Kalpavanam Elephant Park, Thekkady - Elephant Safari and Bath — Attraction in Kerala

I recently visited an elephant park in Kerala and honestly, I would rate the experience 3 stars at best. While it was nice to see the elephants up close, the activities and overall value for money didn’t really live up to the hype or the high fees we paid.

We paid over ₹3,000 for two people, which is already quite expensive compared to what you usually expect for such attractions. For that price, I thought we’d get a proper and memorable elephant experience. Unfortunately, the ride itself was very short and felt rushed. You hardly get to settle in before it’s over, which was disappointing considering the cost.

We also paid extra for the elephant shower experience. From the advertisements and what people usually imagine, we expected it to be a refreshing and unique experience by the lake or some natural setting. Instead, it turned out to be in a small water tank. Honestly, it felt underwhelming and a bit gimmicky. On top of that, you’re only allowed to be showered exactly six times — which feels very restricted and makes the whole thing lose its charm. I was hoping for something more natural and immersive, but this setup felt more like a quick photo opportunity for tourists rather than an authentic experience.

The elephants themselves were calm and well-behaved, which was nice to see, but overall the management seems more focused on making money off tourists rather than creating a genuine and memorable experience. For the price we paid, I expected longer rides, a more natural environment for the shower, and less of this “counting” type system that limits the fun.

On top of that, the trainers were just okay. They managed the elephants fine, but one thing really put us off — if you wanted to interact with the elephant in a certain way, like making it pose while you touched it, they would ask for a small “extra” payment privately. It wasn’t official, it was clearly on the side, and it felt cheap and unnecessary after we had already paid so much for the experience itself. We didn’t like that practice at all, because it gave off the impression that everything there was paywalled and you couldn’t even fully enjoy or bond with the elephant without extra cash being slipped under the table.

And then there was the cashier — probably the rudest part of the entire trip. The woman at the counter had a terrible attitude, spoke with zero courtesy, and honestly made the start of the experience feel negative right away. When you’re paying thousands of rupees, the least you expect is basic politeness, but instead we were treated like we were a burden. That left a really bad taste in our mouths before the activities even began.

In short, the place is mid. Not terrible, but not worth the hype or the steep price tag. The elephants are beautiful, but everything else — from the rushed rides, fake “lake” shower, extra side charges, and rude staff — dragged the whole experience down. If you want to try it once for curiosity, go ahead, but don’t expect it to feel like money well spent. Also the elephants were so small. We did not expect mini elephanta. They were like teen sized elephants but they were adult. So yeah would not...

Good experience with the elephant, but overpriced and not as expected. Ride was just a small round, and the shower used a small water tank instead of a natural pond. Overall okay, but not worth ₹1500 per person.

We visited Kalpavanam Elephant Park with high expectations, but the overall experience left us feeling that it was not worth the price charged. At first, we thought the elephant ride would be long and memorable considering the cost, but unfortunately, it was just a very small round. We chose the combo package that included photos, an elephant ride, and a shower experience. One important thing to note is that a single person is not allowed for the ride – the minimum requirement is 2 people and the maximum allowed is 4. The price for this combo is around ₹1500 per person, which felt quite high compared to what was offered.

The elephant shower was something we were really looking forward to, expecting it to be near a natural lake or pond for a more authentic and refreshing experience. However, it turned out to be in a small water storage area. The elephant took in a very small amount of water with its trunk and sprayed it over us. While this moment was fun and enjoyable for a few seconds, the water was too little to really feel like a proper shower. It was far from the natural and exciting experience we had imagined.

That said, the elephants themselves were wonderful, gentle, and well-behaved. Being close to such majestic animals was definitely the highlight of the visit. Interacting with them and even the short ride gave a unique feeling, which is why I would say the experience was okay – better than bad – but not great.

In summary, Kalpavanam Elephant Park offers a chance to get close to elephants, but the activities are too short and do not justify the cost. It could be made much better with longer rides and a more natural...

Kalpavanam Elephant Park in Thekkady is a wonderful spot for an up-close and personal experience with elephants, offering a unique blend of adventure and connection with nature. The elephant safari is the main highlight, allowing visitors to ride through the scenic forested areas of Thekkady atop these gentle giants. The ride provides a serene and memorable experience, especially for those interested in wildlife and nature.

While the activities are enjoyable, the park could benefit from improved facilities, such as better rest areas and more shaded seating. Additionally, some visitors might find the prices a bit on the higher side, but the close interaction with elephants often justifies the cost for most.

Overall, Kalpavanam Elephant Park offers a unique experience for nature enthusiasts and families alike. With a few enhancements in facilities, it could become an even better destination for a memorable day...