Hutsadin Elephant Foundation — Local services in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province

🐘 1. Education Activity – Introduction and Elephant Presentation

Days: Monday to Friday

Time: Between 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (approx. 40 minutes)

Price: 300 THB per person (children under 5 – free)

Description: An educational presentation delivered by English-speaking volunteers – ideal for families and anyone interested in learning more about elephants and their history at the foundation.

Walk with an Elephant

Days: Daily, open every day from 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

Duration: Approx. 30 minutes (pace depends on the elephant)

Price: 800 THB per person; children aged 3–8: 400 THB; children under 3 – free

Includes: A basket of fruit to feed the elephant and, weather permitting, the chance to bathe the elephant after the walk.

Education + Walk Combo – Combined Activity (Presentation + Walk)

Days & Times: Same as Education Activity and Walk (Mon–Fri: 10:00–12:00 + walk during open hours)

Total Duration: Approx. 90 minutes

Price: Usually offered as a package for around 1,000 THB per person (though the exact amount may not always be clearly listed).

ℹ️ Additional Information:

Foundation Status: Hutsadin Elephant Foundation is a non-profit sanctuary. Entrance to the site is completely free, and you do not need to book or pay for any of the listed activities to enter and see the elephants.

Support: While entrance is free, it is highly appreciated to leave a donation or support the activities because the staff rely on contributions for their livelihood, and the elephants need funds for food and care.

Language: English-speaking volunteers are available Monday to Friday until 1:00 PM – it’s best to arrive early to take advantage of their guidance.

Booking: Advanced booking is only required for groups of more than 10 people; for smaller groups, walk-ins are usually fine.

Payment: Cash only – cards are not accepted.

Accessibility: Feeding and bathing elephants may be possible for guests with disabilities (with prior arrangement), though the terrain is not fully accessible.

🕰 General Opening Hours:

Open daily: From 09:00 AM to 04:00 PM (some sources mention 08:30–04:30 PM, but most activities start at 09:00 AM).

📝 Personal Review:

After browsing the official website, I found the amount of information overwhelming, poorly structured, and in some cases hard to understand. Some of the pages are not even responsive on mobile devices. That’s why I decided to create this clear, simple, and easy-to-read summary of the activities offered by the Hutsadin Elephant Foundation — so others can quickly find what matters most without confusion.

I would also highlight that this is a foundation, and you can enter for free just to observe the elephants. However, supporting them financially is highly recommended, as both the staff and the elephants depend on donations for...

Went there right after Monsoon Vineyard in February 2019. I choose this place over Elephant Village as based on what’s written online, this place was suppose to be towards “conservation of elephants” and they do not promote elephant riding which is common amongst touristy elephant places.

Upon reaching the place, I was greeted by an English speaking Thai lady who went straight into asking whats my nationality and asked me whether do I want to ride the elephant. Which puzzles me as one of the reasons why i choose here over elephant village was because of their effort in protecting the animal. Anyway, she offered a THB 800/pax option which include an education tour by an English speaking guide, feeding of elephant with a short walk and cleaning of the elephant.

It turn out to be a THB1200 mistake.

The Thai guide isn’t good with his English. Answering me questions with the usual ‘Plit Plat Plip Phan’ Thai English , which, if you decipher hard enough, you will understand what they are trying to say. I asked 10 questions regarding the efforts of protecting the Elephants, but only truly understand 1 of his answers, which I asked how many Elephants are there and he said there’s 6 of it here.

Right after I finish feeding the food to the elephants, magically, a box appear in front of me. The guide asked me to buy bracelets! Again, using his ‘Plit Plat Plip Phan’ English which I couldn’t understand what the bracelets were for but I kindly rejected it.

Upon walking back the elephant to it’s shelter, I begin rinse the elephant for a good 3mins. The guide hand me a box with a card written “Tips”. Don’t quite understand why tips are needed when I’ve already paid THB 800 for this trip. So I gave THB 200 as all their eyes were on me.

After which, they brought me to another baby elephant - and say that I could take photos with it. This is a highly intelligent baby female elephant. She knows how to take photo with you, and knows how to ‘Thank You’ upon command. To my surprise, this elephant was also trained on ‘How to take tips from tourist’. She took a basket to me, with a word written “Tips” on it. Once again, all eyes were on me so I took out another THB 200 for it.

Total money spent : THB1200 Total time spent: 30mins Total knowledge gain: N/A

Skip this if you have to. I personally find it waste of time and not what Im looking for. And also, tips is not an Asian culture thing - especially since visitors are required to pay THB 800/pax for its ‘education tour’ already, so why the need for tips? But don’t get me wrong, I do give tips to Drivers and such. But it was the way that the tips were being asked which I felt a little...

Our visit to the Hutsadin Elephant Foundation was a truly unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, it was evident that the sanctuary's primary focus is the well-being of its elephants. The atmosphere was calm and respectful, allowing us to connect with these magnificent creatures on a deeper level.

The highlight of our day was undoubtedly the opportunity to walk alongside an elephant. Feeling the gentle sway of its body as we strolled through the lush surroundings was magical. Feeding the elephant a basket of fresh fruits and vegetables was a heartwarming experience, and the trust and affection in their eyes were simply breathtaking.

We were also fortunate to participate in the elephant shower, a refreshing and playful activity for both us and the elephants. Spraying them with water and scrubbing their skin was a unique bonding experience. The elephants seemed to enjoy the pampering as much as we did.

The knowledgeable guides provided insightful information about the elephants' lives, their rescue stories, and the foundation's efforts to protect and preserve these gentle giants. It was inspiring to learn about the dedication and passion of the staff.

While the experience was undoubtedly enriching, it's important to note that Hutsadin is not a zoo or a circus. It's a sanctuary where elephants can live out their lives in peace and dignity. The focus is on ethical interactions and education, rather than entertainment.

If you're seeking a genuine encounter with elephants and want to contribute to their well-being, Hutsadin Elephant Foundation is a truly worthwhile destination. It's a place where you can leave with a deep appreciation for these incredible animals and a sense of fulfillment for...