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. 

It was a very enjoyful experience as we really could see that the elephants were treated with care and respect. The camp itself is in an beautiful isolated area surrounded by nature.

See Happy Elephants in Paradise

It was a very enjoyful experience as we really could see that the elephants were treated with care and respect. The camp itself is in an beautiful isolated area surrounded by nature.

I always love a bike ride through a new city. Visiting the hidden parts of the city made it extra special.

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Hidden Chiang Mai | A Twilight Cycling Adventure

I always love a bike ride through a new city. Visiting the hidden parts of the city made it extra special.

Great and knowledgeable guide, very engaging and took me to a lot of hidden gems.
 It would have been good to have alternatives for the places that were closed.

Great and knowledgeable guide, very engaging and took me to a lot of hidden gems.
It would have been good to have alternatives for the places that were closed.

The keepers and guides were clearly invested in elephant well-being and care and respect. Had a great time hiking over hills to get to view elephants, and coming within 15 feet of these magnificent creatures, while at the same time respecting their space.

The keepers and guides were clearly invested in elephant well-being and care and respect. Had a great time hiking over hills to get to view elephants, and coming within 15 feet of these magnificent creatures, while at the same time respecting their space. 

It was a very pleasant experience with Kom! He took us to some of the gems like silver temple and amazing sunset at a hidden rooftop bar ;) best of all, he took us through some alley to see the hidden side of Chiangmai.

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It was  a very pleasant experience with Kom! He took us to some of the gems like silver temple and amazing sunset at a hidden rooftop bar ;) best of all, he took us through some alley to see the hidden side of Chiangmai. 

2D1N Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Experience

Communication was efficient and pickup punctual, the experience was invaluable

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Communication was efficient and pickup punctual, the experience was invaluable 

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Since 2011, BEES has supported the local community by involving them in building accommodations and planting 10,000 trees, fostering both elephant conservation and environmental well-being.

Emily and her partner founded Thailand's rare no-touch, no-bathe elephant sanctuary, where elephants live freely. It's one of the few certified by World Animal Protection for ethical care.

When Emily first saw how elephants were treated in Thailand, she vowed that she would help them. Together with her partner Burm, she's pioneering a new form of wildlife tourism in Thailand. 

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

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!   


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.  

Mr. Supakorn has created jobs for local workers, including mahouts, and educates visitors on ethical wildlife tourism. This model empowers the community while prioritising the welfare of both animals 

Chang Chill is one of the few elephant reserves in Thailand meeting international standards of no-touch, no-feed, no-bathe, ensuring elephants live freely and naturally with minimal human interference

For years, elephants in Thailand were mistreated for tourism, forced to give rides and perform tricks. Mr. Supakorn, whose family has worked with elephants for generations, saw this and knew it had to change.

He shut down the riding activities and transformed his camp into Chang Chill, one of Thailand’s first ethical no-touch, no-bathe sanctuaries. Here, rescued elephants live freely, roaming and foraging as they would in the wild.

Creating Chang Chill wasn’t easy. Mr. Supakorn worked with World Animal Protection and others to build a space focused on elephant welfare. Today, six rescued elephants thrive, and visitors observe them from a respectful distance.

Chang Chill is more than a sanctuary—it’s a model for ethical tourism. By transforming his camp, Mr. Supakorn shows other elephant camps that prioritising animal welfare and offering a genuine experience is the future of tourism.

Chang Chill Elephant Camp

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For years, elephants in Thailand were mistreated for tourism, forced to give rides and perform tricks. Mr. Supakorn, whose family has worked with elephants for generations, saw this and knew it had to change.

He shut down the riding activities and transformed his camp into Chang Chill, one of Thailand’s first ethical no-touch, no-bathe sanctuaries. Here, rescued elephants live freely, roaming and foraging as they would in the wild.

Creating Chang Chill wasn’t easy. Mr. Supakorn worked with World Animal Protection and others to build a space focused on elephant welfare. Today, six rescued elephants thrive, and visitors observe them from a respectful distance.

Chang Chill is more than a sanctuary—it’s a model for ethical tourism. By transforming his camp, Mr. Supakorn shows other elephant camps that prioritising animal welfare and offering a genuine experience is the future of tourism.

"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

Our Top Picks for Chiang Mai

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