BaliElephantTrek

Bali Elephant Trek

Let's enjoy elephant ride tour in bali with us, select your bali elephant ride adventure now.

Bali Elephant Trek serves as your ultimate gateway to all the mesmerizing elephant parks scattered across the stunning island of Bali. Whether you’re on the hunt for a thrilling Bali elephant ride , a captivating Bali Bathing Elephant tour , an exhilarating Bali Zoo Elephant Mud Fun experience, an exploration of the Mason Elephant Park Taro , or any other tour involving these majestic creatures in Bali, look no further. We’ve got you covered!

At BaliElephantTrek.com, we specialize in crafting unforgettable journeys featuring Bali Elephant Rides. Our commitment extends beyond the adventure itself. We take pride in providing comprehensive services, including convenient hotel pickups and seamless transfers back to your accommodation after you’ve savored every moment of your incredible elephant encounter. Your Bali elephant ride adventure awaits!

Breakfast & Bathing Elephant Ubud

Afternoon Bathing Elephant Ubud

Jumbo Wash the Elephant

Things To Do in Bali for Couples

Elephant Ride Ubud Bali

Safari Under The Star

Mason Elephant Experience

Bali Zoo Elephant Expedition

Bali Zoo Elephant Mud Fun

Elephant Tour Combination Bali Packages

MASON ELEPHANT PARK & LODGE Address:  Jalan Elephant Safari Park Banjar Desa Taro Tegallalang, Taro, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561 Complete Video of Mason Elephant Park with a mission to conserve the Sumatran’s elephant from extinction.

Bali Elephant Trek is organize and run by the Balinese with tourism industry experience, we give the good quality of services during your trip with unbeaten price if you book only with Bali elephant trek.

For those who love The Sumatran elephant we provide a few interesting choice to experience our Bali Elephant Tours with below options:

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BET01: Bathing The Elephant

Join this adventure tour now. Everyone can bathe the Elephant for an unforgettable experience. Enjoy an unbelievable experience on bathing lake with the elephants while enjoying morning bath. This interactive and exclusive experience is a rare chance to ride bareback on top of the elephants while they play, dunk and splash in their pool, one of their day’s favorite rituals. In a spectacular and personal environment, wash, caress, feed and interact with the elephants. Take advantage of the Parks Restaurant’s gourmet breakfast. Enjoy the Talent Show and a safari ride across the lush Taro jungle!

:: SPECIAL OFFER ::

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BET02: Jumbo Wash The Elephant

An exclusive interactive experience which is a rare opportunity to hose, wash, scrub and caress the Sumatran Elephants, as you experience a unique connection with one of our Elephants in a spectacular tropical setting as you get up close and personal. Then enjoy the rest of your time at our beautiful garden and landscape. Sit back and enjoy a full buffet lunch in the Park Restaurant overlooking the lake as the elephants soak up and dry off in the afternoon session, then enjoy the elephant education show and a Safari ride though the lush jungle of Taro.

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BET03: Mason Elephant Park Ride

The Mason Elephant Park was founded in 1997 and is located in Ubud’s misty hinterlands, is home to 31 critically endangered Sumatran elephants, four of which were born here. The park offers guests the rare chance to interact and learn about these gentle giants while providing a comfortable and safe environment for our healthy herd. It is located within four hectares and is carefully landscaped to imitate the original habitat of the native home of our elephant in Sumatra. The location in central Bali has also been chosen for its cooler climate and lush atmosphere, which helps to keep our elephants cool and comfortable in this peaceful countryside.

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BET04: Safari Under The Star

Take a ride from your hotel in the afternoon through the countryside of the village and we finally reach Mason Elephant Park at Ubud, then during the nightfall you will join an elephant safari trip in the misty Taro forest. Our elephants will take you on the Safari Under the Stars, 1st twilight elephant trek in Bali. A night trail that is specially designed offers a course different from our day-time elephant safari rides and offers a whole new experience with elephants. Enjoy a Elephant Education Show at evening prior to night safari ride through the dimly illuminated forest, and then dinner at the Palm Grove by the lake, with a gourmet dinner or a gourmet buffet dinner.

Journey into the Heart of Taro Jungle: 1X 20-Minute Elephant Safari Ride

BET05: Mason Elephant Experience + Lodge

Step into a world of purpose, compassion, and unparalleled experiences at the Mason Elephant Lodge, where our commitment to conservation and care is etched into every corner of our sanctuary. The Mason Elephant Experience isn’t just a destination; it’s an opportunity to stand as a steward of conservation, to weave your story into the tapestry of these majestic creatures’ lives. So, don’t miss this valuable tour!

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BZ02: Bali Zoo Elephant Mud Fun Experience

Our new Half-day Bali Zoo Elephant Mud Fun package allows guests to get together with our friendly Sumatran elephants while learning their behaviour and lifestyle from our professional mahouts. You can learn interesting facts, for instance, it is very common to find elephants that settle in mud in summer months, since their high body temperatures produce a lot of metabolic energy. Let’s join us.

Read Our BLOG

  • Best Things to Do in Bali for Couples

 THINGS TO DO IN BALI

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Bali Elephant Package provides many options of Bali elephant ride  combination tour with special rate

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TEP-01 Taro Elephant Ride + Ayung Rafting + Spa

Enjoy your Taro elephant ride Bali at Mason Elephant Safari Park near Ubud combine with Ayung Water Rafting Bali adventure with amazing view along the Paradise river. Then, it will be completed with 2 hours spa package.

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TEP-02 Taro Elephant Ride + Kintamani + Ubud

Book an amazing combination tour package in a single day with our special offer where you can combine Taro elephant safari ride Bali at Mason Elephant Park near Ubud with sightseeing tour of Kintamani and Ubud Tour.

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BAT-03   Bathing Elephant + ATV Bali Tour

Participate in various activities including breakfast and bathing the elephant, riding elephant at Mason Elephant Park, then continue with ATV Ride adventure with 2 options: Bali Taro Atv Ride or Bongkasa Atv ride. Book Now!

More Best Seller Packages

Bathing with amazing Rafting trip

We are a family of four from Norway.This day we started with early morning pick up to go to elephant bathing and riding, it was a great drive with a lot of information of Balinese culture and society, After some hours at elephant park, we continue to the rafting area. We were experiencing great excellent services and information on every step of the trip. we and the girls are really greatful for all the services, information and stories that have been shared with us.

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Bathing with elephant is amazing

Ketut Sutama is the best driver we ever had. About the story the fact that he is a professional which means kind, on time, well informed etc. He was really helpful and friendly. He explained everything to us about Balinese culture, religion, history, So we enjoyed being on the board with him. He take us the to Bali Pulina plantation for coffee, so we got to see the rice fields as well. Las but not least we would say thank you for the fantastic experience he offered to us. We definitely suggest him to everyone who want experience the real Bali.

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Wonderful Day out

Excellent customer services. Driver was Friendly friendly +. Polite , we had a great time ! At tour was a blast. Truly appreciated this services. We Highly recommended.

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Really Great Day

The experience was really great. Starting wit a good transportation, great friendly guide. We started with water rafting, it was really great experience with professional guide then the elephant ride was fantastic 30 minutes with elephant riding and pics were really cool for memories. At the end we went for 2 hours spa massage, a treatment from heaven, we felt back tour to hotel with memories of a great day. Really recommended.

A fabulous ride at Bali Elephant Camp

Went to Elephant camp and it was raining. Had a Mahout named Long, he handed me an umbrella and he had a lovely cheeky, joking nature. I had a fabulous ride.The elephant I rode was named Cindy and she was 23 years old and we went for a small swim and walked along a lovely scenic route. Got some great photos. Had a lovely welcome drink and a Bali pancake, which was delicious. Did not wish for it to end. It was fabulous. Will go again. (Ride location at Bali Elephant Camp)

Excellent Day

All Entire and Excellent services. Very much enjoyed the Elephant Park Adventure and horse riding. Thank you so much to BaliElephantTrek.com

Wonderful Rafting & Elephant tour

Thanks for a memorable experience and great facilities. In future I'll surely recommend your company in future. I would like to have a special favor from you. In hurry we have not been able to get few pictures sitting in rafting boat. Would it be really convenient for you to collect 2-3 picture of our sitting in boat. Only if its possible for you and no extra fees involved. I thank you wholeheartedly for all The great facilities arrangement. For your reference I add on of our pictures with this email.

