A holiday destination, cultural treat and scenic delight all rolled into one - Thailand is a country that never ceases to amaze. With so much to see and explore, it’s easy to see why.
From the hill country in the north to the azure seas of the southern beaches, the people are renowned for their warmth and charm. Combine ornate temples and ancient pagodas with glorious beaches and stunning mountain scenery, as well as bustling cities and buzzing nightlife.
But above all of this, there is one experience that should be on every Thailand visitor’s bucket list: Elephant Hills.
Two wonderful clients chose this destination as their honeymoon destination and returned to say “Elephant Hills was by far the most special part of our entire trip”.
A sustainable camp located in Khao Sok National Park, Elephant Hills is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Phuket.
Khao Sok was established as a national park in 1980 and stretches for 250 square miles. It is one of Asia’s premier natural wonders and while much of it is carpeted in rainforest, you’ll also see vast limestone mountains that dominate the view at every turn, deep valleys, tumbling waterfalls and beautiful lakes.
Elephant Hills combines the idea of African safari with the Thai tropical rainforest and offers a luxury camping experience in the jungle or floating on a lake within the rainforest.
The Elephant Camp
The Elephant Camp, made up of 66 luxurious tents, sits on the edge of the National Park where guests will stay amongst the trees, surrounded by flora and fauna, many of which are unique to the area.
No need for an alarm clock here, as visitors wake up instead to a symphony of birds and animals who live in the rainforest surrounding the camp.
The Rainforest Camp
Guests can also experience one of the only floating tented camps in the world at the Rainforest Camp.
Situated on one of Thailand’s most spectacular lakes and surrounded by rainforest, the camp is made up of 20 floating luxury tents, only accessible by boat, and has the most spectacular scenery over the lake.
If you think camping at either of these locations means enduring cold showers and thin mattresses, think again! Both locations are completely luxurious and tailormade with comfy beds, hot showers and en-suite bathrooms.
Whilst you can keep in touch with the outside world with Wi-Fi at the Elephant Camp, the remote location of the Rainforest Camp means no Wi-Fi, no phone signal and even a limited power supply. A perfect way to enjoy being completely cut off from the outside world and fully immersed in nature.
Both camps offer amazing experiences and sights you will never forget. Take a guided canoe trip along the Sok River, passing mountains and cliffs and keeping an eye out for local wildlife.
Or take a local longtail boat to Cheow Larn Lake, a little-known wonder of Thailand’s southern rainforest. This is the prime habitat for wild elephants, the rare Asian ox, hornbill, monkeys, tropical birds, amphibians and reptiles. You will be experiencing nature at its best and you can see it all from the comfort of your boat.
Take the chance to explore the jungle on foot with your guide who will be able to point out the residents and highlights of the exotic environment around you. You might see birds including hornbills flying high above, or whooping gibbons calling from the trees.
This is a great opportunity to see one of the world’s oldest rainforests.
You may also get the chance to get up close to elephants, Thailand’s gentle giants, and prepare their meal before offering up the fruit by hand. Then, watch them have an extensive bath in the large elephant mud pool before seeing them play, interact and graze in their natural environment.
Enjoy a swim in the pool at camp or, more excitingly, swim in the emerald waters of the lake. You can also head out and explore in your own canoe to see what you can spot living in the surrounding rainforest without the help of your guide. Enjoy lunch served in the rainforest and cooked in bamboo, an old tradition of jungle explorers from past centuries.
In the evenings, share your day’s adventures with fellow guests and enjoy activities including cookery demonstrations and dance performances from local schools whilst eating delicious meals prepared by the on-site chefs. Need a vegetarian dish or just fancy something extra spicy? Let them know and they can cater for all.
Elephant Hills has animal welfare and conservation at the heart of what they do and has received numerous awards and accolades, so you know you’re in good hands.
At the Rainforest Camp, power is provided by solar and wind and they also have a unique waste management system to ensure the camp is sustainable. The camps have also installed complimentary fill up stations for drinking water at their tour locations to help conserve Thailand’s beautiful nature and wildlife for future generations and reduce plastic waste.
Tours are fully inclusive of accommodation, activities, meals and tour guides so it really is a truly immersive experience and one you will never forget.
Experiences start from one-night stays and go up to three-night adventures. The activities you can take part in means it is a great choice for a visit all year round.
Elephant Hills is an experience that is totally unique to Thailand and is a great place to visit before spending a few days at the beach in Phuket or Khao Lak.
Please get in touch for more information.
