Pattaya: New elephant sanctuary tours—without riding—depart daily

Starting October 17, 2026, an elephant sanctuary near Pattaya, Thailand, will offer half-day tours for the first time, with direct pickup from select areas of the coastal city. The sanctuary itself is not located in Pattaya but is about an hour’s drive away and can be reached by air-conditioned vans. For travelers looking for a day trip during their stay in Thailand without the hassle of organizing it themselves, this new offering is a hassle-free option, as transportation, a guide, activities, and meals are all included in the price.

The concept behind the tours is particularly noteworthy: there are no elephant rides, circus-style shows, or tricks. Instead, the focus is on feeding the elephants, taking walks with them, and—depending on the weather, the elephants’ behavior, and safety conditions—supervised water play. Each mahout cares for one to three elephants and accompanies them throughout the day to ensure both the animals’ well-being and the guests’ safety. The program is rounded out by a stop at a lookout point offering a 180-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountain landscape.

There are two time slots to choose from, both at the same price: the morning program with pickup between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. and a stay at the sanctuary from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the afternoon program, with pickup between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and a visit to the sanctuary from approximately 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Return times may vary depending on traffic conditions. Both options cost 2,500 baht per adult and 1,300 baht per child aged 4 to 8. The price includes transportation from selected pickup areas in Pattaya, an English-speaking guide, insurance, food for the elephants, a local Thai meal, drinking water, and free photos taken by the guide. For accommodations outside the regular pickup zones, a meeting point, a private transfer, or an additional fee may be required.

The offer is aimed at a broad audience: first-time visitors to Thailand, couples, families with children, and solo travelers who want to experience an encounter with elephants without having to travel all the way up north to Chiang Mai. This adds an additional nature-based experience to Pattaya, an already established vacation destination, one that can be easily integrated into a multi-day stay on the coast.

Regardless of such excursion offers, a valid visa or the appropriate entry permit is required to enter Thailand, depending on your nationality and planned length of stay. Anyone planning a vacation in Thailand that includes tourist activities such as visiting an elephant sanctuary should take care of the necessary travel documents well in advance. We help travelers smoothly apply for a tourist visa for Thailand or, if applicable, an e-visa for Thailand, so that the focus of the trip can remain entirely on experiences like this new tour.

It’s also worth looking into the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for Thailand, if it’s available for your nationality. Since entry requirements may vary depending on your country of origin, it’s advisable to have your documents checked well in advance of your trip to avoid delays when booking excursions such as the new Elephant Sanctuary program departing from Pattaya.