Khao Lak Elephant Tour
A Responsible & Educational Experience
Visit a Small, Ethical Elephant Home in Khao Lak
Discover Thailand’s most iconic animal on this ethical elephant experience in Khao Lak. Visit a peaceful, government-licensed elephant camp set in the jungle-covered hills near the Khao Lak.
This experience focuses on education, observation, and responsible interaction – no riding, no bathing, and no performances. Learn about the lives of these gentle giants, help prepare their food, and observe them in a natural mountain environment surrounded by forest and shade.
This tour has been audited against Discovery Travel’s Animal Welfare Policy which has been independently reviewed through our Travelife Certified sustainability program.
Elephants in Thailand – Our Approach
We are often asked about elephant experiences, so this page provides transparent, factual information to help guests make informed decisions. While it is not our aim actively promote elephant tourism, we feel it is our responsibility to share accurate details about the experience and how the animals are cared for.
We work with a reputable partner with strong reviews, who has signifcant control over how the elephant camp they visit is run. We regularly inspect their facilities and tours to ensure no serious breaches of our Animal Welfare Policy. The tours offered are observational, prioritise elephant welfare, and follow clear care standards.
For guests who choose to visit, full tour details and a booking form are provided below. Booking through us guarantees access to verified information and tours that meet our welfare standards.
Tour options
Half Day Elephant Experience
- Meet the elephants and learn about their history and daily lives.
- Help prepare their food and feed them safely from a barriered area.
- Walk alongside the elephants and watch as they bathe naturally in a pool filled from a nearby waterfall.
- Enjoy a delicious lunch at a Michelin Selected local restaurant.
Full Day Elephant Experience
Continued from the Half Day Experience…
- Enjoy a peaceful bamboo rafting journey down the river and through the jungle.
- Visit the nearby Turtle Conservation Centre.
- Return to your hotel.
Tour Prices
Tour Includes
- Licensed Guides
- Transport to and from any hotel in Khao Lak
- Activities as listred
- All entrance fees
- Drinking water and soft drinks
- Thai set lunch
- Insurance
Things to Bring
- Camera
- Sunblock and sun hat
- Insect repelant
- Swim wear and towel
- Personal spending money
Half Day Tour
Meet Khao Lak’s gentle giants and hear their stories before helping to prepare and feed their favourite treats. Walk alongside them through the forest and watch as they cool off in a pool fed by a nearby waterfall. Finish the morning with a delicious lunch at a local Michelin Selected restaurant before returning to your hotel.
Half Day Tour Prices
Adult – 2,800 THB
Child – 1,400 THB (4-11 years)
Joined Tour Group size: 4-12 people
Full Day Tour
Spend a full day exploring Khao Lak’s nature and culture. After meeting and feeding the elephants, enjoy watching them bathe in their forest pool, then relax over lunch at a Michelin Selected restaurant. In the afternoon, glide downstream on a bamboo raft through the jungle and visit the local Turtle Conservation Centre before heading back with unforgettable memories.
Full Day Tour Prices
Adult – 3,800 THB
Child – 1,900 THB (4-11 years)
Joined Tour Group size: 4-12 people
Book now
Feedback & Further Information
We welcome feedback from guests who have joined this experience. If you would like to share your impressions or ask a question about our animal welfare standards, please contact our team directly.
Elephant experinces are something that we are asked about regularly. There are lot’s of different options out there and it is not always easy to know which one to pick. While this is never an easy task, we work hard to ensure that we highlight the best options possible, and share clear, transparent information to help you make an informed decision.
Choosing a responsible elephant experience in Khao Lak helps ensure better welfare for Thailand’s elephants and supports the shift towards sustainable tourism in our region.
About This Tour
- Responsible, government-licensed elephant camp – no riding, no bathing, no performances.
- Small-group, guided experience focused on education, observation, and welfare.
- Operates in compliance with Discovery Travel’s approved Animal Welfare Policy (Travelife Certified)
This Khao Lak elephant tour provides a rare opportunity to observe elephants living in a relaxed, natural environment without contributing to exploitative practices.
The camp is located on the mountainside just outside Khao Lak, where it has been home to the same small family of elephants for generations. Today, nine female elephants live here full-time, cared for by experienced mahouts who have worked with them for many years.
The elephants spend their days feeding, walking, and resting under the jungle canopy. They have access to shaded natural areas, fresh water, and purpose-built shelters for protection during the night or in bad weather.
Guests learn about each elephant’s personality and history, guided by knowledgeable staff who share stories and information about elephant care, behaviour, and conservation in Thailand.
The elephants are not forced to perform or go into the water, and there is minimal direct contact with visitors beyond feeding. Their keepers use voice commands and positive reinforcement, never nails or hooks. Safety hooks are kept on site for emergencies only.
Each program is carefully scheduled with planned rest periods, limited group sizes, and no additional unscheduled visits.
The camp is inspected regularly by Thai government authorities and is independently audited as part of Discovery Travel’s internal animal welfare monitoring.
Understanding Elephant Tourism in Thailand
Elephants have played an important role in Thailand’s culture, economy, and identity for centuries. Today, their situation is far more complex than many visitors realise. There are estimated to be a similar number of elephants living in captivity as there are in the wild, and most of those found in tourism were born and raised in human care. For these elephants, release into the wild is not a realistic or humane option — they lack the survival skills needed to find food and water, integrate into wild herds, or navigate the threats that exist outside of managed environments. In many cases, reintroduction could result in starvation, injury, or conflict with local communities.
