Direct answer
Which elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai are ethical?
ThaiEleHub books two ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai: Living Green and Big Boy. Both are no riding and no shows, and neither forces elephants into contact with guests. A half-day costs ฿1,400 per adult at Living Green and ฿1,500 at Big Boy, with hotel pickup and a 25% online deposit.
The two camps differ in how close guests get. At Living Green, guests feed and bathe with the elephants; bathing is elephant-led and never forced, and if the herd skips the water the tour still runs at the same price. At Big Boy, a Karen-run camp in the Doi Inthanon foothills, guests watch from a distance and feed vitamin balls at the feeding table, without touching the elephants.
Living Green and Big Boy in Chiang Mai are both no riding and no shows. Living Green guests feed and bathe with the elephants; Big Boy guests watch from a distance and feed vitamin balls at the feeding table.
Last verified:
| What makes it ethical | No riding, no shows, no forced contact; the elephants lead |
|---|---|
| Living Green Chiang Mai | Feed and bathe with the elephants. Half-day ฿1,400 adult, ฿1,000 child 4–8; pickup from 07:00 or 12:00 |
| Big Boy Chiang Mai | Watch from a distance, vitamin balls at the feeding table, no touching. Half-day ฿1,500 adult, ฿1,100 child 4–8, infants 0–3 free |
| Deposit and cancellation | 25% per guest online; cancel at least 24 hours before tour start for a deposit refund, minus Stripe's 6.5% fee |
Steps
- Check that the itinerary says no riding and no shows.
- Read what guests actually do with the elephants, and whether contact or bathing is led by the elephants.
- Compare the camp's official website and Tripadvisor reviews before you pay.
- Book with a clear deposit and a 24-hour cancellation rule.
Follow-up questions
Is Living Green Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai ethical?
Living Green Chiang Mai offers no riding and no shows. Guests feed and bathe with the elephants, and bathing is elephant-led and never forced.
Is Big Boy Elephant Sanctuary ethical?
Big Boy offers no riding, no shows, no bathing and no walking with elephants. Guests watch from a distance and feed vitamin balls at the feeding table, without touching the elephants.
Which ethical sanctuary in Chiang Mai is better for families?
Both welcome children: a child aged 4–8 pays ฿1,000 at Living Green and ฿1,100 at Big Boy, and infants aged 0–3 visit Big Boy free. Living Green has the shorter transfer from Chiang Mai hotels, which suits young children.
Can I visit both ethical sanctuaries in one day?
Not realistically. Each half-day already uses a long countryside transfer, so pick one camp per day.