Elephant Hills and Phuket multicentre holiday

For an unforgettable eco-experience, venture in to the rainforest. Khao Sok National Park boasts the largest area of tropical rainforest in southern Thailand, with jungle-clad peaks, large lakes and an amazing variety of flora and fauna.

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Day 1 - UK to Phuket
Fly from Heathrow to Phuket, arriving the following day. Departures from other UK airports are also available, please ask for details.

Day 2 - Phuket
On arrival in to Phuket you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your chosen hotel, for an overnight stay. Other durations are also possible.

Day 3 - Elephant Hills Jungle Lake Safari  
Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Khao Sok. En-route glimpses of tropical rural life here in southern Thailand can be seen along the way. Arrive at the elephant camp, here you can see, touch and find out about the life of Thai elephants and about the elephant project the company is running. Also the guide will explain about the mahout, the man who takes care of the elephant. During our Elephant Experience you will get close to and experience hands on these magnificent animals, you will have the chance to interact with them and learn the secrets of their mahouts. You must prepare and feed them one of their daily meals, scrub and clean and watch the elephants bathe. Feed them their dietary supplements that help with digestion and overall well being and plant some of their food which will be ready for next year’s crop. A once in a lifetime chance to experience the Asian Elephant, the largest land animal in this part of the world. Returning from your Elephant Experience with a huge appetite you will appreciate the buffet lunch that is served, a variety of Thai dishes cooked not too spicy. After lunch take a jungle river canoe trip down the Sok River. The canoes are very stable and safe; life jackets are provided as well as a local river guide to paddle the canoe. Drift along the jungle river passing Limestone Mountains and cliffs covered with exotic tropical vegetation. Sometimes hornbill can be seen flying high overhead or reptiles basking in the sun on the riverbanks. From the canoe you can experience a world that has changed little in thousands of years, some of the last areas of primary rainforest. After all this activity close to nature it is time for a hot shower and what better place than in the unique bathroom of your luxury safari tents. Relax and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding jungle covered mountains, 100% real nature. A wide selection of cocktails, wines, and spirits are available at the “Jungle explorer’s club bar”. Afterwards it’s time for dinner in this unique location beside the rainforest, the sounds and atmosphere will make this a memorable experience. Overnight in luxury safari tents with comfortable beds, reading lights, hot water and western style toilets. Real luxury close to the heart of the rainforest. The tents doors and windows are covered with mosquito netting as well as canvas flaps so insects and reptiles are not a problem. Temperatures at night drop, the tents are well ventilated; blankets keep you snug in the cool of the night.

Day 4 - Elephant Hills Jungle Lake Safari  

Wake up to the sounds of nature and birds calling from the bushes close to the tent. When the sun comes up and clears the mist over the jungle covered mountains to the south of Elephant Hills the gibbons start to make their morning territorial calls that echo down the valley. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the tent for early risers; breakfast is at your leisure. The activity planned for today is to explore a lake in the center of the jungle by local boat. Check out and head to the Cheow Larn Lake. Arrive at the dam and board our boat. Cruise across emerald waters passing towering rainforest covered Limestone Mountains to the “Guilin” of Southern Thailand. The Cheow Larn lake is a little known wonder of Thailand’s southern rainforest and holds prime habitat for wild Elephant, the rare Asian Ox, Hornbill, various monkey species, hundreds of tropical birds, amphibians, reptiles and Tiger. This combined with a myriad of other species hidden in the rainforest covered hills make it one of the most unique and important areas of rainforest in South East Asia. Take time to marvel at the majestic mountains rising sheer out of the water and experience nature at its best. Head to Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp, situated in the heart of the jungle where our staff will check you in to your luxury tents with private en-suite bathrooms, Solar electricity and hot and cold water. Find all the conveniences of a modern hotel room inside, combined with solid beds, tea and coffee making facilities and nature at your door step. Sit back and enjoy the surrounding views of Cheow Larn Lake whilst enjoying a fabulous lunch of Thai dishes which are cooked not too spicy. Swim in the emerald waters of the lake or head out and explore the jungle lake by Canoe. Take one of our ‘sit on-top’ canoes for a guided self paddle adventure into the surrounding rainforest channels. Search the towering trees for monkeys and hornbill, a silent adventure into the heart of the rainforest. Sometimes Gibbon can be heard calling and langurs and macaque monkeys spotted in the trees, this truly is nature at its best. Return to the camp in time to experience the sun setting over the jungle, relax and enjoy a cocktail at the front of your own private tent while the rainforest wakes up around you. In the evening dinner is served to an array of jungle sounds, a unique once in a lifetime experience here on the lake. There is the option to head out with our small boats to search for wildlife with our guides. Take a torch and the right attitude and you may see some of the nocturnal inhabitants of the forest. For those of you who wish to relax at the camp, reading lights are available in the tents and the floating jungle bar is open for a late night drink or two.

Day 5 - Khao Sok to Phuket

Wake up to the sounds of Gibbons calling high up in the trees after which the mist which shrouds the rainforest slowly burns away revealing the true beauty of the lake. Tea and coffee making facilities are available for those early risers, the jungle starts to stir. A leisurely breakfast is served after which there is time to relax or take a dip in the emerald green waters of the lake and feel truly refreshed. After breakfast we will meet the jungle face to face, a rainforest trek is the planned activity for today. It is not an army survival exercise, there are no prizes for the fastest and snakes and spiders do not jump out at you, it is an opportunity to explore the ecology of the rainforest, to see a great variety of exotic plants, tropical hardwood trees with huge roots, orchids, palms, ferns, bamboos, mosses; the variety is unlimited. Birds such as the hornbill live high up above, gibbon can often be heard calling to their mates, a macaque or leaf monkey may be heard swinging through the branches, every day is different but it is truly wonderful to discover the great variety of life forms that co-exists together. This can only by experienced on foot, take it slowly, look, learn and listen then you too will start to discover some of the secrets of the rainforest. Emerging from the jungle with a feeling of accomplishment return to the raft house one last time to enjoy lunch and one final swim or canoe before sadly we head toward the pier and then onward transfer to your hotel. On arrival in to Phuket transfer to your chosen hotel, for a seven night stay. A wide range of hotels is available and durations are flexible, so you can stay for as long as you wish.

Days 6-11 - Phuket
Spend the rest of your stay in Phuket exploring the beautiful scenery that this corner of Thailand is famed for, or just simply relaxing on the beach or by the pool.

Day 12 - Phuket to UK

Return transfer to Phuket airport for your return flight to the UK.

2024/25 Elephant Hills & Phuket multi centre package holidays Prices are per person based on two sharing, including flights, transfers and accommodation, and are subject to availability. Flights from Heathrow - other departures also available, call for details. Holiday code G0924W.

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