BLES is beyond proud to be a winner of the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Award 2024!
We look forward to welcoming you into our home. Before submitting a booking request, be sure to read through this entire page so you know what to expect out of your time at BLES!
Enjoy watching our rescued elephants simply be elephants.
Every day at BLES is an adventure, an experience like no other. We have a world-renowned approach to ethical elephant tourism.
Here at BLES, our elephants lead the way.
Guests share in all aspects of the elephants’ world at BLES. We promote a hands-off, respectful, and peaceful experience that includes walking with the elephants through the protected forest to release areas and observing them relearning natural instincts in an environment that promotes and protects their welfare.
Observation only experiences will leave you feeling enriched.
As a self-sustaining environment, there are endless tasks that need to be done every day. The needs of our animals are unpredictable, so our days are never exactly the same. In addition to caring for our own rescued elephants and animals, we are very involved in local village life. Our assistance is often required in caring for community animals whose owners do not have adequate resources to provide for their animals when they get sick or injured.
Helping to collect supplemental treats for our lucky elephants.
We intentionally keep our guest numbers to a minimum to ensure our elephants are not disturbed or stressed at any given time. This also benefits our other rescued animals, staff, and our visitors. The maximum number of guests allowed at BLES is 10. All parties appreciate the peace, intimacy, and unique moments that organically happen because we are able to provide an extremely low-stress environment for everyone.
intimate experiences allow you to immerse yourselves.
BLES is proud to have been one of the first facilities in Thailand to promote a hands-off experience, and we do not encourage people to approach our elephants and touch them. There is no feeding or bathing of our elephants.
The BLES approach ensures a serene experience for all.
Our mahouts are kind, sweet men from our local community and have years of experience handling elephants. They love and care for their elephants like family members and are highly skilled at what they do.
During your stay at BLES, you will have the honor of spending time with our knowledgeable mahouts and their families. They will welcome you into their homes and give you an authentic experience like no other.
Relaxed and happy - befriending our mahouts is always a highlight for visitors.
BLES is grateful for every helping hand and guest who want to get involved and make a massive difference in our daily operations. Every guest at BLES helps us to be viable and continue our much-needed work. We recommend that all guests are reasonably fit and agile - elephant walks can be extremely hot and up to 6 km on mixed terrain.
Walking with our elephants in the forest is a daily highlight!
Frequently Asked Questions
BLES relies on the income generated by guests to provide the best possible care for our elephants.
What are the guest rates?
The cost per adult (12+ years) is 7,000 Baht per night. Children under the age of 12 years are half price, while under three years are free of charge. The cost includes all meals, transportation to and from Sukhothai Airport, Sukhothai/Uttraditt bus/train station or your accommodation in Sukhothai Province. Also included is your accommodation for the week, authentic experiences with the local community, unlimited time observing our elephants, unforgettable memories and endless joy and laughter. Alcoholic beverages are not included but can be purchased at local shops in the village.
Please note that we do not accept credit cards.
A non-refundable and/or transferrable deposit of one nights fee per person is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance for your stay can be paid in cash (Thai Baht only please) upon arrival.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes. All visitors must have a reservation prior to coming to BLES. Please note that all booking at BLES are Monday to Friday only and the minimum length of stay we recommend is two nights.
BLES does not allow people to drive themselves into our sanctuary and we do not permit day only or drop by visits.
Do I need to put down a deposit?
Yes please! We require a non-refundable deposit of 7,000 Baht per person that can be made on-line through the donation link on each page. We will hold reservation dates for ten days and if the deposit has not been received after that time the date confirmation will be forfeited.
Do you accept credit card payments?
No, we only accept cash payment in Thai Baht.
Are meals provided?
Yes, all meals are provided at the sanctuary and are vegetarian/vegan. We do occasionally cook with eggs that are truly free range and local from the village. All of the food is Thai style prepared by our amazing housekeepers who can accommodate any dietary restrictions, so please let us know if you have any.
Guests enjoy a delicious, healthy, vegan picnic in our world famous treehouses.
Are there accommodations?
BLES is happy to partner with a local guest house in the village called Banrao. It is small, charming, has reliable Wi-Fi and a beautiful cafe with a rooftop terrace where you can get coffee in the mornings and watch the sunrise. The guesthouse is a 10 minute drive from BLES and we will pick up our guests every morning at around 8am and take them back to the guesthouse after dinner, at the end of the day.
