Meet and Care for Elephants
Kerchor puts the elephants first
An ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, proudly operated by the local Karen community — no riding, no shows, just elephants living as they should.
About us
Mission – Care for elephants & local community
Local Karen communities have a long history of caring for elephants and consider them a part of their family. We established Kerchor Elephant Eco Park in cooperation with the local Karen community in Ban Sop Win, Chiang Mai province. The community was looking for a way to fund the care of their elephant family without any kind of exploitation of their gentle giants. They saw many other parks resort to offering elephant shows and riding, but that was not what they wanted. Together, we came up with a sustainable approach that includes elephant-friendly tourism.
Our elephants get to spend the day doing what they love the most: eating, walking in the forest, playing, and bathing. Our visitors, in turn, get to learn about their daily activities, spend time with them, and help the community take care of them. There are strictly no shows, no performances, and no elephant riding at our park.
Donations and income from our operations go to the elephants and the local community, allowing them to care for their elephants, protect their habitat, ensure enough food for the elephants (they eat tonnes of food!), provide veterinary care, pay for rescue fees, and ensure the general welfare of the elephants as well as their human community.
What to bring
Towel
Clean Clothes for change
Sunscreen
Sandals
Swimming suit
Insect repellent
Our Story
We are an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand, proudly operated by the local Karen community. To us, these gentle and majestic giants are part of our family. Following a long-standing tradition of elephant keeping, we provide a sustainable, peaceful home where every elephant is treated with nothing but love.
By choosing to visit Kerchor Elephant Eco Park, you’re supporting elephant-friendly tourism that prioritises conservation. We welcome you to feed, observe, and connect with our elephants in a way you have never done before — an immersive experience that lets you witness the deep bond between our people and these intelligent beings.
Spend a day at our elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and become part of our story.
Gentle Giants of Northern Thailand
In Northern Thailand, elephants are protectors of the forest. Elephants are one of the most intelligent animals on the planet, capable of deep emotion and social bonds. At Kerchor Elephant Eco Park, we experience their gift every day.
Our elephants splash in the water and enjoy our beautiful surroundings, finding peace in these moments. They are free to roam around nature, interact with our guests, and express their natural instincts.
As part of our family, they’ve grown up with us over generations. They aren’t wild elephants, nor are they working elephants. Part of our care is bathing alongside them, a tradition between us that builds trust. We also provide a sanctuary for orphans, ensuring young elephants without mothers receive the specialised care they need to thrive.
If you’re visiting, we ask that you listen to our mahouts, who understand and respect each elephant’s unique personality.
A Riverside Sanctuary at Kerchor Eco Park
Where nature meets the perfect brew.
Our elephant jungle sanctuary in Chiang Mai brings peace to every guest who visits. After your time with our gentle giants, visit our riverside coffee shop to reflect on your experience and enjoy a cooling refreshment. Settled beside the Mae Wang River, our café offers a quiet space to listen to the flowing water and feel the gentle breeze — the perfect moment to deepen the connection you’ve created with our elephants by listening to nature.
Even sipping on our local coffee is part of the experience. Taking the time to pause at our riverside café allows the lessons of the day to sink in, and with Northern Thailand as your backdrop, it’s a breathtaking way to conclude your visit.
At our elephant rescue park in Chiang Mai, we care for our elephants deeply and compassionately. That care is reflected in everything you see here, from our lush forest trails to the very heart of our Karen community.
