Planning the Elephant Sanctuary & Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai? Pickup in Chiang Mai is in the morning, the elephant programme and lunch take the first half of the day, the drive up Doi Inthanon to the pagodas and the waterfall trail fill the afternoon, and you are back at your hotel after 10-12 hours. Below is the sequence of the day, the packing list and what to send to confirm.
By SB Excursions · Published 24 October 2026 · Updated 24 October 2026
Tour on this route: Elephant Sanctuary & Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai — From $40 per person, 10-12 hours.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch is served at the elephant sanctuary.
This guide also answers:
- How far is Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai?
At a glance
- Duration: 10-12 hours
- Format: Small-group day tour
- Area: Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai
- Pickup: Hotel pickup in Chiang Mai in the morning
- Best for: nature lovers in Chiang Mai who want the elephants and Doi Inthanon in one day
- Price: From $40 per person
- Payment: Book on WhatsApp
The day in order
The standard sequence of the Elephant Sanctuary & Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai; timing shifts with your hotel area, traffic, weather and group size. What happens at each stage is described in the travel guide.
| Step | Stage |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel pickup |
| 2 | Elephant sanctuary |
| 3 | Lunch |
| 4 | Doi Inthanon |
| 5 | Waterfall trail |
| 6 | Back to Chiang Mai |
What to bring and how to prepare
Bring clothes for the elephant bath and a change of clothes, a towel, walking shoes, a light jacket for the mountain, sunscreen and water.
- Doi Inthanon national park fee (300 baht per adult, 150 per child) and the pagoda entrance are paid on the day unless your quote says otherwise.
- There is no elephant riding on this tour.
- Bring clothes you can get wet and muddy for the elephant bath, plus a change of clothes.
- The top of Doi Inthanon is much cooler than Chiang Mai: bring a light jacket.
- It is a long day with a lot of driving and a hike: wear good walking shoes.
- The order of the stops can change with the weather.
- We confirm the date, pickup time and total on WhatsApp before you pay; how and when to pay for this tour is agreed with your booking.
What shifts by season
Chiang Mai has a cool, dry season from about November to February, when the mountains are clear and the top of Doi Inthanon can be cold; the hot season follows from March to May, often with haze, and the rains from about June to October turn the forest green and the waterfalls full.
Booking and confirmation — what to send
To confirm the Elephant Sanctuary & Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai, send the date, your hotel name and area, and the group size on WhatsApp — that is what sets the pickup time, the vehicle and the slot. We confirm the date, pickup time and total on WhatsApp before you pay; how and when to pay for this tour is agreed with your booking.
What the price covers is in why book it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch is served at the elephant sanctuary.
How far is Doi Inthanon from Chiang Mai?
About 100 km south-west of the city, roughly 1.5-2 hours by road.
What time is the hotel pickup?
In the morning; the exact time for your hotel is confirmed the day before.