Volunteering with Elephants: Thailand

Escape the matrix, come to Chiang Mai, and live with elephants! These beautiful creatures were captured at a young age, separated from their family and forced to learn tricks to perform to tourists. Joining us helps fund their rescue, and pay for their food and health care. Your responsibility while you are with us is to love and care for the elephants. They each have unique personalities and personal preferences. You will be preparing their meals, feeding them, joining them on their jungle treks plus much more.

Want to stay for longer? The more weeks you add, the cheaper the cost!

  • 18 meals (Vegetarian options)
  • No hidden charges or application fees
  • Accommodation
  • Airport transfer (Arrivals)
  • Experience and observe elephants in an ethical way
  • Learn about elephant welfare
  • Meet volunteers from all over the world
  • International flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Airport Transfer (Departing)

Volunteering with Elephants: Thailand

$778.75 Per Week from
Pay $350 deposit

Get to first-name basis with rescued elephants in Chiang Mai.

  • Length 1-12 Weeks
  • Avg. Age 18+
  • No. Of Meals 18
  • Avg. Group Size 10-40
  • Starting Point Chiang Mai
  • Ending Point Chiang Mai

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Starting Dates

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1

Welcome to Thailand!

Welcome to Thailand, volunteers! We're thrilled to have you here and can't wait to see your impact on our community. But don't worry, it's not all work and no play! You'll have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in Thai culture, try delicious new foods, and explore this beautiful country with your fellow volunteers. Our team is here to make sure your experience is smooth and enjoyable, so if you need anything, just let us know. Let's get ready for an incredible journey together!

  • Meals Included Brunch, Dinner
  • Room Type Volunteer House
  • Activities Included Airport Transfer
DAY 2-6

Elephant Volunteering

This volunteer program spans Monday to Friday, focusing on elephant care. Daily activities include breakfast, cleaning, and renovating the elephant area, lunch, and dinner. Specific tasks vary: observing elephants during mud baths, making nutrition balls, learning about Asian elephants, preparing Thai herbal medicine, and developing basic Mahout skills. Participants also get to walk with elephants. Schedule adjustments may occur due to various conditions.

  • Meals Included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Room Type Volunteer House
  • Activities Included Cleaning, Renovating the Elephant, Observing Elephants, Making Nutrition Balls, Preparing Medicine, Developing Basic Mahout Skills
Day 7

Free Time

The weekend is here! Gather up your new friends and let's make a trip to remember. There's plenty to do in the local area, including Old City, Doi Suthep, Night Bazaar, Sunday Walking Street, and Art and Cultural Centers... the list is endless!

  • Meals Included Brunch, Dinner
  • Room Type Volunteer House

Optional Extras

$40
$40

Program Description

For over 5000 years, elephants have been used by humans in various capacities, often to the detriment of the elephants themselves. Despite their revered status in Thai culture, issues like abuse, poaching, and habitat loss have endangered the Asian elephant population. Our sanctuary project offers a safe haven for elephants that are old, sick, disabled, abused, or formerly illegally owned, focusing on their well-being rather than activities like riding. Volunteers engage in tasks such as bathing elephants and preparing their food, with elephants freely roaming the sanctuary during the day.

Participants work closely with mahouts, gaining insights into the dedicated care of these majestic animals. The sanctuary, while open for respectful visitor interactions, underscores the need for ongoing support for elephants rescued from labor or entertainment. With around 40-50 elephants in care, we stress the importance of ethical treatment and prioritize the animals' welfare above all. Volunteers should be medically fit as the program involves physical activities, and we maintain a strict no-alcohol policy.

This initiative not only aids in the conservation of endangered elephants but also offers volunteers a meaningful experience, fostering understanding and respect for these noble creatures.

Aims & Objectives

  • Take care of relocated, injured, ill, previously abused or illegally owned elephants at the sanctuary.
  • Give you a unique, unforgettable experience in care taking for elephants.
  • Assist the local sanctuary staff by providing an extra hand.

Clean & comfortable Accommodation

You'll be provided with clean and comfortable accommodation. Since there will be many people staying at the centre and participating in various programs, you'll have an excellent opportunity to meet and socialize with many new people from around the world.