Riding elephants is an unusual attraction, one you can’t experience everywhere in the world. You can get a taste of this exotic excursion in traveler-favorite destinations like Vietnam (with its most visited resort, Nha Trang), vibrant China, multifaceted India, and colorful Thailand. Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, is a real treasure trove for tourists.
Tour agencies offer all sorts of excursion programs. Diving with scuba gear, golf, island trips, and visits to all kinds of beaches with their paradise-like scenery attract tourists. One of the most popular activities is visiting elephant farms. These powerful yet gentle creatures evoke awe, and their intelligence commands respect—adding a special charm to choosing this tour. A favorite, unique activity in Phuket is elephant riding.
Please note!!! Some tour operators can tailor a package for you or offer an existing one. For example, elephant riding + jungle tour; rafting + riding these giants; riding these iconic animals plus ATVs; visiting a farm + an elephant sanctuary or other national parks.
Where Can You Ride Elephants in Phuket?
Elephant riding at a local farm is quite a budget-friendly excursion. You’ll remember the entertaining show, the walk through the jungle, the chance to feed them, and the bright photos you’ll take—souvenirs for your memory. Spending time with these incredibly sweet animals will bring a cascade of emotions for the whole family.
Additional info!!! There are over ten elephant camps on the island, located near popular beaches and major attractions.
IMPORTANT!!! How and where can you ride elephants? There are several ways to choose from:
- The simplest is to book an elephant riding tour on the PhuketElephantTrails.com website.
- The second option is a tour from local operators. Tourists can not only ride the largest land mammal, but also visit key island landmarks or combine it with other activities.
- You can also visit a camp on your own. Just pick a suitable farm, find its address, and take a taxi. Since each kilometer of travel on Phuket costs 20–30 baht, it’s easy to calculate how much the ride will cost.
Among the oldest camps is Safari Elephant Club, founded at the end of the 19th century. It’s located at the entrance to Patong Beach from the Karon side. Six elephants live here, ready to take you through the hilly terrain of Relax Bay. The price starts at 1,000 baht per adult, with children’s tickets about half. The camp is open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The tourist trails let you admire the hilltops of Relax Bay and the Patong coastline.
Another camp, Kok Chang Elephant Camp, can arrange a jungle trip overlooking the mountains. The farm is on the road toward Kata Viewpoint, about 500 meters from Kata Noi Beach. They offer 20-, 30-, and 50-minute rides. Operating hours are similar to the previous camp. Adult rates range from 600 to 1,000 baht, with children at half-price. On the opposite side of the road from the camp, there’s the Thai restaurant Kok Chang.
A small farm called Elephant Station is on the way to Big Buddha from Karon Beach. Visitors can ride elephants, feed them, and take photos.
Tourists can enjoy a fun experience at Sea View Elephant Camp, located a kilometer from the Kata viewpoint. Besides elephant rides into the mountains, guests can rent ATVs or play paintball. This camp is home to 12 elephants, ready to guide you along various trekking routes. Trip durations range from 30 to 60 minutes.
Between Kalim and Kamala beaches sits Camp Chang Kalim, home to seven adult elephants and one baby. You’ll enjoy a fascinating ride on a trail with a sea view. The camp is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
We also recommend visiting the only ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket, also known as the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary or Elephant Village. It’s truly a real home for these magnificent animals. You can visit daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, except for weekends on the 7th of each month and on April 13 (Songkran). Various tour options are available: morning, midday, “Following the Giants,” private, volunteer, or meeting the entire herd.
Children under 4 visit free; ages 4–12 get half off. Adult tickets start at 3,000 baht, a full day costs 7,000, and volunteering is 18,000 baht. From personal experience, this is well worth visiting.
Additional info:
We should mention that in Pattaya, tourists can also visit an elephant village of a somewhat different format. After a bit of beach relaxation, visitors often book excursions that add variety to their routine. The price for riding an elephant through the sanctuary is around 1,200 baht, and the ride can last up to an hour. Entrance to the site costs around 650–500 baht, and the elephant ride is paid separately.
