A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Phuket, Thailand

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

· Chloe_H ·

Mar 2026

Absolutely amazing!!! You get to see these beautiful creatures right up close!! An amazing experience!! Would do it again and again and again. You also get a close up look at what theyre trying to do to help elephants in Thailand and its worth every penny!!

· Michael_A ·

Apr 2026

Really amazing experience! Thomas was super informative and you could tell he really loves the elephants! 10/10

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Overview

See elephants up close—but at a respectful distance—at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary during this morning tour. Watch as rescued elephants freely roam, bathe, and socialize within the grounds of the tropical sanctuary (located on the edge of Khao Phra Thaeo National Park in North East Phuket). Learn about the sanctuary's ethical approach, dine on a delicious buffet lunch (which is entirely vegetarian), and snap photos of the elephants from a treetop walkway.

Observe elephants from a respectful distance at the sanctuary
Enjoy a delicious vegetarian buffet lunch and included drinks
Option to select convenient round-trip hotel transfers for added ease
Learn about how the sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates elephants

What's Included

Welcome Snacks and Beverages
Educational Video Documentary
Guided Walk through 30 Acre Sanctuary and across the Canopy Walkway
Lunch

A delicious Thai vegetarian lunch buffet with over 15 choices.
Socks, Boots, Umbrellas, Rain Coats, Mosquito Spray
Bottled water

We provide bottled water but appreciate if you bring a refill bottle.
Roundtrip Transfers - if options is selected

Roundtrip Transfers - If option is not selected

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

(Pickup up to 90 minutes before the tour!) We offer shared roundtrip transfers from anywhere in the Phuket Province. To book a tour including shared roundtrip transfers, please select the "Program + Transfer" option. Pick-up and drop-off location must be identical, and the exact pick-up time, up to 90 minutes before the tour, will be advised via message or email shortly after completing your booking.

Meeting point

3, Tambon Pa Klok, Amphoe Thalang, Chang Wat Phuket 83110, Thailand
If you selected Program Only (No Transfer), please meet us at our office in Paklok 30 minutes before the start of the program. Parking is available.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.9:30 am

Itinerary

Enjoy an ethical elephant encounter at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Get up close to rescued elephants—without touching them and while maintaining a respectful distance— while supporting the sanctuary’s conservation efforts.

After pickup from your Phuket hotel (with the shared transfer option), the experience starts with a presentation and video at the Tree Top Sanctuary, where you also enjoy a welcome snack and refreshments. Next, gear up with provided boots, socks, rain coats, mosquito spray, and umbrellas.

Afterwards, follow the elephants into the jungle. Stop at the observation platforms, where you can watch the elephants bathing, playing, and socializing from a safe distance.

Afterwards, enjoy a Thai vegetarian meal before being driven back to Phuket and dropped off at your accommodations.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

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

jason_k

What a beautiful experience! From the moment of arriving to leaving, the staff had a very positive attitude. I loved that the elephants' needs were above all else. Very educational, close-up, and well thought out. The abundance of snacks, food, time (for questions and pictures), and smiles were appreciated. Loved everything about this sanctuary.

Reviews

4.9

based on 1,832 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Amazing!

Elaina_M, May 2026

Amazing experience! Highly recommend visiting if you want to see healthy and happy elephants taken care of! Staff could not be more wonderful! Close to elephants but not to bother them! Lunch was so delicious!!! Book this!!

5* Phuket elephant sanctuary

Scott_Y, Apr 2026

We went to Phuket elephant sanctuary where they take working elephants, nurse them back to health, and set them free in a safe natural environment. It’s so peaceful and ethical, the work they do is incredible and it’s a must see in Phuket

Great to be with the...

Robert_L, Apr 2026

Great to be with the elephants as they try to adjust back to a “normal” non-working life. Tour guide, KT, was very knowledgeable.

Really amazing...

Michael_A, Apr 2026

Really amazing experience! Thomas was super informative and you could tell he really loves the elephants! 10/10

Elephant sanctuary

Clare_P, Apr 2026

Great experience Would definitely recommend Loved meeting the elephants and seeing them roaming the environment

Excellent, ethical and...

Todd_S, Apr 2026

Excellent, ethical and informative tour. You get close to elephants while maintaining respect for them. They have one of the only elephant hospitals in the world, and apply their resources to protecting and healing elephants. They buy elephants to rescue them (instead of renting) forever, and welcome other injured or sick elephants to their hospital for care - even if they unfortunately cannot be purchased (have to return to labor/performing). The tour will likely be very hot so dress, pack, and hydrate accordingly (it was 33C/91F and 70% humidity for my visit). The staff were very friendly, knowledgeable, compassionate and plainly love the elephants & caring for them. It is important to support ethical sanctuaries like this one. Food was excellent and strictly vegetarian (I am an omnivore and I still really enjoyed the breakfast and lunch offered). They also provide hand sanitizer and mosquito repellent in abundance. I encourage you to donate towards elephant food and supporting staff, even if you can only afford a tiny amount. It all adds up and your money sends the right signal to the other elephant tour companies and ecosystem.

Elephant Sanctuary

Candace_T, Mar 2026

It's a great visit for anyone. We enjoyed learning about the sanctuary, seeing the elephants roam freely, and feeding them some treats. The canopy walkway was a great way to view them eating and roaming around. We also visited the hospital area and learned about the treatments they recieve there. We enjoyed a delicious vegetarian lunch; there were many great entrees to choose from. The gift shop offered us a chance to further support the operations while providing tons of souvenir gifts at reasonable prices.

