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Elephants, Phuket
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Things to Do in Phuket: Elephants tips and photos posted by real travelers and Phuket locals.
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Elephants: Elephant Trekking
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  • Updated By Cielo_Algaeed on January 27, 2007
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  • Elephants - Phuket
    by Cielo_Algaeed, 2 more photos
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    Elephant Trekking is half an hour elephant ride. Capacity of each seat is maximum of 3 persons.This activity is usually included in the package tours that local tour operators offer.

    Just a pre caution- elephant trekking is a very bumpy ride. So get your butts ready :-)

    Photo sessions are done when you reach the end point before returning back to base.


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    Elephants: Kok Chang Safari
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  • Updated By Cathy&Gary on August 13, 2007
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  • Elephants - Phuket
    by Cathy&Gary, 4 more photos
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    This place is amazing.

    There also happens to be 2 gorgeous White Palmed gibbons there Charley and Lum Yai, who are free to do whatever they like when they come in from the jungle.

    The Centre is located in the Kata Nai Harn Hills at the Southern end of Phuket Island.

    Once you are on the Kata Viewpoint road, about 1 kilometer south of the viewpoint, 50 meters after the elephant crossing road sign just before you begin climbing the hill to the summit you will find the Centre.

    The Kata Viewpoint is marked on Phuket maps

    The easiest way to see this place is to contact Richard on: richard@phuket-scuba-diving.com this is his personal email and is also the email for the Dive and Adventure Company that he and Megumi own.

    There is a more detailed report on the centre here with info on prices for the Elephant trek, Transfer costs, photos, how to contact Richard etc:

    Kok Chang Safari

    Lots more photos at; Cathy's Photo Pages


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    Elephants: Elefant Trekking
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  • Updated By Myndo on October 17, 2004
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  • Elefant Trekking - Phuket
    Elefant Trekking
    by Myndo
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    We went Elefant Trekking during our "safari" north of Phuket on the mainland.

    Elefants and Thais had for centuries something like a symbiosis. Elefants worked for the humans, made ways through the jungle, lifted and moved heavy things and were used in wars. Womans treated them as house animals

    Nowadays the number of elefants is getting less and less. The reason for this is, that their home, the woods, get smaller and smaller. They were also replaced by heavy machinery.

    Today they are still used in the tourism industry. There are several problems in that.
    For once, this animal needs a lot of shade and water - so, please do not go elefant riding in open areas, its very bad for them.
    Also there must always be a "Mahout" with you on the ride who steers and takes care of that big, sensible animal. This makes the whole thing quite costly. That an elefant does also need a lot of food is clear.

    Anyway. We have been assured (and saw so, too) that "our" elefants were well cared for and the ride was through the forest. It was wonderful and we enjoyed it very much.

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    Elephants: Elephant trekking with Siam Safari
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  • By earthboundfaerie on October 30, 2006
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  • the trails through the jungle - Phuket
    the trails through the jungle
    by earthboundfaerie, 4 more photos
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    Booked a 30-minute elephant trek with Siam Safari just for the experience of getting to ride on an elephant and got well more than we bargained for. Our morning started when after breakfast we were picked up by a real safari jeep and drove up to the hills of Phuket. That alone was an experience in itself as we got to enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding bays and sights from a safari jeep with the morning wind whipping at our faces. Upon getting there, you're asked to wait at a little shack where they posted a bunch of photos and articles about elephants being killed for their ivory and whatnot and how Siam Safari encourages preservation of these beautiful animals. There are also articles about the mahouts from the Karon tribe who take care of the elephants at Siam Safari. What I loved about this place is that they really take good care of the elephants unlike other elephant trek companies who hurt their elephants and treat them poorly. After a short wait, they group everybody and send you further into the hills and jungle. More than the 30-minute elephant trek that we booked, we also got magnificent views from where we trekked and got to see a mini-elephant show where they played football, danced, and painted. The trek through the jungle was amazing as we got to see great views of the surrounding bay, rubber trees being tapped, a bunch of other little mammals running around the jungle and giving our elephant a fright. Our mahout doesn't speak English since he's really from the Karon tribe and they live right there where you can see their houses by the trail but he was really nice and kept smiling at us. An elephant trek is simply a must when you're in Phuket! It was a great way to spend the morning for us. We were back at the hotel just in time for lunch and already we had a beautiful day. :)

  • Website: www.siamsafari.com

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    Elephants: Elephant Ride
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  • Updated By tashka on November 23, 2003
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  • Elephant ride, Phuket - Phuket
    Elephant ride, Phuket
    by tashka
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    I must confess, it was a bit scary, but I love elephants, they are so big, yet graceful!

    We took a short, but unforgettable ride in a rubber tree grove.

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  • Directions: There are elephant trekking places all around Thailand, just select the closest one to your hotel, or the one, that seems most interesting to you - like trekking in deep jungle...

