólo fuimos medio día, dimos de comer a los elefantes, la medicina , los pudimos tocar y dar el biberón a los bebés. Algunos de ellos se bañaron, y nosotros con ellos..fue divertido.El chico que nos guía, era honesto i muy agradable. Queríamos ir a un sitio, que respetara a los elefantes, y allí lo hacen.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chloe L. 6 years ago on Google
    This is the best elephant sanctuary I've ever had. The elephants are free to roam around and they are well fed and super happy. I had so much fun bathing, feeding and hugging the elephants! It's definitely a must go if you are looking for authentic and ethical elephant interactions. No riding nor chaining can be found at all. It's freedom!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 มีไหน C. 3 years ago on Google
    Best experience in Chiang Mai!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 정다솜 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Pretend to be an elephant shelter but chained to entertain tourists. Cheats (Original) 코끼리 보호소인척 하지만 체인으로 묶여서 관광객들 접대하는 곳. 사기꾼들
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 N. S. 4 years ago on Google
    Do not visit places that let you ride elephants. Do not support cruelty with your dollars.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J.M C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It's a wonderful place it's 1700B if you go half day. You can eat there. It is seen that these animals there are happy and clearly you can observe or animal abuse. You will do the typical thing there will split sugar cane, you will give the elephants Platanos and you will play with it when you bathe them. Highly recommended. (Original) Es una maravilla de lugar son 1700B si vas medio día. Puede comer allí. Se ve que estos animales allí son felices y claramente se puede observar 0 maltrato animal. Harás las lo típico de allí partirá caña de azúcar, le darás Platanos a los elefantes y jugarás con ello cuando los bañes. Muy recomendable.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Laura G. 1 year ago on Google
    This was an amazing experience that we highly recommend. Me, my husband and two sons (10 & 8) did the ½ day experience. We were collected from our accommodation in Chiang Mai at 7.30am, then travelled with the rest of our group (8 of us in total) for an hour to the park. We had a drink and piece of toast on arrival then briefed about the elephants and what would happen. They gave us clear instructions on how to act with the elephants, so we stayed safe and so we didn’t frighten the elephants. We started by feeding them sugar cane and getting used to stroking their trunks, then we fed them soy milk. We then walked with them into the park, all carrying a bag of bananas which we fed them. We then hung out with them, stroking them and watching them play. Each elephant had their own mahout (handler) giving them instructions but also encouraging us on how and where to stroke them. My son even sat and hugged one elephants leg. We had changed into swimsuits and the parks clothes before starting. We then helped scrub them with mud in their mud bath area, getting very muddy ourselves which was great fun. After that we all got in the water bath and washed all the mud off with bowls and scrubbing brushes.All of this is in muddy, squidgy, cold water, great fun. After that we had a simple tasty vege and rice lunch. There was someone taking photos which we could have purchased. We then got driven back to Chiang Mai. I’d recommend this park as the elephants seem really happy, there was no offer of riding them. The elephants have all been rescued. There was a Brazilian vet volunteering there for 3 months on our trip and she only have nice things to say about the park and the animal welfare.

  • 5/5 noinar S. 4 years ago on Google
    Incredible experience Biggest highlight of my trip! Spending the morning petting, walking and feeding them was just an amazing experience. More places like this should exist to save elephants and give them all the care and love they need. I learned a lot about elephants and their situation in Thailand. There was no riding the elephants, thank god is forbidden because it hurts the elephants.

  • 5/5 Julius 1 year ago on Google
    Easy, and quick booking. We had an incredible experience whike feeding these elephants and bathing with them. Atm they even have an elephant baby, that's just ridiculously cute. The whole team has been very nice and polite. We are definitely very happy with this elephant park. In addition there are no doubt about unethical circumstances, these animals are treatend with lots of respect and love!

