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Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary: Ethical Wildlife Experience
4.8
10 Ratings
Tambon Khuekkhak
Experience ethical elephant conservation and authentic Thai cuisine on a full day tour in Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary. Discover the beauty of Sai Rung Waterfall and indulge in a street food cooking class. Book now!
Experience ethical elephant conservation and authentic Thai cuisine on a full day tour in Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary. Discover the beauty of Sai Rung Waterfall and indulge in a street food cooking class. Book now!
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
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Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary - 9:00 AM – Participate in a workshop to create herbal vitamin balls and discover the natural ingredients used in caring for elephants.
10:00 AM – Explore the rubber plantation area and gain insights into elephant routines, behavior, and dietary needs with guidance from a local expert and caretaker.
12:00 PM – Engage in a…
-
Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary - 9:00 AM – Participate in a workshop to create herbal vitamin balls and discover the natural ingredients used in caring for elephants.
10:00 AM – Explore the rubber plantation area and gain insights into elephant routines, behavior, and dietary needs with guidance from a local expert and caretaker.
12:00 PM – Engage in a Thai cooking class and savor a freshly prepared lunch featuring dishes like Pad Thai, Som Tam, Tom Yum Goong, and mango sticky rice.
2:00 PM – Meet with a local gardener to understand how fresh produce is sourced for the elephants and the significance of local ingredients for their health.
4:00 PM – Enjoy a return transfer to your hotel, if the transfer option is chosen.
What's Included
- Lunch
- Cooking Class
- Hotel Transfer
- Lunch
- Cooking Class
- Hotel Transfer
What's Not Included
- Personal Expense
- Personal Expense
Additional Information
Join a full-day small-group tour to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary from Khao Lak and discover the lives of rescued elephants in a responsible, nature-focused environment.
Participants will listen to the elephants’ stories, explore the sanctuary with a guide, prepare vitamins for the elephants, learn about their dietary needs, and cut banana trees as part of…
Join a full-day small-group tour to Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary from Khao Lak and discover the lives of rescued elephants in a responsible, nature-focused environment.
Participants will listen to the elephants’ stories, explore the sanctuary with a guide, prepare vitamins for the elephants, learn about their dietary needs, and cut banana trees as part of their care routine. Guests can also observe the elephants’ natural behaviors and, when conditions permit, watch them bathe naturally from a respectful distance.
The tour features a Thai cooking activity, a traditional Thai lunch, snacks, and seasonal fruits. There is no elephant riding, no performances, no tricks, no forced bathing, and no unsupervised direct interaction.
- We do not force them to engage in any activities. If an activity cannot be conducted as planned due to the elephants’ choice, no refunds can be provided. We respect the elephants’ natural behavior and provide opportunities for observation and interaction based on their comfort and willingness.
Location
Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary
ซอย น้ำตกสายรุ้ง
Meeting at Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary and show your voucher to staff. Car Park also available
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(10 Ratings)
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C16pojos
Mar 4, 2026
Khao lak elephant sanctuary - Amazing experience, was very well organised, staff very friendly and informative, the tent/ chalets had everything you needed.Choice of food very good, entertainment was provided at night, free cooking demonstration was also provided, Elephants very well looked after.I would highly recommend a stay here and would certainly re visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jackiesnook
Nov 9, 2025
Great Experience with the Elephants at Khao Lok - All the staff were great, very knowledgeable and respectful of the elephants. Nothing felt forced, all elephants were free to roam if they wished but they knew their daily routines of feeding and bathing and were happy for you to hand them food. Bathing is done by their handler with you watching, they really seemed to enjoy a dip in the river to clean and cool down. Lots of opportunities for photos, guides took many photos with your phones for you, no hard sell to purchase any of the ones they took, you really don’t need them.
We took the full day tour which had the cooking class included, three separate dishes to cook and eat. A great day and experience highly recommended,
Review provided by Viator
Nicola_h
Aug 10, 2025
Ethical Sanctuary. - I had an absolutely fabulous day with Win and his colleagues. There are six beautiful female elephants that reside there, aged in their 30s-60s, from difficult histories, but thankfully, now wonderful futures. They are well cared for in an ethical way.
