Mae Chaem District, Thailand
Live the most authentic experience while supporting an ethical Elephant Sanctuary project
Live a genuine and ethical travel experience by joining a 200-people Karen ethnic minority fighting for the return of elephants home to the forest in the mountains of northern Thailand. Help with research initiatives aimed at enhancing elephant welfare and support us by fostering an environment where these majestic creatures can thrive.
- Cristina Palacio
- Worldpackers Host seit Dec/2023
Ab
US$ 618 für 4 Tage (US$ 154.50 pro Tag)
Termine & Preise prüfenSchließe dich 29 Worldpackers an, die dieses Erlebnis geliebt haben
Verfügbare Gruppenreisen
12. Apr 2026 - 16. Apr 2026
Ethical Elephant Conservation & Reptile Exploration with Adam Wickens Rescue, education, and responsible herping — April 12–16, 2026
Join Adam Wickens — wildlife educator, reptile specialist, and conservation storyteller — for a unique conservation experience that combines ethical elephant rescue work with optional reptile-focused exploration in a biodiverse landscape. Hosted in partnership with Kindred Spirit Elephants, this experience is rooted in animal welfare, education, and respect. There is no riding, no forced interaction, and no exploitative encounters — only meaningful support for rescued elephants and the people dedicated to their long-term care. During the day, participants will assist with sanctuary operations, habitat care, and enrichment preparation while learning about elephant behavior, welfare standards, and the complex realities of rescue and rehabilitation. In the evenings, Adam will offer optional night hikes and herping walks, focused on: Spotting reptiles and amphibians in their natural habitat Learning safe, ethical observation techniques Understanding local species ecology and conservation challenges Appreciating reptiles without handling or disturbance These walks are completely optional and designed to be educational, low-impact, and respectful — perfect for beginners and experienced reptile enthusiasts alike. During this experience, you’ll: Support ethical elephant conservation and daily sanctuary care Learn how responsible wildlife tourism protects animals — not exploits them Join optional reptile and amphibian night walks led by an experienced educator Build skills in ethical wildlife observation and conservation storytelling Connect with a small group of travelers who value science, humor, and accountability This trip is ideal for: Wildlife lovers who care about ethics as much as excitement Reptile enthusiasts who want to learn in the field — responsibly Educators, conservationists, and curious humans who want more than a photo-op 🗓 Dates: April 12–16, 2026 🐘 Primary Focus: Ethical elephant conservation 🐍 Optional Add-On: Reptile & amphibian night hikes 🌱 Ethos: Learn first. Observe respectfully. Protect always.
21. Jun 2026 - 25. Jun 2026
Demnächst verfügbarTravel With Camille
Come with me to Thailand to meet the elephants and make new friends
Ab
US$ 1.457
US$ 1.357
09. Dez 2027 - 12. Dez 2027
Demnächst verfügbarMore dates available soon
Dates to book this experience for 2026 and 2027 will be available soon, stay tuned!
Ab
US$ 618
Reiseroute
Tag 1
Morgen
09:00 AM – Pick up from Chiang Mai
Kick off the adventure with a scenic drive through lush mountains and ethnic villages.
Nachmittag
12:00 PM – Lunch in Mae Cheam
Fuel up with a tasty local meal before heading deeper into nature.
02:00 PM – Arrival at the Village
Meet your host family, staff, and fellow travelers. Learn the ropes and settle in.
05:30 PM – Cooking Class with Your Homestay
Chop, stir, and sizzle your way through traditional Karen recipes.
Abend
07:00 PM – Basket Weaving & Local Market
Learn from village elders and check out handmade goods you can take home.
Tag 2
Morgen
07:00 AM – Breakfast
Wake up to fresh local flavors and mountain air.
08:00 AM – Elephant Hike
Trek through the jungle to find elephants and observe them in the wild.
11:30 AM – Lunch in the Forest
Enjoy a peaceful, picnic-style lunch right in the elephants' backyard.
Nachmittag
03:00 PM – Cultural & Eco Activities
Dive into local language lessons, eco-projects, or a mini jungle cleanup.
Abend
06:00 PM – Dinner at Your Homestay
Home-cooked dinner with your host family, cozy and delicious.
07:00 PM – Quiz, Game, or Movie Night
Wind down with a fun group activity under the stars.
Tag 3
Morgen
07:00 AM – Breakfast
Another energizing meal before a big day out.
08:00 AM – Elephant Hike
Return to the forest for another chance to observe the herd.
Nachmittag
12:00 PM – Lunch at Base
Recharge with a hearty village lunch.
04:00 PM – Arrive in the Village
Get settled and explore your new surroundings.