  • 5/5 Nikolas L. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice experience with what seems to me well kept and treated elephants. We were there for half a day, could feed the elephants, took a walk with them and then bathed with two of them - because of the weather it was not sure if the elephants wanted to bath in the morning, but luckily they joined a bit in the end. Elephants seemed to be treated well here and you could still enjoy hanging out with them ;) Date of experience: December 2021

  • 5/5 Olivia W. 1 year ago on Google
    Such a sweet experience!! very kind staff, all elephants are rescues and are treated extremely well. Definitely recommend:)

  • 5/5 guilherme e. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing experience with the elephants. At this place, they really take care of the elephants and they're not forced to do anything. We took a half-day you and I think it was great.

  • 5/5 Puttaraksa A. 1 year ago on Google
    I planed to go to Pai, Mae Hong Son and wanted to visit Elephant sanctuary and I found out this place and it's also short cut to my destination so I booked a One Day Tour Programs and this was the most fantastic experience in my life. The park is big space it's good for the elephants and they have clinic for the elephants also I met volunteer veterinarian she from Brazil. Lanna is my favorite. She has personality, very playful and intelligent. And the baby Fran new member, she is lovely and her mom as well. They all look very happy and healthy to be there. ' The staff was so nice and helpful. I will come back for sure and bring my friends and family.

  • 5/5 Katya I. 1 year ago on Google
    The best experience on our 2 week trip through Thailand. I loved how gentle and intimate each carer was with their elephant. The elephants were gentle and friendly too. We spent so much time with the elephants (maybe 2.5 hours close contact), we fed them, cuddled them, walked, bathed and took plenty of pictures with them. It was very relaxed, nobody rushed us and our group was very small, only 5 guests. We also got water and free lunch (very basic) - they asked us beforehand about our dietary requirements. Punctual pick-up. They provide showers. You will get very muddy (because the happy elephants love to play). They answer all your questions. Also, a professional photographer is following you throughout the whole and you can purchase all the photos afterwards but nobody is pushing you. The photos looked amazing and it's very tempting to buy the photos!

  • 5/5 Ivan Y. 1 year ago on Google
    I have an amazing experienced playing with elephants and you can see some of the trainers have an amazing bond with them. Thanks again for the amazing experience absolutely love it.

  • 5/5 วงศ์ศกรณ์ �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Love elephants must go here (Original) รักช้างต้องไปที่นี่

  • 1/5 Sascha K. 1 year ago on Google
    Stay away from them! They are organizing elephant „shows“ in Phuket. Let me explain the day of these 10 elephants: they get fed the same bananas and canes all day while locked up in one of these pens. After that the elephants get to shower with the tourist, then a mud bath, then a swim. If you think this is a normal day for an elephant, fine, you'll definitely enjoy this place. Also, the "rangers" (???) were yelling at the elephants, telling them to follow. The rangers would pull the elephants along by their tusks or ears if they didn't listen. My gut couldn't handle this place. But hey, you do get what's advertised. If you've got the moral compass of a circus owner, you'll definitely love this!

  • 5/5 Meda W. 8 months ago on Google
    We really enjoyed our half day tour. Originally booked the afternoon tour thru klook and they contacted us requesting we change to morning which was ok. The driver and pickup from our hotel was great,the staff at the park were really friendly. There were several staff that spoke English well and those that didn't we personable and friendly still. Feeding,mud bathing and water bathing the elephants was fun. You can tell the staff are attached to the elephants. We were told the back story of how the elephants came to be there. Like someone else's review mentioned, I would have liked to know about the day to day operations. Ypu only see the front of the park, what's the back look like, where so they spend the night, how are rhe penned up. There's an older white guy volunteer there that will talk to you playing with the younger elephants so you get a feel for how they are loved by their people.would recommend the half day tour. It was also very affordable.