Wonderful morning at the elephant sanctuary

Kevin_S, Mar 2026

Fantastic experience! Spend your morning learning about and spending time with these majestic animals. From the minute we were picked up to drop off we were well taken care of. Our guide, Alex, was very well informed and knowledgeable, and you could tell he cares about the elephants. They also provide a wonderful lunch which caters to many different tastes. As with many tours we’ve done they provide more than enough food to satisfy. We definitely recommend this tour!

Awesome!

Chloe_H, Mar 2026

This was a well-run,...

George_S, Mar 2026

This was a well-run, educational, and enjoyable experience. It was exciting to have contact and be close to the elephants.

Worth every penny.

Andrew_M, Mar 2026

The best elephant experience ever! These big beautiful creatures are now living their best life, in retirement, in their forever home. You get told all of the elephants names, ages & back stories. Some are quite heartbreaking to hear. However these intelligent gentle giants are living the rest of their lives in tranquility. You get to feed them, hands on, but you are not allowed to pet them. You get a jungle canopy walk, so you can observe them from above. This is not a zoo, nor is it an entertainment facility. This is a sanctuary a little haven on earth for elephants. If you do only one thing when visiting Thailand, do this. A worthwhile cause supporting these animals. Worth every penny

A must visit.

Helen_P, Feb 2026

This is my second visit to the Sanctuary. My last visit was in 2021. I love the improvements and am so happy to see the elephants in their natural environment. The staff were pleasant and professional. The elephants are well taken care of, and the property is amazing. I am so happy to see they added a canopy, which was nice for the aerial view, and a hospital to provide treatment for the majestic animals.

Help them rescue more elephants!

Ecem_B, Feb 2026

The tour was lovely, our guide KT was amazing and answered all the questions (which was a lot) the group had. Its sad and nice at the same time hearing what those elephants endure in other places, and having their freedom finally. Hopefully they can rescue more elephants in the future from the cruel life they are living in other places.

Worth it, for sure!

Ricky_C, Feb 2026

Everything was exceptional, from the hotel pickup (Veranda hotel) to the facilities, the lunch, the bottled water readily given, the cappuccino, the guide (Rudi) was awesome! Everything was included. Oh and the ELEPHANTS!!! These beautiful creatures were so exceptionally cared for and treated respectfully after their hard lives prior to coming to the sanctuary. It was so great to hand feed them and to learn about them. Well done P.E.S!!! ❤️

I loved seeing the...

Laura_A, Feb 2026

I loved seeing the elephants and knowing that they are well taken care of in their old age after a long life of hard labor.

Loved this tour!

Amber_K, Feb 2026

My husband and I really enjoyed this tour! Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and professional. Would highly recommend making this a part of your trip to Thailand!

Incredible opportunity to...

Cara_F, Feb 2026

Incredible opportunity to learn about these beautiful animals. Our tour guide KT was very funny and knowledgeable. We walked around the complex before going up to the walkway to see the elephants from above. The buffet food at the end was delicious

Kind of a hike…but amazing!

Diana_G, Jan 2026

The elephants were magnificent! Reccomend this experience if you’re looking for an ethical way to observe these beautiful creatures. My only mention is beware, walking around viewing the elephants in the heat feels like a hike, so if you have physical limitations i would not book the excursion. Lunch and snacks were all delicious! Our tour guide thomas was great, super well educated and easy to understand!

beautiful experience

jason_k, Jan 2026

A must in Phuket!!

JuanCarlos_Z, Jan 2026

The whole experience from beginning to end was incredible. The faculties were very clean, the tour guides were very knowledgeable, and the food was great!

Great place

Lesley_T, Jan 2026

A fabulous trip learning about the elephants and how they are treated by previous owners before coming here to end their days. Lovely to give them a snack and be able to stroke their trunk

An absolute must see in Phuket

Aaron_P, Jan 2026

This is a must see. An extraordinary experience that my entire family was enthralled with. Really a special way to see the elephants interact and how they live. Not a petting zoo! For a special day this is a must when in Phuket.

Amazing Experience

Heather_D, Jan 2026

Truly wonderful experience at an accredited elephant sanctuary. All staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and spoke excellent English. Elephants were clearly well cared for and appeared content. Food was very good and there was a lot of variety. I would go back every day. Transportation to and from the sanctuary to my hotel was easy and comfortable.

phuket elephant sanctuary

DAVID_M, Jan 2026

excellent trip brilliant to see the work they are doing to rescue injured and mistreated elephants a must visit trip

Wonderfully organised day...

Polly_A, Jan 2026

Wonderfully organised day with the elephants in this fantastic environment. Walking around seeing the elephants up close and hearing their tragic back stories feeling thankful the sanctuary is now giving them a well earned retirement.

We enjoyed our trip but...

Suzanne_S, Jan 2026

We enjoyed our trip but we hand very little hands on. We got to feed the elephants once. I would have rather done an experience where we could touch the elephants.

Great tour!

Paula_B, Jan 2026

Such a great tour and so nice to see the elephants well taken care of. Minie was a great guide in telling us so much great info on each elephant. Lunch was also awesome!

Great experience!!!

Alan_G, Jan 2026

We had an amazing experience. The driver was very punctual, polite, and the ride to the sanctuary was smooth. Upon arrival we were greeted by wonderful food, snacks, coffee, juice, etc. The host was very knowledgeable about elephants, their environment and their behavior. Truly one for the books. Definitely worth the price.

Humane Elephant Tour!

Sasha_M, Jan 2026

Great experience. It was very important to us that if we did a tour involving animals it was humane. We did a lot of research and landed on this tour. The elephants are well cared for, and you get to see them up close and feed them. The lunch was great! Staff is very friendly!

Great morning with the elephants!

Kristin_C, Jan 2026

Perfect morning with the elephants! Great facilities and great tour guide. Got to feed the elephants and observe them in their natural habitat well they are well cared for. Very yummy lunch too! Highly recommend!