When commercial logging was banned in Thailand in the late 1980s, thousands of working elephants and their mahouts lost their livelihoods overnight. Tourism became one of the few remaining ways for elephant owners to afford the high costs of caring for their animals — food alone can cost hundreds of dollars per month, and veterinary care, land, staff, and facilities add significantly more. For many small, family-run camps, these costs mean the elephants must continue to “earn their keep,” though the way this is done has changed considerably in recent years.
The COVID-19 pandemic further increased the pressure. With tourism at a standstill, many camps struggled to feed their elephants and retain staff. Some relied on community donations or support from responsible tour operators to survive. This period also accelerated conversations about how elephant tourism could evolve into something more ethical and sustainable.
One of the biggest challenges today is the amount of conflicting information — and at times, misinformation — shared online. Many travellers are unsure what terms like “ethical,” “rescue,” or “sanctuary” truly mean, or how to tell whether a camp genuinely prioritises animal welfare. Some practices that appear harmless, such as bathing or hugging elephants, can still cause stress or encourage unnatural behaviour if not managed correctly. On the other hand, not all licensed camps with basic infrastructure are automatically “unethical.” The reality lies somewhere in between, and responsible operators are working hard to improve transparency, welfare standards, and education.
Elephant tourism has faced well-deserved criticism in the past. Reports of forced performances, inadequate living conditions, and harsh training methods damaged public trust. However, there is now growing awareness and progress within the industry. Many camps have stopped riding and performance activities altogether, focusing instead on observation-based programs with limited interaction, smaller groups, and proper rest periods for the animals. Veterinary oversight, improved housing, and natural forest environments are also becoming more common. Government licensing systems, third-party audits, and sustainability certifications are gradually helping to identify and promote better practices.
At Discovery Travel, our goal is to provide guests with honest and balanced information so that they can make their own choices. By being transparent about what to expect, sharing our Animal Welfare Policy, and publishing our internal welfare audit, we hope to help guests feel informed and confident about their decisions.
Read our Animal Welfare Policy | Read our Auditor’s Report
Learn More
For travellers who wish to explore this subject further, ABTA provide reliable, evidence-based information about elephants and animal welfare in tourism:
FAQ’s
Is this an ethical elephant experience?
The camp is fully licensed by Thai authorities, operates according to Discovery Travel’s approved Animal Welfare Policy, and does not allow riding, bathing contact, or performances. All visitor interactions maintain safe distances.
Why can’t the elephants be released into the wild?
All elephants at the camp were born in captivity and have spent their lives with humans. They would not survive in the wild without specialised training. Lifelong care in a natural environment is the most ethical option.
Are the elephants rescued?
The elephants belong to the same family for generations. While not rescued from abuse, they no longer work, breed, or perform, and are now cared for full-time in a low-stress environment.
Why are elephants sometimes chained at night?
For safety. Elephants are secured using 20-metre chains in large shelters to prevent them wandering into roads or farmland. They have food, water, and regular checks by keepers.
Do the mahouts use hooks or nails?
No. Mahouts use voice commands and positive reinforcement. Hooks are kept for emergency situations only.
Why do elephants sometimes shake their heads or flap their ears?
These are normal behaviours used to cool down, communicate, or express excitement. Repetitive motions (stereotypic behaviour) are monitored closely as part of welfare assessments.
How often are the elephants checked by vets?
Daily health checks are conducted by keepers, with monthly inspections by qualified veterinarians. Any concerns are documented and addressed promptly.
Can guests touch or bathe the elephants?
No. Guests can prepare and feed food from a safe distance behind barriers, but bathing or direct contact is not allowed to prevent stress and maintain boundaries.
How many visitors are allowed per day?
Up to six scheduled programs daily, with a maximum of 12 people per group. Walk-in guests may feed elephants if a scheduled group is present; no extra programs are added.
How are the elephants cared for daily?
Elephants have dedicated full-time keepers, access to natural food, water, shade, and enrichment. Their routine includes feeding, resting, social interaction, and undisturbed time in forested areas.
How can I know this camp treats elephants well?
You can review Discovery Travel’s Animal Welfare Policy and Elephant Camp Welfare Audit Report, which provide transparent standards. The camp is also regularly inspected by Thai authorities.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes. The tour is calm and educational. Children must follow guide instructions and stay behind barriers when feeding.
How do I book?
Booking a tour in Khao Lak is easy. Just follow these simple steps;
1. Choose the tour you want to book from the list and fill in the booking form.
2. We will then check availability and get back to you ASAP. If the date you chose is not available, we will offer you some alternative dates. We will also confirm the total cost and send you information on how to pay.
3. Follow the link we send you to make your payment. We have found that Wise is the easiest, most reliable and cheapest method of making international payments into Thailand.
4. Once we have received your payment we will send you and e-ticket as confirmation of your booking. All the details you will need will be printed on the ticket, but if you have any questions feel free to ask.
How do I pay?
Making international payments can be tricky and expensive. This is why we recommend using Wise. Unlike PayPal, Wise offers international transfers using the current exchange rates, with no additional mark-ups or hidden fees. The whole process takes just a few minutes. Simply follow these easy steps;
1. Click Here or follow the link we send you to create an account, or log in if you already have one.
2. Select “Send Money”.
3. Select “International” and choose the relivent currencies. (Our tours are priced in THB). All the relivent fees and exchange rates are automatically shown for you. Then click “Continue”
4. On the “Who are you sending Money to?” page, select “Buisness/Charity” and type in our email address. Our information is then filled in for you automatically. If you have any difficulty or require extra information just let us know.
5. Next you will need to fill in your account information.
6. The final step is to approve the payment.
More help can be found HERE.
Payments can also be made by credit card via our online payment link, or in our office.
What if I need to cancel or change my booking?
Please refer to our Terms & Conditions for our full cancelation policy.
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