Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Canopy Walkway Tour
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From $58.29
66 reviews (4.82)
Price varies by group size
Lowest Price GuaranteePricing Info: Per Person
Duration: 1 hours
Departs: Phuket, Phuket
Ticket Type: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Free cancellation
Overview
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the first and only ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket where elephants roam around, bathe and sozialize freely across 30 acres of lush, tropical land bordering the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park in North East Phuket. We buy all rescued elephants to ensure that Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is their final home, and we offer professional veterinary care for old and injured elephants. By visiting us, you are supporting a sustainable, ethical and compassionate approach to elephant tourism where elephants have the freedom to live naturally. National Geographic, Lonely Planet and The Guardian have all endorsed our ethical approach.
What's Included
Boots, Socks, Umbrellas, Rain Coats, Mosquito Spray
Free PES Souveinir
Free PES T-Shirt
Signature Iced Soda & Unlimited Snack Bar
Umbrellas, Rain Coats, Mosquito Spray
We provide bottled water but appreciate if you bring a refill bottle.
What's Not Included
Roundtrip Transfers - If option is not selected
Traveler Information
- INFANT: Age: 0 - 4
- CHILD: Age: 5 - 11
- ADULT: Age: 12 - 120
Additional Info
- Although “physical distancing” comes natural at our 30-acre sanctuary, we have implemented several initiatives according to the recommended health & safety guidelines by the World Health Organization and have achieved SHA certification to ensure you have
- Face masks provided for travellers
- Face masks required for travellers in public areas
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
- Although “physical distancing” comes natural at our 30-acre sanctuary, we have implemented several initiatives according to the recommended health & safety guidelines by the World Health Organization and have achieved SHA certification to ensure you have
- Face masks provided for travellers
- Face masks required for travellers in public areas
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
What To Expect
This 90-minute program is a first-of-its kind experience in Thailand and takes ethical tourism to new heights – literally! Explore our new, 500 meter-long canopy walkway and observe rescued elephants as they roam, forage, bathe and socialize freely in the jungle below. Our tour guides will be happy to share the story of each elephant, and to provide you with interesting facts about the largest land mammal on earth. The program also includes an opportunity to feed some of the elephants at a dedicated & safe area with a barrier, as well as a complimentary T-Shirt for you to take home. At the end of the tour we serve a refreshing iced soda and unlimited snacks from our snack bar while you can rest and enjoy the serenity of the sanctuary.
This program is available daily at the following times:
09:30 – 11:00
10:00 – 11:30
14:00 – 15:30
14:30 – 16:00
This program is available daily at the following times:
09:30 – 11:00
10:00 – 11:30
14:00 – 15:30
14:30 – 16:00
1 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Reviews
Fantastic
alexandra_anthonsen, 23-09-2022
The canopy walkway tour was just amazing. This has to be one of the greatest things we’ve done. Our guide, Hannah, had a deep understanding of the elephants’ characteristics and was very informative about the cruel nature in which each of the animals had been treated in the past. The sanctuary is advertised as the elephants’ final home and the employees work hard to ensure it’s also a happy one.
100% would recommend.
100% would recommend.
Nothing like the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Edie M, 20-09-2022
We had an amazing time learning about the elephants we saw, learning about elephants and general and specifically (unfortunately) how elephants in Thailand are used/abused. We were even allowed to feed them at the end of the tour!
We really felt like guests - we were treated to hot and cold drinks and snacks when we arrived and dinner before we left (which we didn't know about and we had rushed to have lunch beforehand - check when you book because you may not need to eat before and after).
The facilities are great - extremely clean. You will be given rubber boots for the tour to keep your shoes from getting muddy.
I cannot recommend the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary highly enough. Go! It was amazing.
We really felt like guests - we were treated to hot and cold drinks and snacks when we arrived and dinner before we left (which we didn't know about and we had rushed to have lunch beforehand - check when you book because you may not need to eat before and after).
The facilities are great - extremely clean. You will be given rubber boots for the tour to keep your shoes from getting muddy.
I cannot recommend the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary highly enough. Go! It was amazing.
Great tour!!
tuan_n, 20-09-2022
What a great experience!! The elephants were treated very good. No bathing with them or riding on their backs. These elephants have been abused their whole lives and it’s great to see them treated so well instead of being used for our entertainment. We got to feed the elephants and watch them interact with each other freely. You can’t help but feel for them after hearing what humans have put them through, so it was great to see that they will be enjoying the rest of their lives enjoying their freedom. The staff was great and all genuinely care about the elephants. The staff picked us up at the hotel, drove us to the sanctuary, fed us breakfast before the tour and then a great vegetarian lunch. After the tour they drove us back to the hotel. We made sure to buy something at the gift shop since everything sold there was to help care for the elephants. I would definitely recommend this experience for anyone and would do it again just to support the sanctuary and their efforts.
