Tours/Khao Lak/Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary Walk with Optional Pickup – 2 Hours
Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary Walk with Optional Pickup – 2 Hours
4.9(107)Khao Lak2 hours
VIATOR5.0(40)TRIPADVISOR4.9(67)
+9 photos
At a glance
Duration
2 hours
Price from
$56 / person
Location
Khao Lak, Thailand
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 107 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 15
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary
Meeting point
The sanctuary is located near Pak Weep Beach and Sai Rung Waterfall in Khao Lak.
Description
This 2-hour guided eco-tour is perfect for travelers who want a meaningful and responsible elephant experience in Khaolak. At Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary, guests will learn about rescued elephants through ethical observation, storytelling, and a gentle jungle walk while discovering each elephant’s background, daily care, and natural behaviors.
What makes this experience special is the balance of education, conservation, and convenience. With hotel transfer included and complimentary photography provided, guests can relax, learn, and take home beautiful memories while respecting the elephants’ natural routines.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM
Next available
Wed, Oct 14
Adult (ages 11+)
$56
Child (ages 4–10)
$49
Infant (ages 0–3)
Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
2-Hour Guided Tour & Transfer
Car
Pickup included
2-Hour Guided - Meeting Point
What's included
Included
Elephant observation in natural surroundings
Natural food preparation or feeding observation, subject to elephant comfort and keeper guidance
Hotel transfer, if the hotel transfer option is selected
English-speaking guide
Insurance
Not included
Meals
Personal expenses
Hotel transfer, if the self-arrival option is selected
Pickup Locations & Times
Booking Security Check: At pickup, the lead traveler may be required to present the original Viator voucher, a valid photo ID matching the booking name, and the payment card used for payment. A signature may also be required. If the cardholder is not traveling, please contact Viator Support before pickup. Service may be withheld until verification is completed. No copies of your ID or payment card will be retained.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
107 reviews
5
100
4
5
3
1
2
0
1
1
How it compares in Khao Lak
Rated higher than 79% of 71 reviewed tours in Khao Lak
No. 9 by number of reviews among 217 tours in Khao Lak
Starting price $56 is close to the typical $55 for tours of similar length in Khao Lak
Excurgo comparison of 217 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Elephant wellbeing always comes first. We do not force elephants to participate in any activity. The experience may vary depending on elephant comfort, safety, weather conditions, and keeper guidance. Some activities, such as natural food preparation, feeding observation, jungle walking, or river observation, may not be available on every visit. These activities depend on the elephants’ natural behavior and comfort on the day. Refunds are not provided when an activity changes due to elephant wellbeing, safety, weather conditions, or keeper guidance, as the guided sanctuary visit will still be provided.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Khao Lak Elephant Sanctuary Walk with Optional Pickup – 2 Hours lasts about 2 hours.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $56 per person for this Khao Lak experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.
How much does this tour cost for children?
Children aged 4–10 pay from $49, adults from $56. Infants go free.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Booking Security Check: At pickup, the lead traveler may be required to present the original Viator voucher, a valid photo ID matching the booking name, and the payment card used for payment. A signature may also be required. If the cardholder is not traveling, please contact Viator Support before pickup. Service may be withheld until verification is completed. No copies of your ID or payment card will be retained.
Pickup points include Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 107 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary.
Reviews(107)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
L
Laura_S
September 17, 2026 · via Viator
Such a beautiful...
Such a beautiful experience! We did tons of research before ultimately deciding to spend our time at the Khaolak Ethical Elephant Sanctuary (KES). This sanctuary offers a 100% observation-focused experience with no riding, no shows, no tricks, and no guest feeding or forced bathing. We had to wash our hands thoroughly before making the snacks for the elephants and we were not allowed to feed them ourselves. Only the handlers could directly give the elephants the snacks! The elephants had lots of room to roam around and graze freely on the plants around. Seeing these beautiful animals brought tears to my eyes, and we still felt like we got super close to them! 10/10 experience!
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that your visit to Khaolak Ethical Elephant Sanctuary was meaningful and beautiful. It’s great to know you appreciated the observation-focused experience and the care given to the elephants’ wellbeing.
