Hidden Gem Lover’s Guide to Chiang Mai

5 reasons why you should go to a no-touch no-bathe elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai

5 Tips For Visiting an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

See ethical elephant reserves, hidden trails, hipster villages and temples in the sky.

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Our Top Picks for Chiang Mai 

See ethical elephant reserves, hidden trails, hipster villages and temples in the sky. 

Very enjoyable for my wife and myself with Kom and rest of the team. Uphills worked our lungs and legs but it was nice to soak in the countryside. The waterfall at the end was a nice cool off and icing on cake was a sumptuous lunch. 100% would recommend

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Cycling to Caves and Sticky Waterfall

Very enjoyable for my wife and myself with Kom and rest of the team. Uphills worked our lungs and legs but it was nice to soak in the countryside. The waterfall at the end was a nice cool off and icing on cake was a sumptuous lunch. 100% would recommend

It was a very nice experience to watch the elephants and see them move int heir habitat. I can highly recommend it!

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See Happy Elephants in Paradise

It was a very nice experience to watch the elephants and see them move int heir habitat. I can highly recommend it!

We had a truely great day , our guides could not have been more helpful. They even adjusted the trip to suit us at there suggestion which was spot on .
 We were all a bit apprehensive about the river but the crew made it fun &amp; gave us confidence. It was a great day .

Hidden Chiang Mai: Trek & Raft to a Remote Lahu Community

We had a truely great day , our guides could not have been more helpful. They even adjusted the trip to suit us at there suggestion which was spot on .
We were all a bit apprehensive about the river but the crew made it fun &amp; gave us confidence. It was a great day . 

It was such a fun and interesting way to see the city and get to know more about the history and the culture. The group of three of us really loved how the guide was very attentive to us and also very informative with the sharing. The highlight was getting street food and having it up on a cozy, hidden rooftop that you otherwise wouldn't have known without this tour.

Hidden Chiang Mai | A Twilight Cycling Adventure

It was such a fun and interesting way to see the city and get to know more about the history and the culture. The group of three of us really loved how the guide was very attentive to us and also very informative with the sharing. The highlight was getting street food and having it up on a cozy, hidden rooftop that you otherwise wouldn't have known without this tour. 

The camp itself is super clean and top priority is given for the safety of the elephants and the visitors. Our tour guide Niche was fabulous and helpful. The lunch was fresh, plentiful and delicious. The elephants are healthy and well cared for, and seem oblivious to our presence, which is the whole idea. Great tour!

The camp itself is super clean and top priority is given for the safety of the elephants and the visitors. Our tour guide Niche was fabulous and helpful. The lunch was fresh, plentiful and delicious. The elephants are healthy and well cared for, and seem oblivious to our presence, which is the whole idea. Great tour!

Founded in 2011 by Burm Pornchai Rinkaew and Emily Rose McWilliam, BEES is an acclaimed elephant sanctuary listed on the World Animal Protection Organization's Elephant Friendly Guide. Pioneering a hands-off policy, they prioritize elephant well-being and established the BEES Elephant Foundation in 2015.

Emily's commitment began in 2009 after witnessing the mistreatment of elephants in Thai tourist camps. In 2010, discussions turned into action, with Emily and her partner Burm relocating to Mae Chaem to start BEES. Burm, with a background in tourism, contributes his expertise to the project, aiming to uplift the community by teaching English.

Since 2011, BEES has been a community-driven initiative, with Burm and Emily purchasing land and involving the local village in constructing accommodations. In addition to caring for elephants, BEES focuses on environmental conservation, having planted around 10,000 trees since 2012 with the help of visitors and local kids. Together, Burm and Emily's dedication creates a sanctuary that not only protects elephants but also fosters community and environmental well-being.

Burm & Emily's Elephant Sanctuary

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Founded in 2011 by Burm Pornchai Rinkaew and Emily Rose McWilliam, BEES is an acclaimed elephant sanctuary listed on the World Animal Protection Organization's Elephant Friendly Guide. Pioneering a hands-off policy, they prioritize elephant well-being and established the BEES Elephant Foundation in 2015.

Emily's commitment began in 2009 after witnessing the mistreatment of elephants in Thai tourist camps. In 2010, discussions turned into action, with Emily and her partner Burm relocating to Mae Chaem to start BEES. Burm, with a background in tourism, contributes his expertise to the project, aiming to uplift the community by teaching English.

Since 2011, BEES has been a community-driven initiative, with Burm and Emily purchasing land and involving the local village in constructing accommodations. In addition to caring for elephants, BEES focuses on environmental conservation, having planted around 10,000 trees since 2012 with the help of visitors and local kids. Together, Burm and Emily's dedication creates a sanctuary that not only protects elephants but also fosters community and environmental well-being.