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Bathing With Elephant

Was a great morning loved it works so again value for money breakfast was lively the staff had a lot of knowledge enjoyed the ride and seeing all of the other elephants and seeing other parts of the zoo.

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Great Elephant Ride & Atv Spa tour

It was a good experience to tour around with the guide, he was very friendly and helped us understand all the places we went to. The services provided by the driver / company is very much satisfying.

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Interaction with the elephants was fantastic

The Elephant Safari Lodge was the highlight of our trip to Bali! I stayed two nights with my two boys, ages 10 and 14. Lodging, food and service was immaculate and the amount of interaction with the elephants was fantastic! The story of how the elephants were rescued from logging operations is beautiful (although I didn't feel good about the talent show - do we really need the elephants to perform tricks for us?). This is your chance to see Sumatran elephants, as they may be extinct in 10 years. (Location ride at Mason Elephant Park Taro)

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OUR COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION & CARE

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Welcome to Bali's "Most Unique" Hotel and the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2019 Winner for Best Luxury Lodge in Asia and Best Luxury Eco Safari Lodge in the World . We are committed to providing our guests with a once in a lifetime experience amongst Bali’s largest herd of rescued Sumatran elephants. Staying at the Lodge is a rewarding experience as you can interact in numerous ways with these majestic creatures and get up close & personal with them. The park is fully committed to conservation and has set new standards in how to care for elephants in a purpose-built environment. Here you can see that they are well cared for in a healthy and stimulating environment that caters to all their daily needs.

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2016 - 2019 WINNER

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AN INTRODUCTION TO OUR PARK & LODGE

Discover and learn about our park & lodge's history, practices, philosophy, and the challenges we've faced along the way since 1997. This short film also highlights the current situation and future of the Sumatran elephant, both at our park and within their decimated native homelands of Sumatra.

RESTORE YOUR BODY & SOUL

There’s nothing quite like experiencing the tranquility of the parks botanical gardens and spending some quality time with the gentlest of giants. Align your mind and spirit to the sway of the jungle and travel to a place where magic happens.

WHERE LUXURY MEETS LIVING

The Lodge is situated within the world renowned Mason Elephant Park and comes with everything a discerning guest will need. In here you’ll be amongst the herd, watching and interacting with them as they go about their daily lives.

UNIQUELY US

Our boutique hotel of 30 rooms has a variety of different accommodation types to suit any taste, each with their own distinctive elephant touch. Our lodge provides the only experience in the world where you can hop onto an elephant from your front door and journey into the jungle!

LODGE GUEST EVERYDAY INCLUSIONS

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ELEPHANT CHAUFFEUR

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MAMMOTH'S HEAD BAR

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SPA AT THE LODGE

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Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali – Visitor’s Guide (2024)

The Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali is the only dedicated elephant rescue park in Ubud, Bali.

Unlike other elephant parks in parts of South East Asia, Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali has its own philosophy and they take great care to treat the elephants in Bali with kindness, patience, and respect.

I have put together this complete guide to this Elephant Sanctuary in Bali including where it’s located, how much it costs, and what to expect during your visit.

Looking for where to see elephants in Bali and everything around it? Make sure to read until the end!

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Table of Contents

QUICK ANSWERS – BALI ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

Let’s start this guide with all the essentials you should know before visiting, like the elephant sanctuary location, how to get there, and more.

WHERE IS THE BALI ELEPHANT SANCTUARY?

The Bali Elephant Sanctuary is located near Ubud in central Bali.

Click here to see the location on Google Maps.

elephant safari bali map

HOW TO GET TO BALI ELEPHANT SANCTUARY?

The Mason Elephant Sanctuary is a short thirty-minute drive from Ubud. The best way to reach Elephant Park Bali is to hire a scooter or a car.

If you are staying in the Ubud region, I recommend renting a scooter and making the short drive over to the Elephant Sanctuary Ubud.

Don’t feel confident riding a scooter? Another great option for getting around Bali and see the elephant Ubud sanctuary is to hire a private car and a driver for the day and experience all that the island has to offer.

  • Experienced Driver
  • Hotel pick-up & drop-off
  • Mineral water

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IS MASON ELEPHANT SANCTUARY UBUD ETHICAL?

Yes, Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali Ubud is a place where ethical treatment of animals is a top priority.

The sanctuary provides a home for elephants that have previously been mistreated or exploited and are now given the opportunity to live peacefully and happily in a natural and safe environment.

The elephants are never chained or forced to perform, and visitors are educated about elephant conservation and preservation.

There are other elephant sanctuaries in Bali, but I recommend skipping them and coming to Mason Bali instead.

IS THE ELEPHANT RIDE IN BALI ETHICAL?

For many visitors, riding an elephant Bali is a must-try experience. However, there are concerns about animal welfare growing around the world.

While some believe that riding elephants is okay, others feel uneasy about it, and you’re not forced in any way to get the elephant ride.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the ACEWG international elephant conservation group believes that riding elephants under certain circumstances is ethical and does not harm the animals.

Most particularly, they say that it is safe and doesn’t hurt the elephants to carry up to 20% of their total weight.

The average weight of an Asian elephant is 4,000kg, which is then 800kg. Needless to say, I’m confident you won’t reach this weight, so you’re most likely not going to harm the elephants.

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WHAT IS THE BEST ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN BALI?

Other than asking are there elephants in Bali, many tourists want to know the best place to see them. And the Mason Elephant sanctuary is considered the best elephant sanctuary in Bali.

Located in Taro village, the sanctuary offers a unique and unforgettable opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures in the most ethical way there is.

ELEPHANT SANCTUARY BALI TICKET PRICES

The entrance fee for the Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali depends on which package you choose.

See below for a list of the different packages available, as well as the Mason elephant park entry fee.

  • Mason Elephant Park Admission Ticket – 450k IDR / $28 per person
  • Safari Ride – 1,115,000 IDR / $71 per person
  • Night Safari – 1,180,000 IDR / $75 per person
  • Night Safari With Dinner – 1,475,000 IDR / $94 per person
  • Jumbo Wash Experience  – 915k IDR / $58 per person
  • Jumbo Wash With Elephant Ride – 1,165,000 IDR / $74 per person
  • Lake Bathe – 1,065,000 IDR / $68 per person
  • Lake Bathe With Elephant Ride – 1,315,000 IDR / $84 per person

WHAT DOES THE ENTRANCE FEE INCLUDE?

While the entrance fee of $28 may seem steep, it’s all worth it, and the ticket includes all the following:

  • Hand Feeding & Encounters
  • Elephant Lake Viewing
  • Treetop Observation Walk
  • Baby Elephant Nursery
  • Elephant Free-Roam Viewing
  • Educational Talks
  • Elephant Museum & Information Centre
  • Art Gallery and Botanical & Ochid Gardens

MASON ELEPHANT SANCTUARY OPENING HOURS

The Mason elephant park in Bali is open daily, apart from Nyepi Day , from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. This gives you plenty of time to visit and see the elephants in Ubud.

WHAT TO EXPECT

When visiting the Mason Elephant Sanctuary, you have the option of doing a day trip here or you can spend one night in the lodge to enjoy the full experience!

Upon arrival at the ethical elephant sanctuary Bali, I was warmly greeted by the staff at reception and they kindly showed us to our lodge which is inside the park itself.

We were fortunate enough to stay in the Park View Room which overlooks the Bali elephants from our very own balcony.

These rooms are very large with excellent interior design and they are kitted out with all the amenities you will need including, air-conditioning, a bar fridge, tv, towels, bathrobes, slippers, hairdryers, shampoos, and more.

We were given an itinerary for our two-day stay and first on the list was an elephant ride to dinner.

I heard a knock at the front door, so my friends and I went outside, and right there was a Bali elephant with its mahout (trainer) waiting at the staircase for us, ready to hop on and take a ride over to the restaurant for dinner!

I was informed that the seating on the elephant is not heavy and it does not hurt the elephant. It is well padded underneath and the weight of the chair and two people does not give the elephant any discomfort, otherwise, the elephant would not tolerate the chair.

The restaurant inside Elephant Park Bali caters to all dietary needs and the food is top-notch. You can enjoy a delicious meal here while watching the elephants bathing in the pools next to the restaurant.

There is also an elephant talent show inside the Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali that is very entertaining and I was impressed at what these large animals are capable of.

