Phuket Guided Tour to Elephant Sanctuary with Hotel Transfers

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Phuket, Thailand

Popular pick

Booked 20+ times last week!

1 hour (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

· David_M ·

Nov 2025

Excellent activity in a genuine sanctuary. From our pick up at the cruise port, our lunch and most importantly our interaction with the elephants we could not fault the experience. Strongly recommend.

· wendyrichmond ·

Dec 2025

Amazing experience. We spent an hour learning about the elephants, feeding them and walking with them. The people who look after the elephants clearly understand them and treat them well. The Thai tour guide lady was lovely and incredibly knowledgeable about the elephants. Great experience which I’d highly recommend.

Overview

What's Included

Hotel Transfer
Guide

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

You can also get picked up from anywhere in Patong,Kata,Karon,Phuket Town,Kamla, Surin,Bangtao and Laguna. • Please plan to meet your driver at your hotel lobby at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time • If you arrive more than 10 minutes late or after we have moved from your hotel, you may be considered a no-shows. If your hotel outside the location pickup please choose Meeting Point option.

Itinerary

Patong Hill Tribe Elephant Village

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
Due to the nature of this tour and the safety of all guests, the tour operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication. If, as a result, your tour is canceled, you will not be entitled to a refund.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 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

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Kathren_W

What a wonderful place to visit – you can truly see how happy these elephants are! We joined the 11:30 afternoon tour with taxi transfer included and were blown away from start to finish. I’d done so much research beforehand, as you hear so many sad stories about elephant tourism, but this sanctuary is the real deal. Our guide was the owner himself, and it was instantly clear how much he loves his animals – not just the elephants, but also the chickens and dogs on-site. The visit began with an informative talk overlooking a serene lake, where we could spot these magnificent creatures in the distance. Lunch was a treat – fresh, authentic Thai food – with our boys even helping to prepare a papaya salad, learning about the ingredients as they went. Drinks were provided throughout. Then came the highlight – preparing sugar cane and hand-feeding an elephant! Afterwards, we walked alongside them through the park, with plenty of photo opportunities. Bathing them was optional, and we chose to watch from the viewing platform, where it was a joy to see them play in the water. The whole experience was unforgettable. The elephants are clearly loved and well cared for, and the owner is proud of the ethical sanctuary he has built. I would not hesitate to recommend this experience – please support this amazing place! This isn’t just a tourist attraction – it’s a place where elephants are truly respected and happy. Please visit and support this sanctuary – you won’t regret

Reviews

4.9

based on 20 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Do it!

Krystal_E, Mar 2026

Worth the money! It was really hot and lots of uphill walking but definitely worth it for the experience. Very good guide and the pick up service was excellent

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear the experience was worth it for you and that you enjoyed the tour despite the heat and uphill walking. It’s great to know the guide and pickup service met your expectations. We truly appreciate your review and hope to welcome you again. 😊

Excellent tour.

Colin_G, Feb 2026

Very good, great to see rescued elephants living a good life. the guide was great and informative...

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed seeing the rescued elephants living well and that the guide provided an informative and engaging experience. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you again on your next visit.

Communication troubles but good tour overall

Jennifer_G, Jan 2026

The hands on experience was truly unforgettable. We were able to feed and interact with 5 elephants with great photo opportunities. Sadly, the tour was not very informative about elephants and their behavior. Beware— when you book a tour for a specific time, pick up maybe as much as an hour earlier. Consider contacting your guide for specifics. We were not notified and were quite surprised when the driver arrived at 9:05 AM for our 10 AM tour. We were told we needed to be in the lobby in 5 minutes or the tour would be cancelled. No one was helpful. However once we arrived to the sanctuary we were very happy we came.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for sharing your detailed and honest feedback. We’re truly glad to hear that the hands-on experience with the elephants was unforgettable and that you enjoyed the close interaction and photo opportunities once you arrived at the sanctuary. That means a great deal to us. At the same time, we sincerely apologize for the lack of clear communication regarding the pickup time and for the stress this caused at the start of your day. Pickup times can indeed be earlier than the tour start time due to shared logistics, but this should always be communicated clearly in advance. Your comments about the limited information provided about elephant behavior are also well noted. We regret that the initial coordination and support did not meet expectations, and we will review this with our team to improve pre-tour communication and guide briefing. Thank you for your understanding and for highlighting both the positives and areas for improvement.

Gentle Elephant Sanctuary

Sherrie_J, Dec 2025

The experience was wonderful and intimate. It was a small group of people with our tour guide and the elephants are beautiful and well taken care of. I like that they are free and not having to work anymore. Just relax. I do recommend that people be comfortable with walking especially up a very steep hill as it can be a bit much if you have foot/ knee pain. My sister needed assistance getting up the hill and they were very gracious. We both enjoyed it immensely. Especially touching them and giving them food. I highly recommend this tour. Not too long. Just enough time to connect to the animals.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review. We’re truly happy to hear that you found the experience wonderful and intimate, and that you appreciated the small group setting and the care given to our elephants. Knowing that you value their freedom and peaceful life means a great deal to us, as their well-being is always our top priority. Thank you also for mentioning the walking conditions. We believe this is very helpful for future guests, and we’re glad our team could assist your sister with care and patience. It’s lovely to hear that you both enjoyed feeding and spending time with the elephants and felt a genuine connection with them. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future.