The local guesthouse where all guests stay during their week with us.
What is the length of the stay?
Guests arrive on Monday and leave on Friday. We can accommodate everyone's travel plans if they would like a shorter stay and the minimum length of stay we recommend is two nights. BLES does not allow day tours or drop by visits. We encourage guests to stay for the full week, to enable you to fully immerse yourselves in sanctuary life. Every single day at BLES is so different. There are no organized activities other than walking with the elephants. Our days are filled with special moments watching the elephants, authentic cultural exchanges with our community and educational, and inspirational talks, given by our founder, Katherine Connor.
There is no official check in or check out time. Your time with us starts when you arrive. As a true sanctuary, we work around the elephants' needs, meaning we don't have a fixed schedule. We do ask that on your day of departure, you leave no later than 3 PM.
BLES is extremely family friendly!
Is there an age requirement?
Not at all. We are a famiy friendly sanctuary and are happy to accommodate everyone's needs to ensure your comfort throughout your stay with us. We have welcomed guests from 9 months to 85 years old! We do ask that all guests are in good health and have a reasonable level of fitness. We go on daily hikes and walk several kilometers a day. Some of the walks can be strenuous and extremely hot!
Walking with the elephants is good for the heart and soul!
How do I get myself to BLES?
From Bangkok, you can either take a bus or train to Sukhothai or Utaraditt. Once you have confirmed your arrival time, we will organize a driver to meet you at the station and drive you to BLES. You can also fly directly from Bangkok, with Bangkok Airways, to Sukhothai Airport. There are two daily flights and again, once you have confirmed your arrival time, our driver will collect you and drive you to BLES. Buses are the cheapest mode of transportation from Bangkok; the trip takes approximately 8 hours.
Taxis and personal drivers are not available in our local area.
Is the staff English speaking?
The only English speaking person at BLES is Katherine, as all of our staff is from the local village and none of them speak English.
Children embrace our observation only experiences.
What will I do during my stay?
BLES is proud to have a very unique and world renowned approach to elephant-human interactions. We allow our elephants to make their own decisions and choose how they want to spend their time. Guests never approach our elephants or seek them for entertainment. Instead, we have an observation focused policy that allows our guests to witness natural and wild instincts that our elephants are relearning post rescue. Guests are involved in all aspects of sanctuary life. Our activities are seasonal, to name a few: collecting supplementary elephant food from local plantations, maintaining herding areas, creating enrichment, observing medical treatments performed on our elephants, walking the elephants to various grazing areas, repairing elephant pens, walking with the elephants to swim in the river, caring for our rescued dogs and cats, shopping in local markets, donating supplies to our local school, and socializing with the BLES family.
BLES believes in breaking down barriers and building bridges between cultures.
What should I expect?
Are there other animals at BLES?
Yes, we believe all animals should be cared for in a loving and considerate way. We have a special rescue effort and are happy to home dogs, cats, monkeys, boars, tortoises, a rabbit, and a crocodile.
All our rescued dogs are fully vaccinated and very friendly!
What should I pack?
You are advised to bring practical clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy or torn. Long trousers are best suited for the high grasses and bushes. Keep in mind that the Thai sun is fierce and requires protection. Please also keep in mind that this Thai village is very conservative and modest. It is disrespectful to the people of the village to wear revealing clothing and having your shoulders and knees covered is appropriate. You will be in the forest, not on a beach and are asked to dress accordingly.
A stay’s recommendation:
- 2-4 Pairs of lightweight long trousers
- 2-4 Long-sleeved, lightweight shirts
- 5-7 T-shirts (non-synthetic shirts)
- 1 pair of waterproof flip-flops or sandals
- 1 pair of Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Hat
- Lightweight Rain Jacket
- Sun Screen
- Insect Repellent without DEET
- Reusable water bottle
Optional:
- Books and boardgames (we have a collection in all languages and greatly appreciate any donations)
- Thai Phrase Book
Guests helping to prepare supplemental food for our elephants during their medical treatments
We look forward to welcoming you!
To Schedule a Booking
Please fill out the form below to let us know when you’d like to visit and your party size so we can start to look into availability!