Please be sure to bring cash to tip the driver and tour guide. They don’t ask for tips but they for sure deserve it.
Please be sure to bring cash to tip the driver and tour guide. They don’t ask for tips but they for sure deserve it.
A Surreal Jurassic Park Experience!
L1813UTdanaw, 19-08-2022
Wholesome experience.
No torture or training tools, no commanding the elephants, no silly tricks, no uncalled for performances. The mahouts (handlers) do not command or when touch these elephants. They simply stand there and guide these creatures if they get too near the tourists (asking for fruit treats).
You could get up close and personal with the elephants. Your only interaction with them is feeding of fruits as part of their daily intake.. You could see them roaming freely in this 30 acre area, taking baths, eating, or just chilling.
It was very muddy and we were provided with socks and gumboots before the walk. The treetop walkway was a beautiful aspect of the reserve, especially when it’s a wet day.
I would recommend this to everybody who would like something different in Phuket. Amazing guides, amazing canopy treetop walk, amazing vegetarian lunch buffer and most of all, amazing elephants!
No torture or training tools, no commanding the elephants, no silly tricks, no uncalled for performances. The mahouts (handlers) do not command or when touch these elephants. They simply stand there and guide these creatures if they get too near the tourists (asking for fruit treats).
You could get up close and personal with the elephants. Your only interaction with them is feeding of fruits as part of their daily intake.. You could see them roaming freely in this 30 acre area, taking baths, eating, or just chilling.
It was very muddy and we were provided with socks and gumboots before the walk. The treetop walkway was a beautiful aspect of the reserve, especially when it’s a wet day.
I would recommend this to everybody who would like something different in Phuket. Amazing guides, amazing canopy treetop walk, amazing vegetarian lunch buffer and most of all, amazing elephants!
Great tour to see elephants
Jenna_traveller, 22-12-2022
This was a great tour! We had hotel pick up and drop off. The staff were great and very knowledgeable on the elephants. This is a rescue place, so you learn the history of the elephants and the mistreatment they suffer in the industries. The elephants were friendly and if they wanted they would interact with you.
Lunch was part of the tour and was really good.
Lunch was part of the tour and was really good.
Informative tour respecting the elephants
Suzanne D, 17-12-2022
We had a brilliant morning here. The staff were lovely and guided us throughout. Everything ran extremely smoothly - from being picked up at our hotel to being dropped off. We were able to feed an elephant and watch others roam from the canopy walk way. Highly recommend!
Great visit for a great cause!
Stephanie H, 15-12-2022
I originally planned to visit an elephant “sanctuary” where we could bathe and interact with the elephants, but upon reading more about it, I quickly decided not to do that. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is an ethical establishment that cares for and rehabilitates rescued elephants. The stories of these elephants are heartbreaking, but the work they are doing there is encouraging. The facility and the canopy walk is top notch, and our guide was kind and informative! We did get the opportunity to get pretty close to a couple of elephants, and we were able to feed fruit to an elephant that enjoys human interaction. This was a very rewarding experience for our entire group. I highly recommend it!
Make sure you visit!
ricks844, 02-12-2022
We researched the most ethical sanctuary and this one kept coming tops. From pick up to drop off an excellent morning out. Amazing staff and very knowledgeable on all the elephants. Stunning walking on the elevated walkway and meeting the elephants walking through the park. Recommend a visit to here for anyone in Phuket,all money goes to help and save more animals.
Amazing experience
Bethany_H, 01-12-2022
Amazing day, lovely staff, gorgeous complimentary food and drinks. Elephants look like theyre in heaven and all for a good cause. Thank you Alex our guide!
Best part of our Trip
paiges123, 11-01-2023
This was a well run organization. There were more people attending the tour than I expected, but they kept things well organized. We loved seeing the elephants and hearing their stories. I am so happy to see someone caring for these beautiful animals. The abuse of elephants, large cats and other animals needs to be outlawed. Please support this organization if you can and please don't participate in the other shows and exhibits that exploit the animals
Really nice!
Jacqueline_G, 11-01-2023
I'm happy there is a way for us to see the elephants from up close without causing them any harm. A safe place for the elephants.