I chose the whole day option, and I'm really glad I did. It entailed everything from observations, preparing food, feeding, planting, sourcing, cookery lessons - plus much more. Thank you so much for a very memorable day.
I've not put many photos on as I think it should be seen and experienced- I don't want to spoil the surprises in store!
Review provided by Viator
Debra_b
Aug 2, 2025
Ethical elephant experience. - A very casual day at the pace of the elephants. A great experience of simply watching elephants eat, wander and bath. A great opportunity to feed them and forage in the jungle for their food. A side experience with swimming at a beautiful waterfall and learning to cook Thai dishes. A unique experience and wonderful to see elephants being looked after and not performing for tourists. A very knowledgeable and helpful guide. Thanks 🙏
Review provided by Viator
Q8555jzsheilac
Jul 11, 2025
Good experience with elephants - Just returned from 1 hour elephant experience. The elephants appeared well cared for and free to roam, though stayed close for food. We fed them bananas and then accompanied one on a stroll through woods where it took the chance to eat more.Guides knowledgeable, elephants appeared well cared for and good safety instructions. All elephants are reduced and aim clearly to give them the best retirement they can have.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Graeme_t
Apr 19, 2025
A magical day with elephants and sanctuary team. - We booked a full day tour, and weren’t disappointed. A truly magical day with Maesa, the mahouts, chef and the stars of the day. 5 (1 poorly and in quarantine) majestic elephants, rescued from previous logging careers. These elephants are loved and cared for by the Khao Lak team. We booked a full day, which included plenty of up close time with the elephants, constant feeding, bathing ( not in the water with them) but close enough to chuck lots of water over them, prepping food, cooking a 4 course Thai meal with chef, collecting banana leaves and water melons from the local farmers, walk in the jungle with elephant, and a visit to the local waterfall. There are plenty of other elephant experiences out there but do your research. The money goes direct to the team to care for the elephants and supports the local farmers too. A brilliant day from start to finish. Plenty of photos taken by the team and shared with us (no sneaky extra charges either)
Review provided by Viator
Julie_l
Aug 13, 2024
Magical interactive experience you don’t want to miss - Magical experience of being up close with these magnificent elephants. Interactive and unique - one of the best days I have ever had. Sourcing their food, coming back and then feeding them, watching them swim and learning about their diet, daily routines and being able to share this time with them is extraordinary. Topped off with cooking class, waterfall and knowledgeable tour guides (thanks Tony) means it is a day not to be missed.
Review provided by Viator
Hillside
Oct 8, 2025
Not what we were hoping for - We visited today. we booked the eco elephant 1/2 day tour which included a visit to the sea turtle sanctuary, waterfall, tsunami museum & lunch. We also got taken to a temple, which wasn’t on the itinerary.
The visit to the elephant sanctuary was pretty disappointing - for us this was supposed to be the highlight of the days trip. We arrived at the sanctuary, were handed some bananas & sugar canes to feed the elephant’s. We were introduced and given a very brief guide on the elephant’s and where they came from.
Then we fed the elephants their snacks - this took less than a minute- elephants eat very quickly. Then we went with the elephant for a walk, again this was over with super fast, elephants can walk very quickly.
We were out of the elephant sanctuary in 45 minutes. It was so disappointed how quickly this was over with.
Their elephants were magnificent animals and it would have been so much more enjoyable if things went at a more relaxed pace. Our guide said very little in general and we were probably given more information on the rubber trees than the elephants.
The waterfall, was cool. We could have went for a swim. But we never, some littler lying around which spoiled the views.
The unexpected temple visit was very interesting, possibly one of the best parts of the day.
Sea turtles were ok, it was a bit odd as they were all kept in very boring shallow pools.
The lunch was very good.
I would suggest if it’s the elephants you want to see, to look for a better tour. It’s was pretty expensive at £140 for two people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
