Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Canopy Walkway Tour

Walk in the sanctuary

Very nice and happy place, the elephants can enjoy their freedom walking around and bathing, the staff very nice and polite

Ethical Elephant Sactuary!!

If you are considering visiting an elephant sanctuary in Phuket please strongly consider this one. It is a completely ethical sanctuary which means the elephants live naturally and aren’t forced to do things they should not. They have saved 12 elephants with the goal of saving up to 25 and a lot of that happens through donations and tourists coming and learning about elephant treatment in Thailand. The guides were very knowledgeable and it was very obvious these elephants are well loved. A must see in Phuket!

Pukhet Elephant Sanctuary - PES, a great visit highly recommended!

In the Elephant Sanctuary they rescue old hurt elephants from camps, captivity or other places of misuse/abuse of these amazing animals. Here you feel you are helping the animals while watching them in their natural habitat. Next to that the sanctuary employs many local people and it is setup really professionally.

Experiencing these amazing creatures in their own environment and not caged or trainex

Amazing place that rescues Elephants and treats them properly. So good to walk around and see the elephants relaxed and doingvwhatvtgey do best.

Amazing experience to see the Elephants up close.

We hired a car for the day and this was our first stop. We did the canopy tour. There was a short info session and we then fed the Elephants’s which was amazing. We then walked on the canopy with our guide who was very informative. We stopped and she told us about all the Elephants and their individual stories. We then went down into to get closer to tue Elephants on ground level and had photos taken with them all. Very good to see these poor creatures being taken care of. A couple of days later we saw some in camps where they had riding saddles on their back feet tied, thia must be so restricting for them. Very sad to see. We both highly recommend choosing not to ride these majestic animals and visit the Phuket Elephant sanctuary instead.

Only elephant place to go to forget the others

The only place that seems to have the elephants needs before tourist's wants. It's very well done and they want to protect the elephant from being exploited. Yes we did get to feed the "big machine" elephant on her terms and touch hef trunk but we were there to see them not touch them They deserve a piece full retired life and i know Was happy to support that highly recommend a visit. Staff and food were great

Amazing experience

What a wonderful experience with the elephants. My family of four had a wonderful time. Our tour included a pickup and drop off from our hotel and unlimited snacks and drinks. They even gave our kids souvenirs! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone.

Phuket Elephant Santuary

It is an amazing place to visit and we all thoroughly enjoyed it will go back and take more family members

Enchanting and ethical experience - don’t hesitate to book with PES

Visiting the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary (PES) is an absolute MUST DO while in Phuket (don’t get it mixed up with other elephant sanctuaries with similar names - this is the only one in Phuket that truly treats the elephants ethically - NO riding, NO showers or giving them mud baths). It is a 30 acre safe haven for elephants who have been saved from abuse and mistreatment. You are captivated by their majestic beauty as they roam and play from a safe distance on the cool canopy walkway and on the ground but never touching them except to feed them. A truly amazing experience that we would do again in a heartbeat. Our guide, Yaya, was excellent - passionately educating us and telling about each elephant’s quirks and unique personality traits. The experience was very well organized. You could tell the elephants are like family and treated with dignity. Don’t hesitate to book with PES. The more they are supported by tourists, the more elephants they are able to save. I researched high and low and am so thankful I found them!

Perfect and most Ethical Experience

Just the right amount of time to explore and see elephants in the most ethical way possible. The staff took care of us and educated us about what makes PES ethical, and how best to interact with elephants. The inclusive snacks and drinks were great. Really love the souvenir they gave us as memorabilia

Conscientious elephant tour.

The elephants were amazing and the organization and service was top notch. The snacks and drinks were delicious

This is the only Elephant Experience that you should do in Phuket

The sanctuary really opened all of our eyes. They bring in Elephants that need care and recuperation. This isn't where you ride or swim with the elephants. Here they are cared for after being rescued from earlier 'domestication' and abuse. After an introductory video that shows how many domesticated/tourist elephants are poorly treated and how this sanctuary was created to care for them, you get to feed an elephant, then walk amongst them as they roam freely in the wilds of the sanctuary. A guide carefully walks you around, talking about the history of each. Then the high walkway gives you an overview of the park before a lovely lunch. We found ourselves very well informed and our eyes are so much more open. Recommended.