I don’t want to spoil it for you with too many details but there is one elephant that walks a balance beam while playing the harmonica with its trunk!

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ACTIVITIES AT THE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY IN BALI

The following morning, breakfast is served from 7 am-10 am, which is included with the room at the Ubud elephant sanctuary.

A starter spread of fruits, yogurts, cereals, tea, and coffee is available, and also a set menu to order a main meal.

After breakfast, the next thing on the itinerary is to go and bathe the elephants in the park.

This was actually very enjoyable and my favorite part of the experience was hosing the elephants down and scrubbing off the mud from their leather-like skin.

They were very playful and loved every minute of the interaction with us.

The elephants inside are cared for 24 hours a day and they all seemed very happy and comfortable.

Each elephant has its own personal mahout (trainer) who makes sure they get the correct dietary requirements and vitamins.

If you are staying at one of the accommodation options inside the Elephant park Bali there is a swimming pool, gym, and spa readily available for use and if you are a daytime visitor you can also visit the art gallery, museum, and gift shop located in the park as well.

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WHERE TO STAY IN UBUD

Ubud has hundreds of accommodation options, from private pool villas to budget guesthouses, and everywhere in between.

I have narrowed down a few of the best places to stay in Ubud during your Bali itinerary 2 weeks.

LUXURY: FOUR SEASONS RESORT

The Four Seasons Resort is the definition of luxury and is set amidst a lush, tropical valley in the center of Ubud.

There is a range of different villas and suites to choose from, each featuring spacious rooms with a private bathroom, a dining and sitting area with sofas, flat-screen TV, and an outdoor terrace.

It’s a great place to stay in Ubud for couples, friends, and families before or after visiting the elephant sanctuary Indonesia.

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MID RANGE: DESAK PUTU PUTERA COTTAGES

This beautiful 3-star accommodation is located in the heart of Ubud and is within walking distance to the monkey forest and other tourist attractions.

The rooms are spacious and feature a swimming pool, a flat-screen TV, a seating area, an outdoor balcony, a private bathroom, and free Wi-Fi.

A great place to stay on a mid-range budget for couples, families, and friends.

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BUDGET: PURI GARDEN HOSTEL

Puri Garden is one of the best hostels in Ubud, close to all the main sights, shops, restaurants, and the Yoga Barn.

The rooms have a Balinese feel with a modern touch in a beautiful spacious location, including a gorgeous garden, swimming pool, lounge, cinema room, and restaurant area.

Recommended for couples and friends traveling on a budget.

Puri Garden Hotel Hostel

For All Other Places To Stay In Ubud, Search on Booking.com

Best tours in bali, what to pack for bali.

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Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden money wallet.

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Reusable Water Bottle

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Travel Backpack

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More Bali Travel Guides

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Click the button below to view all articles related to Bali!

FINAL THOUGHTS – ELEPHANT SANCTUARY UBUD

In a captive situation, some compromises at the Elephant Sanctuary Bali must be made to ensure both animals and guests are happy and safe.

This explains some of the procedures at the Bali Elephant Sanctuary that are necessary for a harmonious and safe environment. In my personal experience at the sanctuary, I believed it was a happy and healthy herd of elephants.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article about the elephants Bali, and if you have any questions,   please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations about this elephant experience Bali to our awesome community.

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TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

bookingcom

Search and book accommodation worldwide.

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Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.

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Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.

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Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.

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THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide about the Bali elephant park!

Please know this post may contain affiliate links. When making a purchase through one of my links, I earn a small kickback at no extra cost to you and it’s a big help to keep the site up and running. Rest assured, I only promote products and services that I personally use and recommend.

Click here to find out how you can support the site organically .

Many thanks!

7 thoughts on “Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali – Visitor’s Guide (2024)”

Hey so I’m leaving for Indonesia in a couple of months and because we’re traveling all over the place there’s no time to book a room for a night unfortunately. You mentioned day trips also being possible and I just wanted to know if I have to let the lodge know of my arrival in advance or if I could just show up unannounced. Thank you for your answer I loved the article!

Hi, a day trip is possible and no reservation is needed 🙂

Spot on. We are here at Mason right now. Staying for 3nights. This place is AMAZING.

Awesome, I really hope you enjoy it!

Thankyou so much for posting this. I absolutely adore elephants but was a little unsure when I rode one whilst in Thailand that I’d heard of the harsh conditions they are put through. I’m off to Bali in March and I will visit sanctuary and maybe change my accommodation of one night to stay there and experience watching them!

Yes you are going to love it!

awesome, glad you love it!

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Mason Elephant Sanctuary In Bali: Rescue Park & Lodge

We recently visited the Bali elephant sanctuary near Ubud (also known as Mason Elephant Park) and had a great time playing with the Bali elephants!

This is an elephant rescue park opened in 1997, and they do a lot of great conservation work for the Sumatran elephants, which are critically endangered on their home island of Sumatra in Indonesia.

The safari park has lots of activities you can do, including elephant rides, elephant feeding and bathing, a museum, and more. It’s easy to visit on a day trip from Ubud and other areas of Bali.

If you want to stay longer, there’s even a 5 star hotel called Mason Elephant Lodge , where you can spend the night and enjoy the animals from your hotel balcony.

This is not the only elephant sanctuary Bali has to offer, but it’s by far the best experience. The park owners really care about elephants and the animals seem genuinely happy and well cared for. Read on for our full review!

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Bali Elephant Sanctuary: What To Expect

Surrounded by hills and jungle, the park has 3.5 hectares of tropical landscape where the elephants are kept in a fenced area, but they have a daily routine where they’re allowed to roam around freely and enjoy a sand pit, shade houses, a bathing lake, and more.

I have to say the Bali elephant sanctuary is really well managed and nicely maintained, with botanical gardens, Koi ponds, and stone carvings made by local Balinese artists, and plenty of viewing areas where you can see the elephants and get up close with them.

They have daily education talks, and elephant shows where you can see the elephants painting and doing other activities. We visited during the covid pandemic so some of these programs were cut, but we still had a great experience, and during normal times I’m sure it’s even better.

It’s possible to visit this park on a day trip from other parts of Bali, and you can do all the highlights in a couple of hours, but if you’re a real elephant lover you could easily stay longer, and there’s a nice lodge at the park for doing that.

I should probably mention that everything in this article is my opinion, and it’s an unpaid review of the park. We weren’t reimbursed in any way for my endorsement.

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We had fun feeding elephants Desi and Novi

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Feeling fabulous

Bali Elephant Ride

You can do elephant riding at the Bali park, although it costs more than the standard ticket.

This is probably the best elephant ride Bali has to offer, since there’s more space to move around. You get to walk through a bit of jungle environment and also a small lake that’s perfect for the elephants.

It’s good exercise for the elephants, which they need living in a park. I’ll discuss the ethics of it a bit later in this article, because I know some people may be bothered by elephant riding.

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Elephant Feeding & Washing

One of the best experiences in the park is feeding and washing the elephants.

You’re allowed to pet and cuddle them, and you can tell they love the attention. It’s a lot of fun.

There’s a small lake for the elephants to swim in, and they were so active and cheeky it was hard to get them to sit still for photos. The park’s newest baby elephant joined in on the bath time too.

You can get your picture taken with the elephants while feeding them or giving them a bath, and the staff are happy to help with this. It’s all included as part of the standard entrance ticket.

Each of the elephants in this park eat 200 kilos of food per day, and normally guests get to feed them palm stems, but if you pay a little extra you can even spoil them with fresh fruit baskets as a special treat.

Baby elephant

Wide eyed baby Krishna, 1 year old when we visited

Bali Elephant Bathing

Elephant bathing

Red jungle plant

Tropical plants

Elephant Museum

The entrance to the elephant safari park in Bali has a nice museum with a giant mammoth skeleton (cast replica) and lots of other interesting displays.

It’s more like a mini-museum, but there are a bunch of neat artifacts and the quality of everything is top notch. Displays include Balinese Kris daggers and old carved tusks from other islands in Indonesia.

I would’ve loved to look around here longer, but we had more places to visit after the park. The museum is included free with your entrance ticket.

Elephant museum

Elephant museum (© Mason Elephant Park)

Special Bali Elephant Photoshoots

If you really want to splurge, you can pay extra to do a special private photoshoot with Lukcip, a male Sumatran elephant with giant tusks.

