Immerse yourself in an unforgettable encounter with gentle giants at a Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary. Join a passionate team dedicated to protecting these majestic creatures. Roll up your sleeves and experience hands-on interactions – feed, bathe, and observe elephants in their natural habitat. Your participation directly supports a vital sanctuary nestled amidst Thailand’s lush jungles, making a real difference in elephant welfare.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

At the Elephant Welfare sanctuary in Chiang Mai, volunteers will be fully engaged in supporting the well-being of elephants. Often the elephants have been rescued from an environment of abuse, neglect or captivity; so this project offers a unique chance to learn about and care for these animals firsthand, while knowing they are in a safe and caring environment.

Volunteer tasks include:

Learning elephant behavior and care by assisting mahouts.
Practically applying knowledge by feeding, bathing, and caring for the elephants.
Maintaining the elephants’ sleeping areas.
Accompanying elephants as they roam freely through the jungle.

Please be aware that this project can be physically demanding due to tasks like cleaning and walking with the elephants. Volunteers should consider this to prepare adequately.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water

The ocean regulates and drives global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. Marine biodiversity is critical to the health of people and our planet. Preserving threatened ecosystems, as well as tackling marine pollution and overfishing through conservation activities is key to saving our ocean.

Why do Elephant Welfare volunteering in Chiang Mai with IVHQ?

This Thailand Elephant Welfare project offers a unique opportunity for professional development while directly contributing to local conservation. Participants will:

Engage in practical, hands-on conservation work.
Bolster efforts to protect elephant populations.
Deliver educational programs to local communities.
Raise awareness about the critical need for conservation.
Fully immerse themselves in the local culture.

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Not sure which program to join?

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

Thailand photo gallery

A smiling volunteer in blue scrubs and a sunhat gathers and carries fresh grass in a field, helping to prepare food for elephants.

🌾 Harvesting Elephant Food

Volunteers and local guides walk through a forest path alongside elephants in a lush, green landscape in Chiang Mai.

🌳 Elephant Jungle Trek

A volunteer stands next to an elephant on a rocky path in the forest, with more elephants and people in the background.

🐘 Walking Beside Elephants

Volunteers and mahouts stand in a river, bathing and interacting with elephants as the animals play in the water.

💦 Bathing Elephants in the River

A volunteer in traditional attire sorts bananas into bags at the sanctuary, with other supplies and vehicles in the background.

🍌 Preparing Elephant Treats

A volunteer in a sunhat slices pumpkins on a wooden table outdoors, preparing food for the elephants at the sanctuary.

🍉 Cutting Food for Elephants

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Location

A traditional Thai temple in Chiang Mai with a red building and black-and-red stupa, topped with a golden spire, stands under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. Decorative lanterns hang along the temple’s exterior.

Location

Chiang Mai offers a rich culture, historical depth, and stunning natural landscapes, providing an ideal blend of ancient traditions and contemporary life.

Volunteer accommodations are situated roughly 15 minutes by car from Chiang Mai’s central area. Placement locations vary within and near Chiang Mai, resulting in typical travel durations of under 30 minutes.

Arrival and orientation

Upon registering for the program, book your flight to arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) on Sunday between 8 am and 4 pm. Airport pickup within these hours is included in the Program Fee.

A member of the Local Team will meet you at the airport and transport you to the volunteer accommodation, approximately a 15-minute drive. Your accommodation, covered by the Program Fee, includes the Sunday night before the program orientation.

There are two options for orientation in Thailand - Chiang Mai, a One-Day Orientation and a 5-day Culture Week.

The One-Day Orientation: This begins on your selected start date and all volunteers will attend. It covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Thailand, including an introduction to the IVHQ Thailand - Chiang Mai program, the local team, general rules, health and safety, travel opportunities, project/placement overview, and a class on the local culture and language. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Culture Week: The 5-day Culture Week begins every Monday and your volunteer program will commence the following week. The Culture Week is very popular among IVHQ volunteers. We recommend all volunteers take advantage of this week to gain a deeper understanding of the Thai culture, a true appreciation of life in Thailand and bond with fellow volunteers. You will take part in a cooking class, participate in outdoor adventures, explore Chiang Mai’s stunning mountain landscapes, tribal villages and tour local attractions. It’s also a great way to help settle the culture shock you can face when arriving in Thailand.

The Culture Week in Thailand - Chiang Mai does incur an additional cost. If you wish to participate in the Culture Week, you can indicate your interest on your application form when you apply for the program or you can add it to your itinerary via the ‘add ons and tours’ section of your pre-departure checklist you will gain access to once registered.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the placement you will be working with.

Weekdays - A typical day would be as follows:

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM	Breakfast at accommodation
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Travel to the placement
8:30 AM - 12:00 AM	Volunteering
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM	Volunteering
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM	Travel back to the accommodation
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM	Rest/free time
5:30 PM onwards	Dinner

Weekends

You will have your weekends to spend as you please! This is a great time to explore further by booking sightseeing tours, getting involved in traditional cooking classes, witnessing the amazing hospitality of the locals and participating in leisure activities. Your weekends will be a great time to get a cross-cultural understanding.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers will be accommodated in a lakeside volunteer house about 15 minutes away from the main city centre of Chiang Mai. Close to the accommodation you will find ATMs and small local stores, but all other facilities can be found 15 minutes away.

In the volunteer house you can expect to share a room with up to 4-6 other volunteers of the same gender. The rooms are air-conditioned rooms with bunk-beds and you will have bedding provided. There are plenty of communal areas for volunteers to relax outside of their room, including a large dining area with lakeside views & table tennis.

