Escape to paradise with our perfect blend of beachside bliss and jungle adventure. Begin your journey in Khao Lak, where sun-soaked days and turquoise waters invite you to relax and explore. Then, swap the sea for the rainforest as you head deep into the heart of Khao Sok for an unforgettable luxury tented camp experience - complete with elephants, emerald lakes, and ancient jungle trails.
Depart the UK on your flight to Phuket.
Upon arrival at Phuket International Airport, you'll be warmly greeted and whisked away to your handpicked beachside resort, where you’ll spend the next four nights in tropical bliss. Settle in and let the days unfold at your own pace.
Spend the next few days relaxing at your idyllic Thai beach resort. Wake up to the sound of gentle waves, enjoy leisurely breakfasts overlooking the ocean, and let time slow down as you unwind beneath swaying palms. Whether you prefer to lounge by the pool, indulge in a soothing Thai massage, join a local cooking class, or set off on a snorkelling adventure, each day offers the perfect opportunity for relaxation and discovery.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Prepare for an early start as you transfer to Elephant Hills for your unforgettable 3-day Luxury Tented Jungle Camp experience in the heart of Khao Sok. After enjoying a delicious lunch, your adventure begins with a tranquil canoe trip down the Sok River. Drift gently along the water, surrounded by limestone mountains and cliffs blanketed in tropical vegetation. Keep your eyes peeled for hornbill birds soaring overhead and reptiles basking in the sun along the riverbanks. From your canoe, you’ll glimpse some of the last remaining areas of primary rainforest—a timeless world, virtually untouched for thousands of years.
After your canoe safari, continue to the elephant park for an awe-inspiring Elephant Experience. Here, you’ll have the rare opportunity to see, touch, and learn about Thai elephants up close while gaining insight into the conservation efforts of Elephant Hills. Your guide will introduce you to the life of the mahout, devoted caretaker of the elephants. You’ll help prepare one of the elephants’ daily meals, including special supplements essential for their digestion and health, and enjoy the unique experience of feeding these majestic animals. This immersive encounter offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect with Asia’s largest land mammal in a respectful, ethical way.
As the day draws to a close, return to your safari tent to unwind and enjoy panoramic views of jungle-covered mountains. Relax at the Jungle Explorer’s Club Bar with its wide selection of cocktails, wines, and spirits. Optional evening entertainment includes a fascinating movie presentation, a traditional dance performance by local school children, and an engaging Thai cooking demonstration. Dinner is served in an open-air restaurant nestled beside the rainforest—an atmospheric and memorable dining experience surrounded by the sounds of nature. Retire for the night to your comfortable luxury tent, complete with a cozy bed, reading lights, hot water, and a western-style toilet. This is true serenity, right in the heart of the rainforest.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake to the gentle sounds of nature, with birds calling just outside your tent and gibbons' haunting morning songs echoing through the mist-shrouded valley. Enjoy a leisurely start to your day with in-tent tea and coffee-making facilities and breakfast at your own pace, before embarking on a long-tail boat journey across the emerald waters of the spectacular Cheow-Larn Lake. This stunning man-made lake is surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains and rainforest-clad cliffs that stretch far into the horizon. The breathtaking scenery has drawn comparisons to Guilin in China and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, yet it remains a hidden gem. Spanning over 60 kilometres from north to south and dotted with more than one hundred islands, the lake is a vast and tranquil wonder.
In the 1970s, the area served as a remote refuge for communists and students resisting military dictatorship, which helped preserve its natural beauty. As you cruise across the emerald waters, take in the spectacular surroundings and enjoy a refreshing swim (don’t forget your swimwear!). Towels will be provided at the local floating raft house, where you'll stop for a delicious lunch and some well-deserved relaxation.
In the late afternoon, return to Elephant Hills for another delightful dinner and a restful night in your luxury tent. The Jungle Explorer’s Bar will be open for those who wish to unwind and share stories from their lake adventure. This evening offers entertainment in the form of a film showing, traditional dance performance, or an engaging cooking demonstration. With a day full of discovery behind you, let the chorus of jungle insects and frogs lull you into a peaceful sleep under the rainforest canopy.
Breakfast & Lunch
Begin your final day at Elephant Hills with a wholesome breakfast, ready for an adventure into the heart of the jungle. Today, you’ll explore the rainforest on foot, a chance to truly connect with one of the world’s oldest and most biodiverse ecosystems. There’s no rush and no sudden surprises—just an incredible opportunity to witness the wonders of nature up close.
As you walk through the lush undergrowth, you’ll encounter an astonishing variety of exotic plant life: tropical hardwood trees with expansive roots, delicate orchids, palms, ferns, bamboos, mosses, and much more. High above, hornbills soar between the trees, gibbons call one another across the canopy, and, if you're lucky, you might spot a macaque or leaf monkey swinging through the branches. Butterflies flit through the air, adding vibrant colour to the green world around you. Every walk through the rainforest is different, and each moment reveals something new. Take your time and you’ll begin to uncover the hidden secrets of this ancient jungle.
