Viator Rating : 5 (117 reviews)
Phuket
Phuket Elephant Walk: Ethical Tour & Transport
180
Overview
Phuket: Elephant Nature Walk - Guided Tour with Transport offers a unique 90-minute experience at the Freedom Elephant Reserve Phuket. This tour allows guests to connect with elephants in a safe and respectful environment. This is a walking tour that is great for families and those who love nature.
Visitors begin by feeding the elephants, creating a bond as they offer baskets of fruit. Guides share stories about each elephant, detailing their backgrounds and behaviors. Guests can take photos and observe the elephants as they eat and roam freely.
The tour includes bottled water, coffee, tea, air-conditioned transportation, and entry fees. It excludes tips, and bathing or showering with the elephants, and soda. This experience focuses on ethical interactions and natural observation. 
Highlights
Meet Elephants: Feed and bond with elephants in a natural setting.
Learn About Elephants: Hear stories about each elephant from knowledgeable guides.
Mud Spa Fun: Watch elephants enjoy a mud spa, a natural way for them to remove parasites.
River Time: Observe elephants playing and cooling off in the river.
Sentiment Analysis
Customers loved seeing elephants in their natural habitat.
-
Many found the staff friendly and informative.
-
Guests appreciated the ethical treatment of the elephants.
-
The tour provided amazing photo and video opportunities.
Some mentioned the reserve is newly opened with only a few elephants.
-
A customer mentioned the need for more funding to clear debris.
The Journey
Freedom Elephant Reserve Phuket
Discover the Freedom Elephant Reserve Phuket, a sanctuary dedicated to providing elephants with a natural and respectful environment. Unlike traditional elephant tourism experiences, this reserve focuses on observation only, allowing visitors to witness these gentle giants roaming freely and engaging in natural behaviors. Learn about the elephants' individual stories, their past hardships, and their journey to a life of freedom. The reserve offers a unique opportunity to understand the importance of ethical elephant tourism while creating lasting memories of your time spent observing these majestic creatures in a setting that prioritizes their well-being and conservation. Experience the joy of seeing elephants thrive in a space where they are respected and allowed to live as naturally as possible.
Know Before You Go
This experience includes bottled water, coffee, tea, and transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, as well as the entry/admission fees to the Freedom Elephant Reserve. Tipping, bathing or showering with the elephants, and soda pop are not included.
Hot Tip
Book in advance, especially if visiting during peak season, to ensure availability. The tour guide can take pictures, so don't be afraid to ask. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes for walking and clothes that you don't mind getting a little muddy!
Review Summary
People usually say that the Phuket Elephant Nature Walk offers an authentic and educational experience with knowledgeable guides who share compelling individual stories about each elephant and provide detailed facts about elephant behavior and conservation. Travelers frequently praise the opportunity for hands-on interaction through feeding, photography, and observation of natural behaviors like mud bathing and river swimming, with many describing it as a 'chilled' and memorable experience. Some visitors note that while the experience is genuinely ethical and observation-focused, the tour is physically demanding with walking involved and may not be suitable for those with mobility concerns, and a few mention that the 90-minute activity feels brief relative to the full 3-hour time commitment including transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
This page is synthesized and developed by Dyvarcity Team
More like this
Phuket
$99
Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island Tour by Big Boat
4.9
(4599 reviews)
The Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island by Big Boat tour offers an unforgettable adventure into one of Thailand's most stunning natural landscapes. This full-day excursion is perfect for travelers seeking a mix of relaxation, exploration, and iconic sightseeing. The journey begins with a comfortable cruise through the turquoise waters of Phang Nga Bay, a region famed for its towering limestone karsts and hidden lagoons.
Guests will explore Panak Island by canoe, delving into secret caves and marveling at the unique geological formations. A delicious lunch is served onboard, providing stunning views of the bay. The highlight of the tour is a visit to the world-famous James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan), made iconic by the James Bond movie 'The Man with the Golden Gun.' Here, guests can take photos and soak in the beauty of this unique location. The tour also includes time for swimming and relaxing on Nakae Island's pristine beaches.
This experience includes round-trip hotel transfers, ensuring a hassle-free day. An English-speaking guide provides insights into the region's history and natural wonders. Guests can enjoy paddle boarding and sea cave canoeing. Not included are personal expenses and optional gratuities. This tour welcomes guests of most ages and fitness levels, and it's operated by a trusted local provider known for excellent service.
Phuket
฿2000
Phuket Thai Cooking Class: Market Tour & Authentic Flavors
5.0
(2625 reviews)
Duration: 180
minutes
Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option: Learn to cook delicious Thai food like a local chef! This isn't just watching; it's a hands-on experience where you'll create amazing dishes. You'll be surprised at what you can cook!