Beautiful area for retired elephants

Knowledge of how the elephants came to be there and their new living conditions. Elephants are treated humanely and the handlers and staff educated us on them.

Mobility Assistance enabled me to enjoy everything

The tour was very well organised, with informative guides and a very good educational video about the elephants. It was clear that they are now well cared-for, and so were we! I have trouble walking for any distance, and the Sanctuary staff were brilliant - there was a buggy available to drive me when the walking became difficult, and our guide was most solicitous of my situation. The staff couldn't have been more helpful, and it was wonderful to see the elephants enjoying their retirement.

Wonderful opportunity

It was wonderful to see elephants in their natural environment living a life they were meant to have. Thank PES for showing the humanity that can occur towards these gentle giants.

Fantastic tour

I did this tour with my 4-year-old daughter, and she loved it. Very well-organized tour from the pick-up to drop-off, by an ethical tour organizer. The premises are in great condition and clearly well-maintained. Snacks and drinks are fantastic. The guide was happy to answer all our questions. My daughter loved the canopy walkway. You will also make a couple of stops during which it is possible to observe the elephants very close up. I can warmly recommed this tour to everyone.

PERFECT AND MOST ETHICAL EXPERIENCE TO SEE ELEPHANTS

It was such an awesome experience, even if it was a short time, it was just right :) Our guide was so informative and always kept asking if we want photos. We also got freebies and snacks. A highlight for my solo trip. Thank youuu! 💚

Amazing experience! Amazing people! Amazing elephants!

It really is the only ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand, where you don't get to ride or bath with the elephants, but you get very close to them, in their natural habitat and you also get to feed them. All the elephants were rescued from other ,,sanctuaries" or circus and you can see how many scars they got. They are taking very good care of elephants and they make everything for the people to have a good time with them. They made a big step in helping the animals and it's up to us to continue, by not incouraging animal riding, circus and not even bathing just for fun. Big thanks to elephant sanctuary!

Money well spent. An afternoon of enjoyment in the knowledge that the ticket money is going to to a great cause.

A thoroughly enjoyable and educational visit. The sanctuary showcases the abuse that these majestic animals endure and how a different form of tourism can provide a safe haven for them. I would thoroughly recommend this tour. The staff showed a real passion for their work and love of the animals under their care.

Amazing Experience. Friendly Staff

Visiting the sanctuary was very rewarding and fun. The staff is excellent and goes above and beyond in making sure that you have everything that you need. There were refreshments and food served. Everyone was extremely nice and the elephants!!!! Well you could tell they were loved and happy. We enjoyed meeting all of them and feeding them. It was highlight of my trip learning about what this sanctuary does for the animals.

HIGHLY recommend

So happy this is exactly what we were looking for. See them up close but not bother them. The guides knew information on each elephants stored and story which was nice. You can truly tell the elephants are well cared for and happy. Complimentary refreshments offered and gift shop was well priced.

Amazing morning

We had an amazing morning with the staff and elephants. The walkways give you a Birds Eye view of these majestic animals and the staff all knew each elephant and their story. A great way for my young children to learn about animal rights and respect for animals.

Thank you

Nice experience and a nice guide named annie, I would recommend highly. Thank you for the experience :) it’s a 5* from me. Harry

Fun feeding the elephants at a truly ethical sanctuary

We enjoyed hearing the elephants' stories knowing that they are in a place that will treat them well for the rest of their lives. It is very clear that this one one of the only truly ethical elephant sanctuaries in Phuket. Remember, if any other "ethical sanctuaries" allows you to bathe the elephants, it is not an ethical sanctuary. Feeding the elephants here was more than enough to feel close to the elephants while knowing that they are being treated well and not doing anything against their will.