A perfect hour with elephants

MARK_L, Dec 2025

An amazing time spent with elephants who had come to the sanctuary after neglect. They are now free to roam and look very happy to be there. We were able to walk with them, pat and feed them.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful experience. We’re truly happy to hear that you had an amazing time with the elephants and that you could feel how much their lives have changed since coming to the sanctuary. Knowing they were rescued from neglect and are now free to roam, relaxed and content, means a lot to us and reflects the care and respect our team has for them. We’re glad you enjoyed walking alongside the elephants, as well as feeding and gently interacting with them. Your support helps us continue providing a safe, peaceful home for these beautiful animals. Thank you again for your kind words and for being part of their journ

Amazing experience

wendyrichmond, Dec 2025

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing experience learning about the elephants, feeding them, and walking alongside them. It means a lot to us that you noticed the care, understanding, and respect our team has for the elephants. We’re also delighted that our Thai guide made the experience even more special with her knowledge and warm personality. Your recommendation truly means a great deal to us. Thank you for supporting our sanctuary, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.

Great trip to see rescued...

Nicola_H, Nov 2025

Great trip to see rescued elephants being well cared for , we were able to feed these elephants and observe them in their home environment, they appeared very happy and the staff were lovely.. great trip that was local to our hotel

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed visiting our rescued elephants and observing them in a happy, natural environment. It’s great that you were able to feed them and that our staff made the experience even more enjoyable. We’re glad the location was convenient and that you had a memorable trip close to your hotel!

Authentic Elephant Experience

David_M, Nov 2025

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed every part of your experience, from pickup to lunch and especially your time with the elephants. Your strong recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back for another memorable visit!

Very lovely seeing the...

Hafiza_G, Nov 2025

Very lovely seeing the elephant roaming freely around massive land. The guide knew alot of background about each elephants. They were all rescued and 5 elephants for 120 acres land

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed seeing our rescued elephants roam freely across their spacious home. It’s wonderful that our guide could share meaningful background about each elephant and help you connect with them. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable and ethical elephant experience!

Unforgettable Ethical Elephant Experience!

Kathren_W, Aug 2025

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you so much for this truly wonderful and detailed review! 🌿🐘 We are beyond grateful that you took the time to research and chose to visit Hill Tribe Elephant Village, and even more delighted that your experience exceeded expectations. It makes us so proud to know that you could see and feel the love we have for our elephants and all of the animals in our care. Sharing our knowledge and daily life with visitors is very special to us, and we’re glad you enjoyed learning, preparing food, and experiencing the elephants up close in a way that is both respectful and unforgettable. Your kind words about the tour, the fresh Thai lunch, and the care shown throughout mean the world to our team. Most importantly, we are happy you could see that this is a place where elephants are truly respected, free to be themselves, and cared for with love. Thank you again for your heartfelt recommendation and for supporting ethical elephant tourism. We hope to welcome you and your family back one day for more meaningful moments! 💛

Unforgettable Elephant Sanctuary Experience! 🐘✨

Jax_P, Apr 2025

Absolutely incredible from start to finish! Our driver was prompt and super friendly—pickup was quick and smooth, and we were off to one of the best experiences of our lives. The sanctuary itself is a peaceful, beautiful haven. We had one-on-one time with the elephants, which made the entire visit feel so personal and special. Feeding them, walking with them, and learning their stories was heartwarming and unforgettable. The meal provided was delicious and authentic—you could tell it was made with love. Everything about the day radiated happiness and genuine care for the elephants. The staff clearly loves what they do, and it shows in every detail. If you’re looking for something fun, meaningful, and truly unique, this is it. We left with full hearts and huge smiles. HIGHLY recommend! 🌿💚🐘

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Wow—thank you so much for this absolutely wonderful review! We’re over the moon to hear that your visit was one of the best experiences of your life. From the smooth pickup to the heartfelt interactions with our elephants, it sounds like you truly embraced everything the sanctuary has to offer. It’s especially meaningful to know that the care and love we put into every detail—from the meals to the elephant interactions—shone through. Our team is passionate about what we do, and your kind words are a beautiful reminder of why we do it. Thank you for your heartfelt recommendation—we're so glad you left with full hearts and big smiles. We’d love to welcome you back anytime! 💚🐘🌿

Must do!

Mandi_B, Mar 2025

Being able to learn about the elephants and engage with them in so closely within a sanctuary devoted to being ethical was magical. Staff was very friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and took great photos of our time there. Participating in the cooking lesson and the meal was also top notch! Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear that you had a magical experience learning about and engaging with the elephants in an ethical sanctuary. It’s great to know that our staff made your visit even more special and captured amazing photos for you. We're also glad you enjoyed the cooking lesson and meal! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again in the future. 😊🐘🍽️

Playtime with the Elephants at The Lake

Shelly_W, Mar 2024

Mr Yu and Dang were great guides and very informative! Loved interacting with the elephants!! Cooking class and lunch were great too!!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

It sounds like a wonderful experience! I'm glad to hear that you had a great time and that your guides, Mr. Yu and Dang, were informative and helpful. The interaction with the elephants seems to have been particularly impressive, and it's great to hear that you also enjoyed the cooking class and lunch.

Girls Elephant adventure

nigel_c, Jan 2024

My wife and two daughters ( adult) partook on this adventure. It was described as brilliant, amazing and possibly the best gift ever given!! Thanks

Response from Host, Jan 2024

You're welcome! I'm glad to hear that your wife and daughters had a brilliant and amazing experience on the adventure. If you have any more stories to share or if there's anything else I can assist you with, feel free to let me know. Wishing you and your family many more memorable adventures!