Can visitors ride the elephants here?

No. As an ethical sanctuary it allows no riding, no shows and no chains, which is the reason the place exists. The elephants are rescued and retired, and a visit is built around watching them live freely while your guide explains each one's background. From April 2026 the programmes are based on observing the elephants rather than hand-feeding them.

Are there vegetarian and vegan meals?

Yes. The Morning and Afternoon half-day programmes end with a homemade Thai vegetarian and vegan buffet, and the kitchen can work around gluten-free or nut requirements if you flag them to the team beforehand. The shorter Canopy Walkway programme does not include this meal.

Does it work for young children and older parents?

Bilkul. The sanctuary handles a wide range of ages, from young children to grandparents. The pace is unhurried, golf carts help people move around, and there is a nursery at reception. Sections of the canopy walkway are wheelchair-accessible. Comfortable shoes help, as the jungle paths involve some walking.

Which part of Phuket is the sanctuary in, and how long is the drive?

It sits in Paklok, Thalang, in the northeast of the island beside Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Allow about 30 to 35 minutes from the northern beaches and the airport area, and around an hour from southern beaches such as Kata and Karon. The Morning and Afternoon programmes include a shared hotel pick-up within Phuket, or you can meet at the Paklok office; we confirm the exact pickup over WhatsApp.

What should I pack in case it is wet or muddy?

After rain the jungle trails can turn muddy, so the sanctuary provides golf-size umbrellas, rain ponchos and wellie boots as needed. Pack closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen and light clothes you don't mind getting dusty. The visit goes ahead in any weather.

Thailand › Phuket › Elephant Sanctuary

Elephant Sanctuary

Ethical sanctuary with no riding, no shows and no chains
Watch rescued elephants roam, forage and bathe across the jungle
Homemade Thai vegetarian and vegan buffet on the half-day programmes

Phuket

Opening hours · Sessions ~9:30 AM & 1:30 PM

Advance booking · must be booked at least 1 day in advance

Free cancellation & date change up to 72h
Instant WhatsApp confirmation
Mobile voucher accepted
TAT-registered operator
Trusted by 1,800+ travellers

About this tour

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary in Paklok is the island's first ethical elephant home, set up for rescued, retired working elephants. There is no riding, no shows and no chains. You spend a few hours watching the elephants roam, forage, splash in the mud and cool off in the river across 30 acres of jungle next to Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. The project is endorsed by National Geographic and World Animal Protection.

The pace is unhurried, and the focus is on observing real wildlife behaviour rather than on entertainment. Your guide walks you out to find the herd and explains where each elephant was rescued from, so you come away knowing them as individuals. Please note: from April 2026 the programmes centre on observing the elephants in their natural setting rather than hand-feeding, to keep the experience genuinely ethical.

Here is what a day at the sanctuary looks like:

Meet the rescued herd: most of these elephants once worked in logging or trekking camps. At the sanctuary they wander freely, feed, dust-bathe and socialise on their own terms.
Jungle canopy walkway: an elevated walkway runs through the treetops to the area where the elephants gather, giving you a view of the forest from above.
Each elephant's history: your host explains who each animal is, where it was rescued from and how the sanctuary looks after the herd, including at Phuket's first elephant hospital.
Home-style veg khana: the Morning and Afternoon programmes finish with a homemade Thai vegetarian & vegan buffet, so a proper meal is sorted before you head back.

The visit works for families with children, couples and older travellers, since the pace is gentle and the team is used to all ages; golf carts help people get around, and umbrellas and wellies are kept on hand for muddy trails. For a shorter, lighter outing, ask us about the standalone Canopy Walkway programme. The half-day Morning and Afternoon options are the fuller experience and include the buffet and transfer.

Please note: Ethical sanctuary: no riding and no shows. From April 2026 the programmes focus on observing the elephants rather than hand-feeding. Opening hours are usually 8:30 AM–5:30 PM; we confirm your session time and pickup on WhatsApp.

