Experience Elephant Sanctuary + Sticky Waterfall

We had an absolutely amazing experience exploring the Long Neck Village, discovering the local culture, visiting the elephant sanctuary, and enjoying the beautiful Sticky Waterfall. Every part of the trip was memorable and full of wonderful experiences. A special thank you to our amazing guide, Amy, who made the entire day so enjoyable. She was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, caring, and always made sure we were comfortable and having a great time. Her passion for the local culture and her wonderful personality truly made the trip unforgettable. Amy is the best guide we could have asked for! She went above and beyond to make our experience special, and we would highly recommend her to anyone visiting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you, Amy, for an unforgettable day filled with beautiful places, fascinating culture, and amazing memories! ❤️

Highlight of our experience in Chiang Mai. We had minimal time here so being to start early was great for us to have the rest of the afternoon free. Our guide warmly greeted us and on our drive he shared knowledge about the area and the history of elephants in Chiang Mai. My friend and I hadn’t had breakfast so our guide even took us to 7/11 so we could grab snacks. The elephant sanctuary they bring you to is well known by Thai people due to the monk that runs it. The waterfalls after were super fun too! We got about an hour to explore and only needed about 45 minutes so we were able to go back to our hotel early. I would 100% recommend this tour. One thing I wish I knew is that I didn’t need to wear grubby clothes because you won’t get dirty at the waterfalls and they give you all new clothes at the sanctuary that you can wear your swimsuit under.

Very hands on and amazing the staff was fantastic well educated and very accommodating was additional things we did not expect but its was perfect like making some of the food for the elephants

Do not worry about whether this is an ethical tour or not. Doodoi is an elephant sanctuary founded by a monk who saved an elephant from harsh working conditions in the local logging industry. Since then all the elephants cared for at this sanctuary are Rescue elephants. We had a wonderful day learning about the elephants and making their food before feeding them. The elephants are very tactile and it is a privilege to be so close to them that you can look into their eyes, and they into yours - a deep experience! We also learned how paper is made from their waste (!) before crossing the river to their free area and bathing with them in the water. Our guide at Doodoi was called Moon and she loved her job and treated us really well, taking lots of photos and videos which we will treasure. Our driver Ming was lovely and very helpful, always answering our questions and clearly happy to see us enjoying the experience. We were even fed with freshly cooked food on site. Give this tour a go, we did and loved it and you will too. Don’t forget to make a donation while you’re there to help the Sanctuary with its work.

This was the most amazing experience we’ve ever had. We were so careful choosing the sanctuary because we wanted to make sure it was ethical and good for the elephants. This one is founded by a monk and the elephants are joyous and incredibly close to their mahouts. We also happened to visit when they had a baby and the baby was so playful!! We learned so much from Moon, who was the best guide. She was so knowledgeable about the elephants’ personalities and relationships. Definitely do this experience!!

So fun! We loved the intimacy of the tour with the elephants and then to the waterfall!

loved seeing elephants, great tour guides

This was a great experience! The sanctuary was way more impressive than I could have imagined. Petting, feeding, bathing and observation in a great environment. Elephamts were well cared for, unlike other places, and it was a very enjoyable experience. Bring water shoes and a change of clothes bc you go in the water and the loaner flops slide all over the place underwater, and your gonna get wet! Highly recommend

Our tour guide, Lee, was prompt safe and knowledgeable! We went to the Elephant Sanctuary which was filled with extra surprises and ended with a delicious lunch. Afterwards we did a stop at Sticky Falls and enjoyed a stay long enough to climb the falls but not too long to become overheated. Lee then took us to a couple of brief silver and silk stops which we loved! Overall a fantastic day and we highly recommend!

This was essentially the best experience of my life... So I recommend it. Book the private tour and spend a little extra, because you can experience everything, from feeding, to preparing the food and soap, to bathing the elephant, without any crowds. Fantastic experience. My tour guide was very good. He stopped by tiger Kingdom at the end and zip lining. So.. again best day ever!

I was initially skeptical about this booking: it was the most expensive event that I'd planned for my three weeks in Thailand. It turned out to be the most unforgettable. Everything was perfect from the pickup and the dedicated driver to (of course) feeding and washing the elephants. These are absolutely marvelous creatures, which you can't really appreciate until you are up close. The sanctuary was well-run, our guide was outstanding. I ended the day happy that I had not only an enriching experience but that in doing so I had supported an ethical sanctuary, its staff, land, mission, and these beautiful animals themselves.

