Recently Viewed
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Day Tour: An Overview of Ethical Elephant Care
4.9
63 Ratings
Paklok
Experience an ethical and immersive day tour at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Get up-close with rescued elephants, learn about their communication and habitat, and support sustainable elephant tourism.
Experience an ethical and immersive day tour at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Get up-close with rescued elephants, learn about their communication and habitat, and support sustainable elephant tourism.
Duration:
7 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Begin your day with an informative video presentation on the history and challenges faced by Asian elephants. Following this, a tour guide will lead you through our 30-acre sanctuary, where you can watch the elephants as they roam, play, and bathe freely. The morning concludes with a delightful vegetarian Thai lunch….
- Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Begin your day with an informative video presentation on the history and challenges faced by Asian elephants. Following this, a tour guide will lead you through our 30-acre sanctuary, where you can watch the elephants as they roam, play, and bathe freely. The morning concludes with a delightful vegetarian Thai lunch. Afterwards, learn about the complex communication patterns of elephants and explore their natural habitat to understand their vital role as a keystone species in our ecosystem. Next, meet some of the gentle giants at the hydrotherapy pool and observe them enjoying their time in the water. Finally, assist in preparing supplementary food for the elephants and enjoy a vegetarian meal to conclude the day. The program includes two meals, soft drinks, water, juices, coffee, and a complimentary T-shirt.
What's Included
- Complimentary bottled water
- Savour a vegetarian Thai lunch & dinner
- Essential gear provided: Boots, Socks, Umbrellas, Rain Coats, Mosquito Spray
- Enjoy the comfort of in-vehicle air conditioning
- Welcome treats include Snacks, Coffee, Fruits, Juices & Filtered Water
- Receive a free PES T-Shirt
- Complimentary bottled water
- Savour a vegetarian Thai lunch & dinner
- Essential gear provided: Boots, Socks, Umbrellas, Rain Coats, Mosquito Spray
- Enjoy the comfort of in-vehicle air conditioning
- Welcome treats include Snacks, Coffee, Fruits, Juices & Filtered Water
- Receive a free PES T-Shirt
Additional Information
During this engaging, interactive, and educational experience, participants will enjoy numerous delightful moments observing our rescued elephants, gaining comprehensive insights into their complex communication methods, and learning about their natural environment and the crucial role they play as a keystone species in our ecosystem. The program…
During this engaging, interactive, and educational experience, participants will enjoy numerous delightful moments observing our rescued elephants, gaining comprehensive insights into their complex communication methods, and learning about their natural environment and the crucial role they play as a keystone species in our ecosystem. The program includes shared roundtrip transfers, along with a light breakfast, vegetarian lunch and dinner, and cold drinks and refreshments throughout the day.
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the first ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket, where elephants can freely roam, bathe, and socialize across 30 acres of tropical land adjacent to the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park in Northeast Phuket. By visiting, you are supporting a sustainable, ethical, and compassionate approach to elephant tourism, allowing elephants the freedom to live naturally. Our ethical approach has been endorsed by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, and The Guardian.
Location
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
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
4.9
(63 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Corinne
Jul 11, 2025
Magical - We did the full day program, having done the morning program a number of years ago. The full day program involved the morning tour, lunch, then the afternoon was spent learning about elephant communication, gathering and preparing food for the more vulnerable elephants.
The sanctuary rightly does not allow bathing, riding or other activities with the elephants. The elephants interact as much or as little as they want to.
Such a wonderful day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hajnalkatl
Jul 4, 2025
An ethical and transformative experience - Today was incredible. We went to Phuket Elephant sanctuary for a full day immersive tour. The day started with a documentary explaining the abuse and torture that elephants have suffered for logging industry and tourism. All of the elephants at this sanctuary are rescues. Most have medical issues and are no longer able to work- which is the only reason their owners consider selling them. There are 23 rescued elephants. Some are blind, some are deaf, many have permanent injuries from being chained to trees and tortured as part of the “training” process to make them take tourists for rides, painting and performing for tourists. This is the retirement village for these grand old ladies. There is only one male, males are rarely sold as they can be used for breeding until they die. There are vets on site. Daily medical care, each has their own Mahout who cares for them and keeps them out of neighbours farms. They get a pedicure every two months, specialised foods for those who need it. They have 23 acres of jungle to roam and dams to bathe in and roll in the mud. The staff know their personalities, likes and dislikes, and their history. They are mindful of the abuse related trauma and give these elephants the care they need. Those who are too traumatised by humans are kept away from tourists visiting the sanctuary. If you do go to touristy places consider the impact of your tourist dollars. These elephants would never have been abused if tourists didnt pay to watch them paint, take them for rides, perform tricks etc. Every dollar you spend makes an impact. Choose options that have an ethical impact.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarahmp6063tf
Jun 17, 2025
Magical experience - The whole place were magical the chap who we spent the day with was brilliant very informative. The elephants really are rescue elephants and were treated wonderfully fully recommend a visit here
Review provided by Tripadvisor
859katelync
May 10, 2025
Incredible Mission, Wonderful Experience - The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is an incredible organization offering shelter to retired, older, and disabled elephants. It was such an incredible experience to see these elephants thrive in an environment made to be so like their natural one, and utilizing tourism in a way that is as safe and ethical for the elephants as possible. We did the volunteer one day option, and we had the time of our lives! The food was fantastic, and the day well-scheduled. Our guide, Thomas, was so passionate, knowledgeable, kind, and went above and beyond for our group. All of the staff at PES are incredible, and I would recommend this experience to anyone traveling to Phuket and hoping to see elephants!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Clairere9849tn
May 7, 2025
Amazing!! - One of the best experiences of my life! If you can definitely do the full day, worth every penny! The staff were great and very informative and the food was amazing too. They even list the ingredients of each dish which is great if you have dietary requirements. A must do in Phuket!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Caiov766
Mar 20, 2025
Had a great time at the elephant sanctuary. - A really nice experience getting to know the sanctuary, learning about their goals, and seeing how the elephants are treated. The environment around is great and very green. The tour guide was nice and polite.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
D5983lqmelaniet
Mar 17, 2025
Spectacular day with the elephants - This was a spectacular day with the elephants. We learnt a lot more about elephants and sadly about how these elephants had previously been mistreated. Once here at the Sanctuary they are cared for with gentleness, kindness and love. A very special experience to get up close to these beautiful animals, to help prepare their food and hand feed them. A day which will live in our memories for ever.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulnz9896ak
Mar 8, 2025
Most enjoyable. - Very inspirational what has been achieved there, and a very enjoyable and informative experience. I will visit the place again next visit to Thailand. We also stayed at the sanctuary for a couple of nights which was a special experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maleekanazirah
Feb 15, 2025
Ethical sanctuary, but you can get up close - A truly ethical sanctuary for elephants (no swimming with or riding them) that tourists can feel good about supporting. We did the full day program and it was worth every penny. Each elephant has a designated caretaker that stays with them at all times. You can still get close to them though (some feeding is allowed, and you can get respectfully close enough for great photos too). Lunch/refreshments included in the full-day program.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Explore44522367530
Feb 3, 2025
Great experience! - Loved my experience at PES. Staff were great and I applaud their mission of rescuing these beautiful creatures. The lunch was great (I'm a vegetarian and it was so nice I didn't have to ask what was meat free). KT was our guide and they were great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
More activities from this operator