What's included

Guided sanctuary programme — observe the rescued elephants up close with your host
Walk along the canopy walkway through the jungle to find the herd
Homemade Thai vegetarian & vegan buffet (Morning / Afternoon half-day programmes)
Shared hotel pick-up & drop-off within Phuket (Morning / Afternoon half-day programmes)

Vegetarian buffet & shared transfer are not part of the shorter Canopy Walkway programme
Private transfer or pickup from outside the standard Phuket zone (optional — on paid request)
Personal expenses, souvenirs & extra drinks
Tips for the mahouts & guides (optional)

Good to know

Total visit time 3 to 4 hours
Free cancellation or date change up to 72 hours before your activity — full refund or free reschedule.
Booking confirmed instantly on WhatsApp — show your mobile voucher on arrival.
Wear clothes suited to the activity and weather. Bring water, sunscreen and a little cash for extras.

Quick tips for your trip

When to go: Sessions run in the morning (around 9:30 AM) and the afternoon (around 1:30 PM). The morning slot tends to be cooler, and the elephants are active early, which often suits families with young children. The sanctuary operates year-round in any weather, with umbrellas and rain ponchos provided, and closes only for Thai New Year on 13 April.
What to wear: Choose light, comfortable clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty, with closed-toe shoes that grip on the jungle trails. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Wellies and ponchos are available if it has been raining.
Photography: Cameras and phones are welcome for the elephants among the trees and the views from the canopy walkway. Avoid flash, keep the distance the guides ask for, and expect the best results in the softer morning light.
How long to allow: Set aside roughly 3 to 4 hours for the Morning or Afternoon half-day programme, which covers the canopy walk and the vegetarian buffet. The standalone Canopy Walkway option is shorter.

On the ground

Run by trusted local operators, booked & backed by our Thailand team

TAT-registered and reachable on WhatsApp 8 AM–8 PM Thailand time — the price we quote is the price you pay, with no surprises at the gate.

Please select your journey date.

A Morning With The Elephants

Adult ฿2880 Child ฿1440 Infant Free

An Afternoon With The Elephants

Adult ฿2880 Child ฿1440 Infant Free

PES Canopy Walkway Program

Adult ฿1824 Child ฿912 Infant Free

Booking Summary

Date: —

Total ฿ 0.00

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors ride the elephants here?

No. As an ethical sanctuary it allows no riding, no shows and no chains, which is the reason the place exists. The elephants are rescued and retired, and a visit is built around watching them live freely while your guide explains each one's background. From April 2026 the programmes are based on observing the elephants rather than hand-feeding them.
Are there vegetarian and vegan meals?

Yes. The Morning and Afternoon half-day programmes end with a homemade Thai vegetarian and vegan buffet, and the kitchen can work around gluten-free or nut requirements if you flag them to the team beforehand. The shorter Canopy Walkway programme does not include this meal.
Does it work for young children and older parents?

Bilkul. The sanctuary handles a wide range of ages, from young children to grandparents. The pace is unhurried, golf carts help people move around, and there is a nursery at reception. Sections of the canopy walkway are wheelchair-accessible. Comfortable shoes help, as the jungle paths involve some walking.
Which part of Phuket is the sanctuary in, and how long is the drive?

It sits in Paklok, Thalang, in the northeast of the island beside Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. Allow about 30 to 35 minutes from the northern beaches and the airport area, and around an hour from southern beaches such as Kata and Karon. The Morning and Afternoon programmes include a shared hotel pick-up within Phuket, or you can meet at the Paklok office; we confirm the exact pickup over WhatsApp.
What should I pack in case it is wet or muddy?

After rain the jungle trails can turn muddy, so the sanctuary provides golf-size umbrellas, rain ponchos and wellie boots as needed. Pack closed-toe shoes, a hat, sunscreen and light clothes you don't mind getting dusty. The visit goes ahead in any weather.