The volunteer house has hot showers and western-style shared bathrooms. WiFi is available in public areas of the volunteer house, but it can be limited due to the disruption of the signal. While you won’t have access to laundry facilities, you will be able to handwash your clothing or the Local Team can assist you in getting your clothing washed at a nearby laundromat.

Private room upgrades (bunk-bed or king-bed rooms) with a private bathroom may be available for an additional cost, and these are subject to availability. Once registered, you will be able to add these to your file to check availability via your Pre-departure Checklist that you will gain access to.

Meals

Food is included for volunteers: breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on weekdays, with brunch and dinner available on weekends. The meals are primarily local Thai homestyle dishes, mostly vegetarian, although meat and fish are offered sometimes. Seasonal fruits may also be served for dessert.

Coffee, tea, and filtered drinking water are accessible throughout the program. Tap water is unsafe to drink; however, bottled water is easily found in Thailand.

Inform the Local Team of any dietary requirements. They will make efforts to accommodate you, but flexibility is necessary as meals will likely differ from what you typically eat at home.

A two-story white building with a tiled roof and large balcony, surrounded by greenery and a stone path leading to the entrance.

Accommodation Exterior in Chiang Mai, Thailand

A bright, modern accommodation building on stilts, reflected in a pond, surrounded by gardens and trees.

Waterside Accommodation in Chiang Mai, Thailand

A bright bedroom with two white metal bunk beds, white bedding, and a concrete floor in a minimalist style.

Shared Bedroom

A tidy room with a white bunk bed, air conditioner, and a private bathroom visible through an open door.

Shared Bedroom with Private Bathroom

A large, airy communal space with tables, chairs, plants, and a countertop, all in a minimalist white decor.

Spacious Social Area

Modern Common Area

Dining tables and chairs next to large windows with views of trees and water, in a bright communal room.

Dining Area with View

A small, white-tiled building with a sloped roof, open to reveal a clean shared bathroom area with sinks and private stalls.

External Bathroom Facilities

Bathroom

Shared External Bathroom

A covered balcony with two white chairs and a table, overlooking a peaceful pond and green landscape.

Balcony with Pond View

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

Duration	Program Fee Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
1 week	$630 Equivalent to $90/day
2 weeks	$1,200 Equivalent to $86/day
3 weeks	$1,770 Equivalent to $84/day
4 weeks	$2,340 Equivalent to $84/day
5 weeks	$2,910 Equivalent to $83/day
6 weeks	$3,480 Equivalent to $83/day
8 weeks	$4,620 Equivalent to $83/day
10 weeks	$5,760 Equivalent to $82/day
12 weeks	$6,900 Equivalent to $82/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately $299) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.

Meals
Airport pickup
Transport to and from your placement each day
Accommodation
24/7 in-country emergency support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

Return to the airport when your program finishes
Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Popular add-ons & experiences in Chiang Mai

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Chiang Mai program.

Culture Week

Learn more about Thai Culture and tick off some must-do Thai experiences

$315

Airport Pick Up (for volunteers arriving outside of the airport pick up window)

If you’re arriving outside the airport pick-up times, book this add on now!

$60

View all add-ons & experiences

Check what's required to visit Thailand

Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.

Safety and support

A smiling volunteer traveller wearing a traditional Andean poncho stands in front of the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain in Peru. The landscape features vibrant red, yellow, and green hues across the mountains, with a small lake visible in the background.

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Bangkok
Population	71.7 million
Languages	Thai
Currency	Thai Baht (THB)
Time zone	GMT+7

Weather and climate: The climate in Thailand varies between the north and south regions, however, the temperature is relatively hot year-round throughout the country. The southern coastal region is characterized by a monsoon climate, which brings heavy rainfall from April to October in the South West and from September to December in the South East. In central and northern inland parts of Thailand, the climate is tropical with the rainy season lasting from May to November, bringing hot and humid weather. During the dry season, temperatures are cool from November to February and are hot from March to May. In Chiang Mai, the hottest average temperature is 36°C (96.8°F) in April and the coolest average temperature is 15°C (59°F) in December. Please see Weather Spark for more details on the climate and weather forecast.

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Channy Roeung

I found the guidance and preparation resources from IVHQ really helpful overall. The pre-departure checklist and online training modules were clear and easy to follow, which made planning a lot less overwhelming. I especially appreciated the country-specific guide - it gave a good sense of what to expect and how to prepare. The support team was also responsive whenever I had questions.

The local team honestly made this experience unforgettable. I can’t say enough good things about my main coordinator. She was so warm, organized, and always made time for me - even when things got hectic. You can tell she genuinely cares. The local team was such a kind presence - always patient, always helpful, and just made things feel easier. They also brought such great vibes - funny, approachable, and super supportive. I felt really cared for the whole time I was here. It didn’t just feel like a program - it felt like being part of a little family.

This week reminded me that even small contributions can matter when done with care. Whether it was helping prep food for the elephants, cleaning, or just being present - it all added up to support the daily rhythm that keeps the sanctuary running. I know I was only here for a short time, but I genuinely hope I was able to give back even a fraction of what I received in return. The experience left a mark on me, and I leave with a deeper respect for the work that goes into ethical animal care and conservation. It’s not glamorous - but it’s real, and it matters.

This experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that goes into ethical wildlife care. It’s not just about being around elephants - it’s about supporting the people and systems that protect them. I gained perspective, new friendships, and honestly, a sense of peace that came from stepping out of my routine and doing something meaningful.

If you’re hesitant about joining - just go for it. You don’t need to have special skills or be super outdoorsy. Just show up with an open heart and a willingness to help. The program, the team, and the elephants will meet you halfway - and then some.

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