A Promise Made in 2012
It began in the shadows of the Amber Fort — the very icon that draws millions to Jaipur each year for its grand Jaipur Sightseeing Tour. As a child, Ankit Pareek grew up watching elephants labouring under heavy howdahs, their spirits broken by endless tourist rides. Unlike others who saw profit, he saw pain.
Ankit pursued a path of mindfulness, becoming a Certified Yoga Master. This discipline taught him about empathy and the connection between all living beings. He realised a profound truth: "You cannot claim to love nature while exploiting it." That truth became the foundation of Elefanjoy — today recognised as the most compassionate Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Jaipur.
"I realized that to truly honor these beings, I had to do something radical. I had to create a place where they didn't work for us — we worked for them."
In 2012, defying industry norms, he launched Elefanjoy with a radical "Zero Riding" policy. It was a risky move in a market dominated by Elephant safaris in Jaipur. But the vision was clear: offer Ethical Elephant Activities in Jaipur that put the animal first — creating a sanctuary where elephants could rediscover their natural behaviours through foraging, bathing, and socialising freely, and where guests could enjoy a truly Ethical Elephant Experience in Jaipur, unlike anything else in the region.
Mr. Ankit Pareek
Founder & Certified Yoga Master — Est. 2012, Jaipur