02:00 PM – Drive to Gibbon Encounters Village
Hop in for a scenic drive to your next unique stop.
05:30 PM – Cooking Class & Dinner
Cook another delicious Karen meal with your new hosts.
Abend
07:00 PM – Evening Village Walk
Wander through the village and take in the peaceful vibe.
Tag 4
Morgen
06:00 AM – Gibbon Walk
Follow the magical morning calls of the gibbons through the trees.
07:00 AM – Breakfast
Refuel with a fresh breakfast and hot tea or coffee.
08:00 AM – Cave Hike
Explore nearby caves with your guide, full of natural wonder.
11:30 AM – Forest Lunch
Enjoy a simple, delicious lunch surrounded by nature.
Nachmittag
03:00 PM – Cultural Workshops
Lend a hand in tea, coffee, or rice farming, or learn weaving with locals.
Abend
06:00 PM – Dinner
Gather for another comforting meal in the heart of the village.
07:00 PM – Evening Walk & Sunset Viewpoint
Stroll to a local lookout and watch the sun dip below the hills.
Tag 5
Morgen
06:00 AM – Gibbon Walk
One last chance to spot gibbons in their natural habitat.
07:00 AM – Breakfast
Final breakfast in the mountains, savor every bite.
08:00 AM – Forest Hike
Take in the jungle one last time before heading back.
Nachmittag
12:00 PM – Lunch at Base
Gather for your last village meal and share stories.
02:00 PM – Return to Chiang Mai or Pai
Say goodbye to the village and head back, heart full and soul refreshed.
Was ist inbegriffen
Was ist nicht inbegriffen
Anforderungen
- Mittelstufe Englisch
- Über 18 Jahre alt
Aktivitäten
Entdecke die Aktivitäten, die deine Reise zu einem epischen Abenteuer machen.
Lernmöglichkeiten
Trage zu deinem Projekt bei und bewirke etwas Positives, während du neue Fähigkeiten entwickelst.
Gibbon Walk at Sunrise
Follow gibbons' calls at dawn and track their behavior, wildlife spotting magic!
Community Project: Coffee, Tea or Rice
Help in local farming and learn about traditional practices.
Elephant Hike & Observation
Track elephants and observe their natural behavior in the wild.
Immersionsaktivitäten
Lerne die lokale Kultur kennen und erlebe eine authentische Reiseerfahrung mit Aktivitäten, die in deiner Reiseroute enthalten sind.
Karen Lessons
Learn the local language and culture with locals and make your trip more immersive.
Quiz & Games Nights
Immerse yourself in Thai and global culture while bonding with the host and travelers!
Cooking Class with Homestay
Cook local dishes with your host family and learn their recipes.
Videos
Emily
Vereinigte Staaten
The work being done at the shelter is so important and inspirational. The elephants are well taken care of with the freedom to roam as they would in the wild. It was so cool to observe them and learn more about their behaviors, diets, and the crisis happening at the shelter parks all over Thailand. It was incredible to see them be able to just be elephants. The gibbon program is also amazing, although we didn't see too many gibbons. The Karen people are incredible as well!! So welcoming and generous. We got to cook with them and learned how to weave and make coffee with them. Forever grateful!
vor 10 Monaten
Svetlana
Frankreich
Une expérience vraiment incroyable en tout point de vue, que ce soit les humains rencontrés, le projet et l'investissement des locaux, la communication et la découverte des éléphants grâce à des scientifiques avec une solide formation, et enfin le lieu absolument magnifique. Ce fut dur par moment, ce fut du travail, mais ce fut riche. Merci à l'équipe.
vor 19 Tagen
Soeren
Vereinigte Staaten
The shelter was so great! No phone service was nice and relaxing, so was hiking out. Seeing elephants was so cool. Had a fun time at night playing games and watching movies, my homestay cooked a bit extra for me too. It's a really awesome week.
vor 26 Tagen
Jessica
Vereinigte Staaten
I would recommend this opportunity to anyone looking for a truly ethical the shelter & cultural immersion. The staff is incredible- passionate, intelligent, and kind. Thank you Cristina, Emily, Lucía, Aislinn, Rose, and Kanda! I spent two weeks at the shelter and was sad to leave at the end. I would love to return in the future!
vor 29 Tagen
Lena
Deutschland
One of the few truly ethical sanctuaries in Thailand. It is an incredible experience to see elephants living freely in the wild. But it is above all the local community that makes this project so special. If you are willing to embrace a simple lifestyle and keep an open mind, this experience will enrich you deeply.
vor etwa 2 Monaten
Sam
Kanada
Tess and I had a fantastic experience at the shelter. The staff were welcoming and very receptive to any questions we had regarding volunteering or the village itself. The work we did felt meaningful, while maintaining a priority for ethical conservation that should be emulated everywhere. We stayed in the village surrounded by the locals and enjoyed the delicious food cooked for us every day. Everyone greeted us with a smile and we felt we were a part of something truly special. My only regret is that we didn't stay longer.
vor 3 Monaten
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Unterkunftsmöglichkeiten
Shared Dorm
At this project, homestays offer a unique opportunity for travelers and visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture and experience the daily life of the community firsthand. By choosing to stay in a homestay, you’ll directly support the local economy and contribute to the livelihoods of host families.