Family memories

An absolutely awesome experience . This Sanctuary is a must visit . We had a great few hours , thank you to our guide , full of information and so friendly.

Raising awareness of ethics in elephant care

Fantastic experience. It is so good to learn about elephants and that thos santuary provides such professional and loving care to them in an ethical manner.

Worth the Visit

Beautiful and educational experience. We got to feed the elephants and see them in their natural habitat. So glad we came!

Must-Do experience, enjoyable for everyone and leaving you with a good ethical feeling

As many others (and as everyone should do) I researched the best ethical options for Elephants. Many places state that they are ethical, but offer the usual experiences that are not in the best interests of the animals. The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary was the one that best met my standards, and in fact exceeded them! We were a family of 10 (including 2 two-year olds) so we found that the 90 minute Canopy Experience as the best option. We did have a chance to get close to the elephants, and even feed them. The drink and snack options (all included) were well-received. They even had umbrellas to protect you from the sun, although most of the Canopy Walkway is covered. The location also gives you a sense of Jungle Phuket. Once you see how well the staff treat the animals, you will shake your head every time you pass an Elephant show (such as the ones on the way up to Big Buddha and the one at FantaSea). Don't miss the small gift shop; their prices are better than in town.

Very impressed

As a family of 3 we took the 90minute tour on 25/03/2024. The tour was extremely well run, heartwarming, inspirational and informative. Cannot recommend highly enough. Special thanks to Annie our guide for making it so memorable.

Unforgettable

Great experience. Rescued Elephants all look really happy. Can go where they want and eat and drink when they like. No chains, prods or any kind of abuse. Would recommend getting the transfer. Its far from patong.

Excellent and memorable and humbling. Puts faith back into humane treatment of elephants.

Wonderful experience learning and interacting with rescued old and injured elephants. Eye-opening. Educational Heartwarming and will motivate you to be more kind to all animals. Our guide was very knowledgable and kind. Memorable experience that teaches about ethical treatment of the beloved thai elephants. Lovely overall.

Great Trip

Great Trip After that you will mever want to see Elephants „working“ for entertainment anymore. Very informative and you het close to the elephants

Higky recommended. Do not go anywhere else in phuket to see elephants. Support ethical elephant tourism.

Best choice of the holiday. Highly recommended. This sanctuary guarantees elephant happiness and safety. Tourists are often not aware of what the elephants are put through circuses, riding business etc. Do not support animal cruelty and go to phuket elephant sanctuary to help them save even more elephants.

Amazing

Awesome experience must do to help the elephants. Smooth ride and amazing food. They ,also explain the mission , and how they help abused , older and overworked elephant.

An Awesome Experience

This was an excellent tour. We researched where to go based on the treatment of the elephants and human access to them before we chose this one. As a Sanctuary we wanted to make sure we were merely observers, not interfering with their lives by touching, riding or bathing them. And this place did just that. There were 13 rescued elephants from logging, riding or tourism when we were there, with the goal of 24 elephants. There is a handler for every elephant as they cannot survive in the wild on their own. There are sad stories for each one of them, but they are well cared for here. We did get to feed the elephants fresh food provided by the guides from a distance. We took the canopy walkways to watch the elephants without interference. Then we wandered the grounds with the guide and if the elephants chose to come near us for pictures that was great, but if they chose not to, they just wandered away. I got some awesome pictures. I really felt my admission fee and donations were genuinely going to a great purpose. I would recommend this Sanctuary Tour.

Highly recommend and ethical

Highly recommended. Elephants roam free, you are guaranteed to see them and you get to feed them. It is very clear they are being taken care of and that the people working here are passionate for their cause.

Simply Awesome

Fantastic experience being up close to these magnificent creatures, all of the elephants have been rescued from cruelty and know have a great life being cared for by the sanctuary. KT our guide was superb, please visit and help this sanctuary thrive.