This was the absolute highlight of our visit to the park, because they let us get up close and personal with the most photogenic and spectacular elephant Bali has ever seen, in the jungle with no chains or safety fences in the way. It was amazing!

It’s apparently popular with rich Instagrammers and celebrities, because the normal price for this photoshoot is a crazy 4.5 million Rupiah ($300 USD) for 30 minutes.

Usually we would have to pass, but during the covid pandemic they gave us a big discount on the price since there were almost no other tourists in Bali.

elephant sanctuary bali elephant bali mason elephant park ubud

Special private photoshoot with Lukcip, the nicest elephant Bali is home to!

Lukcip was happy to pose with us, and the whole encounter was a huge thrill. Intan even got to feed him and sit on his back. I’ve never seen a bull elephant with such impressive tusks!

If you want to do a special photoshoot with this elephant, you have to make an advance booking with them via WhatsApp at ☎ +62 811-3979-480 or 811-3960-4959 .

The price also includes entry to the whole park for 4 people, but doesn’t include a photographer (bring your own). We did our pics in the morning, and the lighting seemed just right.

elephant sanctuary bali elephant bali mason elephant park ubud

He looks like a mammoth!

Sumatran Elephant Conservation

The elephants at the safari park aren’t native to Bali (Bali doesn’t have elephants), but actually they were rescued from Sumatra, one of the biggest islands in Indonesia.

Sumatran elephants are critically endangered because of illegal deforestation and poaching. Their native habitat in Sumatra is being destroyed by humans and replaced with crops.

Even though the elephants are protected under Indonesian law, the government hasn’t done much to enforce it, and 50% of the world’s Sumatran elephants died between 1985 and 2007.

Sadly, conservationists think that Sumatran elephants may become extinct in the wild in less than 10 years if the poaching isn’t stopped.

This is important to understand, because rescue parks like this one in Bali give the elephants a sanctuary where they can live and reproduce in peace.

Elephant sign crossing

Gajah crossing

elephant sanctuary bali elephant bali mason elephant park ubud

Is The Bali Elephant Sanctuary Ethical?

We never noticed any kind of distress from the animals, and they actually seemed really happy and healthy. You can always tell if elephants are in a good mood by the wagging tail, just like dogs.

If you’re concerned about animal welfare, please ask questions first and try to understand before jumping to conclusions.

The park staff explains several things:

  • They don’t use cruelty to break in the elephants. They train them with reward, patience, and repetition.
  • The elephants are tethered with a chain while feeding and at night, but they only do this to keep the elephants from fighting each other for food and wrecking the park grounds.
  • Elephant rides give them important exercise, which is something they need, since they get less of it in the Bali park than they would in the wild.
  • The mahouts have hooks, but they would only be used in an emergency situation if the elephant needed to be kept under control for its own safety.
  • Each elephant is assigned a keeper for life, and they have vets to make sure they get medical care and vitamin supplements, etc.
  • Elephants love the stimulation they get from interacting with people.

All in all, it’s a life of luxury for these elephants in many ways. It may not be perfect, but nothing is.

The sad fact is that these animals would be dead or suffering if they were left in their natural habitat in Sumatra.

Of course we all wish animals could just live in the wild, but parks and zoos like this are a necessity in order to save endangered species.

The park just birthed its 6th elephant, baby Krishna, and we got to spend some time playing around with him too!

elephant sanctuary bali elephant bali mason elephant park ubud

Desi the female elephant

Is The Bali Elephant Ride Ethical?

One of the popular things to do at Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali is to ride the elephants, but is it ethical?

People’s opinions on this are all over the place, so if you don’t feel okay about riding elephants in Bali then you don’t need to do it. There are lots of other good activities at this elephant sanctuary.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the ACEWG international elephant conservation group believes elephant riding in certain cases is ethical and definitely doesn’t hurt the animal.

ACEWG is an elephant conservation group that includes some of the world’s top elephant specialists, scientists, and conservationists. Here’s what they have to say:  

As for elephant riding, the ACEWG notes that while veracious studies have not been conducted on elephants specifically, it is known that horses, dogs, and donkeys have a weight-carrying capacity of about 20-to-25 percent of their body weight. For a 6,600-pound elephant, that’s at least 1,320 pounds.   “If the working hours are limited and the terrain is suitable, two people in a saddle (less than 10 percent of the elephant’s body weight) will not be an undue stressor for an elephant,” the organization reports. “The weight of one or two people without a saddle (less than 4 percent of body weight) would hardly be noticed.”   Source: CN Traveler

  Again, even if you don’t want to ride the Bali elephants, there are plenty of other good activities to do here at the sanctuary.

It’s great to see elephants up close and feed them, and for many people that’s probably good enough.  

elephant sanctuary bali elephant bali mason elephant park

Feeding Desi

Staying At Mason Elephant Lodge

If you want to stay with the elephants, the park has a 5 star hotel on-site called the Mason Elephant Lodge , which is unique in Bali.

You get to wake up to the sights and sounds of elephants from your balcony, and the rooms have free breakfast, WiFi, A/C, comfy beds, and everything else you would expect from a nice Bali hotel.

Other facilities include a restaurant and bar, gift shop, tour desk, ATM, money changer, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, massage/spa, car and bicycle rentals, and more.

Staying at the hotel includes free entrance to the Mason Elephant Park and activities, and for dinner they take you on a free elephant ride (‘chauffeur’) to the restaurant.

Book Now: Mason Elephant Lodge

Mason Elephant Lodge Bedroom

Garden View Suite (© Mason Elephant Lodge)

Mason Elephant Lodge Pool

Outdoor Pool (© Mason Elephant Lodge)

Mason Elephant Lodge Bedroom

Taro Luxury Suite (© Mason Elephant Lodge)

Opening Hours

  • Open: Daily (except Nyepi Day)
  • Hours: 8 AM – 6 PM

How To Get There

The Mason Elephant Park is located near Ubud in the Taro highlands, in central Bali.

It’s a 30 minute drive from Ubud, or around 1.5 – 2 hours if you’re coming from other tourist areas like Kuta, Sanur, and Canggu.

You can go there by scooter or private car, or there are tour packages that include hotel pickup and dropoff. More on that below.

Best Elephant Tours

If you’d rather book everything as a complete tour package with hotel pickup and dropoff included, here are a few options for that.

  • General Admission — Includes all attractions at the Mason Elephant Park, but no washing or elephant riding.
  • Jumbo Wash — Hand wash an elephant. Also includes buffet lunch and admission to all attractions at the Bali elephant safari park.
  • Bath & Breakfast — Bathe an elephant in the lake. Also includes breakfast and admission to all attractions.
  • Elephant Safari Ride — This is the package with the Bali elephant ride, and it also includes buffet lunch and admission to all the other attractions at the elephant safari park.

It’s a good idea to book everything in advance, because the Bali elephant sanctuary can get pretty busy sometimes, especially on weekends or holidays.

elephant sanctuary bali elephant bali mason elephant park

Artsy stone carvings that look like what you’d see at Prambanan Temple in Java

More Things To Do Nearby

The elephant park is near Ubud, so there are lots of other great things to do in the area.

It’s a short distance from the excellent Tegalalang Rice Terraces , Tirta Empul Temple , and the Gunung Kawi Ruins , for starters.

Don’t forget to check out my complete list of all the best things to do in Ubud !

elephant sanctuary bali elephant bali mason elephant park

More Ubud Hotels

If you’re looking for more Ubud hotel options near the Mason Elephant Park, here are a few of our top recommendations.

All of these hotels are within 30 minutes of driving distance from the Bali elephant sanctuary.

The Kayon Resort

The Kayon Resort

Adiwana Unagi Suites

Adiwana Unagi Suites

Pondok Serayu

Pondok Serayu

Umah Dajane Guesthouse

Umah Dajane Guesthouse

Bali Private Driver & Motorbike Rental

If you want to explore Bali in the comfort and safety of a private car with an English speaking driver, my top recommendation would be GetYourGuide .

Their price is 650k Rupiah ($45 USD) for a full day of driving and sightseeing in Bali (up to 10 hours) for 1-5 passengers. That's the total price for the whole car + driver + petrol! It's a great deal. They also offer affordable hotel transfers from the airport.

If you'd rather travel by motorbike, they have that too. Their scooter rentals start at 140k Rupiah (~$9) and include a helmet, rain coat, and free delivery in the south Bali area.