S
Sabine_E
September 14, 2026 · via Viator
Best experience
The elephants are truly free to act, and it is sooooo beautiful. Wim? our guide was totally nice.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed seeing the elephants freely and naturally. It’s great to know that your guide was kind and made the experience even more special.
I
IndiLightning
September 8, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
An amazing experience from start to finish. A proper sanctuary. The elephants are well cared for and respected. I would highly recommend if you are looking for an ethical visit.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had an amazing experience and appreciated the ethical care and respect given to the elephants. We truly appreciate your recommendation and support.
9
931florianeg
July 29, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
We will come back
Barely finished and we wanted to go back
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience so much that you wanted to return right away. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you again soon.
S
Sarah_G
July 19, 2026 · via Viator
Mémorable expérience
Very relaxed tour, lots of opportunity to see the elephants close up in natural surroundings. They are well cared for & although the stories behind their arrival are sad, it is great to know that their retirement is a peaceful one. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable wow good level of English & was able to answer all our questions. Would highly recommend visiting this sanctuary as opposed to the more staged photo opportunity experiences on offer.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed a relaxed and meaningful elephant sanctuary experience in natural surroundings. It’s great to know your guide was knowledgeable, spoke good English, and answered all your questions. We truly appreciate your recommendation.
S
Sinnekold
July 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Definently worth a visit
Great experience - our guide was very knowledgable about the elephants in the sanctuary and elephants in general. The tour was great - both the elephant part and seeing the beautiful waterfall. Pick up booked through elephant sanctuary website went flawlessly and the driver was very good.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re happy to hear that your guide was knowledgeable and that you enjoyed both the elephant sanctuary and the beautiful waterfall. It’s great to know the pickup was flawless and your driver provided good service.
B
B459BRalyssam
June 4, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
The highlight of my Khao Lak visit!
I LOVED visiting the Khao Lak Ethical Elephant Sanctuary. There were five elephants roaming quite freely without chains or being fenced in. Each had their own dedicated caretaker. The elephants were clearly very well cared for and seemed relaxed and comfortable in their environment.
Our guide, Wyn, was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable, and took such great care of me throughout the two-hour visit. You could really feel how much respect and love the staff have for the elephants.
One of the highlights was being able to feed the elephants bananas and have them come right up close to interact with us. It felt very natural and respectful rather than forced or performative.
I would highly recommend choosing the two-hour tour if you can. In addition to the experiences included in the one-hour visit, we also went down to the river where we watched one of the elephants swimming, eating and lounging peacefully in the water. It was incredibly calming and quite surreal to witness such natural behaviour without obvious human interference.
A very memorable and special experience that I would highly, highly recommend.
2 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you so much for your heartfelt feedback. We’re delighted to hear that your visit to Khao Lak Ethical Elephant Sanctuary felt natural, respectful, and memorable. It’s wonderful to know Wyn took great care of you and shared his passion and knowledge about the elephants. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another special experience.
J
jacqueline_k
May 21, 2026 · via Viator
Fantastic experience
Very quiet time to visit so very personal. Guide was very helpful and friendly Tim thankyou. Lovely to see the elephants so close. Great morning
Operator response
Thank you so much for your lovely review. We’re very happy to hear that you had a peaceful and personal visit with us.
It’s wonderful that you enjoyed seeing the elephants up close in a calm setting, and we’re glad Tim made your morning helpful and friendly. Thank you for choosing Khaolak Elephant Sanctuary and for supporting our rescued elephants.
Z
zellc2026
May 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Thanks for the elephants
Excellent experience. 5 endearing elephants! No petting, no contact, no forced bathing. A team at their side constantly like lifeguards. Long lives to the ladies!! I recommend 100%. Provide mosquito repellent.
1 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re glad you appreciated the ethical care of the elephants and had a meaningful experience. Thank you for your recommendation—hope to welcome you again soon!
S
Stephen_R
April 14, 2026 · via Viator
Blessed
An amazing experience in a gorgeous environment with beautiful people. The team were very welcoming and knowledgeable. Thank you x
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful review.
We’re delighted to hear you had an amazing experience in such a beautiful setting and that our team made you feel welcome and well-informed. We truly appreciate your kind words!
