Khao Lak Nature Tour
Khao Lak Nature Tour
4.5
This location was reported permanently closed
Full view
About
Phuket, Thailand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingRevenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Similar Experiences
Khao Lak Nature Tour
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsContribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
31 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
8
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
bubbles0201
7 contributions
May 2013
Not being someone who plans things took a leap and decided I wanted to do this. I had a group of 7 from the age of 10+
It was an hour and 30mins from patong
But the bus was pretty much brand new very comfortable and we just slept as it was an early start.
First we went to the thai naval base where they look after the turtle conservation... you see different stages of life in these turtles before they are released
Also there was the tsunami memorial which showed what was left of a submarine. ..
Then went off to bamboo rafting which I enjoyed as it was very relaxing then followed by a thai lunch which wad beautiful. ..
Then came the elephant treckking, this was an utterly amazing experience
As we had 7 we had one group of 3 and I got to sit on his head for the trip
Once we reached the water the guides thought they have some fun with them and got them to spray me with the water I was completely soaking wet after but it was so much fun
Then had the opportunity to have photos with the elephants lifting you up
They will take plently of photos on your personal camera for you along the way but they do at the end get pushy and demand a tip
After we visited the mini zoo
They seemed to be taken care of a lot more then phuket zoo but its still not a great environment makes you appreciate what you have at home
All in all it was a well organised tour that was relaxed and pretty much ran at our own pace
Big day but worth doing
The monkey temple on the way home was simplicity
You hand feed these wild monkeys
Our driver tommy was great and pur guide charlie was good entertainment
He explained a lot and gave us a good laugh but knew when to be quiet
MUST DO TOUR!!
It was an hour and 30mins from patong
But the bus was pretty much brand new very comfortable and we just slept as it was an early start.
First we went to the thai naval base where they look after the turtle conservation... you see different stages of life in these turtles before they are released
Also there was the tsunami memorial which showed what was left of a submarine. ..
Then went off to bamboo rafting which I enjoyed as it was very relaxing then followed by a thai lunch which wad beautiful. ..
Then came the elephant treckking, this was an utterly amazing experience
As we had 7 we had one group of 3 and I got to sit on his head for the trip
Once we reached the water the guides thought they have some fun with them and got them to spray me with the water I was completely soaking wet after but it was so much fun
Then had the opportunity to have photos with the elephants lifting you up
They will take plently of photos on your personal camera for you along the way but they do at the end get pushy and demand a tip
After we visited the mini zoo
They seemed to be taken care of a lot more then phuket zoo but its still not a great environment makes you appreciate what you have at home
All in all it was a well organised tour that was relaxed and pretty much ran at our own pace
Big day but worth doing
The monkey temple on the way home was simplicity
You hand feed these wild monkeys
Our driver tommy was great and pur guide charlie was good entertainment
He explained a lot and gave us a good laugh but knew when to be quiet
MUST DO TOUR!!
Written 12 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mynewlifeistravel
Nerang, Australia2,879 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
This was another tour booked through Mr Wooddy and could not have gone any better. from being picked up at our hotel, taken on the long drive and first we visited the memorial for the war ship that was guarding the Thai royals, was interesting to see. Then we went to the turtle farm, which you can purchase novelties , where the money goes towards helping them. We then went on about a 2hr elephant ride through the jungle, and my wife got to ride one by herself which she loved. Had a average lunch , as usual on the tours, then went to a waterfall and went swimming, went a on bamboo raft ride, although others didnt see any wildlife, we saw snakes from the trees and water lizards swimming near us. We also stopped at the monkey cave on the way back to the resorts. Very worthwhile tour and very good value.they also take some pics of you whilst on the bamboo ride, alot cheaper here than any other tour and again, supports the people.
Written 31 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
indiweb
Victoria177 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
Firstly, this is a big day trip but not hard.
Our guide "Charlie" picked us up at about 8am and it took 90 minutes to get to the first stop, the Monkey Cave. This was great. The kids loved hand feeding all the monkeys and some cheeky little fellows would climb up onto your shoulder to eat where the others could not steal his food. Inside the cave is also fascinating - it cost 40 baht ($1.20 Australian) to get in. Inside is an enormous laying Buddha statue in gold and various other entities. The cave goes deeper with other sights and places to climb up.