We've used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they're great! Highly recommended.

Book Now: Bali Private Driver / Scooter Rental  

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  • Bali Waterfalls Guide - The Best Waterfalls In Bali
  • Bali Temple Guide - The Best Temples In Bali
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  • Bali Travel Guide - Info, Pictures, & Blog

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very interesting I am interested in Elephant conservation and helping with medical issues concerning the elephants. Do you know of a way to contact the medical staff at the park?

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Hi Nancy, you could try contacting them on their website at https://www.masonelephantlodge.com/contact/ . I think they’d be happy to have any help right now. The pandemic restrictions have really hurt them and they started a GoFundMe recently to help feed the elephants. Here is the link for that: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-30-endangered-elephants-in-bali

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Hi. I heard about the huge discount to take instagram photos. How much did you pay? Thanks

Hi Donna. We paid 2 million Rupiah for that private photoshoot during covid, but I’m sure the price is higher now. Cheers

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I’m going to Bali in July and reeeeeeally wanted to go to a sanctuary, but I was afraid that it may not be ethical. Thank you for writing this article and including the YouTube from Mason Park. It showed that the elephants are happier interacting with people and giving rides, and that by visiting the park, the money visitors spend is vital to caring for these amazing intelligent animals. Your article makes me feel very good about visiting Mason Sanctuary.

Thanks Lori! Glad we could help!

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Elephant Park Combo's

  • Rp1,500,000.00
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Description

  • Additional Info
  • Up and personal with a Sumatran Elephant
  • Extra value combos with adventure activities
  • A great full day activity for the whole family

Price Includes

  • Shared Transfers (Round Trip)

elephant trip bali

  • Mason Elephant Park & Lodge, Taro, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia
  • IDR 1,500,000

Bali, Indonesia

Activity highlights, additional information.

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Group Size: min - 1 persons | Max - 20 persons

Bali's most popular and exciting tour combination puts you firstly on our famous 'White Water Rafting' followed by a visit to the Mason Elephant Park . A Buffet Lunch is served after rafting at our Rafting Restaurant (drinks not included), followed by a short transfer to the Mason Elephant Park (DOES NOT include Safari Ride). Age below 5 years old and above 65 years old are not advised. Bring along change of clothes.

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Bali's most popular and exciting tour combination puts you firstly on our famous 'White Water Rafting' followed by a visit to the Mason Elephant Park with a 35 minute Elephant Safari Ride through the cool forest of Taro. A Buffet Lunch is served after rafting at our Rafting Restaurant (drinks not included), followed by a short transfer to the Mason Elephant Park. Age below 5 years old and above 65 years old are not advised. Bring along change of clothes.

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Cycle through the local countryside & see the 'real' Bali. A sumptuous lunch is served at the end of the trip in the restaurant (drinks not included). Following lunch, proceed to Mason Elephant Park, where 3.5 hectares of stunning gardens and 31 Sumatran Elephants await! Take time to explore the Elephant Museum. (DOES NOT include Safari Ride). Mineral water during cycling provided. Bring along a change of clothes. Age below 10 years old and above 65 years old are not advised.

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Cycle through the local countryside & see the 'real' Bali. A sumptuous lunch is served at the end of the trip in the restaurant (drinks not included). Following lunch, proceed to Mason Elephant Park, where 3.5 hectares of stunning gardens and 31 Sumatran Elephants await! Take an elephant ride through the forest of Taro. Take time to explore the Elephant Museum. Mineral water during cycling provided. Bring along a change of clothes. Age below 10 years old and above 65 years old are not advised.

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Discover and learn the natural beauty of Bali on a scenic trek over the hinterlands through the ancient Hindu village of Taro, and its surrounding area. After lunch, proceed to the Mason Elephant Park, where 3.5 hectares of stunning gardens and 31 Sumatran Elephants await! (DOES NOT include Safari Ride). Mineral water during trekking provided. Lunch included (drinks not included). Bring along a change of clothes. Age below 10 years old and above 65 years old are not advised.

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Discover and learn the natural beauty of Bali on a scenic trek over the hinterlands through the ancient Hindu village of Taro, and its surrounding area. After lunch, proceed to the Mason Elephant Park, where 3.5 hectares of stunning gardens and 31 Sumatran Elephants await! Go on a Elephant Safari ride. Mineral water during trekking provided. Lunch included (drinks not included). Bring along a change of clothes. Age below 10 years old and above 65 years old are not advised.

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elephant trip bali

OUR COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION & CARE

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Welcome to Bali's "Most Unique" Hotel and Winner of the 2016 World Luxury Hotel Awards - Best Eco Lodge. We are committed to providing our guests with a once in a lifetime experience amongst Bali’s largest herd of rescued Sumatran elephants. Staying at the Lodge is a rewarding experience as you can interact in numerous ways with these majestic creatures and get up close & personal with them. The park is fully committed to conservation and has set new standards in how to care for elephants in a purpose-built environment. Here you can see that they are well cared for in a healthy and stimulating environment that caters to all their daily needs.

worldluxury-logo

2016 AWARD WINNER

nationalgeo-logo

CONSERVATION SUPPORTER

elephant trip bali

RESTORE YOUR BODY & SOUL

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There’s nothing quite like experiencing the tranquility of the parks botanical gardens and spending some quality time with the gentlest of giants. Align your mind and spirit to the sway of the jungle and travel to a place where magic happens.

WHERE LUXURY MEETS LIVING

The Lodge is situated within the world renowned Elephant Safari Park and comes with everything a discerning guest will need. In here you’ll be amongst the herd, watching and interacting with them as they go about their daily lives.

UNIQUELY US

Our boutique hotel of 27 rooms has a variety of different accommodation types to suit any taste, each with their own distinctive elephant touch. Our lodge provides the only experience in the world where you can hop onto an elephant from your front door and journey into the jungle!

LODGE GUEST EVERYDAY INCLUSIONS

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ELEPHANT CHAUFFEUR

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MAMMOTH'S HEAD BAR

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SPA AT THE LODGE

Let's get social, got an inquiry or like to make a booking.

Please don't hesitate to contact us.

+62361 898-8888

[email protected]

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Mason Elephant Park & Lodge

elephant trip bali

Loved the overall peace & quiet of the venue, loved feeding the elephants, staff amazing, driver excellent. Gift shop pricey.

Mason Elephant Park & Lodge

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It is very suitable for family and children's holidays, besides being comfortable and being able to play with elephants, children really like playing with elephants, and this is my experience with families staying in hotels where there are animals and they can be played with too, the distance is rather quite but it paid off after arriving, highly recommended for families

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What a day with elephants. It was a pricey visit but no different than swimming with dolphins, going to Disneyland, or going to Sea World - you get what you pay for and this was a great experience for me and my family. We did it all and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The rain did not stop us from having an amazing experience learning about and interacting with elephants. Never have I had a chance to be so close to elephants and the staff there were nothing but friendly and hospitable - willing to do whatever it took to help us have a great time. You MUST do the swim with the elephants - prepare to get wet but bring a change of clothes because they have a HOT shower and towels waiting for you. We ran into Mr. Nigel Mason and I was impressed with his willingness to spend time talking to us and answer questions. Any quality owner/leader takes time to meet with the people that keep his business running.

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The price is actually not high

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Feed elephants, ride elephants, eat lunch, watch performances and buy souvenirs. This is basically the process. In fact, the Elephant Park where visitors can walk freely is not very large, a large area can only be entered by riding elephants, but also can not walk freely. Elephants are directed by elephant husbands to walk inside. In other words, this elephant performance, 15 minutes, and extremely simple movements, feel nothing special, here is the Elephant Park.

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Looking forward to riding an elephant for a long time, we can finally achieve Haha. We ride a 13-year-old girl elephant. The staff said that they receive five guests a day on average. Then there are more than 30 elephants in it. Only the male elephants have ivory. The performance of the elephant is also very good. It's a little expensive just to wash the photos. ~ We washed a converted RMB 60 yuan. In the end, it was carelessly lost

Frequently Asked Questions About Mason Elephant Park & Lodge

What's the address of bali elephant park.

Preston_Dominguez : Jalan Elephant Park Taro, Taro Village, Tegallalang, Ubud Bali 80561

What's the recommended attractions near Bali Elephant Park?