Unforgettable!!! The visit to the Doo Doi elephant sanctuary is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!!! The description is 100% accurate - we fed, bathed, and generally interacted with the elephants for 2 hours, and I cannot begin to describe how special this was. Sticky Waterfall was unique, and a worthwhile addition to this tour, but certainly didn't hold a candle to the elephant experience!

Excellent all around. Lee picked us up on time and pointed things out all along our drive. The elephant sanctuary was amazing. So much interaction with them and they were clearly well cared for. The sticky waterfall was more fun than I thought it would be. Highly recommend

Our driver Ming “go with Joe” was outstanding, he was informative and efficient. The locations we visited were beyond description. Interacting with the elephants and learning about them was incredible and the sticky waterfalls were beautiful to say the least. We didn’t know what to expect and had no idea when we came to Chiang Mai to visit.

Ming was great! He is very knowledgeable about Chiang Mai and the surrounding area. He was also flexible in the schedule and incorporated some changes for us. It was a great day!

It was amazing to learn and spend time with elephants. The guide was great, he was accommodating and spoke good English.

Brilliant! We were picked up directly from our hotel, it was just us in the car which we did not expect. Made it feel like a private tour. Our driver was giving us some insights into local area and traditional throughout the drive. We were the first tour group (did it with two other groups but about 10 of us altogether). Got to feed, make food and soap, pet and bathe the elephants. It was a magical experience, and not one we’ll forget. Then drove to the sticky waterfalls. The waterfalls itself are cool, little bit tricky to climb at places and you do have to stop a lot for people doing photoshoots on the falls, which was annoying. I’d recommend taking boat shoes as the path down is sore on your feet, lots of stairs down and quite steep back up. Overall would 100% recommend this tour!

We had an excellent day trip with Lee as our driver and guide. He has very good English which is rare in Chiang Mai. This is the only private trip to visit the Ekephants that I found. All other Elephabt trips have 6 am pickup and you are transported like cattle in the back of their taxis! Lee picked us up in a van at 8 am! The van is old but comfortable and the AC worked very well. The elephant experience was at Doo Chang Doo Doi, which is a small sanctuary with 9 elephants. We saw a 2 month old baby and mother, then were transported via raft to the other side of the river where we fed, bathed and played with the other elephants. We were a group of 3 and our total group was 6. So small intimate experience vs other sanctuaries that I heard were groups of 20+. Another very important fact: wear a bathing suit, but they give you pants, shirt, flip flops, straw hat, bag to keep water and phone. which not many places do, They also provide towels and there are shower stalls available. Lunch was included but it’s very simple, fried chicken, pad Thai, veggies, rice, fruit, water. I would have preferred lunch at a nice restaurant that is pay extra. Then we drove to the Sticky Waterfall, walked down and climbed up about 200 meters, lots of fun! Wear a bathing suit and take off another clothes because you will get wet. You can go bearfoot or wear water shoes. We were back at our hotel in Chiang Mai old city at 2:45. This was excellent timing, because the other tours advertise 6 am pick and 2 pm return with no sticky waterfall. Lee also offer to take us to the safari zoo for 1 hour; this was not mentioned on the itinerary and we decided not to go, but good to know if people travel with kids to stop by the safari zoo. Excellent day with Lee and because we were back by 2:45, my husband and I had time for a 2 hour Thai massage after the tour!

Amazing experience for kids and adults alike. The elephant sanctuary was the absolute highlight. Sticky waterfall was crowded but otherwise great. Great communication.

We had a great time! The elephant sanctuary was very cool. My family with kids ages 8-14 loved the sticky waterfall. Wear a swimsuit for the sticky waterfall.

One of the highlights of our trip. We had a private tour, so it was very comfortably paced. Moon was our guide at the Elephant Sanctuary and was very patient, kind and upbeat. She answered all of our questions and made sure we experienced every aspect of elephant care. Afterward, the visit to the waterfall was especially warranted. The natural beauty is incredible. Lots of stairs, you can attempt to climb the falls on your ascent. It’s a lot of work depending on your physical condition. I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. Take the stairs slowly and enjoy the views.

Excellent experience with the elephants. Learned so much about these beautiful animals. A thorough experience. Sticky waterfall was fun. What a wonderful day out in the beautiful countryside. Highly recommend spending a bit more and doing this privately. We had as much time experiencing the elephants as a group of 12 had to split.