Second stop was a mini zoo where they rehabilitated animals for return to the wild, where possible. They had all sorts of critters from Buffalo Bears (with purple poo??) to pygmy loris' that had been confiscated from photographers on Bangla Road.
Third stop was elephant trekking through the river and river banks - not as long as some treks but different going through the river. We had fruit and drinks here too.
Next stop - waterfall. A nice one, not that high but very pretty and time to swim at the base which we always love to do - somehow feels special.
We then went on a bamboo raft ride down the river which was the greatest fun. Two people on a raft with your guide who is a bit like a gondolier in Venice. The scenery was lush jungle, with the odd hanging snake! Every so often you would go through mini rapids, the water was freezing and would splash over the raft, so wear at least bather bottoms. This gave the kids a little thrill. I thoroughly enjoyed it to.
We had lunch in the restaurant overlooking the river - plenty of food.
We started our trek back stopping at the Turtle Conservation Centre and the Tsunami Memorial on the way. We were back in Patong at about 5.30pm
All of this for the princely sum of about $150 Australian for 2 adults and 2 kids!
Charlie was great - every stop had toilets, it was well organised.
Big tip - never use hotel tour desks. We use an agent on the street and they book tours for half the price on the brochure (especially in off peak season). The hotel ones probably do to but don't tell you and pocket the difference!
Our guide "Charlie" picked us up at about 8am and it took 90 minutes to get to the first stop, the Monkey Cave. This was great. The kids loved hand feeding all the monkeys and some cheeky little fellows would climb up onto your shoulder to eat where the others could not steal his food. Inside the cave is also fascinating - it cost 40 baht ($1.20 Australian) to get in. Inside is an enormous laying Buddha statue in gold and various other entities. The cave goes deeper with other sights and places to climb up.
Second stop was a mini zoo where they rehabilitated animals for return to the wild, where possible. They had all sorts of critters from Buffalo Bears (with purple poo??) to pygmy loris' that had been confiscated from photographers on Bangla Road.
Third stop was elephant trekking through the river and river banks - not as long as some treks but different going through the river. We had fruit and drinks here too.
Next stop - waterfall. A nice one, not that high but very pretty and time to swim at the base which we always love to do - somehow feels special.
We then went on a bamboo raft ride down the river which was the greatest fun. Two people on a raft with your guide who is a bit like a gondolier in Venice. The scenery was lush jungle, with the odd hanging snake! Every so often you would go through mini rapids, the water was freezing and would splash over the raft, so wear at least bather bottoms. This gave the kids a little thrill. I thoroughly enjoyed it to.
We had lunch in the restaurant overlooking the river - plenty of food.
We started our trek back stopping at the Turtle Conservation Centre and the Tsunami Memorial on the way. We were back in Patong at about 5.30pm
All of this for the princely sum of about $150 Australian for 2 adults and 2 kids!
Charlie was great - every stop had toilets, it was well organised.
Big tip - never use hotel tour desks. We use an agent on the street and they book tours for half the price on the brochure (especially in off peak season). The hotel ones probably do to but don't tell you and pocket the difference!
Written 22 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darlyne J
Granby, CT319 contributions
We did this tour that includes a visit to the sea turtle farm, an hour long elephant trek, a trip down a small river on a bamboo raft, lunch along the way and a stop at a waterfall...It was advertised as "soft adventure" and a "nature tour"...I'd argue the description.
This place is 90 minutes from Phuket. The sea-turtle farm consisted of tanks of turtles in various stages of being
nearing their release in to the ocean. There was no description of their mission and no information was given regarding anything to do with the turtles. The elephant trek was GREAT FUN-but they offer them about 1 hour closer to Phuket
then this. The elephant ride did a loop through a jungley area. The guides were great and we stopped along the was for some photos. This was the highlight of the trip. The grounds were beautiful, the people friendly, the elephants well cared for and we had the opportunity to spend time feeding and petting the
elephants without being rushed. The lunch was fantastic and besides the elephant trek, this was the second redeeming feature of the trip...the raft ride was suppose to be an
amazing trip down the river seeing "colorful birds and a surprise around every turn"...while "your guide points out the wildlife"...There was no wildlife that we saw. Our guide did not say one word (nor did he attempt to point out anything). He definitley did not understand a word of english (which the tour
was suppose to be in) The river was shallow and the water fall was very small-But in defense of them, it IS dry season.