Jeremy_Dodson : I recommended Bali Elephant Park,Sebatu,Bali Pulina Coffee Plantation,Paku Dui Village,Kumulilir

What hotels are near Bali Elephant Park?

Messiah_Dillon : Here are some hotels near Bali Elephant Park: Puri Gangga Resort Bali,Mason Elephant Lodge,Padma Resort Ubud Bali,Pondok Sebatu Villa,Gajah Asri Villa

What restaurants are near Bali Elephant Park?

Judah_Dillard : You could try Kailasha Restaurant,Waroeng Me Su,Basanta Agro Organic,DE GE LA LANG TI TIAN ZI ZHU CAN,The Puhu Restaurant & Lounge by Padma Resort Ubud

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TURNING HOLIDAYS INTO ADVENTURES SINCE 1989

     Mason Adventures (formerly Bali Adventure Tours) is Bali’s critically-acclaimed and longest-established adventure tour operator, featuring unrivaled, world-class interactions, facilities and services to bring you the island’s best adventure experiences, including insurance coverage across all tours and activities. We’re a family-run business that completely owns all of our operations, including our fleet of GPS-controlled transport that ties it all together. Our friendly and professional staff are among the best in the industry, and as Bali’s safest, most efficient and eco-friendly adventure company, you can always count on us to provide you with an unforgettable experience.

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With 35 years of adventure experience, we’re known in Bali as being the best and no other adventure operator comes close.

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FACILITIES & SERVICE

Our company offers ‘5-Star’ facilities and service from start to finish with a 100% money back guarantee as we own and operate ALL our tours.

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VALUE FOR MONEY

You pay for what you get and we guarantee you the complete premium experience from start to finish.

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Western managed with international standards in safety and service. When you come on any of our tours in Bali, you know you’re in good hands with Full Accident Insurance and Emergency Air Medivac.

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We pride ourselves on giving back to our community and granting opportunities to the locals and their families through sustainable tourism practices which entitles us to be members of MVB Indonesia.

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MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

We offer 100% of your money back if you don’t find all advertised facilities and features on any of our tours or products.

WHAT OUR BALI TOUR GUESTS SAY

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WOW! Once in a Lifetime!

This is the most impressive experience we had in Bali. It is a MUST do, no matter if you like extreme sports or not. Rafting in the jungle! Feel the magic!! It is totally safe. When you go down the river, you wonder if this place is real, because places like this you can only see in the movies.

Kyriakos H, Nicosia, Cyprus

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Great Afternoon / Evening Experience

Ayung River was very beautiful with many waterfalls and lovely scenery as we meandered through the rapids. After a very welcome shower, off to the Elephant Park where we had an elephant safari followed by dinner under the stars watching in the park. Lovely experience and the staff at the Elephant Park really cared and took a lot of pride in what they did.

Julie M, Sydney, Australia

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Excellent Service

We took for white water rafting journey last September and it was worth the pay! Their service was great, even for local tourists like us.

Galuh G, Denpasar, Indonesia

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A Must Do Trip!

If you're chilling in Ubud and fancy a little adventure then this place must be your number one option.... Fun times and amazing scenery! A must see for anyone like us from Dubai!! We were captained by Captain Frankie, only worked here for 17 years!! Amazing man.

Chris R, Dubai

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Elephant Safari Park

Was in two minds about this tour beforehand so chose not to go for the elephant ride but really wanted to see the elephants. Glad we did! The elephants seem to be really well cared for and genuinely happy.

Michael S, Papamoa, NZ

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Super Nice River Rafting Experience

This river rafting is amazing - stage down to river and rafting and stage up to the meeting place. Wonderful clean shower room is necessary after stay in excited mood, and free lunch which much better than the one I join before.

Kathyen, Singapore

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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.

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Bali Elephant Ride - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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Elephant Ride Bali

Elephant ride bali adventure, get ready for the most unforgettable adventure in bali.

Bali has many beautiful types of scenery you won’t find elsewhere on this planet. They don’t only give you a great experience for your vacation, plus a nice object for your Instagram photo. Many people feel enlightened after visiting and see Bali’s scenery. Moreover, if you use the Elephant Ride Bali tour package, you will feel different experiences. Exploring Bali on the back of this majestic animal is something you must try at least once in your lifetime.

Fortunately, you can easily find a tour package that gives you a chance to ride an elephant while enjoying the beautiful rice terrace field. Or, you also can feel more peaceful when the elephant slowly moves and passes through the route that is provided by the tour provider. Guaranteed, your visit to Bali feels so much meaningful with this unique experience. And, we have several package tours where you can explore Bali using an elephant.

BALI ELEPHANT CAMP

This is one of the best packages you can try from us. This Bali Elephant Ride Park tour will take you to explore one of the most hidden and natural villages in Bali, Carang Sari. You will ride an elephant while enjoying the beautiful scenery of this area. Moreover, you also can see Ayung River during your tour, as the location of our tour is close to Ubud, Bali.

elephant trip bali

Try taking note of your surroundings. You can see beautiful tropical crop plantations. They are many different than the usual rice terrace field. Of course, you also can see locals work on that plantation. Do not hesitate to say hi to them. One thing for sure, this package will give you the best and true Balinese Experience you never found elsewhere. Enjoy the ride, do not forget to see every inch of the scenery during your tour, and you will have a great experience to bring home and a great story to tell to your family or friend.

PICK UP TIME

Morning Trip Pick Up Time :

Nusa Dua and Jimbaran : 08.00 – 08.15 AM Kuta, Seminyak, Legian : 08.00 – 08.15 AM Sanur : 08.00 – 08.15 AM Ubud : 08.30 – 08.45 AM

Midday Trip Pick Up Time :

Nusa Dua and Jimbaran : 09.30 – 09.45 AM Kuta, Seminyak, Legian : 09.30 – 09.45 AM Sanur : 09.30 – 09.45 AM Ubud : 09.30 – 09.45 AM

INCLUDE PACKAGES :

– Air-Conditioned Hotel Transfer – 30 Minutes Elephant Ride – Professional Mahouts (Elephant Handlers) – International Standard Safety Equipment – Cold Face Towel – Set Menu Meal and Soft Drink – Insurance – 21% Government Tax and Service Charge

– Customer service : Email [email protected] / WhatsApp +6281359649559 –

Directly contact our customer service on WhatsApp +6287755516005

You won’t be charged yet

BAKAS ELEPHANT TOUR

This tour package will take you to explore Bakas Village, in Klungkung regency. Bakas Village is well-known for its exotic and magical scenery. So, get ready to satisfy your heart and mind while riding an elephant with our guide.

elephant trip bali

We also provide a unique teak chair on the elephant back for the place where you will sit. It is comfortable. And, riding an elephant by sitting on the chair made of one of the best quality wood in the world will give you a different atmosphere. You can play the king and queen with your friend. And, it’s worth doing, while relaxing and enjoying this peaceful scenery.

The Elephant Ride Bali is one of a new and unique concept for adventure packages provided by us. It gives you the most natural and peaceful feeling, that you won’t get from exploring Bali with a vehicle.

Nusa Dua and Jimbaran : 08.30 – 08.45 AM Kuta, Seminyak, Legian : 08.30 – 08.45 AM Sanur : 08.30 – 08.45 AM Ubud : 08.30 – 08.45 AM

BALI ELEPHANT SAFARI

This safari tour gives you a fun activity to do. While sitting on the teak wood chair on the back of an elephant, our guide will take you to explore the Taro jungle. Prepare yourself, because it will be quite challenging.

And, you won’t only ride an elephant. You will also interact with it, which makes this adventure is a truly unique adventure you can get. Follow the instruction of the guide, and you can enjoy this tour safely. And, prepare for the water splash, as you will pass through many watery areas.

elephant trip bali

Speaking about the water area, during your tour, you also can take a break and see the elephant playing around in the water. They even have a unique ability to paint, of course with the guide of the instructor. Moreover, as we mentioned above, you can interact with this animal. So, when you take a break during the tour, you can try to hand feed this animal, touch them, and of course, take a picture with them.

The guide will also explain many things about the elephant. You will know more about this animal, as well as the park where you are having your Elephant Ride Bali adventure.

Or, you can visit the Reception and Information Centre in this park, if you want to ask more. Or, go to the museum to find many amazing things, including a Mammoth Skeleton that was discovered in South East Asia. Enjoy your Elephant Ride Bali adventure and experience the best Bali vacation!