Kui (Chetthaphon) is a avid ultra trail runner who has completed several 100km races. Passionate as he is, he is elevating his hobby into doing good for the culture and history of his beloved city, Chiang Mai. Always exploring and connecting with local communities in his trail, he has become a highly personable and qualified tour guide to adventurous tourist who are searching for off the beaten path experiences

Kui (Chetthaphon)

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Kui (Chetthaphon) is a avid ultra trail runner who has completed several 100km races. Passionate as he is, he is elevating his hobby into doing good for the culture and history of his beloved city, Chiang Mai. Always exploring and connecting with local communities in his trail, he has become a highly personable and qualified tour guide to adventurous tourist who are searching for off the beaten path experiences

At Trailhead, a leading mountain biking, trekking, kayaking and camping tour company, we care deeply about you getting the best possible experience in the place we call home. Our passion started from the love of trail riding in the amazing mountains in the region, as well as the city itself which is rich in culture and heritage. Our deep knowledge and passionate guides are here to provide you with the best adventure tour in Chiang Mai and our high end equipment, from the YT mountain bikes, Helinox trekking gear or Oru folding kayaks will provide the means to have maximum enjoyment. 

Trailhead Thailand is also committed to the environment as well as the local communities, which are the essence for our tours. We regularly participate in activities with the national parks such as litter picking, forest restoration and fire break clearing to help give a little back to the region we love so dearly and welcome our guests to join in these events.

Trailhead

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At Trailhead, a leading mountain biking, trekking, kayaking and camping tour company, we care deeply about you getting the best possible experience in the place we call home. Our passion started from the love of trail riding in the amazing mountains in the region, as well as the city itself which is rich in culture and heritage.   Our deep knowledge and passionate guides are here to provide you with the best adventure tour in Chiang Mai and our high end equipment, from the YT mountain bikes, Helinox trekking gear or Oru folding kayaks will provide the means to have maximum enjoyment.  

Trailhead Thailand is also committed to the environment as well as the local communities, which are the essence for our tours.  We regularly participate in activities with the national parks such as litter picking, forest restoration and fire break clearing to help give a little back to the region we love so dearly and welcome our guests to join in these events.  

The head of Chang Chill, Mr. Supakorn Tananseth, comes from a family that has worked with and taken care of elephants for several generations. Originally running a camp that offered elephant rides in the Mae Wang area, Mr. Supakorn discontinued riding activities and established Chang Chill to give his elephants better living conditions. Upon discussing elephant welfare and a new, ethical tourism model with World Animal Protection and several travel companies, Mr. Supakorn decided to collaborate with these organizations to adjust the venue’s infrastructure and practices.

Chang Chill’s work to offer the best living conditions possible to these elephants is a process, and we will keep evolving in the coming months and years. Throughout this time, we hope Chang Chill can serve as a model for the other camps in Thailand, to illustrate that a high welfare venue is beneficial for elephants, mahouts, tourists and camp owners.

Chang Chill Elephant Camp

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The head of Chang Chill, Mr. Supakorn Tananseth, comes from a family that has worked with and taken care of elephants for several generations. Originally running a camp that offered elephant rides in the Mae Wang area, Mr. Supakorn discontinued riding activities and established Chang Chill to give his elephants better living conditions. Upon discussing elephant welfare and a new, ethical tourism model with World Animal Protection and several travel companies, Mr. Supakorn decided to collaborate with these organizations to adjust the venue’s infrastructure and practices.

Chang Chill’s work to offer the best living conditions possible to these elephants is a process, and we will keep evolving in the coming months and years. Throughout this time, we hope Chang Chill can serve as a model for the other camps in Thailand, to illustrate that a high welfare venue is beneficial for elephants, mahouts, tourists and camp owners.

"Hi, I'm Golf, Suwanus Yibpikul. I'm passionate about nature and helping communities. With Thai Eco Solutions and Eco Tours, I've created unique tours that immerse you in our local beauty. Each booking supports locals, the environment, and gives back to the community we

Eco Tours Chiang Mai

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"Hi, I'm Golf, Suwanus Yibpikul. I'm passionate about nature and helping communities. With Thai Eco Solutions and Eco Tours, I've created unique tours that immerse you in our local beauty. Each booking supports locals, the environment, and gives back to the community we

Hey there! I'm Seu, originally from a small town called Chiang Dao. After years of running a bar in bustling Bangkok, I realized my heart longed for the peace of nature. So, I returned home and created the camp. It's a place where you can escape the city, learn survival skills, connect with nature and explore your artistic side. We even give back by planting trees and supporting our community!

Tiger Jungle Art Camp 

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Hey there!  I'm Seu, originally from a small town called Chiang Dao.  After years of running a bar in bustling Bangkok, I realized my heart longed for the peace of nature. So, I returned home and created the camp. It's a place where you can escape the city, learn survival skills, connect with nature and explore your artistic side.  We even give back by planting trees and supporting our community!   


Our Top Picks for Chiang Mai

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