Does the Big Boy Elephant Experience in Chiang Mai Run in the Rain? What to Bring and What to Expect
Yes: Big Boy tours are planned to go ahead in ordinary rain, with rain gear and the schedule adjusted to conditions on the day rather than the visit being called off, although heavy weather can shift the itinerary. The half-day costs ฿1,500 per adult (฿1,100 for children aged 4–8, infants 0–3 free), and the full day with a Mae Wang bamboo raft costs ฿1,800 per adult (฿1,300 per child).
The published pages don't spell out what Big Boy does in a severe storm, so if the forecast for your date looks bad, message the ThaiEleHub team on WhatsApp (+66 98 858 9666) before the day and ask.
Why this matters this week
Sanctuaries operate year-round. Expect possible itinerary adjustments during heavy rain, and pack a light rain jacket or poncho. The Big Boy page says programmes adjust footwear, rain gear and the schedule to conditions on the day rather than cancelling; heavy weather can shift the itinerary, and the sanctuary confirms details on the tour morning.
What a rainy day at Big Boy looks like
Rain doesn't change what the visit is. Big Boy is an "observe and feed" sanctuary:
- You watch the herd from a distance. Guests cannot touch the elephants, rain or shine.
- Feeding is vitamin balls at the feeding table. That is the only feeding.
- No bathing, riding or going out on the trail alongside the herd. The booking pages explain why: those activities require controlling the elephants, which goes against respecting their natural behaviour and freedom.
- Habitat care and Pad Thai. You help with habitat care, then cook Pad Thai for lunch with other local dishes.
What can change is timing. The product pages say the return time depends on traffic and weather. Underfoot, the live pages note the ground can be muddy in the green season (about May to October) and recommend footwear with grip.
Times and prices
Re-check before you pay.
| Morning half-day | Afternoon half-day | Full day + bamboo raft | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel pickup | 07:00–07:30 | 11:30–12:00 | 07:30–08:00 |
| Back at your hotel | around 14:00 | around 18:30 | around 17:00 |
| Adult (9+) | ฿1,500 | ฿1,500 | ฿1,800 |
| Child (4–8) | ฿1,100 | ฿1,100 | ฿1,300 |
| Infant (0–3) | free | free | free |
| Deposit online (25%) | ฿375 / ฿275 | ฿375 / ฿275 | ฿450 / ฿325 |
Return times are estimates; in heavy rain, leave slack before an evening flight or dinner booking.
What to bring on a rainy Big Boy day
From the live booking pages and FAQ:
- Secure sandals or shoes with good grip.
- A light rain jacket or poncho.
- A change of clothes after habitat care, or if your route includes river, mud or bamboo rafting.
- Light, breathable clothing you do not mind getting dusty or wet.
- Sunscreen, insect repellent and personal medication.
On the full day, the bamboo raft is for guests on the Mae Wang River, not an elephant activity.
Morning, afternoon or full day in unsettled weather?
All three visit the same herd under the same rules. The morning half-day (back around 14:00) leaves the most slack if the day runs late. The afternoon half-day returns latest, around 18:30. The full day is the longest day out, and whether the raft section goes ahead in heavy rain is not published, so ask on WhatsApp first if that part matters to you.
Who should still go, and who should wait
Go ahead if you don't mind showers, have packed a rain layer and grip shoes, and have a flexible evening.
Think about moving your date if you:
- are travelling with someone who needs extra support on uneven or muddy ground (distances, stairs, terrain and toilets: confirm with the sanctuary)
- have a tight connection or evening flight on a stormy day
- want to bathe with elephants. Big Boy does not offer bathing with elephants.
Changing your date or cancelling
- Date change: contact ThaiEleHub customer service on WhatsApp at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour start time. Changes are subject to agreement and availability.
- Cancel 24 hours or more before the start: Cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour start time for a deposit refund. Stripe, our payment processor, keeps its 6.5% processing fee. This fee is not charged or kept by ThaiEleHub.
- Within 24 hours, or a no-show: Cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled tour start time are non-refundable. Bookings made within 24 hours of the scheduled tour start time are non-refundable once paid. No-shows are charged the full tour price; the deposit is not refunded.
- If the tour itself is called off: If ThaiEleHub or the sanctuary team must cancel your tour because of an operational issue, unsafe weather condition, or another merchant-side reason, we will help arrange a date change or provide the appropriate refund according to the situation.
If a storm worries you, message on WhatsApp at least 24 hours ahead. Full rules: cancellation and refund policy.
FAQs
Does Big Boy cancel tours for rain? Not for ordinary rain. ThaiEleHub's Big Boy page says programmes adjust rain gear and the schedule to conditions on the day, and heavy weather can shift the itinerary. For a severe forecast, ask the team on WhatsApp before your date.
How much is a Big Boy tour? The half-day is ฿1,500 per adult and ฿1,100 per child aged 4–8, with infants 0–3 free. The full day with the bamboo raft is ฿1,800 / ฿1,300. You pay a 25% deposit online and the balance on the day.
Can I move my date if storms are forecast? Yes, if you ask on WhatsApp at least 24 hours before your tour start. Changes are subject to agreement and availability.
Is the elephant part different in the rain? No. You still watch from a distance and feed vitamin balls at the feeding table. Nobody touches, bathes with or rides the elephants.
Book your Big Boy day
Questions about the weather on your date? WhatsApp ThaiEleHub on +66 98 858 9666. More packing ideas: what to wear to an elephant sanctuary and our rainy-season guide. About the camp: Big Boy Elephant Sanctuary.