For guests who wish to arrange advance bookings or require additional assistance, please contact us directly at karenelephanthomelimited@gmail.com. Our team will be pleased to support you with any inquiries.
Duration: Full Day (approx. 8 hours)
Pick Up: 08:00 – 08:30 from Chiang Mai city hotels
Drop Off: 16:00 – 16:30 at Chiang Mai city hotels
Travel Time: Around 1 hour 40 minutes each way (last section via mountain roads)
Group Size: 8–10 guests
Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate (walking on mainly flat terrain, approx. 1 hour)
Age Suitability: Adults & children aged 4+ (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult)
Topography: Forest, hills, stream, lotus ponds, terraced rice paddies (in rainy season)
Experience Overview
Karen Elephant Home is an ethical elephant sanctuary located south of Chiang Mai near a Karen hill tribe settlement. The project is home to two rescued bull elephants, brothers Kham Meun and Dodo, who were saved from the tourism industry after years of performing and elephant riding. They now enjoy freedom in a natural environment of forest, hillside, and stream, cared for by a Karen family with generations of elephant knowledge.
This immersive full-day experience allows guests to spend meaningful time with elephants in a natural setting, while also learning about Karen hill tribe culture, traditions, and sustainable farming practices. The program is designed to prioritize elephant welfare, ensuring that the animals are not ridden or bathed, but instead observed respectfully as they live freely in nature.
Activities & Experiences
- Dress in traditional Karen clothing upon arrival at the sanctuary.
- Prepare food and feed the elephants bananas, sugarcane, and grasses.
- Take a scenic nature walk along forest and hillside trails, observing elephants foraging freely.
- Watch elephants cooling off in the stream and covering themselves with mud or sand.
- Learn about Karen hill tribe culture and participate in seasonal rice planting (rainy season).
- Enjoy a freshly prepared vegetarian buffet lunch with stunning views of the stream and mountains.
- Prepare banana rice health balls and feed them to the elephants.
- Discover Karen weaving traditions and handmade textiles, with items available for purchase.
- Eco-friendly craft activity – make unique statues from elephant dung.
- Relax at the simple café overlooking the stream or stroll along bamboo walkways.
What's Included
- Round trip transportation from Chiang Mai city hotels
- Qualified English-speaking tour guide
- Food for the elephants
- Freshly prepared vegetarian buffet lunch
- Admission fee & accident insurance
- Traditional Karen shirts for visitors (hats, ponchos, umbrellas provided in rainy season)
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes/trainers
- Hat or cap & sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera
- Clothes suitable for walking and potentially getting dirty/muddy
- Change of clothes for after the walk (recommended in hot season)
- Passport number (required for insurance purposes)
Meet the Elephants
Kham Meun (born 1997): The elder brother, known for his single long tusk (the other was lost due to infection after an accident in a trekking camp). He previously performed in a circus and was later used for bareback riding before being rescued in 2016. Despite his imposing size, he has a kind and gentle nature.
Dodo (born 2002): The younger brother, identifiable by his two small tusks. He once performed in shows and worked alongside his mother in elephant riding. Friendly and playful, Dodo is sometimes heard making high-pitched squeaks, a sound he learned during his performing days but now uses when excited. He enjoys foraging, playing in mud, and swimming in the stream with his brother.
Together, the brothers share a close bond and spend their days roaming freely in the sanctuary, finally living the life of elephants in nature.
