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1-Hour Experience
No Riding. No Shows. Just Care.
Meed & Feed
No Riding. No Shows. Just Care.
Spend one unhurried hour hand-feeding our elephants at Maerim Elephant Home — fresh fruit, real stories, and a chance to see these gentle giants exactly as they are, guided by the Karen mahout families who care for them every single day.
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Why Maerim Elephant Home
A family home, not a show.
We’re a small, family-run elephant home in Mae Rim — not a “sanctuary.” In Thailand, that word is legally reserved for government-run parks, so we won’t pretend to be one. What we are is a home cared for daily by Karen mahout families whose knowledge of elephants runs generations deep.
Here, elephants aren’t trained to perform and they aren’t ridden. They spend their days doing what elephants actually do — foraging, bathing, resting, moving at their own pace — and for one hour, you get to quietly be part of that.
What You’ll Do
One hour, four small moments.
Hand-feed
Fresh bananas, sugarcane, and seasonal fruit, straight from your hands.
Hear their stories
How each elephant came to live here, and what daily care actually looks like.
Capture real moments
No posed tricks — just genuine, up-close photos.
See ethical care
Daily health checks, natural surroundings, zero performance.
How We Care For Our Elephants
Good intentions aren’t enough.
Our care follows real animal welfare science, not guesswork. Every elephant here is looked after across the areas that matter most to their wellbeing:
Nutrition
Environment
Physical health
Natural behavior
Mental wellbeing
That’s why you won’t see riding, shows, or forced tricks here — none of that fits. What you will see is elephants fed a proper diet, free to move and socialize naturally, and checked on daily by mahouts who know them individually.
Without Fences
A connection that benefits everyone.
When you share space without barriers, the connection becomes real. For you, it means experiencing elephants exactly as they are—feeling their gentle nature up close. For our elephants, it means a stress-free environment where they receive nutritious food while socializing and moving entirely at their own pace.
What You’ll Experience
- Genuine, up-close contact guided by expert mahouts
- A relaxed pace that respects the elephants’ moods
- Direct participation in feeding them fresh, healthy food
Getting Here
So close to the city, yet a world away.
Located in the lush Mae Rim valley, our elephant home is only about 19 kilometers (a 30–40 minute drive) from Chiang Mai’s Old City. It’s incredibly easy to fit this ethical experience into your half-day itinerary.
Tip: You can easily book a Grab, Bolt, or a local red truck (Songthaew) to get here.
Quick Facts
Good to know before you book.
Duration
1 hour, every hour, 08:00–16:00
Price
500 THB adult · 250 THB child (4–6) · Free (0–3)
Location
Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
Transport
Not included — please arrange your own way
We Provide
A traditional Karen shirt
Cancellation
Non-refundable, free reschedule
What Guests Say
Hear it from recent visitors.
★★★★★
“A superb little sanctuary for these rescued elephants. Ethically cared for, well fed and no riding activities. The caretakers were very friendly and keen to teach us about the elephants. You can see they have a great fondness to them and the elephants look very happy there.”
AL T
★★★★★
“I had an amazing time at Maerim Elephant Home! The staff were incredibly friendly, and it was heartwarming to see how happy and well-cared-for the elephants were. Feeding these gentle giants was a dream come true, and the mischievous little elephants added an extra layer of joy to the experience. Truly unforgettable!”
Senaka Bandara
★★★★★
“Family had a fantastic time feeding the elephants. The caretakers were treating the elephants well and saw no signs of distress from the animals. Drove up, paid and let in. No wait, only another group there. Very relax, no rush.”
David W
FAQ
Questions guests ask us most.
Is it safe to feed the elephants?
Yes — every session is guided by an experienced mahout, with safety guidelines explained before you begin.
Can young children join?
Children aged 4+ join at the child rate; kids 0–3 join free. Adult supervision is required throughout.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty. We’ll provide a Karen shirt to help protect your outfit.
Is transport to the camp included?
Not currently — you’ll need to arrange your own way to Maerim Elephant Home.
Can I reschedule if something comes up?
Bookings are non-refundable, but you can reschedule to a new date and time within 1 year at no extra cost.
Do I need to book ahead?
Yes, we’d recommend it — each hourly session is kept small so it stays relaxed for both guests and elephants.
Want More Time With Them?
View Program DetailsTry the Full Elephant Care Program
A longer, more immersive day — feed, walk, and bathe elephants in the river, then relax with a Pad Thai lunch before you go.
No Riding. No Shows. Just Care.
Come feed an elephant the way it should be done.
Gently, respectfully, and on their terms — one hour, starting at 500 THB.
Book Now