Homestay accommodations are cozy and comfortable, offering basic amenities. You’ll share the accommodation and communal living spaces with other travelers and the host family. The bathrooms feature Western-style toilets and, since there is no hot running water in the village, you’ll immerse yourself in the local culture of cold showers.
- Wäscheservice zum Festpreis
- Nutze unsere ausgestattete Küche
- Dedizierter Arbeitsplatz
Mahlzeiten
You'll be treated to delicious homemade meals prepared by the host family, featuring authentic Thai dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Sharing meals together is a cherished aspect of the homestay experience, providing opportunities for bonding and conversation.
Varied continental breakfast spread each morning, featuring bread, cereals, pancakes, jams, spreads, and teas. For lunch, be open to try the rich flavors of traditional Thai cuisine, prepared by our homestay hosts, with tantalizing stir-fries complemented by fragrant rice. At night, savor the amazing flavors of an authentic Thai dinner, crafted by your hosts, offering fragrant rice paired with luscious curries, mouthwatering stir-fries, and other delectable specialties.
Ankunftsorientierung
The team will send a trusted driver who will greet you in Chiang Mai's old town. From there, you'll embark on a 4-hour drive to reach the village, where you’ll have an introductory presentation to talk about the project rules and join your homestay host and the local staff on an immersive cooking experience.
Über das Projekt
The project is driven by a multifaceted mission to restore the harmony between elephants and their natural habitat. Central to this endeavor is the sanctuary's commitment to reintroducing elephants to their forest homes, while also forging strong partnerships with the local community. Through research initiatives and educational efforts aimed at tourists and the local population, the sanctuary aims to enhance elephant welfare standards and promote sustainable livelihoods. Travelers play a crucial role in achieving these goals by bringing diverse skills and perspectives, advocating for the sanctuary's mission, and providing essential manpower to support various activities.
The sanctuary's impact on the local community is evident through its support for 11 homestays, job creation opportunities, and educational initiatives reaching numerous students. With a history of nearly eight years hosting travelers, the sanctuary values the exchange of knowledge and experiences that occurs, fostering meaningful connections and shared purpose. As a registered foundation and recipient of awards such as the Thailand Green Excellence Award and Responsible Thailand Awards, the sanctuary is recognized for its dedication to conservation and community upliftment.
-
Top-Host
- Dieser Host empfängt viele Worldpackers und hat eine hohe durchschnittliche Bewertung.
- Sprachen, die in diesem Projekt gesprochen werden
- Englisch, Italienisch, Spanisch
- Wie lange existiert es schon
- 10 Jahre
- Worldpackers Host
- Seit Dec/2023
Über das Reiseziel
Chiang Mai, located in northern Thailand, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes. The city boasts ancient temples, vibrant markets, and traditional crafts, offering visitors a glimpse into the region's Lanna Kingdom history. Surrounded by lush mountains and serene rivers, Chiang Mai also provides ample opportunities for outdoor adventures such as trekking and river rafting.
Impact & Purpose
This project focuses on restoring the harmony between elephants, gibbons, and their natural habitat, facilitating their return to forest homes while uplifting the local community. Through research initiatives and educational endeavors, the sanctuary aims to enhance elephant welfare standards and empower the community with valuable skills. The project's positive impact is evidenced by its responsibility for seven elephants and many gibbons, support for 11 homestays, and efforts to gather data for improving elephant welfare guidelines in Thailand.
Dieser Host trägt zu den Zielen für nachhaltige Entwicklung bei
Leben an Land
Travelers contribute by restoring habitats, monitoring wildlife, promoting sustainable agriculture, and educating local communities. Their efforts help preserve biodiversity, protect ecosystems, and promote environmental sustainability for future generations.
Hochwertige Bildung
Travelers can teach English, lead environmental education programs, and organize workshops for local schools and communities. Through these efforts, travelers empower individuals with practical skills and knowledge for sustainable living while fostering a deeper connection to the local community.
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