If you want to visit a jungle lake, see a silk factory, and try local dishes at the Village restaurant, expect to pay around 2,000 baht. You can get there by taxi or through a tour operator. The distance between Pattaya and the village is about 7 km.
Tourists staying in Pattaya—Thailand’s largest resort city—can also arrange excursions to nearby Sri Lanka, where they can stay at Long Beach Hotel, visit an elephant shelter, and see incredible cities with cultures different from Thailand’s.
So to sum up, you can spend anywhere from a few hours up to several days on these outings, with prices varying accordingly.
The most common options are:
- Elephant rides through the jungle for 20, 40, or 60 minutes
- An excursion through a national park combined with an elephant ride
- A program that also includes ATV rides
- One-day tours
- Two- or three-day safaris
- Evening shows featuring elephants
All programs let you feed these animals and take photos with them. It’s best to bring bananas from outside because they’re often more expensive at the farm.
Prices and Routes
Despite the variety of elephant farms or camps, elephant riding in Phuket is basically the same everywhere, and prices differ only slightly. A 20-minute ride through the jungle costs about 600–800 baht. An hour-long trip is roughly double that. Children ages 4 to 11 pay half, and kids under 4 can ride free.
If you combine a standard 30-minute route with visits to interesting places, a show with a baby elephant, and lunch, the price can triple or more.
Note! Brochures often list high prices, but you can bargain when booking. The cost can drop significantly, making it fairly affordable.
Pickup Times at the Beaches
Many elephant camps sit near the beaches, letting visitors not only enjoy sun and sea but also watch elephant shows, ride them, and take photos. The camps generally operate in daylight hours, from around 8:00, 8:30, or 9:00 AM to 5:00, 5:30, or 6:00 PM.
Throughout the day, beachgoers can gather and head to an elephant camp for a ride, a show, or an excursion. The chosen program starts at a platform where the elephants pick up riders.
Each animal carries two passengers on a special seat strapped to its back; you get on via a special platform. Small children should sit in a spot that parents can easily watch. Keep in mind the wooden seat on the elephant’s back rocks in sync with its footsteps, so hold on to yourself and your kids!
What to Bring
When heading to an elephant farm, prepare the items you’ll definitely need on your ride.
- It doesn’t hurt to bring a snack for the elephants. They’ll happily munch bananas during the ride.
- Insect repellent to ward off mosquitos and gnats. We didn’t encounter them, but a neighbor at the hotel mentioned them.
- A small amount of cash to tip the handler, pay for photos, or make small purchases.
- Don’t forget sunscreen. Parts of the route may lack shade, risking sunburn.
- A hat and long-sleeved shirt or a sarong for extra sun protection.
- Photo and video gear to capture the best moments.
Comfortable clothing is essential. Shoes and pants will help you feel more at ease.
Note! It’s best not to wear shorts. An elephant’s skin is covered in coarse hairs that can poke your exposed legs.
Bathing with Elephants
One of the most unforgettable experiences on the island is a walk plus a swim with elephants. Visitors who pay for this extra service have the mahout invite them onto the elephant’s back. On command, the elephant kneels to let you climb up.
You swim without the seat, so you hold on to a rope draped around the elephant’s neck. While riding on top, you can feed the elephant bananas before heading into the sea. Entering the water, a young elephant might spray its rider using its trunk. Following the handler’s commands, it can submerge so the tourist can take a dip. This water fun lasts about twenty minutes.
Pleasant Moments during the Ride
Tourists heading to Thailand will experience tremendous delight visiting an elephant farm. Visitors are absolutely thrilled the moment they climb onto these giant animals. Seated in a special saddle, tourists set off on a mini-trek to enjoy the island’s breathtaking landscape. During the journey, the mahout may invite riders to sit on the elephant’s neck, and in a scenic spot, for an extra fee, they’ll snap a great keepsake photo.
Bathing with elephants in the sea can make adults feel like kids again. Many visitors leave rave reviews on social networks. An hour spent with these gentle, lovable creatures brings joy, unforgettable memories, and a sense of optimism.
A map can help you locate the farm you’re interested in.
