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Pick up from hotels in Phuket, Krabi or Surat Thani and transfer to Phang Nga province. En route glimpses of tropical rural life here in 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 lreally 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 dishes cooked not to spicy. Drinks are available at the bar as well as bathroom facilities on board. Spend the afternoon on at the 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, van-transfer over the mountain pass to Khao Sok National Park. Overnight is at Elephant Hills tented camp. 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 explorers 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 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 have mosquito netting as well as canvas flaps so insect and reptile cannot enter. The temperature at night drops, the tents are well ventilated; blankets keep you snug in the cool of the night.
Day 2 > ELEPHANT HILLS / KHAO SOK NATIONAL PARK (B/L/D)
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 breeding conservation project the company is running. Also the guide will explain about the mahout, the man who takes care of the elephant. Trekking on elephant back is a unique experience here in the rainforest, what better way is there to get a birds 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. In the afternoon, return to Elephant Hills for dinner and overnight in your luxury tents where a good nights 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.
Day 3 > AROUND ELEPHANT HILLS (B/L/D)
Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the tent for early risers; breakfast is at your leisure. Having trekked on elephant back, been paddled by canoe along the river, now its time to come face to face with the jungle by exploring it on foot. It is not a army survival exercise, there are no prizes for the fastest trekkers, 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. The jungle bar will be open for people wanting to exchange stories of their day's experience in the jungle. Dinner and overnight in your luxury tent.
Day 4 > ELEPHANT HILLS – CHEO LARN LAKE - PHUKET / KRABI / SURAT THANI (B/L/-)
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 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 communist and students opposing the military dictatorship. We will see some of the spectacular scenery from the boat, have time for a swim and may be able to trek and explore some caves depending on the weather. Please bring swimwear and a towel. A packed lunch will be provided. Late afternoon it is time for your return transfer to your hotel in Phuket, Krabi or Surat Thani. You will always know how it feels to be close to nature in the jungle, some thing you will never forget.
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