Living Green Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip from Pattaya
- Duration3 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
- Fair, honest prices
- Real people, not bots
- Confirm, then pay
- Secure payment
Overview
Living Green Elephant Sanctuary is a rescue centre in the hills of Chonburi, about 45 minutes from Pattaya, that follows a strict no-riding, no-chains, no-performances policy. This day trip lets you meet rescued elephants, hand-feed them, walk beside them on forest paths and watch them bathe, then relax over a freshly cooked Thai meal. Choose the version with hotel pickup and drop-off, or the shorter option where you meet at the sanctuary. It suits families, animal lovers and anyone who wants an ethical elephant experience.
Highlights
- Ethical elephant sanctuary with no riding, no chains and no shows
- Hand-feed the elephants and walk beside them on forest paths
- Watch the elephants bathe, and join them in the water when conditions allow
- Learn each elephant's story from an English-speaking guide
- Local Thai meal included, with traditional clothing and equipment provided
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Pattaya, or a shorter meeting-point visit
Full Description
Living Green Elephant Sanctuary in Chonburi
Living Green Elephant Sanctuary sits in the mountains of Chonburi province, roughly forty-five minutes by road from Pattaya, on around forty acres of forest and pasture. It shelters rescued elephants that can no longer work in tourism or logging. This is a real alternative to a riding camp, and it is one of the most searched-for things to do near Pattaya for travellers who care about how animals are treated.
The sanctuary does not allow riding, chains or performances, and the elephants are never forced to do anything. If you are asking whether an elephant sanctuary day trip from Pattaya is worth it, the closeness to the animals and the calm setting are the main reasons most guests say yes.
Feeding, walking and bathing with the elephants
The programme begins with a briefing and a change into traditional Mo Hom clothing, the blue farmer's shirt of northern Thailand. You then meet the herd, feed them by hand and walk beside them on forest paths while your guide explains each elephant's history and personality. Elephants eat most of the day, so feeding time is relaxed and photogenic.
Bathing time is the highlight. You watch the elephants wade and play in the water and, depending on conditions, you may join them in it. If the weather is cool and an elephant does not want to enter the river, it is not pushed. Bring a change of clothes, a towel and sandals.
Morning and afternoon sessions, meal and timing
There is a morning programme and an afternoon programme. In the morning session the sanctuary programme starts at around ten and finishes shortly before one, and in the afternoon it starts at around two and finishes before five. With hotel pickup the morning trip collects you in the early morning and the afternoon trip around midday. These times are a guide, and your exact pickup time is sent the day before.
A freshly prepared Thai meal is included, with tables in shaded seating that overlook the mountains. With the meeting-point option the visit lasts about three hours and you make your own way to the sanctuary, while the pickup option is a full trip of about seven and a half hours including the drive both ways.
Practical tips and who the day suits
This trip is suitable for most ages and fitness levels, since the walking is gentle. Wear light, quick-drying clothes and sturdy sandals, and bring sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent. A small surcharge may apply for hotels in Jomtien, Na Jomtien or near Nong Nooch, so check your confirmation.
Children under two, pregnant women, people with back problems and people with animal allergies should not join. Because the itinerary can change with the weather, keep some flexibility, and if you are arriving on your own, arrange your own transport to the meeting point shown after booking.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in Pattaya (pickup option)A van collects you at the time confirmed the day before, about a 45-minute drive.
- Arrival, meal and briefingChange into traditional clothing, enjoy the local Thai meal and hear a briefing.
- Feeding and meeting the elephantsHand-feed the elephants and hear their stories from your guide.
- Forest walk with the elephantsA short, gentle walk beside them on shaded paths.
- Elephant bathingWatch the elephants bathe and play in the water, and join them when conditions allow.
- Goodbye and returnSay goodbye and return to your hotel by van on the pickup option.
What's included
- Entry to Living Green Elephant Sanctuary
- Elephant bathing observation
- Local Thai meal
- English-speaking guide
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 4–8
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- A half-day plan — about 3 hours
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.8/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Children under 2 years
- Pregnant women
- People with back problems
- People with animal allergies
Meeting point
With the hotel pickup option, we collect you from your hotel in Pattaya and bring you back afterwards; your pickup time is confirmed after booking and depends on your session and hotel location. With the shorter option, you meet at Living Green Elephant Sanctuary itself, and the exact meeting location is shown after booking; no transfer is included in that option.
Important information
- Bring swimwear or a change of clothes, a towel, sandals, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Wear comfortable clothes; traditional Mo Hom clothing is provided for the visit.
- Riding the elephants and smoking are not allowed at the sanctuary.
- Pickup times vary by hotel; please be ready in advance and check your email the evening before.
- A small surcharge may apply for hotels in Jomtien, Na Jomtien or near Nong Nooch, and for extra luggage; check your confirmation.
- If the weather is cool, elephants that do not want to enter the water will not be forced.
- The programme can change with the weather, and timings include transport and traffic.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Living Green Elephant Sanctuary trip cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, hotel pickup and drop-off or the meeting-point visit, and on the age of the guest. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child.
Is hotel pickup included?
It depends on the option. The hotel pickup and drop-off option includes transport in the Pattaya area, and the meeting-point option does not, so you go to the sanctuary yourself.
How long is the day trip?
The hotel pickup option takes about seven and a half hours including transport, and the meeting-point visit lasts about three hours.
Is riding elephants allowed?
No. The sanctuary has a no-riding, no-chains and no-performances policy, and the elephants are not forced to take part in any activity.
Is the sanctuary suitable for children?
Yes, children are welcome and enjoy feeding and watching the elephants, but children under two are not suitable. Adults should stay close to young children around the animals.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable, light clothes, and bring swimwear or a change of clothes, a towel, sandals, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. Traditional clothing is provided.
What is the difference between the options?
Both include the sanctuary entry, the local meal, the elephant bathing observation and an English-speaking guide. The hotel pickup option adds hotel transfers, and the meeting-point option is shorter with no transfer.
Is lunch included?
Yes, a local Thai meal is included in both options.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Same-day and next-day spots depend on availability. Check the booking panel for the earliest date that is open.
How far is the sanctuary from Pattaya?
It is about forty-five minutes by road from Pattaya, in the hills of Chonburi province.
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