Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary (BEES) (Chiang Mai)

For those who want to go off the beaten path, BEES in Mae Chaem is a hidden gem. This is a strictly "hands-off" sanctuary, no bathing, no feeding, no touching. The focus here is entirely on giving retired logging elephants a retirement home where they can rediscover their natural instincts. You join them on long hikes through the forest, simply watching them graze and explore. It is intimate, quiet, and offers a profound connection to nature that busy day-trip parks cannot match.

How to get there:

• From Chiang Mai City: The sanctuary arranges transportation from the city center as part of their overnight packages. The drive takes you through stunning mountain scenery past Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand.