|
     
|
 |
Elephant Hills Jungle Safari
3 Days / 2 Nights
Tour Starts From:
Major Hotels In Phuket or Krabi or Khao Lak
Tour Ends:
Phuket Airport or Major Hotels In Phuket or Krabi
Operates: Daily
Meals: 2 Breakfasts / 3 Lunches / 2 Dinners
From: $510 Per Person Double Occupancy
Elephant Hills Jungle Safari - “Luxury safari tents close to the heart of the jungle”.
Khao Sok is situated in the center of southern Thailand within easy driving distance of the major beach resorts of Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi. There is a ferry connection to Ko Samui and the Burma border at Ranong is just over 2 hours drive away.
Khao Sok is part of the largest area of tropical rainforest in southern Thailand and connects with Klong Phanom and Si Phangnga national parks as well as Klong Naka and Klong Seng wild life sanctuaries. The scenery is dramatic with many jungle covered limestone peaks similar to Guilin in China.
The nature and ecology of the area has yet to be fully studied but is truly amazing in the variety of plants and animals that exist here. The world largest flower “Raffelsia” which flowers grow to nearly one meter in diameter can be found in the park at certain times of year as well a species of bamboo that is one of the largest in South East Asia.
|
|
|
There are many orchids, ferns and palms including the very rare white back fan palm. The variety of insects is huge, many have yet to be studied. Wild elephant, a small number of tiger, bear, monkeys, gibbon, porcupine, pangolin, deer and the rare mountain serow live in the park. Several hundred species of bird live here including the hornbill. Reptiles are in abundance. The wild animals are not easily seen due to the thick vegetation but tracks are evident as well as the distant call of the gibbon from high up in the canopy.
The main reason to visit Khao Sok is to experience the world-class nature and scenery of the rainforest and to learn something of its ecology. Activities to experience during a visit include canoeing on the Sok river, elephant trekking in the hills, exploring mangroves by boat and treks through the jungle.
A visit to “Elephant Hills” will give you a new perspective of nature and the rainforest here in southern Thailand, an experience every one should try at least once in their lives.
|
|
|
| “Elephant Hills” is Thailand’s first luxury tented accommodation built beside the Sok river next to Khao Sok and Klong Phanom national parks. Each tents has comfortable beds, proper bathrooms with shower and hot water and allows you to get close to nature in a luxurious and comfortable manner. |
 |
Day 1: Pick up from hotels in Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak transfer to Phangnga province passing small rural villages, rubber and oil palm plantations. Glimpses of rural life in tropical southern Thailand can be seen along the way. Explore the rivers that cut through the mangrove forest by dinghy with outboard motor (speed cat). There is a maze of channels between the island and along the coast, it really feels like some primeval swamp.
For people who want to explore the smaller creeks, see some bird life and get closer to nature self paddle canoes with life jackets are available for a silent journey into this dense green world.
Emerging further along the coast meet up with our classical Burmese junk where lunch will be served, a variety of Thai dished cooked not too spicy. Drinks are available, as well as bathroom facilities on board.
Spend the afternoon on a deserted beach, swim, relax or paddle canoe. The panoramic views of distant mangroves and banyan tree stretch to the horizon. Few people live in the area and little has changed here in hundreds of years. Cruising on the junk gives the feeling of traveling back in time when nature was untouched.
|
 |
|
Late afternoon is the time to transfer to Khao Sok, dinner and overnight at Elephant Hills.
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 drops, the tents are well ventilated; blankets keep you snug in the cool of the night.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Day 2: 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 mountains and jungle 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.
Then transfer to 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. From here you will undertake either an Elephant Trek in the tropical rainforest or take part in one of our Elephant Experiences.
Please note that one of the following 2 options must be selected when booking your tour with us.
|
 |
 |
 |
Option 1: 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 them 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.
|
 |
Option 2: Trekking on elephant back is a unique experience here in the rainforest; you will be taken in amongst beautiful limestone Karts Mountains to experience the differing ecological niches in this part of the world. Birds fly overhead and the diversity of the rainforest waits hidden in the depths, what better way is there to get a bird’s eye view of nature.
|
|
|
| Returning from the jungle 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. Some times 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.
|
 |
 |
Return to camp, relax and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding jungle covered mountains. A wide selection of cocktails, wines, and spirits are available at the “Jungle explorer’s club bar”. Afterwards its time for dinner in this unique location beside the rainforest, the sounds and atmosphere will make this a memorable experience. Overnight at Elephant Hills.
|
|
|
 |
Day 3: After a good nights rest lulled to sleep by the back ground symphony of insects and frogs its time for a wholesome breakfast before coming face to face with the jungle by exploring it on foot.
Accompanied by your experienced guide, 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.
|
|
|
|
Weather permitting lunch will be served in the rainforest cooked in bamboo, a tradition of jungle explorers for centuries past.
In the afternoon its time to return to Elephant Hills then onward transfer to your hotel in Phuket, Krabi or Khao Lak or to Phuket airport.
|
 |
|
|
|
Tour Price
Note: This Tour Will Operate With A Minimum Of 2 People.
|
| Program |
Number
Of Nights
|
Meals
|
Operates Daily
|
Tour Price
Per Person Double Occupancy
|
|
Valid From
|
Valid To
|
| Elephant Hills |
2
|
2 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
2 Dinners
|
Nov 01, 2009 |
Apr 30, 2010 |
$510
|
| May 01, 2010 |
Oct 31, 2010 |
$450
|
Included in the tour prices are:
- Round trip transfers by air-conditioned vehicle from/to major hotels in Phuket, Krabi or Khao Lak.
- Meals (set menu) as mentioned above.
- Accommodation on twin share basis in luxury safari tents with attached bathroom, hot water shower and western style toilet.
- Activities organized by English speaking guide, including your choice of an elephant trek in the jungle or elephant experience. Activities as listing in the above itinerary. Note, the order of activities varies with the weather and local conditions.
Not included in the tour prices are:
- Optional tours.
- Expenditures of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.
- Other tours & meals than mentioned in the program.
Remarks:
- Minor program changes are sometimes necessary, depending on road conditions and room availability.
- Prices are subject to change in case of VAT or other tax increases. |
|
|
|
|
