one day tour At ChangChill, an observation-only, truly elephant-friendly camp
We're sorry. This tour is no longer available.
Overview
ChangChill, located in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, started its journey in 2017. ChangChill (meaning “relaxed elephants” in Thai) is now ready to reopen its doors – offering a better life for elephants and a unique experience for visitors. the six resident female elephants the freedom to roam the valley, graze, and bathe in the river, mud and dust, while socializing with each other. Visitors are no longer encouraged to interact with the elephants, but are now given the chance to see how the elephants choose to spend their days in the forest. Observe elephants navigate the lush forest, learn about Karen hill tribe culture with local community members, or enjoy the breathtaking view from the elephant observation deck – it’s not only the elephants that get to “chill” here.
Inclusions
- Lunch - local Vegeterian Thai food
- Air-conditioned vehicle
What to expect
Itinerary
10:00 am Arrival and introduction to ChangChill’s past, present and future and the program’s schedule.
10:30 am Visitors begin their elephant walk, and follow their guide into the forest to observe the elephants grazing, socializing, while observing from a safe distance.
11:30 am
Visitors arrive at a rest station for traditional Thai refreshments – The rest station is above a mud pit, where on a hot day, the elephants love to bathe and play together.
12:00 pm
Visitors move down to the riverside sala where they learn a bit about enrichment, help fill feeding tubes with corn, sugar cane, grass, bananas and any other supplementary food on hand.
12:15 pm Visitors having a lunch
1:00 pm
Visitors will learn about the community’s history and the traditional method of weaving clothing and bags at the Karen Cultural Centre. Visitors can try this method of weaving with the guidance of local community members and purchase item that were made by hand in the village.
1:30 pm Start Afternoon Program
Traditional Herb Lesson Learn About Herb that good for Elephant
Elephant Cooking Class learn how to make a Thai herb madicine ball for our elephant.
Mahout Chating with Mahouts about their live
10:00 am Arrival and introduction to ChangChill’s past, present and future and the program’s schedule.
10:30 am Visitors begin their elephant walk, and follow their guide into the forest to observe the elephants grazing, socializing, while observing from a safe distance.
11:30 am
Visitors arrive at a rest station for traditional Thai refreshments – The rest station is above a mud pit, where on a hot day, the elephants love to bathe and play together.
12:00 pm
Visitors move down to the riverside sala where they learn a bit about enrichment, help fill feeding tubes with corn, sugar cane, grass, bananas and any other supplementary food on hand.
12:15 pm Visitors having a lunch
1:00 pm
Visitors will learn about the community’s history and the traditional method of weaving clothing and bags at the Karen Cultural Centre. Visitors can try this method of weaving with the guidance of local community members and purchase item that were made by hand in the village.
1:30 pm Start Afternoon Program
Traditional Herb Lesson Learn About Herb that good for Elephant
Elephant Cooking Class learn how to make a Thai herb madicine ball for our elephant.
Mahout Chating with Mahouts about their live
Time of tour
07:30 AM
Meeting point
Traveler pickup is offered
We pick up from any Hotel in Chiang Mai City
Airports
We pick up from any Hotel in Chiang Mai City
Airports
- Chiang Mai Intl Airport, Chiang Mai Thailand
Additional information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 2 travelers
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
taylab2019
September 2019
Fantastic visit, appears much better than other places. They treat the elephants so well, observation only. The views were amazing and the food was equally as good. All the staff were very friendly and helpful
Fantastic visit, appears much better than other places. They treat the elephants so well, observation only. The views were amazing and the food was equally as good. All the staff were very friendly and helpfulTrailBlazer637354
September 2019
They picked us up at our hotel and they were timely. We took a bus van to the location and once we arrived, the setting was idyllic with rice fields surrounding the staging area. Goi, Nancy, and the Mahouts were a joy to be around. We had the tour to ourselves because the other group cancelled an...
They picked us up at our hotel and they were timely. We took a bus van to the location and once we arrived, the setting was idyllic with rice fields surrounding the staging area. Goi, Nancy, and the Mahouts were a joy to be around. We had the tour to ourselves because the other group cancelled and the day was personalized to us especially with having young children in the mix. The lunch was delicious. We had fun following the elephants around and learning about them. Although tempted to touch them since they were close, it was fascinating to simply watch them be themselves and devour the snacks we made for them. This was a day not soon forgotten!windtookmehere
February 2022
Chang Chill was a great time! I love that they’re supported by the World Animal Protection organization and they’re the first place to have an observational only elephant experience. I’d like this to see this become the new normal for all elephant areas, as opposed to disrupting the elephants thr...