  • 4/5 Beth S. 8 months ago on Google
    We attended the half day tour with the Elephant Retirement Park & really enjoyed our experience. If I had one critique, it would be not learning enough about the individual elephants and how they came to be at the park. It would have also been interesting to know what is involved with taking care of rescued elephants on a daily basis and how they manage to balance the animals potentially doing daily tours as I see this business is open 7 days a week. Overall, we really enjoyed. Great van driver too! :)

  • 5/5 Emma H. 8 months ago on Google
    This was one of the most fun things to do in all of Thailand. Before choosing a elephant sanctuary to visit, I did a ton of research to find an ethical place and found this. The elephants are amazing and are very taken care of. To show, a volunteer was gone for a few weeks and came back when we were there, and the elephants are cried out in excitement and ran to meet him at the gate because they missed him. The ones we met were rescued from a circus and were super sweet and loved being fed and washed with mud. The lunch was also really tasty and im pretty sure vegan. The guides did a really good job educating us on the elephants, their story, and their future.

  • 3/5 Aram Z. 8 months ago on Google
    Nice experience but found it a bit too commercial. Didn’t like the fact that the elephants are closed in concrete cages (even though they give you an explanation for it). They also ask for extras for milk and professional photos. They have only 7 elephants. More than retirement I would say sanctuary because some of them are quite young. The staff is nice and welcoming.

  • 5/5 Jenny L. 3 months ago on Google New
    We got picked up from our Air BNB in Chaing Mai, and they drove us to the retirement park. We were greeted by a wonderful team of dedicated care aids. We got to walk through the forest with the mahouts frank and Joe . Frank and Joe spoke great English and explained everything about the elephants. After our walk, we had a cooking class & cooked up some pad Thai, and we ate a bunch of other things as well. Then we got to get dirty and give the elephants a mud bath, then went in the water and bathed the elephants. Awesome experience, great staff, beautiful elephants. Money was well spent for the private tour for a full day experience. We had the whole place to ourselves!! Highly recommend coming here as the elephants are treated with love and respect . They just get to be Elephants, pure love & compassion .The elephants are treated with love and kindness as they should be . We loved this day immensely . It was a wonderful experience to share with my husband. Had a beautiful day with elephants!! Never will I forget today!! Just wanted to thank Frank & Joe plus all the lovely staff we met today. Best Day Ever!! Come see for yourselves ❤️

  • 5/5 Neil L. 3 months ago on Google New
    I have done other elephant/ sanctuary in the past . The Elephant Retirement Park hands down beats all the rest!! I Took my wife to the elephant retirement park for a full day experience. We got picked up from our Air BNB in Chaing Mai they drove us to the retirement park. We were greated by a wonderful team of dedicated care aids. We got to walk through the forest with the mahouts frank and Joe . Frank and Joe spoke great English and explained everything about the elephants. After our walk we had a cooking class & cooked up some pad Thai and we ate a bunch of other things as well. Then we got to get dirty and give the elephants a mud bath then went in the water and bathed the elephants. Awesome experience great staff beautiful elephants. Money well spent for the private tour for my wife and I. We had the whole place to ourselves!! Highly recommend coming here as the elephants are treated with love and respect . They don’t paint pictures nor get ridden nor hit with sticks .They just get to be Elephants !! Pure love & compassion .The elephants are Treated with love and kindness as they should be . We Loved this day immensely . A Wonderful experience to share with my wife. Had a beautiful day with elephants!! Never will I forget today!! Just wanted to thank Frank &Joe plus all the lovely staff we met today. Best Day Ever!! Come see for yourselves ❤️

  • 5/5 Tanya G. 4 months ago on Google
    This was so perfect. It's so respectful to the elephants. They are completely in their element and we are just paying a visit. Lunch was great and it's not too far. The staff wa super nice and the tour guide knew everything about elephants. Truly recommend as this one isn't so famous but equally needs help to support their elephants:)

  • 5/5 Núria G. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing experience! They fully take care about the elephants and you can feel joy and peace all around the place.

  • 5/5 Filippo T. 4 years ago on Google
    A real safe Place for Elephant. An Amazing esperienze.

  • 5/5 שחר �. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) One of the most deadly places there is, a must visit there is a must! (Original) אחד המקומות הקטלניים שיש, חובה ביקור שם חובה!