This cooking class offers a cozy and friendly way to learn Thai cooking. Under the guidance of fluent English-speaking chefs, you will discover how to make authentic Thai dishes from scratch. You even get to make your own curry paste using traditional methods! For classes that include a market tour, explore local markets, see exotic fruits and vegetables, and taste new things. Even if the class doesn't include the market tour, the market comes to visitors as chefs explain the ingredients during the class.
The cooking takes place in a clean kitchen where everyone gets their own cooking station. People will learn how to chop and cook while making their own curry paste from scratch, using a mortar and pestle. People will enjoy their meal fresh, and take home the leftovers if they can't finish!
Phuket
$59
Phuket Food Tour: 15+ Tastings in Old Town
5.0
(1904 reviews)
Duration: 240
minutes
Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings is a yummy adventure in Phuket Old Town. This tour is for anyone who loves food and wants to try new things! Phuket was named a 'Thailand City of Gastronomy' because the food is so good. On this tour, people will get to walk around and taste lots of different foods.
What to Expect: This tour takes you through the streets of Old Phuket Town and Ranong Main Market. A friendly guide will show you all the best places to eat. You will try more than 15 different foods! Some of these foods include Burmese curry, Hokkien noodles, and crispy roti. You will learn about the different flavors and where they come from.
Important details: This food tour lasts for 4 hours. It includes bottled water and local soft drinks. It does not include alcoholic drinks or hotel pick-up and drop-off. This is a small group tour with a maximum of 8 people. It's a great way to experience the real Phuket food scene. Your foodie guide will show the secrets behind the island's flavors.
Khao Lak
$59
Khao Lak Thai Cooking Class: Amazon Prime Chef!
5.0
(649 reviews)
Duration: 240
minutes
Thai Cooking Class in Khao Lak offers a hands-on culinary adventure with Chef Wandee Rathanapan, featured on Amazon Prime's "The World Cook Season 2." This experience immerses participants in authentic Thai cooking techniques within a beautiful open-air kitchen and garden setting in Khao Lak Center.
Chef Wandee, with over 10 years of experience as a chef and cooking teacher, guides students through creating traditional Thai dishes from scratch. Participants learn to make curry pastes and use fresh ingredients like coconut milk, herbs, and local produce. Each student has their own cooking station equipped with all necessary tools.
The tour includes a guided market tour to discover local ingredients, hotel pick-up and drop-off in the Khao Lak area, lunch, and the opportunity to cook two Thai dishes. Participants enjoy air-conditioned transport and bottled water. This experience is perfect for food enthusiasts eager to delve into the heart of Thai cuisine.
Phuket
฿3000
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary: Ethical Morning Visit
4.9
(1659 reviews)
Duration: 210
minutes
A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary offers a heartwarming experience in Phuket, where rescued elephants live freely. This isn't just a tour; it's a chance to support ethical elephant tourism. The sanctuary sits on 30 acres of lush land next to Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. It is the first and only ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket.
Visitors can see these gentle giants roam, bathe, and play. The tour includes a guided walk through the sanctuary, including the cool Canopy Walkway, and visits to places like the Tree Top Lounge and Observation Salas. It's a great way to learn about elephant care while enjoying the beauty of Phuket. Visitors will watch an educational video to understand the elephants stories. The sanctuary is recognized by National Geographic, Lonely Planet and The Guardian for its ethical treatment of elephants.
What's Included: Bottled water, a tasty lunch, socks, boots, umbrellas, raincoats, and mosquito spray are all provided, along with welcome snacks and drinks. Roundtrip transfers are included if the option is selected. What's Excluded: Roundtrip transfers are not included if the option is not selected.
Phuket
฿3850
Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoe & James Bond Island Tour
5.0
(644 reviews)
Duration: 510
minutes
Twilight Sea Canoe Tour offers an adventure-filled afternoon and evening exploring Phang Nga Bay's stunning cliffs, sea caves, and iconic islands. This kayaking tour, guided by a personal paddle guide, takes visitors through the breathtaking scenery of Panak and Hong Island.
Expect to discover hidden lagoons and unique rock formations within Phang Nga Bay's sea caves and hongs. The tour includes a visit to the famous James Bond Island (Koh Tapu) and Khao Phing Kan, allowing guests to see this iconic location after the crowds have thinned out. As the sun sets, witness the magic of fireflies and bioluminescent plankton in Phang Nga Bay, creating a truly unforgettable experience before returning to Ao Po Pier.
The tour includes basic accident insurance, a full board meal plan with lunch, snacks, fruits, bottled water, and herbal tea, a professional English-speaking guide, National Park entrance fee, and round-trip hotel transfers from Phuket Island and Khao Lak. Sea kayaks, equipment, dry bags, and life jackets are also provided.
Your Guide to the Best Things to Do and See in Phuket
Discover the best things to do and see in Phuket. Visit an elephant sanctuary, ferry from Phuket to Phi Phi Island, & enjoy tour packages, like a Thai cooking class.
View Phuket Activities