My major pet-peeve with this tour was that I could have saved about 3 hours of travel time by doing the elephant trek in Phuket-the "Nature Tour" is an extreme misnomer-We were hoping for an informative, eye-opening "soft" adventure and we were
somewhat disappointed with the lack of learning more about Thailands wildlife and fauna.
22-Feb-07 Khaolak Nature Tour (from Phuket)
This place is 90 minutes from Phuket. The sea-turtle farm consisted of tanks of turtles in various stages of being
nearing their release in to the ocean. There was no description of their mission and no information was given regarding anything to do with the turtles. The elephant trek was GREAT FUN-but they offer them about 1 hour closer to Phuket
then this. The elephant ride did a loop through a jungley area. The guides were great and we stopped along the was for some photos. This was the highlight of the trip. The grounds were beautiful, the people friendly, the elephants well cared for and we had the opportunity to spend time feeding and petting the
elephants without being rushed. The lunch was fantastic and besides the elephant trek, this was the second redeeming feature of the trip...the raft ride was suppose to be an
amazing trip down the river seeing "colorful birds and a surprise around every turn"...while "your guide points out the wildlife"...There was no wildlife that we saw. Our guide did not say one word (nor did he attempt to point out anything). He definitley did not understand a word of english (which the tour
was suppose to be in) The river was shallow and the water fall was very small-But in defense of them, it IS dry season.
My major pet-peeve with this tour was that I could have saved about 3 hours of travel time by doing the elephant trek in Phuket-the "Nature Tour" is an extreme misnomer-We were hoping for an informative, eye-opening "soft" adventure and we were
somewhat disappointed with the lack of learning more about Thailands wildlife and fauna.
22-Feb-07 Khaolak Nature Tour (from Phuket)
Written 4 March 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Umesh_D
5 contributions
Jan 2019
We visited there with young kids. We all had very good time, kids enjoyed elephant ride, bamboo rafting. Not very commercial place but you will like flora.
Written 8 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flapydog
Perth, Australia55 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
We book the tour thru Ramada Resort and next day 08:30am driver and guide pick us up. Bob the tour guide was very caring and explain all aspect off mahout and elephants situation in Thailand.
Firs stop we have at local marked to check on same different fruits and food stuff. Next stop we jump into the kayaks and slowly run down the river look at same spectaculars views.
After lunch we visit the elephant raiding place and have lovely trip thru the jungle to stop at fresh spring pools to have deep. This I recommend to any one the National Park at Khao Lak is beautiful place
Firs stop we have at local marked to check on same different fruits and food stuff. Next stop we jump into the kayaks and slowly run down the river look at same spectaculars views.
After lunch we visit the elephant raiding place and have lovely trip thru the jungle to stop at fresh spring pools to have deep. This I recommend to any one the National Park at Khao Lak is beautiful place
Written 29 August 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robbee P
Gungahlin, Australia196 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
I have tried very hard to make sure I found the right tour to review as it would only be fair. The tour my partner and I took was called Khao Lak Deluxe and was recommended to us as one which would meet our request to experience some Thai nature. The company "A Time Nature" runs the tour we completed as they do the one reviewed here by others with similar destinations.
Ok ... it's a full day tour .. that's a known factor and happily we were collected from out hotel at 720 am and brochure says and the guide confirmed we would be to Patong around 530pm. We were home at least 90 minutes early. There was an urgency throughout the trip understandably due to the ambitious inteniary but I think the driver thought he was in a Grand Prix which didn't help with a leisurely day out and time to see the roadside sights. To miss the mark by 90 minutes was remarkable.
Ok. Something I learnt to watch for when booking a tour. If you see a brochure in two languages English and Russia ... ask the question ... is the tour targeting the Russian market and is the guide Russian. Obviously, we didn't and we were not. Nothing against Russians but we were the other thought all day.
Ok the trip as I said was ambitious and had highs and lows.
Travel .... was long at the start and the end and needs to be managed better somehow .... maybe a regular comment on sites as we pass or cultural items. Bus was comfortable and handled the sweeping bends comfortably lol.
The guide was a charming Russian man with "humour" and I think he tried very hard.
Ok tip ... you will spend they day wet after the first swim.
