I spent a lot of time looking at different elephant trekking locations and companies in Thailand, I'm a huge elephant lover and wanted to go somewhere that the elephants are looked after and not made to do tricks or shows.
Kok Chang was everything I wished for!
The elephants were so well looked after; after every trek they are given a good shower and a rest, they are fed and given a drink.
When you arrive, you pay at the desk and then they guide you to your elephant, don't worry about your footwear because shoes have to be taken off when riding on the elephants. You can feed them bananas, as many as you like (for free or a donation I you choose) before and after the trek. They are incredibly friendly and very cheeky, Pancake the elephant even knows how to say thank you.
We rode on Pancake, which apparently is the best one because the guy lets you ride on her head, we did the full trek for 1000 baht and it was well worth it, the views were incredible.
When we got to the peak of the trek, the guy took my phone and spent the last half an hour taking pictures of us riding Pancake back to the hold, we took it in turns to ride on the back of her head, an amazing feeling (especially for an elephant lover like me).
You can buy drinks at the desk here, there are very clean restrooms and loads of shade, as well as places to sit for those who don't want to join in.
It's 15 minutes from Patong and an hour from Phuket airport.
Highly recommended, do not go anywhere else!

After reading the great reviews of Kok Chang Safari, my wife and I were very excited about our elephant trek. I was a little hesitant about an elephant ride as there is some controversy to the ethics of it, but we talked ourselves into it as being OK and we believed there was no problem with it. We were wrong.

First, the guide or mahout doesn't tell you anything. No history, no descriptions of anything, nothing about the elephant, not even his or her name. All he does it take a bunch a pictures of you and occasionally give the elephant a good whack with the back of his bull hook.

Elephants are very amazing and large animals which is why people, including myself, want to get close to them and go for a ride. Do some research before you decide to ride an elephant. I think there is a lack of awareness on the topic which is why people still do it. Don't make the same mistake we made. The experience was overrated and felt no joy or excitement from the elephant ride.

This is the third time that we've taken this trip.It makes for a wonderful hour in the hills above Kata and the environs.For sure the elephants are well looked after and the people that run the place are friendly and very welcoming.The views are outstanding from a certain part of the trek.We never felt uncomfortable at all.It's definitely 'a must' as it's such a great diversion from the beaches,shops and the general hustle and bustle of resorts.It feels like escapism.The ride is very relaxing and only a little bumpy in places.I'd say go for it as it's so very unique.There are bananas supplied for you to feed the elephants with,which adds to the whole pleasure of the trip.We also sat on the neck of the elephant which too feels quite special and very enjoyable.
Very well recommended.A great experience....

I had done a lot of research into elephant trekking on Phuket as my girlfriend loves elephants and Kok Chang looked to be the best available.

Kok Chang is slightly out of the way if you don’t have transport (although they do offer a car service if required) but is easily found next to a main road. On the drive out there, we drove past numerous elephant trekking establishments, all of which seemed to specialise ATV rides and one was making a point about having a new baby elephant for people to see. We were both really pleased we pushed on for another 10 minutes and went to Kok Chang. It is set in a peaceful area, set back from a small main coastal road. There is a very nice bar where you buy your tickets and can stop off for a drink before and after. We opted for the 60 minute ride (I think it actually lasted 50 minutes) for 1000 baht each - it seemed a little expensive but I would prefer to pay more for well looked after elephants.

The trek itself was most enjoyable and unlike another trek I have been on, you don’t have to go out in groups which makes the experience all the more enjoyable. We were taken up quite a steep path through the forest for a while until we reached the top of a peak with great views over the coast. Here, our mahout jumped off and took some really nice photos of us on the elephant and we both took it in turns to sit on the elephants neck as she wandered down the hill side. We were shown several different things in the jungle, including some truly monstrous spiders and the rubber trees being tapped.

The elephants themselves look well cared for, and after our ride, the mahout took our elephant for a wash down to cool her off. We took some time to take some further photos and feed the elephants with some bananas.

I enjoyed it thoroughly and would return again if we come back to Phuket again