Chiang Dao Elephant Training CenterAbout Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center
Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center is an elephant care and training facility in Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand. It is a working camp where mahouts keep and care for Asian elephants and run visitor programs.
Programs typically include short guided walks, feeding and river-bathing sessions, and demonstrations of traditional handling techniques; options often cover single-day visits and multi-day stays. Facilities focus on close observation and hands-on activities rather than large-scale shows.
The site functions as a local elephant training and care centre run by resident mahouts and staff; specific founding dates and ownership vary by operator. Over time it has shifted from purely working-animal training toward visitor-focused activities and elephant care.
The centre sits near the town of Chiang Dao at the foothills of the Chiang Dao area, roughly 70 km north of Chiang Mai city by road. The surrounding landscape is rural with karst hills and rice fields common in the valley.
- Access: Located about 70 km north of Chiang Mai town, making day trips from Chiang Mai possible by car.
- Best time to visit: Morning is the best time to see bathing and feeding sessions when elephants are most active.
Exploring Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center
There are many elephant camps around Chiang Mai offering shows and rides, and while they are broadly similar, this one, beside the main road (Highway 107) north of Chiang Dao, has perhaps the prettiest setting of all. It sits amid forested mountains cut by the Ping River, and part of the elephant ride takes you down the shallow river, perched high on an elephant’s back.
Visitors can watch the elephants take their morning bath in the river before they demonstrate skills such as stacking logs and following their mahouts’ commands. There are two shows each morning, after which you can take a ride or a short bamboo-raft trip downstream; once the tourists leave, the elephants are free to roam the forest for the rest of the day. The centre was founded in 1969 and now has more than 30 elephants, with a riverside restaurant on site for refreshments.
Nearby Attractions to Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center
Best Time to Visit Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center
Aim for the cool, dry months (November-February) when temperatures are comfortable for both visitors and elephants.
Weather & Climate near Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center
Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1193 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 13° - 28° | 20° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 69% | 0.7 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.0h |
| February | Ideal | 14° - 31° | 23° | 7 mm | clear | 57% | 0.9 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.4h |
| March | Excellent | 18° - 34° | 26° | 24 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 22° - 36° | 31° | 55 mm | some cloud | 58% | 1.0 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.5h |
| May | Acceptable | 23° - 34° | 32° | 171 mm | overcast | 76% | 1.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.9h |
| June | Acceptable | 23° - 32° | 32° | 139 mm | overcast | 83% | 1.1 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.2h |
| July | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 30° | 204 mm | overcast | 86% | 1.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.1h |
| August | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 27° | 238 mm | overcast | 89% | 0.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.7h |
| September | Acceptable | 22° - 31° | 27° | 194 mm | overcast | 89% | 0.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 21° - 30° | 26° | 98 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 0.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Excellent | 18° - 29° | 23° | 46 mm | some cloud | 83% | 0.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.1h |
| December | Ideal | 14° - 27° | 20° | 14 mm | mostly sunny | 78% | 0.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 10.9h |
How to Get to Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center
From Chiang Mai city, drive or take a minivan north to Chiang Dao town - the journey is roughly 65-70 km and typically takes about 1-1.5 hours by car. Minivans and local buses depart regularly from Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Station to Chiang Dao (no single route number), and private taxis are also available.
Once in Chiang Dao town, take a local songthaew or taxi for the short onward trip to the Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center (a brief 5-15 minute drive from the town center). Walking from the town center to the center is usually impractical unless you’re prepared for a longer rural walk.
Tips for Visiting Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center
- Plan to arrive for the center's morning activities-feeding, bathing and observation sessions typically happen early when elephants are most active and the heat is lower, so book a morning slot to see more of the animals' routines.
- Call or email ahead to confirm opening hours and book a guided visit; many elephant facilities in the Chiang Dao area require reservations and limit group sizes, especially in high season.
- Ask in advance about the centre's animal-care policies and opt for experiences that focus on observation, feeding and learning rather than riding; reputable centres will be transparent about their practices.