– Nusa Dua and Jimbaran : 07.30 – 08.00 AM – Kuta, Seminyak, Legian : 08.00 – 08.30 AM – Sanur : 08.00 – 08.30 AM – Ubud : 08.00 – 08.30 AM

– Nusa Dua and Jimbaran : 12.00 – 12.30 PM – Kuta, Seminyak, Legian : 12.30 – 13.00 PM – Sanur : 12.30 – 13.00 – Ubud : 13.30 – 14.00 PM

– Air-Conditioned Hotel Transfer – Park Entrance – 30 Minutes Elephant Ride – Elephant Talent Show – Gourmet Buffet Lunch – Insurance – 21% Government Tax and Service Charge

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An elevated experience in Renaissance Nusa Dua’s Executive Suite

Upgrade your clients holiday to the next level

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Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort , the first lifestyle resort in Nusa Dua, offers a stylish Executive Suite designed by a renowned interior designer from the land of the White Elephant, P49 Deesign. This 79 square-metre room is designed to be unique, trendy, and deeply rooted in the locale.

Imbued with a sense of clever theatricality, this suite room adopted a theatrical spirit with engaging bold and interactive design. The Executive Suite features a vibrant and warm impression; shades of turquoise and yellow on the sofa, paintings on the wardrobe walls, and other intriguing room ornaments. A gobo light with the image of a Balinese dancer’s head on the floor will welcome you as you enter the room. The spacious sitting room area is furnished with a stylish Nespresso coffee machine and Marshall Bluetooth speaker, becoming an ideal spot to chill with the family and make you feel right at home. Feel the fresh breeze on the oversized balcony while enjoying a cup of coffee overlooking Mount Agung and the surrounding gardens.

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This Executive Suite offers a spacious en-suite bathroom, incorporating plenty of features into the stylish bathroom design, allowing you to be a spa-like retreat to unwind. Take advantage of the round-shape bathtub for your social media props, just like a trendsetter!

Discover an oversized thoughtful design wardrobe with an industrial-style metal door and a beautiful Balinese dancer hand-painted on the wardrobe walls. This artsy spot is not only useful for your luggage but as a backdrop to vogue. The resort offers an unconventional look that you can’t find anywhere else.

The shading of Balinese motifs that adorn the glass doors and mirrors in the resort’s newest room types reinforces the overall concept of Balinese theatre.

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Escape to this dramatic Executive Suite and experience a sweeping balcony view right from your bed! Every corner of the room has a story to tell.

Follow Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort’s social media to find the latest information and promotions: Instagram and Facebook

For further information and reservations, e-mail [email protected] or connect on Whatsapp to 081138205490

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Elephant tourism often involves cruelty – here are steps toward more humane, animal-friendly excursions

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Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Project Dragonfly, Miami University

Disclosure statement

Michelle Szydlowski does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Miami University provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

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Woman laughs as an elephant puts the tip of its trunk to her cheek.

Suju Kali is a 50-year-old elephant in Nepal who has been carrying tourists for over 30 years. Like many elephants I encounter through my research , Suju Kali exhibits anxiety and can be aggressive toward strangers. She suffers from emotional trauma as a result of prolonged, commercial human contact.

Like Suju Kali, many animals are trapped within the tourism industry. Some venues have no oversight and little concern for animal or tourist safety. Between 120,000 and 340,000 animals are used globally in a variety of wildlife tourism attractions, including endangered species like elephants. Over a quarter of the world’s endangered elephants reside in captivity with little oversight.

Wildlife tourism – which involves viewing wildlife such as primates or birds in conservation areas, feeding or touching captive or “rehabilitated” wildlife in facilities, and bathing or riding animals like elephants – is tricky business . I know this because I am a researcher studying human relationships with elephants in both tourism and conservation settings within Southeast Asia.

These types of experiences have long been an extremely popular and profitable part of the tourism market . But now, many travel-related organizations are urging people not to participate in, or calling for an outright ban on, interactive wildlife experiences .

Tourism vendors have started marketing more “ethical options” for consumers. Some are attempting to truly improve the health and welfare of wildlife, and some are transitioning captive wildlife into touch-free, non-riding or lower-stress environments. In other places, organizations are attempting to implement standards of care or create manuals that outline good practices for animal husbandry.

This marketing, academics argue, is often simply “ greenwashing ,” applying marketing labels to make consumers feel better about their choices without making any real changes. Worse, research shows that some programs marketing themselves as ethical tourism may instead be widening economic gaps and harming both humans and other species that they are meant to protect.

No quick fix

For example, rather than tourist dollars trickling down to local struggling families as intended by local governments, many tourism venues are owned by nonresidents, meaning the profits do not stay in the area . Likewise, only a small number of residents can afford to own tourism venues, and venues do not provide employment for locals from lower income groups.

This economic gap is especially obvious in Nepalese elephant stables: Venue owners continue to make money off elephants, while elephant caregivers continue to work 17 hours a day for about US$21 a month; tourists are led to believe they are “ promoting sustainability .”

Yet, there are no easy answers, especially for elephants working in tourism. Moving them to sanctuaries is difficult because with no governmental or global welfare oversight, elephants may end up in worse conditions.

Many kindhearted souls who want to “help” elephants know little about their biology and mental health needs, or what it takes to keep them healthy. Also, feeding large animals like Suju Kali is pricey, costing around $19,000 yearly . So without profits from riding or other income, owners – or would-be rescuers – can’t maintain elephants. Releasing captive elephants to the jungle is not a choice – many have never learned to live in the wild, so they cannot survive on their own.

Hurting local people

Part of the problem lies with governments, as many have marketed tourism as a way to fund conservation projects. For example in Nepal, a percentage of ticket sales from elephant rides are given to community groups to use for forest preservation and support for local families.

Increasing demand for wildlife-based tourism may increase traffic in the area and thus put pressure on local governments to further limit local people’s access to forest resources.

This may also lead to increased demands on local communities , as was the case in Nepal. In the 1970s, the Nepalese government removed local people from their lands in what is now Chitwan National Park as part of increasing “conservation efforts” and changed the protected area’s boundaries. Indigenous “Tharu,” or people of the forest, were forced to abandon their villages and land. While some were offered access to “buffer zones” in the 1990s, many remain poor and landless today.

In addition, more and more desirable land surrounding conservation areas in Nepal is being developed for tourist-based businesses such as hotels, restaurants and shops, pushing local poor people farther away from central village areas and the associated tourism income.

A woman in a red dress and dark sun glasses riding an elephant.

Some activists would like humans to simply release all wildlife back into the wild, but there are multiple issues with that. Elephant habitats throughout Southeast Asia have been transformed into croplands, cities or train tracks for human use. Other problems arise from the fact that tourism elephants have never learned how to be elephants in their natural elements, as they were separated from their herds at an early age.

So tourism may be vital to providing food, care and shelter to captive elephants for the rest of their lives and providing jobs for those who really need them. Because elephants can live beyond 60 years, this can be a large commitment.

How to be an ethical tourist

To protect elephants, tourists should check out reviews and photos from any venue they want to visit, and look for clues that animal welfare might be impacted, such as tourists allowed to feed, hold or ride captive wildlife animals. Look for healthy animals, which means doing research on what “healthy” animals of that species should look like.

A large elephant walks on a street, crowded with cars, motorbikes and street vendors.

If a venue lists no-touch demonstrations – “unnatural” behaviors that don’t mimic what an elephant might do of their own accord, such as sitting on a ball or riding a bike, or other performances – remember that the behind-the-scenes training used to achieve these behaviors can be violent, traumatic or coercive .

Another way to help people and elephant is to to use small, local companies to book your adventures in your area of interest, rather than paying large, international tourism agencies. Look for locally owned hotels, and wait to book excursions until you arrive so you can use local service providers. Book homestay programs and attend cultural events led by community members; talk to tourists and locals you meet in the target town to get their opinions, and use local guides who provide wildlife viewing opportunities while maintaining distance from animals .

Or tourists can ask to visit venues that are certified by international humane animal organizations and that do not allow contact with wildlife. Or they can opt for guided hikes, canoe or kayak experiences, and other environmentally friendly options.

While these suggestions will not guarantee that your excursion is animal-friendly, they will help decrease your impact on wildlife, support local families and encourage venues to stop using elephants as entertainment. Those are good first steps.