The first stop was the Turtle Conservation Centre and I must admit being a qualified zoologist I was emotionally moved at the work being done. Great visit.
Then a visit the Waterfall and the opportunity for a swim we declined as the morning wasn't so warm.
The bamboo rafting was a highlight and very relaxing in a clear stream with a river stone and sand base. Our own raft was held up due to another being "hung up" just downstream and this is where I will make a spacial mention of the Thai staff who managed the risk exceptionally well. I don't know what they were yelling out but it was passed up and downstream where some rafts were parked making way for others and a clear path was marked for all. The raft was cleared and we all went through. Lunch was good.
"Rescue" Mini zoo .... I've seen a lot of zoos around the world and this one needs to be upgraded. All the animals appear the be in great health but the enclosures and paths are way past their era by 30 years. Credit for care to the animals but nothing startling here.
Elephant experience was great.... exceptionally good handlers and effectively left us with the elephants while they walked in front and took photos with our camera. My partner moved down onto the neck of our elephant which a treat for her. Looking around I saw all the children were loving their ride and elephants. Then a show with a juvenile who had a full bag of party tricks. All elephants very accessible and free to touch and feed.
Buddhist temple cave and monkey encounter. Well here's an example of falling for the three card trick. You're led to believe that monkeys are inside the temple. No food is allowed inside the temple other than nuts purchased at the entrance. We like religious philosophy and temples so we paid to enter .... loved the temple but no monkeys lol. So we go outside and find that the monkeys are all outside climbing down the cliff face of the temple to eat bananas corn etc all purchased from stalls outside the temple. Still a good experience but you need to know. Monkey wants banana not nuts !!!!
Ok... gripe .... I like giving tips ... but I don't like being told I must. Bus driver, elephant handler for photos, for the elephant and then for the baby elephant food.
It's big long review but there's a lot to consider
3 hours driving and a mixed bag of experiences
Cheers
Robbee
Ok ... it's a full day tour .. that's a known factor and happily we were collected from out hotel at 720 am and brochure says and the guide confirmed we would be to Patong around 530pm. We were home at least 90 minutes early. There was an urgency throughout the trip understandably due to the ambitious inteniary but I think the driver thought he was in a Grand Prix which didn't help with a leisurely day out and time to see the roadside sights. To miss the mark by 90 minutes was remarkable.
Ok. Something I learnt to watch for when booking a tour. If you see a brochure in two languages English and Russia ... ask the question ... is the tour targeting the Russian market and is the guide Russian. Obviously, we didn't and we were not. Nothing against Russians but we were the other thought all day.
Ok the trip as I said was ambitious and had highs and lows.
Travel .... was long at the start and the end and needs to be managed better somehow .... maybe a regular comment on sites as we pass or cultural items. Bus was comfortable and handled the sweeping bends comfortably lol.
The guide was a charming Russian man with "humour" and I think he tried very hard.
Ok tip ... you will spend they day wet after the first swim.
The first stop was the Turtle Conservation Centre and I must admit being a qualified zoologist I was emotionally moved at the work being done. Great visit.
Then a visit the Waterfall and the opportunity for a swim we declined as the morning wasn't so warm.
The bamboo rafting was a highlight and very relaxing in a clear stream with a river stone and sand base. Our own raft was held up due to another being "hung up" just downstream and this is where I will make a spacial mention of the Thai staff who managed the risk exceptionally well. I don't know what they were yelling out but it was passed up and downstream where some rafts were parked making way for others and a clear path was marked for all. The raft was cleared and we all went through. Lunch was good.
"Rescue" Mini zoo .... I've seen a lot of zoos around the world and this one needs to be upgraded. All the animals appear the be in great health but the enclosures and paths are way past their era by 30 years. Credit for care to the animals but nothing startling here.
Elephant experience was great.... exceptionally good handlers and effectively left us with the elephants while they walked in front and took photos with our camera. My partner moved down onto the neck of our elephant which a treat for her. Looking around I saw all the children were loving their ride and elephants. Then a show with a juvenile who had a full bag of party tricks. All elephants very accessible and free to touch and feed.
