Elephant Sanctuaries in Northern Thailand usually offer half day or full day experiences from Chiang Mai, with many even organizing transportation straight from your hotel. They all offer similar activities, such as feeding them, walking beside them on nature trails through the jungle, and getting down and dirty by joining them in a muddy river and bathing them. Riding the elephants is frowned upon, and many of the elephants you’ll meet in these sanctuaries were rescued from difficult and stressful lives of working to carry tree lumber through the jungles.
Don’t rush through this part of your trip. Choose a sanctuary where you can also embrace the nature and use it as a time to rest and relax. And once you get your first glimpse of these magnificent creatures, you’re gonna wish you had more time here…