Chang Chill was a great time! I love that they’re supported by the World Animal Protection organization and they’re the first place to have an observational only elephant experience. I’d like this to see this become the new normal for all elephant areas, as opposed to disrupting the elephants through activities like bathing. If you agree with letting elephants be elephants, visiting Chang Chill is the way to go. Goi, our guide, was fantastic! She was very friendly and knowledgeable about the elephants and the history of the place. She definitely agrees and supports the values of Chang Chill. I liked that we walked to see the elephants eating and they weren’t pressured to walk towards us. We saw the grandma elephant eating alone on a beautiful hill! We were able to get close for photos but far enough away to give her space. After seeing each of the elephants in their roaming phase of the day, we went back and had lunch. It was a simple Pad Thai, without egg or fish sauce (we eat plant based) and a dish of watermelon on the side. Then we put sticks of sugar cane in the feeding tubes and waited for the elephants to come for their regular afternoon snack. Then we made vitamin balls by mashing up bananas, rice, leaves, and tamarin. The rest of the time was watching them play in mud, walk in the river, and continue eating. It was a lovely day and I highly recommend Chang Chill!charlottepQ8111JI
February 2022
We had an absolutely amazing day. Due to covid the tourist numbers were very low so we ended up with a private trip. Goi was our guide and she was fantastic. We learnt loads about the 4 elephants that were staying with them (2 had gone back to their owners due to covid but they are hoping that th...
We had an absolutely amazing day. Due to covid the tourist numbers were very low so we ended up with a private trip. Goi was our guide and she was fantastic. We learnt loads about the 4 elephants that were staying with them (2 had gone back to their owners due to covid but they are hoping that they will return soon). We found all four elephants in the forest and were able to watch them eating and just being elephants for plenty of time. We then returned to the camp for a delicious lunch (no problem at all to make it nut and peanut free for me). After lunch we filled the feeding tubes with sugar cane and made vitamin balls (hard work using the giant pestle and mortar but great fun to learn about the different things going in and how they benefit the elephants). This truly ethical place is currently one of a kind in Chiang Mai but hopefully the other camps nearby will move away from elephant riding and bathing and allow these amazing animals to be themselves again soon. We would highly recommend this for anyone looking to spend quality time with elephants in Thailand - you will not be disappointed.moniquem819
March 2020
We chose Chang Chill to have a different experience with elephants. In other years we had visited twice a big elephant park where you interact with the elephant (walking, feeding and bathing these beautiful animals). Chang Chill is different as you do NOT interact with the elephants, but you obse...
We chose Chang Chill to have a different experience with elephants. In other years we had visited twice a big elephant park where you interact with the elephant (walking, feeding and bathing these beautiful animals). Chang Chill is different as you do NOT interact with the elephants, but you observe them (from close distance). And it was really a great experience. The elephants just do what they want to do. Are not forced to take a bath or anything like that. They look relaxed and not stressed. Our guide, Goy, was super friendly and funny. This park opened recently and deserves to get a lot of visitors. They really put the elephant number one and this is how it should be! Loved it.Lifestartedwithyou
March 2020
We had the most amazing time here and it will forever be a number one highlight of our trip to Asia! We got picked up by a very friendly tour guide who spoke great English! She knew alot of information on the elephants and stayed with us for our whole experience. We got to trek around the mountai...
We had the most amazing time here and it will forever be a number one highlight of our trip to Asia! We got picked up by a very friendly tour guide who spoke great English! She knew alot of information on the elephants and stayed with us for our whole experience. We got to trek around the mountain side in search of the elephants and got a really close encounter with them. We then got to sit and create healthy snacks for the elephants and had lunch ourselves. The whole thing from start to finish really was fantastic! This sanctuary is truly one of a kind in Thailand and offers the elephants true sanctuary. They operate a no touching, bathing or feeding system which is much better for the elephants as they are left to walk around themselves. Even though these experiences aren't given at this sanctuary it doesn't mean that you can't get up close to the elephants! we really loved it and you will too! The only thing I will say is you have to be able-bodied to trek looking for the elephants and it was really slippy when we were there so we were given wellies to wear. so if you don't mind some exercise and a little dirt then these elephants won't disappoint