Buddhist temple cave and monkey encounter. Well here's an example of falling for the three card trick. You're led to believe that monkeys are inside the temple. No food is allowed inside the temple other than nuts purchased at the entrance. We like religious philosophy and temples so we paid to enter .... loved the temple but no monkeys lol. So we go outside and find that the monkeys are all outside climbing down the cliff face of the temple to eat bananas corn etc all purchased from stalls outside the temple. Still a good experience but you need to know. Monkey wants banana not nuts !!!!
Ok... gripe .... I like giving tips ... but I don't like being told I must. Bus driver, elephant handler for photos, for the elephant and then for the baby elephant food.
It's big long review but there's a lot to consider
3 hours driving and a mixed bag of experiences
Cheers
Robbee
Written 1 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tony_greek
Larnaca, Cyprus352 contributions
July 2015 • Couples
We booked along Patong Street from an tourist office and this was the best moments we had in Thailand.The tour guide a woman around 50 was just brilliant and her english compare to other guides very good. They pick us in the morning from our hotel and our day start with visit to turtle farm then to wonderfull waterfalls then bamboo rafting through the jungle ,we saw some snakes on the trees and 3 turtles along the way through the river.Then a wonderfull meal near the river then we went for elephant riding a wonderful place we watch how the elephants take their bath and also they show us how they take plastic fro a tree.Finally we went to small zoo with animals that been abused by people and finally the Monkey cave Temple.
Written 25 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blondie84newcastle
Durham, UK77 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
awesome day out and very chilled compared to the other activities we'd been doing.
With a trip to the pineapple plantation, the turtle/animal sanctuary, tsunami memerorial, bamboo rafting and elephant treking you couldn't get more for your money, we even got to see the sleeping budha on the way x
With a trip to the pineapple plantation, the turtle/animal sanctuary, tsunami memerorial, bamboo rafting and elephant treking you couldn't get more for your money, we even got to see the sleeping budha on the way x
Written 21 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PA I
Geneva, Switzerland31 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
We began our journey visiting a tropical garden and a pineapple farm in the Noth of Phuket island.
Then, after crossing the narrow bridge, headed to the research and development center in Tablamu (where they care about small turtles and other fishes).
We went for a 45 minutes trekking on elephants through the forest of rubber trees.
We also went seeing a cascade with a wooden bridge nearby, that we couldn't walk on.
Last but not least, we went down the (Khao Lak?) river on a bamboo raft, with great vegetation landscape. It seems that natural reserve is just nearby the place we stayed for Thai lunch.
Then, after crossing the narrow bridge, headed to the research and development center in Tablamu (where they care about small turtles and other fishes).
We went for a 45 minutes trekking on elephants through the forest of rubber trees.
We also went seeing a cascade with a wooden bridge nearby, that we couldn't walk on.
Last but not least, we went down the (Khao Lak?) river on a bamboo raft, with great vegetation landscape. It seems that natural reserve is just nearby the place we stayed for Thai lunch.
Written 8 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi can you give me the exact tour name for this particular tour, and price etc. it is for the tour that consists of the visit to the turtle conservation centre, the bamboo rafting, waterfall, monkey temple, and long elephant trek and lunch etc. please i am wanting to get price so i can book for august thanks.
this is a review of the type of tour we are looking for.
“Action Packed Full Day”
Reviewed 1 June 2014
This was another tour booked through Mr Wooddy and could not have gone any better. from being picked up at our hotel, taken on the long drive and first we visited the memorial for the war ship that was guarding the Thai royals, was interesting to see. Then we went to the turtle farm, which you can purchase novelties , where the money goes towards helping them. We then went on about a 2hr elephant ride through the jungle, and my wife got to ride one by herself which she loved. Had a average lunch , as usual on the tours, then went to a waterfall and went swimming, went a on bamboo raft ride, although others didnt see any wildlife, we saw snakes from the trees and water lizards swimming near us. We also stopped at the monkey cave on the way back to the resorts. Very worthwhile tour and very good value.they also take some pics of you whilst on the bamboo ride, alot cheaper here than any other tour and again, supports the people.
send me a link for exactly where to book, because when i went to your web site there were a number of tours but could not find this one ??
regards
Khan
Written 2 July 2017
We did the tour from "a time nature tour" but booked through "phuket tours company" because it was cheaper. But I think that the tour we did didn't include the monkey temple (we did that in another tour if I remember correctly)
Written 4 March 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.