The whole experience today was awesome! Our tour guide Lee picked us up promptly at the hotel. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. Gave us lots of information of things we were passing on the way to each activity.The elephant sanctuary was amazing and not too crowded or overrun with tourist. They do a nice job of separating groups into reasonable sizes. Our guide Moon at the elephant sanctuary was very knowledgeable and available for any questions. She also managed the group well and was kind and friendly. The trip to the sticky Falls was good, but it slightly crowded with people taking lots of pictures. But still a refreshing way to end the day overall a wonderful experience and a wonderful day.

Loved it so much. Elephants were amazing. Loved the baby. The hugs and kisses. The way they could wave and communicate. Very smart animals. Loved bathing them. Moon was fantastic. Loved the chicken for lunch. .

Fabulous experience met all my expectations of an ethical sanctuary. The elephants are so well looked after beautiful habitat and the staff are amazing.

Loved our visit with the elephants. From learning about them, to feeding & making their vitamins, and natural soap to bathing them. Moon was an awesome guide. This is an experience that we will always remember & my husband even said after, that he felt everyone should experience this. Lunch was yummy as well. The sticky waterfall was a lot larger than expected and a little intimidating, but my husband and I (in our 50's & 60's) were able to hike up it, which was super fun. I forgot our drivers name, but he drove very safe and was very accommodating, even stopping so I could buy bug spray. Thanks again!!

Such an amazing experience. A great way to spend a day in Chiang Mai. Both portions of the trip were a lot of fun. Lee was amazing and so knowledgeable

The elephant sanctuary was so interesting and fun! We really enjoyed our time there. Lunch was delicious. And our climb at Sticky Falls was a lot of fun! It was a perfect way to end the day.

Trip was an amazing day! The elephant sanctuary was truly a private experience, there was a group finishing when we arrived and one arriving when we left. But no overlap or sharing time with activities or elephants. Lee was so helpful and nice. Upon arrival to the sanctuary they give you shirt, pants, shoes, and a bag to change into, they provide a locker with lock for your personal belongings. We did not get very wet bathing the elephants, this could vary by river depth. We arrived at the end of rainy season. I 1000% recommend this sanctuary it appears to be very ethical, a once in a lifetime opportunity. The sticky waterfall was beautiful it’s in a national park so lots of accommodations and very accessible. You will get wet here! Make sure to go to the very bottom. We stopped at the first stop off the stairs and missed the pool at the bottom! I cannot say enough about our driver/tour guide Lee! He was so accommodating and helpful! He gave us a perfect day we will never forget!

The elephant sanctuary was a real highlight, the elephants well cared for and wandering relatively freely. Feeding and washing the elephants was such an amazing experience. The sticky waterfalls were marvellous. Our guide Lee was great and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour

We had an amazing experience interacting with the elephants! Lee is an awesome and very informative tour guide! This is one of the best tours ever! I highly recommend!!

Amazing trip to see the elephants and the sticky waterfalls. Our guide for the day, Lee, was amazing and our guide at the elephant sanctuary, Cookie, was fabulous. We were made to feel so welcomed. We made food for the elephants to eat, took a trip across the river to feed them and bathe them. Our lunch was also great. The sticky waterfalls was amazing ... What a great experience! And what a fun day!

This was a great tour and was so much fun. We had a blast seeing the elephants and climbing up the waterfalls. It was a highlight of our honeymoon!

Top 5 experience of my entire life! We got hugs and kisses from the elephants, made their vitamins and fed them. Made paper out of elephant doo doo. Chopped sugarcane. Took a raft across the river to bathe them and then they sprayed us with their trunks! It was amazing! Afterwards we went to the sticky waterfall. Memorable, but the elephants really stole the show!

Do it! Great guide - John helped make an interesting journey and was super helpful. The elephant sanctuary was superb. Caring for and connecting with the elephants was a wonderful experience, and the sanctuary staff were very skilled, informative and kind. The waterfall climb at the end was a refreshing and scenic way to top it off.

This was a private trip to one of the elephant sanctuaries around the Chiang Mai area. Our driver picked us up on time and explained the days trip. When we got to the sanctuary one of the local guides walked us through all the activities. Really well arranged and the elephants all looked well. We had lunch there and then went to the water falls park. A good experience and worth seeing. Overall a good trip with a good driver.

This experience was the best thing we did in Chiang Mai!! Highly recommend. Joe picked us up early in the morning and did not make us rush at all with the itinerary. Everyone at the elephant sanctuary was also very kind.