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    Elephants: Exploring REAL Jungle at Khao Sok National Park
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  • Updated By ann500 on January 14, 2006
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  • Elephant in Khao Sok National Park and Giant Tree - Phuket
    Elephant in Khao Sok National
    Park and Giant Tree
    by ann500, 4 more photos
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    Exploring gorgeous Khao Sok National Park (said by many to be the most beautiful national park in Thailand) was definitely my very best day on our Thailand trip a few weeks ago. Actually, I think it was one of the best days of my life. We joined a tour group (can't remember the name of the company but it is the Khao Sok tour offered in many brochures on Phuket for one or two days) which picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the park. This wasn't one of those lame tours I've read about where you go to some sort of farm and have a little elephant ride and see a show - far from that!

    First we went river canoeing with a guide paddling for us. The park's mountains are great limestone karsts covered with trees, raising sharply above you like the mountains seen in Chinese paintings and the vegetation is so lush and thick. The canoes glide through many nice cool shady stetches canopied by the truly giant trees and bamboo and everything is peaceful. I was very pleased that the ride lasted much longer than I thought it would. We did see some wildlife. Our canoes then landed at a jungle lodge where we had a very good lunch (included in the price) before elephant trekking.

    All the elephants seemed to be very well-cared for and to respect and have affection for their handlers - the animals were very sweet and I was amazed by their gentleness and intelligence. The entire trek may have lasted about 1.5 hours (not taxing on the elephants) - it was simply gorgeous going through the jungle to a waterfall.

    I think the tour cost about 60 US dollars per person and it was definitely worth the cost for the experience. There weren't any mosquitoes (this was in very late December). You will want to wear a pair of trainers or sports sandals (these would be better if you want to swim in the river as there are rocks on the bottom). Don't wear flip-flops as you have to go down an inclined path to get to the river. Not a terrible one though. You don't have to be very fit for this tour since it pretty much just requires sitting.

  • Directions: North of Phuket. It took 1.5-2 hours to get there, but I would have been happy to go much further, it was that beautiful! Plus you get to drive past villages. Don't forget to bring enough water - I didn't see a shop inside the park.

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    Elephants: River Rafting and Elephant Ride
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  • By mexxgal on April 6, 2005
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  • Elephant Treking - Phuket
    Elephant Treking
    by mexxgal
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    It is quite easy to sign up for activities after you reach Phuket. There are plenty of tour agents on Patong Beach, or you can reserve the tour/activities at your resort. Shop around and ask for prices... sometimes the excursions offered by the same companies can be charged differently depending on which tour agent you go to. You can usually sign up for activities/tours for the next day.

    River rafting is ok, don't expect the rapids like the ones in Australia or New Zealand... but overall still rather enjoyable.

    If you have not tried Elephant treking before, you should try it here. It's quite fun and an interesting experience. But be forewarned that elephants don't smell that nice! heh...

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  • Website: www.phuketsealand.com

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    Elephants: ELEPHANT CAMP
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  • By MikeAtSea on November 17, 2004
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  • Ever been kissed by an elephant? - Phuket
    Ever been kissed by an
    elephant?
    by MikeAtSea
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    The camp has been rated best on the island and received both the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow award and the Thailand Tourism award by the Thai Tourism Authority. To reach the camp, one uses jeeps. The visit of the camp starts with a short elephant show, followed by a leisurely walk to the elephant riding area. The highlight of the visit is to climb onto the back of an elephant and to enjoy a 30-minute fun ride.

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  • Phone: 240 115
  • Directions: Best is to contact one of the tourism stores on the island. The trips are inexpensive and include transport.
  • Other Contact: E-Mail: sunnet@loxinfo.co.th

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    Elephants: Go for something different
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  • Updated By yukisanto on October 26, 2007
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  • Elephants - Phuket
    by yukisanto, 1 more photos
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    Elephant rides can be an experience. There was a place which we passed by that cost 500 baht for a 20min ride. But when we hired a driver to bring us around, he brought us to another place which cost 800baht for 30min. We didn't request for a elephant ride, so obviously he was hoping to make commision off us. We tried to lower the price, but they didn't want to, so we started to walk away since we weren't that interested anyway to pay the price. Here comes the magic moment - he asked us to see the elephants first and tried to persuade us to stay. Then since we refuse to back down, he accepted our offer. So we paid 600 baht for 30min. Not bad.

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    Elephants: 4 in 1 half day safari
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  • By toumpiotis on November 19, 2007
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  • Elephants - Phuket
    by toumpiotis, 1 more photos
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    I took this tour(code:4IN1-A) at Augoust 2007 and believe me it realy one of the best things to do in phuket area.it take about 8 hours and include everything :Elephant trecking ,Thai cooking,Monkey & Buffalo ,cruise on a traditional wooden junk and Buffet lunch .the price is 1950 Thai baht (about 45 Euro).

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  • Address: 45 chao far rd,chalong,phuket
  • Phone: (6676)280107,280116
  • Directions: Phuket Thailand
  • Website: www.siamsafari.com

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