What a lovely experience - great tour!

What a lovely experience - there was a lovely story to the sanctuary that was explained in a video before we started the tour. We were allowed to get up very close to the elephants but rightly not allowed to touch them. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and proud of the sanctuary looking after these older retired elephants. We were allowed to feed the elephants at the end of the tour. We had drinks and snacks before and after the tour. The tour was extremely well organised from pick up at the hotel to our return. The money raised from the tour helps support the sanctuary in buying more elephants saving them from an awful end to their mistreated working life. So not only did we have a great experience we felt we contributed too!

If you want to see elephants in Phuket, do this tour

An amazing experience!! If you want to see elephants in Phuket, do this!! Feeding Jasmine was a real thrill and our guide, Annie was very informative and fun.

The most amazing experience

After doing a lot of research before booking to ensure we were contributing to an ethical programme I couldn’t be more delighted by the experience we had at the elephant sanctuary. We learnt so much about these beautiful creatures and got to witness the outstanding amount of care they receive by all that work and volunteer there. You will not be disappointed booking this tour. Watching the elephants roam freely and rescued from years of abuse was a truly humbling experience for us. I will be booking this tour again on my next visit to Phuket 10000%.

A wonderful experience

Lovely looking facility. A large assortment of drinks and snacks while you wait to begin. Unlimited bottles of water throughout. Video to start was upsetting, seeing how elephants are abused for tourists, but I guess a good lesson for some who don’t realise what these elephants are being rescued from. Staff were lovely and informative. We booked the canopy tour so I didn’t realise we got to walk down off the canopy and get with 4m of some of the elephants. Staff very happy to take photos for you. Feeding the elephant was the highlight. My husband wasn’t keen to feed one so they gave me another turn! Another snack, fruit and drink at the end. Really enjoyed it.

A beautiful sanctuary and a must do to assist in the saviour of these animals!

Amazing facility for old aged and retired elephants. The experience offered a really insightful video of the years gone by and how elephants can be treated. This sanctuary offers the elephants a safe and loving environment to remove the work and torture they were once put through. The guides, volunteers and staff were all extremely welcoming and knowledgeable and couldn’t do more. There are drinks upon arrival with snacks provided and a drink post the canopy walk itself too. Feeding the elephants was a really lovely added experience that we will cherish forever. Please do chose this particular sanctuary as they are providing better futures and end of life care to these wonderful animals. The elephants are free and individually cared for by a Mahout who bond with the elephants and assist them with their free lives. Could not have asked for a better experience and thank you to volunteer Annie for allowing us to view the elephants and provide us further information about them. A very well recommended tour!

Ethical place to visit full of wonderful people

Amazing place full of amazing people. Ethical place and one of the only ones in Phuket that actually care for the elephant

Amazing!

If you go to Phuket this is a must! Everyone working there and our tour guide was amazing. Feeding the elephants and walking around was great.

Great day!

Absolutely amazing day, feeding elephants was a highlight. Our guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. They offered to take photos whenever we got the opportunity with the elephants

Great experience.

Great experience from the moment we were picked up from out hotel. Very well organised. Our guide was really informative and told us the background of the elephants. Although we had booked Canopy Walk we were still able to go down and see the elephants close up. A great mirning was enjoyed by all.

Wonderful

Feeding the elephant was awesome. Knowing they have a home and be free is great. Snacks and cool drinks was very refreshing. Not to mention the towels with ice. Toilets were clean too. They accommodated our request for a new van with a cold aircon and a driver who drives smoothly.

Amazing view of beautiful animals

Beautiful experience watching these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. These rescued animals will live out their lives with dignity.

Okay tour

Lot of time sitting in the car to get there and come back. It was an okay tour in my opinion. Poor elephants were still working and playing tricks to get fed.

Wonderful experience must be done

Wonderful seeing the elephants in their natural environment after terrible abuse So lovely to see the care taken by the lovely staff