Elephant Nature Park The largest and most well-known elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park (ENP) provides homes for distressed elephants from all over Thailand. Originally founded in 1998, the sanctuary covers approximately 250 acres and is located about 1.5 hours drive northwest of Chiang Mai.

The elephants at Elephant Nature Park come mostly from abusive pasts, including being overworked in trekking camps, forced breeding and street begging. It leaves them with permanent injuries from the horrific torture they endure at the hands of their owners, who use a practice known as 'phajaan' or the 'crush'.

Chiang Mai Elephant Care Programs (bareback riding) Elephant Care Programs give you the opportunity to feed, ride bareback, bathe and play with the elephants. We use several small family-operated elephant camps in idyllic country settings.

The Phuket Elephant sanctuary is leading the way when it comes to the ethical treatment of retired/rescued elephants. Not only do elephants roam free but they also bathe freely too with the only tourist/elephant interaction allowed at feeding time.