No elephant riding here so I recommend the park. The entrance fee is high but the animals are treated well and they seem happy. Visitors prepare food and feed the elephants which is a lot of fun! Then you walk with them to the river for a bath. Really nicely spent day!
We stopped at the rock on the way to one of the beaches. We hiked it and it was moderate, very enjoyable and the view was great! I really liked the way up.