Best Observation Decks Tours Around the World — Our Top 6

1.Chiang Mai Half Day Elephant Sanctuary Observation and Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · from $58Our pick

Travel from Chiang Mai into the northern hills to observe elephants at Joy Elephant Sanctuary. Feed them without touching, walk through forest, swim at a waterfall, enjoy lunch, and make a Thai cultural souvenir. Guides such as Jade and Shay may lead the activities.

“So 45 minutes into the excursion the driver being on his phone the entire and talking loudly is not only annoying but highly distracting from trying to appreciate the views on the ride. Why doesn’t the tour company better train the drivers about the guests’ total experience? Hoping it improves.”

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2.Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Observation and Bamboo Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $61

Travel from Chiang Mai to Joy Elephant Sanctuary for an ethical elephant encounter with food preparation, jungle observation, herbal tea, a waterfall stop, lunch, and a Thai craft. Then raft through forest scenery on the Wang River. Jade and the sanctuary team may guide parts of the day.

“Super nice people, fantastic experience for a extremely reasonably price! We had an amazing time and the sanctuary seems very ethical. The elephants had loads of time to eat, walk around and swim. We were only there to observe their daily routines.”

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3.Chiang Mai: Inthanon, Elephant Sanctuary Observation & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $81

Start at 6:30 am for a full day with Joy Elephant Sanctuary, Doi Inthanon, the Twin Pagodas, and the Pha Dok Siew trail. You will feed elephants without riding or bathing them, hike beside a river, visit Ban Mae Klang Luang, and return to Chiang Mai after roughly 11 to 12 hours.

“We enjoyed the trip a lot, our guide was very nice. The Elephant sanctuary indeed was great with no bathing or riding, only feeding the elephants and having a walk with them. The peak of Inthanon was beautiful but the trail was quite short on the other hand, the hike with the waterfall to the village was breathtaking, highly recommend.”

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4.Krabi: Observation-Only Elephant Sanctuary 2hrs Mini Moments

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $68

Spend two hours at Krabi Roaming Elephant Sanctuary learning each elephant’s story, offering treats on a tray, and walking nearby without touching, riding, or bathing. Guide Yai may lead the visit, with a fabric bag painting session, vegetarian food, drinks, and hotel return included.

“The tour was just great! The pickup worked perfectly! ☺️ Since there were no other bookings, I had the tour all to myself and had more time to watch the elephants! My guide was also great and gave me lots of information about the elephants! Together with the guide, I was allowed to feed the elephants and she took lots of photos of me as a souvenir! 🥰 Afterwards, I was able to paint a tote bag and was taken back to my hotel! At the beginning and end, there were free drinks and food, which was set up like a buffet. That was also very tasty! All in all,…”

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5.Ethical Elephant Observation by Samui Elephant Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $128

Spend about 3.5 hours at Samui Elephant Sanctuary with hotel pickup, a guide, and six retired elephants. Watch them splash, roll in mud, and bathe freely, then enjoy a Thai vegetarian buffet. Feeding or touching may occur, but bathing with elephants is not offered.

“This is an outstanding shore excursion. Although we were late getting off the ship, the tour operator waited for us at the pier. We got to see 7 elephanrs, we fed them, we saw bathe abd lunch was included. I highly recommen it for cruise passengers. WELL DONE !!!”

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6.Krabi: Observation-Only Elephant Sanctuary Half-Day & Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $90

Spend a peaceful half-day beside free-roaming elephants with English-speaking guides. Feed treats from a tray, prepare Thai sticky rice banana wraps, paint a fabric bag, and finish with a vegetarian meal. This is observation-only, with no riding or touching.

“The guides were excellent, very knowledgeable and clearly loved their job.”

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