Phuket Elephant Sanctuary: Canopy Walkway & Rescued Elephants

Walk Above Rescued Elephants in the Jungle Canopy

You walk a 500-meter canopy bridge 90 minutes observing rescued elephants roaming, bathing and foraging freely below. A guide shares each animal's story while you rest afterward with complimentary soda and snacks. The sanctuary's veterinary care and permanent-residence model mean your visit funds ethical elephant tourism, not performance tourism. Tours run four times daily and include a souvenir shirt.

Step-by-step itinerary

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary Canopy Walk

• Arrive at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
• Explore 500 meter canopy walkway
• Observe rescued elephants roaming freely
• Listen to tour guide elephant stories
• Receive complimentary T-shirt
• Enjoy iced soda and unlimited snacks
• Relax and enjoy sanctuary serenity

The experience

You step onto the 500-meter walkway suspended above the forest floor, and below you the elephants move through the trees like they own the place, because here, they do. The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary sits on 30 acres bordering Khao Phra Thaeo National Park in northeast Phuket, and this 90-minute canopy walk is the first experience of its kind in Thailand. Your guide points out each rescued elephant by name, tells you which one arrived three years ago with a damaged leg, which one loves the mud bath in the afternoon heat. The animals aren't performing or posing. They're foraging, socializing, bathing in the creek below while you watch from above.

The sanctuary buys every elephant that arrives here to guarantee it stays for life, and they have a veterinary team on staff for the older and injured ones. National Geographic, Lonely Planet and The Guardian have all written about the place because it's built on the opposite principle from most elephant tourism. The animals have the freedom to live naturally, and you're supporting that by being there. Your guide shares facts about the largest land mammals on earth as you walk, and the whole thing takes about 90 minutes from start to finish. Tours run four times daily: 9:30am, 10am, 2pm and 2:30pm.

At the end you sit down in the sanctuary's rest area with an iced soda and unlimited snacks from the bar, still watching the elephants move through the jungle. You get a free PES souvenir T-shirt to take home, and the whole experience (the walk, the guide, the soda, the snacks) is included in one price. The sanctuary provides umbrellas and rain coats if the weather turns, mosquito spray, and bottled water (though they ask you to bring a refill bottle if you can).

What’s included

Your 90-minute experience includes a guided walk across the 500-meter canopy walkway, observation of rescued elephants in their natural habitat, a welcome snack and beverages, an educational video documentary, a complimentary iced soda and unlimited snacks at the rest bar, a free PES souvenir T-shirt, umbrellas, rain coats, mosquito spray, and bottled water. Specialized infant seats and prams are available for small children.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Thai09:30, 10:00, 14:00 and 14:30

Guide in English or Thai09:30, 10:00, 14:00 and 14:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30, 10:00, 14:00 and 14:30

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “If you selected Program Only (No Transfer), please meet us at our office in Paklok 30 minutes before the start of the program. Parking is available.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to see elephants in a setting where the animals live naturally rather than perform, and who wants that experience without arranging transport or worrying about ethical concerns: the sanctuary's permanent-care model and veterinary team handle both.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Thai.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How long is the canopy walkway tour?

90 minutes total, including the guided walk and rest time with refreshments at the end.

What times are available each day?

Four daily slots: 9:30–11:00am, 10:00–11:30am, 2:00–3:30pm, and 2:30–4:00pm.

What's included in the price?

Guided canopy walk, iced soda, unlimited snacks, a souvenir T-shirt, umbrellas, rain coats, mosquito spray, and bottled water.

How many elephants are at the sanctuary?

The sanctuary spans 30 acres, but the specific number of elephants isn't listed. Your guide will introduce you to the ones you see during the walk.

Why is this sanctuary different from other elephant tourism in Thailand?

The sanctuary buys every elephant to ensure it stays permanently, provides veterinary care, and lets animals roam and socialize freely rather than perform. National Geographic and Lonely Planet have endorsed the ethical model.

Do I need to bring anything?

Comfortable walking shoes and a refill water bottle if possible. The sanctuary provides umbrellas, rain coats, mosquito spray and bottled water.

Is it suitable for people with limited mobility?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options accommodate wheelchairs.