After your morning exploration, return to camp to enjoy a delicious Thai buffet, offering a final taste of the local cuisine. Following lunch, there’s time to refresh before your onward transfer to your chosen beach hotel.
Unwind in tropical bliss with another 4 nights on Thailand’s stunning coastline. Sink your toes into powdery white sand, bask in golden sunsets, and swim in crystal-clear waters. Whether you're sipping cocktails by the beach, exploring vibrant local markets, or indulging in authentic Thai cuisine, this seafront escape offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
After a memorable stay, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Take with you the warm memories of Thailand’s golden beaches and vibrant culture - until your next adventure.
This stylish and modern hotel sits on Pakarang Beach meaning guests are just steps away from fine white sand and clear warm waters of the Andaman Sea.
The hotel is made up of two zones, separated by a bridge over the lagoon. One side boasts a lively atmosphere with multiple swimming pools, dining options, while the other is much quieter and is home to the hotel's villas. There are three swimming pools for guests' to enjoy, including an infinity pool with separate kid’s pool and water slide, a free form pool with access from the ground floor rooms and the Villa free form pool, also with a separate kid’s pool. As well as an on-site spa offering a range of treatments and spa packages.
Guestrooms are cosy and comfortable with natural colours and wooden furnishings. Facilities include; a safe, telephone, mini bar, TV with cable channels, FREE Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities and a private balcony. Room upgrades to a deluxe room are available at a supplement.
This stylish and modern hotel sits on Pakarang Beach meaning guests are just steps away from fine white sand and clear warm waters of the Andaman Sea.
The hotel is made up of two zones, separated by a bridge over the lagoon. One side boasts a lively atmosphere with multiple swimming pools, dining options, while the other is much quieter and is home to the hotel's villas. The hotel features multiple swimming pools, dining options, bike rental and a spa. The resort also offers its guest a range of activities including cooking classes and boxing classes.
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to the local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
A visa is not required before you travel to Thailand; you will be issued with a tourist visa valid for 60 days on arrival into the country. Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity. You will be required to fill in a digital arrival card 3 days before arrival in Thailand. You can do this online here - https://tdac.immigration.go.th/arrival-card/#/home
Please note your final documentation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
IMPORTANT: A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Please note that you should carry your invoice with flight details on it as you will need to show this at the airport.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
The currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). We recommend that you exchange you currency before you leave the UK, however cash machines are available in all the major cities to withdraw money in the local currency. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. Money can be exchanged at the airport or branches of government banks. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and some shops and restaurants.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your holiday.
Tipping is not compulsory and is at your discretion to tip for your driver and if you hire a guide. We would recommend to tip approximately £2-3 per person per day/trip. Tips are accepted in the local currency.
Due to the location of the camp they only accept cash payments on-site for drinks expenses and souvenir purchases.
We have no minimum number of passengers to run this holiday. If we are not able to operate your departure date for any other reason, then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
Your stay in Elephant Hills is a fully guided with a fully trained, TAT-licensed English speaking Thai tour leader.
For the beach stay, you will not be escorted by a tour guide. Your time here will be free to do as you wish. Details of your departure transfer will be confirmed by a representative in the hotel, and you can book sightseeing trips through the hotel or representative.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Thailand. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. If you have booked a triple share please note that your room will be a twin room with a rollaway bed or sofa bed added. This may limit the floor space in the room.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and Dinner (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. All meal requests need to be sent to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, as even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. At the Elephant Hills Camp, you will find complimentary fill up stations for drinking water.
The three most important Buddhist holidays are Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day and Asahna Bucha Day. All three are public holidays in Thailand. During this time many shops and business close for the celebrations. Because they are such important religious occasions, there are temporary restrictions in place on alcohol sales with entertainment venues in some areas also closing.
During visits to Churches/Temples please note both men and women need to wear long trousers or skirts to cover knees, tops with sleeves should be worn to cover shoulders.
On your arrival in Thailand, you will be met by a representative from Elephant Hills, please proceed to the Passenger waiting area at EXIT NO.1 in the arrivals Hall where the representative will show you to your transfer vehicle.
If you need to contact Asian Trails, during your stay the details are:
Address: 12th Floor, The regent house, 183 Ratchadamri Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Phone: +66 (0)6-5120-7183 (Dedicated English-Speaking Emergency Line)
Email: attinboundenglish@asiantrails.org;
Elephant Hills:
Operation Team (Opening Hour 08.00-22.00) - Tel +66 61-414-1992 – in resort or next day arrival
Residence Executive - Tel +6693-5757344 - In resort only outside of office hours