Was a magical experience, the places were amazing and hands on, it was truly a fun and magical experience. Our driver Lee was amazing and explained so much on the way, you can tell that he is truly passionate about his job

Our driver arrived early and met us inside the hotel lobby. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and spoke very good English. The sanctuary that we were taken to by all appearances seemed in the best interest of the animals. We were told that they don’t allow visitors to see the elephants past 2 pm and the vast majority of their time is spent free-roaming and grazing and doing what the elephant wants to do. As visitors, we were instructed to change into the attire of the trainers as not to startle the elephants with anything abnormal. We were passed on to a guide who led us through the process of cutting sugarcane for feeding, creating a “vitamin ball” to aid in the elephants’ digestion, and making a natural soap that we would use to help bathe the elephants later. As an added bonus, our guide doubled as a photographer, making sure the excursion was well-documented on our phones. Lunch was above-average Thai fare during which we were given the opportunity to buy one of our photos for 200THB that had already been framed. Normally I would feel scummy about this kind of practice but our driver was the one who told us with no added pressure. The money that was given went straight into the donation box for the upkeep of the sanctuary. Everything that we were shown pointed to the health and happiness of the animals so we were happy to pay. Lee, our guide, was excellent as well. If I had one criticism of the tour, it would be that by the time we got to Buatong, it felt a bit like an afterthought. After taking 45 minutes to get there, we were only given an hour, about the amount of time it would take to drive back to the hotel. However, it’s still a very beautiful park and worth seeing. We still had enough time to get down to the 3rd and 4th waterfalls and slowly make our way to the top. All in all, the day was an unforgettable experience that I’d recommend to anyone visiting the area and wants to play a small part in taking care of Thailand’s most revered animal.

My wife and I enjoyed a great visit to an elephant sanctuary that I was hesitant to go but thrilled that I went. Joe picked us up early waiting for us. He was courteous and professional, will search him out when friends and family join us soon next time ! It was a cheaper package to visit E Sanctuary and Sticky Waterfall together with Joe and he was very accommodating and timely with his driving and courteousness. Found a nice gift at the Silk Factory on the way back to hotel. Great last day in Chiang Mai, au revoir until next time…

Great, memorable experience. Driver and Guide (both named Lee) were amazing. Highly recommend to anyone.

Truly one of the best experiences I had in Thailand. First off, the sanctuary itself is amazing - it's actually ethical and there is no elephant riding or mistreatment of the animals. The driver is also awesome and will be there with you the entire time. The sticky falls is also something that's worth doing while you're in the area and getting to wrap up the elephant sanctuary and sticky falls in the same excursion is amazing.

Fantastic experience learning about elephants and being close in a safe environment. The location was beautiful and Cookie was a great guide. The second half waterfall climb was so fun. We were nervous at first but really ended up enjoying the experience and beautiful photos we took.

He was an excellent guide for the tour super timed and take us to places that weren’t included excellent guide

Good tour, interactive with the elephants. Appeared that the elephants were being well cared for in this sanctuary. We were sceptical about being able to be close to them and feed them, but they were not tied up, and were free to walk around and were on a very large acreage/farm. Very well kept sanctuary. Food was great and they had everything supplied and ready for the experience.

Our guide Jon picked us up in a beautiful luxury air conditioned van, he was so personable. He immediately recommended we visit the Tiger Kingdom to do a Tiger experience, so we did. It was beyond anything we could have imagined. We were able to get in the Tiger pen with the tigers and watch them play, pet them, and take photos for about 20 minutes it was incredible. Then we went to the elephant sanctuary and had another incredible animal encounter with these gentle elephants in there habitat. We fed them we bathed them it was incredible. We strongly recommend this tour

Incredible day! The drive was wonderful. Private drive with just our group. The driver gave lots of information about the local history culture and overall happenings in Chiang Mai. We got to the elephants early which was great avoiding crowds. The experience with elephants was wonderful. Really enjoyed getting to learn about them and also help in the feeding and care of these majestic animals. Showers and change of clothes were nice and lunch was excellent. Next the drive through the countryside to get to the sticky waterfall was beautiful. Again our driver gave us lots of information about local way of life on the drive. Sticky waterfall and national park was a must see. Gorgeous! We enjoyed it so much we hiked it twice! Overall we loved the option to do both elephants and waterfall in the same day. The entire day was perfectly paced. Well done!

This was a great experience! It was amazing to feed and bathe the elephants. Sticky Waterfall was beautiful and it was so cool to climb up the waterfall. Our guide Ton was good too; he knew the area well, got us where we needed to be in a timely manner, and waited patiently while we did each activity. As far as timing, our day lasted about 8 hours from door to door.

Super hands on with the elephants! Amazing experience our family will never forget! Thank you for our favorite ChiangMai excursion!