4 Day Rainforest Nature Safari

Day 1: An Enchanting Elephant Experience

Welcome to the jungle
One of our friendly drivers will transfer you from the airport or your hotel in Krabi, Phuket, Koh Samui, Khao Lak, Phang Nga or Surat Thani to Khao Sok National Park. As you journey through the countryside, keep an eye out for the various types of exotic wildlife that call this area home – a sure sign you’re approaching the park. Once at Elephant Hills’ Elephant Camp, you’ll be shown to your luxurious tented accommodation before being properly welcomed with a buffet lunch served Thai style.

Float through the wilderness
Once you’ve recharged at camp, join a river canoe expedition as it sets off down the Sok River. Life jackets are provided, so jump aboard, put your feet up and enjoy coasting downstream by one of our local river guides. From your vantage point, you’ll be perfectly placed to see the limestone cliffs which jut from the water, something Khao Sok is famed for. You’ll also see tropical vegetation in all directions, and perhaps even some of Khao Sok’s winged or clawed residents. While we can never guarantee a sighting, this area is home to leopards, monkeys and wild elephants among others. You’re sure to spot some of our local birds though, with hornbills being a particularly exotic species.

An incredible elephant encounter
Next, you’ll be heading to Khao Sok’s renowned elephant park for a spellbinding encounter. Learn about the history and habitat of Thai elephants, learn from the elephant caretakers or mahouts, and then get ready to meet one of these fantastic pachyderms up close. You will help to prepare an elephant-lunch of fresh fruits, before feeding the elephants by hand in a unique, chain-free and ethical environment. Praised as “the most elephant friendly park in Thailand” by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for several years in a row, you can be confident that your encounter will be memorable for all the right reasons.

Time to wind down
As the afternoon draws to a close, return to Elephant Hills for a freshly prepared meal and the comfort of your luxury tent. As optional pre-dinner entertainment, choose from a movie screening, a traditional dance performance by the local schoolchildren, or a Thai cooking demonstration. The Jungle Explorers’ Club Bar will be open for socialising with your fellow travellers, or why not take a beverage back to your patio and enjoy listening to the nighttime sounds of the rainforest as it once again comes to life. To that background music of frogs and insects, be lulled to sleep in your hotel-quality bed – and don’t worry, tents have integrated mosquito netting as well as canvas flaps on all windows and doors, so you can be sure not to have any winged midnight visitors!

 
Day 2: Journey Into The Mangroves

A bright new day
Good morning, and welcome to another day in paradise! Begin your day exactly the way you like it, with in-room tea and coffee facilities for the early-risers, and breakfast available throughout the morning, at your leisure.

The swamp awaits
Mid-morning you’ll be whisked away by one of our transfer drivers to Takua Pa on the West Coast. From here you’ll board a speed boat and prepare to explore the ancient maze of channels that run throughout the mangrove forest. Your guides will be on wildlife-patrol, ready to point out any interesting animals along the way, such as mangrove cat snakes, red-tailed racers or reticulated pythons. This is also an excellent opportunity for bird watching, as a variety of species inhabit the area – don’t forget your binoculars!

All aboard
After our speed boat ride, it’s time for a change of pace. Board a traditional Burmese junk where we’ll enjoy lunch, and bathroom facilities will be available. But first, grab a paddle and jump in a kayak for a rare opportunity to explore a nearby mangrove creek on your own. Gliding through the water into this dense tropical area that remains practically unchanged over centuries is as close as you’ll come to time-travel. 

Rest and relaxation
After a full day of intrepid exploring, enjoy a hot shower and some well-earned downtime. Take in the remarkable vista of the rainforest from your tent-front deck, or meet up with your fellow travellers at the Jungle Explorers’ Club Bar where a range of cocktails, spirits and wine will be available for purchase. Your choice of evening entertainment includes a cooking demonstration, a traditional Thai dance performed by local school children, or a movie screening, all different offerings to the night before. Dinner will be served at 8:00 pm, where the atmosphere of the nearby jungle will provide an extra element of enjoyment to your meal.

Sweet dreams guaranteed
Finally, retire to your luxurious safari tent for a blissful night sleep. The crisp, linen covered bed and hotel-quality ensuite, complete with western style toilet, hot shower and toiletries, will feel like a home away from home. Temperatures drop overnight, but thick blankets are plentiful, so cosy down under the covers and drift to sleep to the symphony of Khao Sok’s rainforest orchestra.

 
Day 3: The Jewel In Khao Sok’s Crown: Cheow Larn Lake

Another day of excitement
Today will be another day filled to the brim with adventure, this time exploring Cheow Larn Lake. Throw off your blanket, switch on the kettle and greet the new day as the sun rises over your tent. Breakfast awaits.

An emerald beauty
Shortly, you’ll set off to explore Cheow Larn Lake by long-tail boat. This man-made lake was created when the Klong Saeng River was diverted during construction of the Rajjaprabha Dam. It stretches over an area of 60km from north to south and in the 1970s was used as a refuge for both students and communists who were opposed to the military dictatorship. Surrounded by limestone mountains and dotted with more than one hundred karsts that jut from its mirror-like surface, the lake is often compared to Halong Bay in Vietnam and Guilin in China. After enjoying the panoramic scenery from the boat, you’ll have the option to take a dip in the lake, so bring your swimwear along in a day bag. Towels will be provided for you at the local raft house, where we will stop for lunch.

Another perfect evening
After an afternoon splashing in the lake, it’s time to head back to Khao Sok and camp. Your choices for entertainment this evening are versions of the same: a different movie, another dance performance, or learning to prepare a new Thai dish. If you haven’t had enough swimming for one day, our pool is waiting for you. Or perhaps after all of that swimming, the hammock is calling? Whatever you choose, enjoy your free time before arriving for dinner at 8:00 pm. The bar will remain open following your meal, or head back to your tent for your final night sleeping in Khao Sok National Park.

 
Day 4: A Rainforest Adventure

An intrepid jungle trek
Make sure you start the day with a hearty breakfast this morning as you’ll soon be venturing into the jungle on foot for a guided trek. Your final adventure in Khao Sok will involve donning your walking shoes (no flip flops allowed, but trekking sandals or sneakers will be fine) and setting off into the rainforest. This won’t be a test of endurance, the trek is accessible to those of moderate fitness, although it can be steep in places. If you have any concerns, speak to your guide in advance.

On the trek, you’ll witness first-hand the incredible ecology in this part of Southern Thailand. As you immerse yourself in the rainforest, you’ll experience the calm and tranquillity of nature. Here, in one of the world’s oldest rainforests, you’ll be able to see a variety of tropical plants, including ferns, mosses, orchids, bamboo and hardwood trees with large root systems.

What might you spot?
As you journey through the jungle, your guide will be looking out for exotic wildlife, ready to direct your eyes to their hiding spots. This area is inhabited by tapir, macaques, pangolin, leaf monkeys, and a vast amount of other animals. Although sightings of specific wildlife are never guaranteed, you’ll be sure to see creatures of some description!

Your onward journey
Your time in Khao Sok is coming to a bittersweet end. After lunch, return to Elephant Hills to freshen up and say goodbye to new friends. Then hop aboard, as your driver will be ready to transfer you to your next hotel, port or airport.  While your Khao Sok adventure may be over, the memories that you have made are bound to last a lifetime.

Please note that all of the mentioned activities are, to some degree, dependant on the weather and local conditions and as such, may be subject to change.

Important information