The most ethical way to see elephants in their habitat
Lisa P, 11-01-2023
This is THE elephant tour to do if you are passionate about these gentle creatures!
and the one recommended by National Geographic and The World Animal Protection. interaction is kept to a minimum to protect them but you can feed and stroke them. We did the canopy tour which lasts about 90 minutes, which in the hot sun is plenty! The tour groups are kept small (just 7 in our group) and You start with a little ride from their guide offices to the sanctuary (about 10 minutes), followed by complimentary refreshments. Then the guide plays you a video of how elephants have been treated by various companies purely for the enjoyment and entertainment of visitors. Be prepared to cry at this point! You then start out of the aerial walkway which is a brilliant way to first see the elephants. Each elephant has its on carer as they are free to roam anywhere on the 30 acre site. You then walk down to the ground level and interact with the elephants by watching the mahout feed them. At the end of the tour you get to feed the elephants tour which is amazing. I really felt that this was a respectful way to see the elephants (who incidentally are the most intelligent animal on earth, after humans). Afterwards we had a very nice mocktail, snacks and a really nice complimentary gift as a thank you. Absolutely the best thing I did in Thailand
and the one recommended by National Geographic and The World Animal Protection. interaction is kept to a minimum to protect them but you can feed and stroke them. We did the canopy tour which lasts about 90 minutes, which in the hot sun is plenty! The tour groups are kept small (just 7 in our group) and You start with a little ride from their guide offices to the sanctuary (about 10 minutes), followed by complimentary refreshments. Then the guide plays you a video of how elephants have been treated by various companies purely for the enjoyment and entertainment of visitors. Be prepared to cry at this point! You then start out of the aerial walkway which is a brilliant way to first see the elephants. Each elephant has its on carer as they are free to roam anywhere on the 30 acre site. You then walk down to the ground level and interact with the elephants by watching the mahout feed them. At the end of the tour you get to feed the elephants tour which is amazing. I really felt that this was a respectful way to see the elephants (who incidentally are the most intelligent animal on earth, after humans). Afterwards we had a very nice mocktail, snacks and a really nice complimentary gift as a thank you. Absolutely the best thing I did in Thailand
The least worst way to see elephants in Phuket
gingerdad1, 07-01-2023
Enjoyed our visit to the Phuket elephant sanctuary we just did the canopy walk, could not see the point of the extra bits and lunch.
There was only 8 of us on the tour and the guide was excellent and informative.
We came here as the least worst option to see some elephants and really enjoyed our visit, enjoyed learning and seeing the elephants up close.
I do feel it’s still “ethical” in the loosest sense of the word but do feel they are doing some good with the older rescued elephants.
if you want to see elephants in Phuket this is the best option but considering the owners and elephants history it is a sanctuary and still not perfect.
There was only 8 of us on the tour and the guide was excellent and informative.
We came here as the least worst option to see some elephants and really enjoyed our visit, enjoyed learning and seeing the elephants up close.
I do feel it’s still “ethical” in the loosest sense of the word but do feel they are doing some good with the older rescued elephants.
if you want to see elephants in Phuket this is the best option but considering the owners and elephants history it is a sanctuary and still not perfect.
Ethical elephant sanctuary. We love it!
MissusKuan, 05-01-2023
We love this! An ethical and haven for rescued elephants. Highly recommended. This tour is great and the length of the walk suits us.
It starts with a video information session about PES, followed by introduction to your guide. We get to feed some elephants, and adjourn to the canopy walk. Our guide tells us story of each elephant and how they were rescued. Most were from elephant camp where they carry tourists around. Many here are either blinds or have foot injury. This statuary is their final home.
At the end of the walk, we were served a refreshments and were gifted with a local handmade gift.
If you want to experience an ethical eco-tourism, this is it.
It starts with a video information session about PES, followed by introduction to your guide. We get to feed some elephants, and adjourn to the canopy walk. Our guide tells us story of each elephant and how they were rescued. Most were from elephant camp where they carry tourists around. Many here are either blinds or have foot injury. This statuary is their final home.
At the end of the walk, we were served a refreshments and were gifted with a local handmade gift.
If you want to experience an ethical eco-tourism, this is it.
Must try whether or not you love animals
851connieh, 27-09-2022
Go for the pick up option as the sanctuary is north east and tricky to get to. Took 1hr+ to get there from Kata. The sanctuary is well organised with a reception office, trucks to bring you in, a deck that received guests, dedicated guide to a small group, and one keeper to each elephant. The intro video gave a good glimpse of the ill treatment suffered by the elephants prior to being rescued. It helped us realise never to support any show involving elephants and other animals. The elephants are well cared for and have a good sized area to forage each day. The visit is an eye opener for my family for sure and we definitely recommend it to anyone whether you have kids or not. The tickets are a bit pricey but you can see they go towards supporting the crew, property and elephants. We didn’t have lunch included in our package but we were served some snacks and mocktails afterwards. The crew also distributed small gifts at the end these were meant to get us to tip them better.
