Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class and Waterfall Tour
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Khao Lak, Thailand
- 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Lunch
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Insurance
- Hotel Transfer
- Tour Guide
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Hotel pickup will be start from 8.30AM ( Activities start 9AM) and 12.30PM ( Activities start 1PM) Once booked, Tour operator will be email to you for the exactly pickup time.
What To Expect
1
Khao Lak
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Bath and feed with elephant is not permitted
- The rescued elephants at the sanctuary are not forced to do activities they do not wish to participate in.
- The sanctuary will not force the elephants to pose for photos.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Zoe_S
A truly magical experience! Loved making their food and feeding them bananas, but my fave part was watching the interactions as they bathed - hilarious! Tony was a great guide and we had an amazing day :)
Reviews
4.8
based on 17 reviews
Tara_C, May 2026
Excellent tour and although I made it round in flip flops trainers would definatly have been easier.
Staff were very friendly and tour guide was very informative
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your great feedback. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour and found our team friendly and informative.
We also appreciate your helpful tip regarding footwear—it’s valuable for future guests. We hope to welcome you again soon.
Monika_J, Oct 2025
Write 14 days after our experience, I want to start by saying changed my life. I could stop there but I want to share more context to why that is.
I had the desire to visit elephant sancutuary for many years, yet it never seemed like the right time in my life.
Now came the research to find where I would feel safe and supported to embark on the experience. Khao lak sanctuary came up as an option from a simple Google search and I am eternally grateful it did. I could not have asked for a better, more perfect, guided, and structured experience than this one. People in Khaolak elephant sanctuary created something extraordinary with this place. The elephants where beautiful, the place was spacious and made us feel at home from the moment we enter.
I have so much gratitude to Win our tour guide and what he created. He is an absolute gift to humanity and I wish every single human being who visit Khaolak elephant sanctuary to get to experience his teaching, wisdom, care and pure love to people and animals.
I have to mention I had my birthday the day we visit sancuary and staff prepared fantastic cake for me free of charge.
Also, my boyfriend left his wallet with all bank cards, travel documents and 10000 bats inside in the sanctuary.
Untouched wallet was deliver to our hotel after tour by Win. It restore faith in humanity and made my birthday, trip even more precious. Words can't explain how much respect and love I have for these humble, lovely Tai people and Khaolak sanctuary. They will forever will have special place in my heart.
If you’re reading this and you are considering booking a tour, I only have one thing to say to you: Do not wait one more second, do it. This is the most loving gift you will ever give yourself, I promise you
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for such a deeply moving and heartfelt review. Reading your words truly touched us all. It means so much to know that your visit to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary had such a profound impact on your life. Our mission has always been to create a place where people can connect with elephants in a meaningful, respectful, and compassionate way — and knowing that you felt safe, supported, and inspired during your time with us is the greatest reward we could ask for.
We are incredibly proud of Win and our entire team for their care, integrity, and genuine love for both people and animals. The story about your lost wallet and how Win returned it reflects exactly who he is — honest, kind, and dedicated to doing what’s right. We’re so happy that his actions helped make your birthday even more memorable.
Thank you for trusting us with such an important experience. Your words beautifully capture what we hope every guest feels — connection, gratitude, and respect for these gentle giants and the people who care for them. You will always have a special place in our hearts, and we hope to welcome you back someday. 🐘💚
Faiva_W, May 2025
Terrible experience.
We were very excited to attend but we were unable to make it due to extremely bad storms and flooding on the roads making them impassable. At times, the flooding was so bad that vehicles were stalled and the water level reached up and into our rental car. We even passed cars that were abandoned on the road and motorbikes that were pulled off to the side hoping that the storms would subside.
Khao Lak was 2 hours from our hotel so we decided to be safe and turn around.
I was past the 24 hour window for a refund but I thought the tour event would be understanding of the situation we were in and at least give a 50% refund. They claimed that since they “arranged” a pick up for us that they couldn’t refund my payment of $400. This was either a mistake or a lie as they initially sent us a note stating that since our hotel was too far, they couldn’t pick us up. Initially not a problem since we rented a car.