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  • South East Asia
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COMMENTS

  1. Bali Elephant Trek

    Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561 Complete Video of Mason Elephant Park with a mission to conserve the Sumatran's elephant from extinction. Bali Elephant Trek is organize and run by the Balinese with tourism industry experience, we give the good quality of services during your trip with unbeaten price if you book only with Bali ...

  2. Mason Elephant Park and Lodge

    We are committed to providing our guests with a once in a lifetime experience amongst Bali's largest herd of rescued Sumatran elephants. Staying at the Lodge is a rewarding experience as you can interact in numerous ways with these majestic creatures and get up close & personal with them. The park is fully committed to conservation and has ...

  3. Mason Elephant Park- Mason Adventures (Bali Adventure Tours)

    The Elephant safari, was a unique experience we fed the elephants, took amazing pictures, watched a show beyond belief they were playing football, basketball, painting and doing acrobatics. We eventually rode the elephant through the forest was an amazing experience one of the highlights of my trip to Bali!

  4. Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali

    The entrance fee for the Mason Elephant Sanctuary Bali depends on which package you choose. See below for a list of the different packages available, as well as the Mason elephant park entry fee. Mason Elephant Park Admission Ticket - 450k IDR / $28 per person. Safari Ride - 1,115,000 IDR / $71 per person. Night Safari - 1,180,000 IDR ...

  5. Bali Elephant Rides: Your Ethical Guide To Elephants In Bali

    How To Get To Mason Elephant Park Lodge. The park is in the Taro Highlands of Central Bali not far from Ubud. It's about a 30-minute drive from Ubud and about 1.5-2 hours from most other big tourist destinations in Bali. Address: Jalan Elephant Safari Park Banjar Desa Taro Tegallalang, Taro, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561.

  6. Mason Elephant Sanctuary In Bali: Rescue Park & Lodge

    The Mason Elephant Park is located near Ubud in the Taro highlands, in central Bali. It's a 30 minute drive from Ubud, or around 1.5 - 2 hours if you're coming from other tourist areas like Kuta, Sanur, and Canggu.

  7. Mason Elephant Park

    Nature & Wildlife Areas. Open now. 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Write a review. About. Get up close and personal with Bali's largest herd of critically-endangered Sumatran elephants at Bali's renowned interactive and intimate elephant experience, set among lush botanical gardens and jungle. Our resident giants can be seen immersing themselves in the park ...

  8. Elephant Safari

    Get up close and personal with Bali's largest herd of 31 Sumatran elephants at the island's premiere interactive and intimate elephant experience set among lush botanical gardens and jungle. Our resident giants can be seen immersing themselves in the park lake, in between riding, painting or other activities. Guests can observe, hand feed, touch, and take photos with our elephants, all the ...

  9. Elephant Park Admission

    Get up close and personal with Bali's largest herd of 31 Sumatran elephants at the island's premiere interactive and intimate elephant experience set among lush botanical gardens and jungle. Our resident giants can be seen immersing themselves in the park lake, in between riding, painting or other activities. Guests can observe, hand feed, touch, and take photos with our elephants, all the ...

  10. Elephant Safari Ride Bali

    Set in the misty hinterlands of Taro, this multi-award winning park is Bali's only dedicated elephant rescue facility and is home to 31 endangered Sumatran elephants, 4 of which were born here. The park provides guests with the opportunity to interact and learn about these gentle giants while giving the elephants a comfortable and safe ...

  11. Bali Elephant Ride

    172 reviews. #130 of 731 Outdoor Activities in Ubud. Nature & Wildlife Tours. Closed now. 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Write a review. See all photos. About. Welcome to Bali Elephant Ride, Our guests will have the chance to immerse in the pristine environment with the herd and have the opportunity to intimately engage and interact with elephants.We ...

  12. Elephant Park Combo's

    Cycle through the local countryside & see the 'real' Bali. A sumptuous lunch is served at the end of the trip in the restaurant (drinks not included). Following lunch, proceed to Mason Elephant Park, where 3.5 hectares of stunning gardens and 31 Sumatran Elephants await! Take time to explore the Elephant Museum. (DOES NOT include Safari Ride).

  13. Bali Elephant Camp

    Top ways to experience Bali Elephant Camp and nearby attractions. Ubud: Monkey Forest, Jungle Swing, Rice Terrace, and Water Temple. 3,106. Recommended. Full-day Tours. from. $33.00. per adult (price varies by group size) Bali Highlights Private Tour with Elephant Cave and Rice Field.

  14. Elephant Safari Park & Lodge Bali

    Welcome to Bali's "Most Unique" Hotel and Winner of the 2016 World Luxury Hotel Awards - Best Eco Lodge. We are committed to providing our guests with a once in a lifetime experience amongst Bali's largest herd of rescued Sumatran elephants. Staying at the Lodge is a rewarding experience as you can interact in numerous ways with these ...

  15. Mason Elephant Park & Lodge

    No. 6 of Top Family-friendly Attractions in Bali. Zoos. Open Opens at 08:00-18:00. Reservation required. Recommended sightseeing time:2-3 hour. Address: Jalan Elephant Safari Park Banjar Desa Taro Tegallalang, Taro, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, IndonesiaMap. Phone: +62 361 721480.

  16. Best Bali Tours for Exciting Adventure

    TURNING HOLIDAYS INTO ADVENTURES SINCE 1989. Mason Adventures (formerly Bali Adventure Tours) is Bali's critically-acclaimed and longest-established adventure tour operator, featuring unrivaled, world-class interactions, facilities and services to bring you the island's best adventure experiences, including insurance coverage across all ...

  17. Mason Elephant Park

    Open now. 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Write a review. About. Get up close and personal with Bali's largest herd of critically-endangered Sumatran elephants at Bali's renowned interactive and intimate elephant experience, set among lush botanical gardens and jungle. Our resident giants can be seen immersing themselves in the park lake, in between daily ...

  18. Bali Elephant Ride

    172 reviews. #126 of 712 Outdoor Activities in Ubud. Nature & Wildlife Tours. Open now. 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Write a review. See all photos. About. Welcome to Bali Elephant Ride, Our guests will have the chance to immerse in the pristine environment with the herd and have the opportunity to intimately engage and interact with elephants.We ...

  19. Elephant Ride Bali

    The Elephant Ride Bali is one of a new and unique concept for adventure packages provided by us. It gives you the most natural and peaceful feeling, that you won't get from exploring Bali with a vehicle. PICK UP TIME. Morning Trip Pick Up Time : Nusa Dua and Jimbaran : 08.30 - 08.45 AM.

  20. Bath and Breakfast With Elephant at Mason Elephant Park

    Bali Bathing Elephant, Now everyone can bathe the elephant. We invite you all to join our exclusive Bathe and Breakfast with Elephants, a unique and exciting tour.In this limited numbers daily program, professionally organized by MASON ADVENTURES (formerly BALI ADVENTURE TOURS), you can go on a memorable adventure trip with elephants to join the elephants for their morning bath, a safari and a ...

  21. The Popular Of Ubud Private Day Tour 2024

    Best of Ubud Village Tour with Jungle Swing - Most Instagram Site. from$130.00. Price varies by group size. Ubud, Bali. Ubud Real ATV Quad Bike Adventure with Gorilla Statue. 3. from$38.00. Ubud, Bali. PrivateTour Lempuyang Temple - Gate of Heaven Instagram favorites.

  22. An elevated experience in Renaissance Bali's Executive Suite

    Renaissance Bali Nusa Dua Resort, the first lifestyle resort in Nusa Dua, offers a stylish Executive Suite designed by a renowned interior designer from the land of the White Elephant, P49 Deesign.This 79 square-metre room is designed to be unique, trendy, and deeply rooted in the locale. Imbued with a sense of clever theatricality, this suite room adopted a theatrical spirit with engaging ...

  23. Elephant tourism often involves cruelty

    Suju Kali is a 50-year-old elephant in Nepal who has been carrying tourists for over 30 years. Like many elephants I encounter through my research, Suju Kali exhibits anxiety and can be aggressive ...

  24. This ritual to celebrate elephants can also cause them great pain

    The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper takes an inside look at the fatal conflict playing out between elephants and mankind in Sri Lanka. "Elephant Vs. Man" with CNN's Nick Paton Walsh ...