Oplev Elephant Sanctuary + Sticky Waterfall

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.