I know that the policy indicates no refunds within 24 hours of the event starting but I would’ve also hoped this tour company would have understood that we made every reasonably safe attempt to make it but the storms and flooding were just too bad to chance. I thought that a 50% refund was more than fair considering that they did not lose any revenue or provide any service for our reservation.
I’m sure the experience is wonderful but I would never rebook this event.
Cassandra_N, Feb 2025
Wow! We had an incredible experience caring for the elephants— we made their food, fed them, walked with them, helped to give them a bath in the river and went to cut down more bananas and sugar cane in the jungle to feed them more. The whole experience was surreal and the staff was so kind and friendly. Our 3 kids were so enthusiastic about the entire experience! We also learned how to make Pad Thai! The staff was so helpful with our younger children and we all had the best time. I can’t recommend this trip enough….one tip, bring bug spray and wear good shoes for hiking!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for sharing your incredible experience! 🌿🐘 We're so glad you and your family had such a memorable time caring for the elephants, from preparing their food to walking and bathing them. It’s wonderful to hear how much your kids enjoyed the experience, and we're glad you had fun learning to make Pad Thai, too! 😊 Thank you for the helpful tip about bug spray and good shoes—great advice for future visitors. We’d love to welcome you back again someday! 💚
Zoe_S, Dec 2024
A truly magical experience! Loved making their food and feeding them bananas, but my fave part was watching the interactions as they bathed - hilarious! Tony was a great guide and we had an amazing day :)
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for sharing your magical experience! 🌟 It sounds like a truly unforgettable day, from making food for the elephants and feeding them bananas to the entertaining bath time interactions—what a joy! 🐘🍌
Tony will be delighted to hear your kind words about his guidance. We're thrilled you had such an amazing day and hope you’ll return for more wonderful memories in the future! 😊✨
Adriana_M, Jan 2024
We enjoyed the elephants encounter excursion and mostly because of Ve Vi, Me Mi and Tiger 🙏 they have been so patient and careful with me and my two children and I cannot thank them enough for the beautiful experience! Thank you and see you next time!
Response from Host, Jan 2024
It's heartwarming to hear about your wonderful experience with Ve Vi, Me Mi, and Tiger during the elephants encounter excursion! Their patience and care made the experience truly special for you and your children. Thanking them for providing such a beautiful and memorable encounter with the elephants is a lovely gesture. Here's to more amazing experiences on your next visit!
Lorraine_D, Nov 2023
Washing elephants was an incredible experience. They were so big and gentle. The water was good to swim intoo
Response from Host, Nov 2023
It sounds like you had an amazing time washing the elephants! Being close to these gentle giants and having the opportunity to interact with them in the water can be an unforgettable experience. Was there anything else about the activity that stood out to you?
David_Y, May 2023
We made food for the animals and fed them. We walked with them to the river and scrubbed them with mud and then helped wash them in the river. Later we cut bamboo and sugar cane and fed the elephants again. A delicious lunch was provided. We were happy to see the elephants were treated humanely (no whips or sticks or cruelty) and each had their own trainer who controlled them with just verbal commands and touching them. It was very touching that when you talked directly to the elephant and rubbed their hear trunk, they would stop eating and look you straight in the eye until you stopped talking, its like they understood you and were communicating with you.
Response from Host, May 2023
It sounds like you had an incredible and immersive experience with the elephants! Being able to make food for them and feed them must have been a rewarding and memorable activity. Walking with them to the river and participating in scrubbing them with mud and helping wash them sounds like a unique and intimate way to interact with these gentle giants.
The opportunity to cut bamboo and sugar cane and feed the elephants again must have provided a deeper understanding of their diet and needs. It's heartening to hear that the elephants were treated humanely and that there was no cruelty involved, such as the absence of whips or sticks. Having trainers who rely on verbal commands and gentle touch to guide the elephants demonstrates a respectful and compassionate approach.
The connection you felt when communicating directly with the elephants, where they would stop eating and look you straight in the eye, is truly touching. It's remarkable to witness their understanding and possible communication on an emotional level.
The provision of a delicious lunch adds to the overall experience, ensuring that you had a fulfilling and enjoyable day.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful encounter with the elephants. If you have any more experiences or questions, feel free to let me know!
From $122.50
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class and Waterfall Tour
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