ATV Tours

The Phuket ATV Tour puts you on a powerful 200 cc quad bike at the Big Buddha Safari Camp, high on the ridge near the island’s highest point. You ride jungle dirt tracks for 1, 1.5 or 2 hours, stop at the white Big Buddha statue, and meet a baby elephant — with hotel pickup arranged by Chang Thai Tour & Travel, a TAT-licensed local agency in Chalong, Phuket.

What do you actually do on this ATV tour?

You ride a real 200 cc quad — not a toy — through the jungle hills above Chalong. After pickup from your hotel, you arrive at the Big Buddha Safari Camp where an experienced instructor walks you through the controls: throttle, brakes, how to shift your weight on climbs and descents. Nobody rides until the instructor is happy you’ve got it, and complete beginners pick it up in minutes because quads are automatic and stable on four wheels.

Then you follow your guide in convoy along dirt roads that climb through rubber plantations and jungle towards the ridge. The payoff at the top is one of the best viewpoints on the island: Chalong Bay, Rawai, Phuket Town and the scatter of Andaman islands all laid out below you. The route includes roughly a 20-minute stop at the Big Buddha — the 45-metre white marble statue you can see from half of southern Phuket — and back at camp you get time with a baby elephant before your transfer returns you to the hotel.

You choose the track length when you book: 1 hour, 1.5 hours or 2 hours of riding. We usually tell first-timers that 1 hour feels short once you’re comfortable on the machine — most guests who message us afterwards say 1.5 hours was the sweet spot. Two hours is for people who already know they love riding.

Morning or afternoon — which start time should you pick?

This is the question we answer across the counter almost every day, because the camp runs two departures: 09:30 and 13:30. They are not the same experience.

The morning ride is cooler, and on an ATV that matters more than people expect. You’re wearing a helmet, you’re working the handlebars, and the trail has open stretches with no shade. From roughly November to April the 13:30 ride can be seriously hot by the time you reach the exposed viewpoint sections — fine for young riders who don’t mind sweating, less fun if you overheat easily. The morning slot also tends to have clearer air for photos across Chalong Bay before the afternoon haze builds.

The case for the afternoon: it fits better after a lazy breakfast, and in green season (May to October) the light in the late afternoon is beautiful and a passing shower actually makes the track more fun — the camp includes a raincoat, and muddy trails are half the point of an ATV. Our honest rule of thumb: hot season, take 09:30; green season, either works; travelling with kids, take the morning before everyone’s energy fades.

How does the day run?

Times and order are approximate — a guideline, not a timetable:

• Pickup from your hotel and transfer to the safari camp, following the island’s coastline with views over the Andaman Sea.
• Arrival at the camp for the ATV briefing with an experienced instructor.
• Ride in convoy to the Big Buddha and along the jungle track for your chosen 1, 1.5 or 2 hours.
• Return to the safari camp.
• Meet and watch the baby elephant.
• Transfer back to your hotel.

What’s included — and what isn’t?

Included in the tour: round-trip hotel transfer from the free pickup zone, the ATV ride itself, injury insurance, the basic rules training, plus a helmet and raincoat.

Round-trip transfer is free from Patong, Karon, Kata, Chalong, Nai Harn, Rawai and Tri Trang. If you’re staying further out — Phuket Town, Kamala, Bang Tao, Laguna, Surin, Cape Panwa, or up north near the airport — a private transfer can be arranged for an extra fee paid in cash on the day. Message us on WhatsApp with your hotel name and we’ll tell you exactly what applies before you commit to anything.

Is this tour right for you?

We send a lot of couples, friend groups and families with teenagers on this one, and it suits almost anyone who can hold handlebars and follow instructions. You do not need a driving licence or any motorbike experience — the quads are automatic and the guide sets a pace the slowest rider can handle.

Who it’s not for, honestly: very small children (young kids ride as passengers rather than drivers — ask us about your child’s age before booking), anyone with significant back or wrist problems (the track is bumpy by design), and travellers who want a pristine-clothes kind of day. You will get dusty in dry season and muddy in green season. Guests tell us that’s exactly what they came for — but wear closed shoes and clothes you don’t mind ruining.

If you want aerial thrills instead of dirt, look at the Hanuman World zipline, and if you’d rather combine riding with water, the white water rafting day at Bangkeaw Adventure in Phang Nga pairs ATV sections with the river. You can compare everything on our ATV & quad bike tours page, or read our take on booking through apps versus a local agency before you decide where to book.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a driving licence to ride the ATV?

No. The ATV tour runs on private trails at the Big Buddha Safari Camp, not public roads, so no licence is required. You get instruction from an experienced trainer before the ride, and the quads are automatic.

What start times are available?

The tour starts at the safari camp at 09:30 and 13:30. We recommend the morning departure in hot season (roughly November to April) because the trail has exposed sections that get very warm by early afternoon.

What should I wear for the ATV tour?

Closed shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen and clothes you don’t mind getting dusty or muddy. A helmet and raincoat are included. Leave the white outfit at the hotel — this is a dirt-track ride.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes — round-trip transfer is free from Patong, Karon, Kata, Chalong, Nai Harn, Rawai and Tri Trang. From other areas a private transfer is available for an extra fee paid in cash on the day; message us your hotel name and we’ll confirm.

How long is the actual riding time?

You choose 1, 1.5 or 2 hours on the track, plus the roughly 20-minute Big Buddha stop and time with the baby elephant at the camp. Most of our guests find 1.5 hours the best balance.

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