Tours

Accommodation

Thailand Elephants & Beaches Holiday

This 14 night/15 day tailor made holiday to Thailand takes in the sights and sounds of this beautiful and friendly country. Start with time in the vibrant city of Bangkok where you will enjoy a sumptuous dinner on the Chao Phraya River while taking in the riverside sights along the way. You will also visit the dazzling Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark with its beautiful architecture and intricate detailing. A day tour is also included to Kanchanaburi, home of the infamous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’ where you will take a memorable journey on the local train on a stretch of the ‘Death Railway’ – a poignant experience.

After the excitement of the city it is time to fly down to the southern beaches. You will enjoy 2 nights in the Khao Sok National Park, an area of protected rainforest jungle which is home to the luxury tented camp called Elephant Hills. Spend time enjoying an elephant trek, paddling sea canoes through the mangrove forests and trekking through the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world before transferring to the idyllic island of Phi-Phi for some time relaxing on the stunning white sand beach – a great way to finish a fabulous tailor made holiday to Thailand.

Day 1: Departure

Fly from London Heathrow on an overnight flight to Bangkok with Thai Airways.

Day 2: Arrive Bangkok

Land Bangkok. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel.

This evening enjoy dinner on the legendary "River of Kings", the Chao Phraya River. Dine aboard the Tahsaneeya Nava, a unique and beautiful antique teakwood rice barge, and cruise along the historic Chao Phraya River, which flows between the ancient and modern capitals of the kingdom and is the focal point for festivals and royal ceremonies.

Day 3: Bangkok City tour (B/-/-)

Today you will be collected from your hotel for a Bangkok city Grand Palace tour.

The Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Bangkok. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and Wat Phra Keo, the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 4: River Kwai tour (B/L/-)

Fascinating, nostalgic and memorable sums up this day tour to Kanchanaburi province. The famous bridge and the beginning of the 'Death Railway' is a poignant reminder of the thousands of POW’s and forced labourers who lost their lives in the Second World War during the construction works of the railway.

This evening is at leisure.

Day 5: Krabi (B/-/-)

Today you will be collected and transferred to the airport for the short flight down to Krabi.

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel in Ao Nang, approximately 40 minutes away. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 6: Khao Sok National Park (B/L/D)

Pick up from your hotel and transfer to Khao Sok. En-route glimpses of tropical rural life can be seen along the way. Explore the rivers that cut through the mangrove forest by dinghy - it really feels like some primeval swamp. Self paddle canoes with life jackets are also available for a silent journey into this dense green world. Emerge further along the coast and meet up with our classical Burmese junk where lunch of a variety of Thai dishes will be served.

After lunch, spend the afternoon on a deserted beach where you can swim, relax or paddle canoes.

This afternoon transfer over the mountain pass to Khao Sok National Park and the Elephant Hills tented camp. Relax and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding jungle covered mountains. Enjoy dinner and overnight in your luxury safari tents with comfortable beds, reading lights, hot water and western style toilets.

Day 7: 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 the gibbons start to make their morning territorial calls which echo down the valley.

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. 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. Return from the jungle and enjoy a buffet lunch of a variety of Thai dishes.

After lunch, take a jungle river canoe trip down the Sok River. Drift along the jungle river passing limestone mountains and cliffs covered with exotic tropical vegetation. 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 tented camp for dinner and overnight in your luxury tents.

Day 8: Khao Sok National Park / Krabi (B/L/-)

After a good nights rest it is time for a wholesome breakfast before coming face to face with the jungle by exploring it on foot. This is an opportunity to explore the ecology of the rainforest, to see a great variety of exotic plants. Birds such as the hornbill live high up above, gibbons can often be heard calling to their mates, or a macaque or leaf monkey may be heard swinging through the branches.

Weather permitting lunch will be served in the rainforest cooked in bamboo, a tradition of jungle explorers for centuries past. Sadly in the afternoon it is time to return to Elephant Hills tented camp and transfer to your hotel in Krabi. This evening is at leisure.

Days 9-10: At leisure (B/-/-)

These days are at leisure to relax and enjoy the resort and the region.

Day 11: Koh Phi Phi (B/-/-)

Today you will be collected and transferred to the ferry port for the ferry crossing to stunning Koh Phi Phi for your final beach break. Upon arrival on the island you will transfer to your chosen hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.