Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

If the elephant sanctuary you're considering offers riding or bathing, book this one instead. Located in the Mae Taeng Valley, this sanctuary takes in elephants rescued from logging camps, street begging, or tourist attractions. Here, the animals' well-being is paramount. You'll hike with a guide, hear the stories of each elephant, and watch them move at their own pace through the jungle and river. Some tours include feeding them fruit and walking alongside them, while others are purely observational. In any case, no one climbs on the elephants.

Visitors who arrive expecting to see the elephants bathing are sometimes disappointed – something to keep in mind before paying. It also gets quite crowded. Groups of about twenty people wander through, and on a busy day, it's very busy. Some visitors have wondered whether the grounds can adequately accommodate the number of elephants living there. You should consider that for yourself. There are also rescued dogs and cats, dozens of them, which, depending on their temperament, can be either a welcome addition or a bit of a distraction.