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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 Gualin in China. There is also Cheo Larn Lake, which is about 60 km north to south dotted with over one hundred islands with the same spectacular limestone formations, which date back over 160 million years to the Permian geological period. This chain of mountains was once part of a gigantic coral reef that stretched from Borneo to Southern 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.

“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. Activities to experience during a visit include canoeing on the Sok river, elephant trekking in the hills, exploring Cheo Larn lake by boat, treks through the jungle, and travels by Land Rover to see how the local people live. 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.

(Guaranteed daily departure with English speaking guide and every Monday with German speaking guide from Phuket, Khao Lak & Krabi on seat-in-coach, with meals)

Day 1 Phuket (or Khao Lak or Krabi) – Khao Sok [-/l/d]
07:00-07:30 Pick up from hotels in Phuket or Krabi and transfer to Khao Sok.

09:00-09:45 Pick up from hotels in Khao Lak and transfer to Khao Sok.
Proceed 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 canoet. 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.

Day 2 Khao Sok [b/l/d]
07 :00 Breakfast
Then transfer to elephant camp, here you can see, touch and find out about the life of Thai elephants and about the elephant conservation project the company is running. Also the guide will explain about the life of 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. Dinner and overnight at Elephant Hills.

Day 3 Khao Sok [b/l/d]
07 :00 After a good nights rest lulled to sleep by the back ground symphony of insects and frogs its time for a wholesome breakfast. The activity planned for today is to explore a lake in the jungle by local boat. The lake is surrounded by Limestone Mountains and cliffs covered in tropical rainforest that rise up from the shore of the lake and disappear into the far distance. The scenery has been compared to Qualin in China or Halong Bay in Vietnam. Few people know of the lake and even less have visited it. There are over one hundred islands in the lake and it is over 60 km from north to south. In the 70’s the area was a hide out for communists and students opposing the military dictatorship. We will see some of the spectacular scenery from the boat and have time for a swim depending on the weather.

Please bring swimwear and a towel. A packed lunch will be provided. In the late afternoon return to Elephant Hills for dinner and overnight in your luxury tents where a good night’s sleep is assured after all your jungle exploring activities. The jungle bar will be open for people wanting to exchange stories of their day’s experiences on the lake.

Day 4 Khao Sok - Phuket (or Khao Lak or Krabi) [b/l/-]
07:00 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 before coming face to face with the jungle by exploring it on foot. You have seen it from elephant back, from your canoe on the river and even all around you from your boat but nothing compares to actually walking yourself inside the jungle. It is not an army survival exercise, there are no prizes for the fastest, snakes and spider do not jump out at you, it is just 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.

Weather permitting lunch will be served in the rainforest cooked in bamboo, a tradition of jungle explorers for centuries past. Sadly in the afternoon its time to return to Elephant Hills then onward transfer to your hotel or the airport but you will always know how it feels to be close to nature in the jungle, some thing you will never forget.

13:30 Depart from the Elephant Hills for Phuket, Khao Lak or Krabi.

16:00-16:30 Arrive at your hotels or the airport.

Notes:

Please wear non-slip shoes, loose comfortable clothes, bring a small bag or pack with a change of clothes in case you get wet and sun protection or a rain coat depending on the weather. If you want to swim in the river please bring swim wear and towel, please note that all itineraries as above are dependant on the local conditions.

Conditions:

• This tour requires a minimum of two persons to operate
• Guaranteed daily departure with English speaking guide and every Monday & Wednesday with German speaking guide from Phuket, Khao Lak & Krabi on seat-in-coach, with meals.

Promotions 2009-2010

All promotions are subject to availability from November 01, 2009 until April 30, 2010. Only one promotion can be applied and must be specified at the time of booking.

Family Summer Specials
With any full paying adult, children will receive the following discount:
1st Child - Only 50% of sales price charged
2nd and 3rd Child – Only 25% of sales price charged.
Conditions:
Childs age: 4 – 15 years of age
There is no charge for children between the ages of 1 – 4, however parental discretion
is advised for any child under the age of 4.

Honeymoon, wedding anniversaries and birthdays
If guests book for a honeymoon, wedding anniversary or birthday, guests will receive FOC the following:
Sparkling Wine
Cake
Flowers and Fruit Basket in the room.

Over 50’s single promotion
No single supplement

Included:

• Return transfer by air-conditioned vehicle.
• Meals (set menu) as mentioned in the program.
• 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, include elephant trek in the jungle, rainforest trek, and explore Cheo Larn Lake by local boat and jungle river canoe trip. The order of activities varies with the weather and local conditions.

Not included:

• Optional tours.
• Expenditures of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.
• Other tours & meals than mentioned in the program.

Valid : 01NOV2009 -  31OCT2010 , Rate per person based on Sharing Twin in US Dollar