Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class and Waterfall Tour

Excellent tour and although I made it round in flip flops trainers would definatly have been easier. Staff were very friendly and tour guide was very informative

Incredible experience in this sanctuary, we see that elephants are happy. The staff is very attentive and small care for animals especially aom. I recommend 100%

Write 14 days after our experience, I want to start by saying changed my life. I could stop there but I want to share more context to why that is. I had the desire to visit elephant sancutuary for many years, yet it never seemed like the right time in my life. Now came the research to find where I would feel safe and supported to embark on the experience. Khao lak sanctuary came up as an option from a simple Google search and I am eternally grateful it did. I could not have asked for a better, more perfect, guided, and structured experience than this one. People in Khaolak elephant sanctuary created something extraordinary with this place. The elephants where beautiful, the place was spacious and made us feel at home from the moment we enter. I have so much gratitude to Win our tour guide and what he created. He is an absolute gift to humanity and I wish every single human being who visit Khaolak elephant sanctuary to get to experience his teaching, wisdom, care and pure love to people and animals. I have to mention I had my birthday the day we visit sancuary and staff prepared fantastic cake for me free of charge. Also, my boyfriend left his wallet with all bank cards, travel documents and 10000 bats inside in the sanctuary. Untouched wallet was deliver to our hotel after tour by Win. It restore faith in humanity and made my birthday, trip even more precious. Words can't explain how much respect and love I have for these humble, lovely Tai people and Khaolak sanctuary. They will forever will have special place in my heart. If you’re reading this and you are considering booking a tour, I only have one thing to say to you: Do not wait one more second, do it. This is the most loving gift you will ever give yourself, I promise you

Terrible experience. We were very excited to attend but we were unable to make it due to extremely bad storms and flooding on the roads making them impassable. At times, the flooding was so bad that vehicles were stalled and the water level reached up and into our rental car. We even passed cars that were abandoned on the road and motorbikes that were pulled off to the side hoping that the storms would subside. Khao Lak was 2 hours from our hotel so we decided to be safe and turn around. I was past the 24 hour window for a refund but I thought the tour event would be understanding of the situation we were in and at least give a 50% refund. They claimed that since they “arranged” a pick up for us that they couldn’t refund my payment of $400. This was either a mistake or a lie as they initially sent us a note stating that since our hotel was too far, they couldn’t pick us up. Initially not a problem since we rented a car. I know that the policy indicates no refunds within 24 hours of the event starting but I would’ve also hoped this tour company would have understood that we made every reasonably safe attempt to make it but the storms and flooding were just too bad to chance. I thought that a 50% refund was more than fair considering that they did not lose any revenue or provide any service for our reservation. I’m sure the experience is wonderful but I would never rebook this event.

Excellent visit. Was there at 8 o'clock. Fed these majestic creatures, walked them , bathed them . Then we went off to gather more food chopping down banana trees. When we got back we gave them a feast....just when we thought it was over we then made chicken pad Thai for lunch....a truly fantastic experience.. Make sure you wear plenty of mosie spray and take a change of clothes in case you chop down banana trees. The site is well run and these animals are well cared for. All questions are answered. As a suggestion for the sanctuary maybe visitors could have the opportunity to sponsor an elephant. This would help you considerably with the work you are doing.

Booked this trip two days in advance as I wanted a pick up from our hotel The driver arrived early and we picked up two other couples on the way When we arrived we were given bottles of water and introduced to Mike our guide for the day We were given baskets of bananas and sugar cane to feed the elephants. After we went to prepare some ingredients essential to the elephants diet which we stuffed into banana skins We then went on a walk through the forest with the elephant as always plenty of photo opportunities. Mike took lots of photos and also had lots of information about the elephants and also about the rubber trees grown in the forest He was really interesting and we had so much fun with him The highlight of the tour was when the elephant went in the river She was obviously enjoying every minute of it This has to be the best place to view elephants up close. They have been rescued from logging and various tourist attractions and are now living happily and being well looked after by the sanctuary Thank you Mike and your colleagues for one of the best experiences I have ever had Highly recommend you don’t miss this

Wow! We had an incredible experience caring for the elephants— we made their food, fed them, walked with them, helped to give them a bath in the river and went to cut down more bananas and sugar cane in the jungle to feed them more. The whole experience was surreal and the staff was so kind and friendly. Our 3 kids were so enthusiastic about the entire experience! We also learned how to make Pad Thai! The staff was so helpful with our younger children and we all had the best time. I can’t recommend this trip enough….one tip, bring bug spray and wear good shoes for hiking!

A truly magical experience! Loved making their food and feeding them bananas, but my fave part was watching the interactions as they bathed - hilarious! Tony was a great guide and we had an amazing day :)

The other reviews are pretty spot on. We were bought the experience as a gift and the sanctuary was chosen by our daughter. Once explained to us about the welfare of the elephants and you observe them in thier habitat. It all made perfect sense . (That they are not there to perform. That is where they have been rescued from) (It's not natural to be in there washing them ) Tony (Benn,superstar ) was our expert guide And he was so attentive,caring and informative throughout our visit. We did get to feed them, walk with them and watch them bathe in the river . Most humbling. Went to a local farm, cut down banana leafs Picked a coconut and drank the milk Picked things that only seen in supermarkets back home. Took us to the waterfall. And showed me how to extract rubber from the trees 🌳 . Fascinating. We also did a thai cookery class They went beyond our expectations as the head chef 👨‍🍳 was prepared for us to learn four different thai courses. Nothing was too much trouble. We can't thank 🙏 all and everyone of the staff enough as they all played thier part and made us feel like royalty It has made our day/ holiday/year.

The tour was excellent and Tony our tour guide was wonderful. We had a brilliant time feeding the elephants and managed to watch some of their behaviour including them playing in the river. We then picked and ate wild fruit, and went for a swim in a waterfall. At the end of the day we made this delicious Thai meal which we ate! All of the staff were very friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend this!!