  • 5/5 oliv R. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) We feel like it's a good place for elephants, all things proposed for the two days are not necessarily done but it's a unique experience ... If you do not like to stay "relaxing" I recommend 1 day max without overnight even if the meeting of Alec is great. On the other hand if you like not to do activities in interruption 2 days will allow you to chill between each meeting To do once in a lifetime! (Original) On sent que c'est un bon endroit pour les éléphants, toutes les choses proposées pour les deux jours ne sont pas forcément fait mais c'est une expérience unique ... Si vous n aimé pas rester "relaxing" Je recommande 1 jour max sans nuitée même si la rencontre d Alec est formidable. En revanche si vous aimez ne pas faire des activités dans interruption 2 jours vous permettront de chill entre chaque rencontre A faire une fois dans sa vie !

  • 5/5 Michele M. 4 years ago on Google
    We did a full day tour and we had a great experience. I suppose the size of our group helped. We were smaller, so I'm sure if people go during busy season they could feel like they were stretched thin. But we received all the info that we needed and got to feed them a lot then do the mud and water with them. Super informative guide!!

  • 5/5 Elephant Retirement P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful. Clean. Good care for elephants. (Original) สวย.สะอาด.ดูแลช้างดี

  • 5/5 mirco g. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) More than positive experience, the elephants are lovingly cared for and are not exploited at all to please the tourists. (Original) Esperienza più che positiva,gli elefanti sono amorevolmente accuditi e non vengono affatto sfruttati per compiacere i turisti.Azienda seria super consigliato

  • 5/5 Linda B. 4 years ago on Google
    The best place on earth!!!!gogogo!!

  • 5/5 gianni g. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Exciting contact with elephants (Original) Contatto con gli elefanti entusiasmante

  • 5/5 ESAF c. 4 years ago on Google
    Good quality, really take care elephant!

  • 5/5 하루 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It was so good to see an elephant close. It was so good. I did not take my underwear to change when I did not go into bathing on my blog. I'm not going to have to take it when I'm small. But it's fun to have a bath. good (Original) 코끼리를 가까이서 보고 만질수 있어서 너무 좋았어요 블로그에서 목욕 시킬때 안들어갔다는 후기를 보고 갈아입을 속옷도 안챙겨갔는데 꼭 챙겨가세요 사람이 적을때 가면 뺄 분위기가 아니에요 근데 목욕시키는거 재미있으니까 참여하세요 아기코끼리도있고 좋아요

  • 3/5 Laura V. 5 years ago on Google
    It is made for tourists, but it seems that the 5 elephants are well cared.

  • 3/5 Taylor W. 4 years ago on Google
    The park is amazing...you should go! So fun to feed, bathe, and laugh with these amazing creatures. Unfortunately, the online "packages" they have are scams. We chose the half day elephant park half day ATV tour and after an AMAZING morning with the loving animals and staff at the ERP, we were taken to the ATV tour--aka the biggest joke and scam of our entire 3 week trip. As soon as we arrived, they tried to make us pay double what we had already paid for "insurance" even though the website said insurance was included. Then we were taken on an ATV to a main road for 30 minutes of the time, and through the "mountains" (developed) to see a "360 mountain view" (not true)...then taken back. Thank god we didn't give into their scam to buy more insurance because the trip was boring and slow. I guess that's what we get for doing ATV in Thailand... It's a shame the elephant park associates themselves and their customers with the other company. Don't book the tours that include anything more than ERP.

  • 4/5 Yazmin V. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A very nice place where elephants live with care and affection. At least that impression gave me, in Thailand I have seen many places where they have the elephants deplorably, but this did not seem to me. (Original) Un lugar muy lindo en donde los elefantes viven con cuidados y cariño. Al menos esa impresión me dio, en Tailandia he visto muchos lugares donde tienen a los elefantes de forma deplorable, pero este no me lo pareció.

  • 5/5 Marika B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Wonderful experience! 💚 (Original) Esperienza meravigliosa! 💚

  • 5/5 Rodrigo S. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Perfect and good attention (Original) Perfecto y buena atencion

  • 4/5 phang p. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The guide took us. No way, elephant! Let's ride (Original) 导游带我们来。没办法咯,大象!让我们骑


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