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Kayaking and Rainforest Trips
Kayaking in Khao Soke National Park (4 days / 3 nights )
Activities: Kayaking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, stay in floating
bungalow, begin and end in Phuket
Rates starting from $500.00 per person based on minimum of 2 people.
Rates decrease if more than 2 per party.
Our Khao Soke National Park trip is suitable for just about everyone who is a
nature lover. This is one of the best spots in Thailand for bird
watching. Hornbills are actually common. There are over 930 species of
birds in Thailand, the majority of them in this area. In addition we
see Long-tailed macaques, Pig-tailed macaques, and Dusky langurs
(monkeys) and gibbons on every trip.
We are actually paddling through flooded jungle that would otherwise be
impenetrable. It's perfect for wildlife viewing, (and no leeches which
is a problem for trekkers!) We stay in unique little floating bamboo
bungalows on the huge 165 square kilometer reservoir. The bungalows are
very basic. They are made out of low impact material. Bamboo and
thatched roofs provide a very simple, environmentally friendly shelter
which fits well with the jungle surroundings. There is no electricity in
the bungalows. The shared toilets are clean and adequate. The food at
the floating restaurant is outstanding. The cooks always serve a variety
of tasty Thai dishes. Breakfast favorites include fruit pancakes or the
traditional Thai breakfast treat, rice porridge. The bungalow staff is
very helpful and friendly, ensuring a tranquil and safe environment.
Day 1
At 8:30 a.m., we pick our guests up from their hotel and transfer them
to the dam at Khao Sok National Park reservoir. The drive takes about
three and a half hours. Once at the dam, we'll board a motorboat to
transfer to the bungalows. The motorboat ride takes about forty-five
minutes. The scenery along the way is very dramatic, with towering
limestone cliffs and thick tropical jungle.
We'll check into the bungalows, then get setup for our first paddling
excursion. But first, we'll instruct our guests on basic paddling
technique. Our first destination is a place we call "Orchid Bay".
Day 2
Wake up to the weird and wonderful calls of gibbons early in the
morning. We'll head out to do some bird watching and wildlife sighting
very early in the morning. After about a couple of hours on the water,
we'll head back for breakfast and an optional nap. In the afternoon,
we'll head out for another wildlife viewing trip. Watching monkeys
frolicking in the jungle canopy is entertaining to say the least. They
often make fantastic leaps from tree to tree. Langurs are the most
impressive at this. They appear to be fearless. They even make their
unbelievable jumps when they have babies clinging to their bellies.
Day 3
Again, we'll do an early morning bird watching and wildlife sighting by
kayak. After breakfast, we'll hike on a easy trail to a unique cave. It
takes about an hour to get to the cave entrance. There's a small river
running through the cave. About thirty minutes into the cave, we'll
reach a point at which we'll have to start wading, then swimming. It's
safe and easy. In the afternoon, we'll do another nature paddle to a
completely different part of the reservoir.
Day 4
After breakfast, we'll start paddling in the direction of the dam, with
time to explore. Leave for Phuket in the late afternoon.
Please check with your health care provider on anti-malaria prophylaxis
prior to departure for this trip.
Kanchanaburi Rain Forest ( 2 days / 1 night )
This 2-day trip provides an adventurous and stimulating insight into the
forests and history of western Thailand. You will venture into SE Asia's
largest protected forest area with your naturalist guide, paddle down
one of Kanchanaburi's mighty rivers, visit the 7-tiered Erawan
waterfall, and take a trip on the famous World War II Death Railway.
Erawan National Park is a unique and rugged landscape of high elevation
plateau and steep valleys covering an area of 550 sq kms and located
three hours drive from Bangkok. Erawan's forests support an amazing
array of plants and a diverse range of wildlife, from minute brilliantly
colored insects to the mighty Asian elephant.
Rates starting from $385.00 per person based on minimum of 2 people.
Rates decrease if more than 2 per party
Day 01
Pick up from your hotel in Bangkok late afternoon,
and transfer to Kanchanburi. Overnight at hotel in Kanchanburi.
Day 2
| 0700 | | Pick up at your Kanchanaburi hotel, meet your naturalist leader,
and transfer to Erawan National Park.
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| 0830 | | Start out on a trek through
the areas magnificent forest, on the lookout for wildlife of all sizes.
Learn as you go about the areas plant and animal life from your guide.
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| 1200 | | Arrive at our deluxe forest camp and be welcomed with a refreshing
cold drink. Relax under a large mosquito net to the sounds of the forest
whilst having a sumptuous traditional Thai lunch, prepared for you by
your own field cook.
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| 1330 | | After lunch, continue the nature trek and
learn from your naturalist guide how to identify different animal
tracks, and some of the forest's edible plants. Trek quietly through the
forest, watching out for the resident great hornbills, and signs
(tracks, feeding evidence) of the elephants and tigers that inhabit the
area.
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| 1500 | | Pick up and transfer to your local resort. Time for a
relaxing swim before dinner.
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| 1900 | | Dinner and overnight Walking Distance:
4-6 kms over a period of 4-6 hours (Moderate terrain). Meals [L,D) |
Day 3
| 0700 | | Breakfast overlooking the mountains of Erawan National Park. |
| 0730 | | Depart the resort for the short drive to the nearby Erawan
waterfall. Hike up to the 4th tier of this beautiful 7-tier waterfall. |
| 0900 | | The start of a kayak trip down the Kwai Yai River, passing through
beautiful scenery looking out along the way for colorful birds such as
the white-throated kingfisher, Chinese pond heron, little egret and
reptiles such as the giant water monitor. Visit a small inlet where
local villagers fish for snakehead fish and other local favorites. |
| 1130 | | Arrive at your lunch camp on the banks of the river where the support
crew have prepared a delicious lunch. You will get a little wet while
kayaking, so bring an extra pair of shorts in particular. After lunch,
kick back and relax under the mosquito net or in a hammock, read a book,
or head out for some bird watching with your guide. For those of you
with aches and pains, a traditional Thai masseuse will be on hand for a
relaxing massage. |
| 1400 | | Depart in vehicle and transfer to the western
side of Erawan National Park. 1500 Arrive at Namtok station to board the
Death Railway for the 2-hour trip back to Kanchanaburi. Built by the
Japanese during WWII, the railway was an important supply route to Burma
and passes over the famous "Bridge over the River Kwai". |
| 1730 | | Arrive at Kanchanaburi railway station where a car will be waiting
to take you to Bangkok. |
Tour prices include:
- 2 nights accommodation on twin share basis and round trip transfers from Bangkok.
- Meals as indicated
- Field equipment (backpacks, raincoats, leech socks, water bottles, lifejackets, etc)
- Transfers as itinerary
- English speaking naturalist
- Thai Masseuse (day 2)
- Park entrance fees
Things to Bring:
- Light walking boots or sports shoes
- Camera and binoculars (very useful!)
- Long trousers and long-sleeved shirt for walking in the forest
- Mosquito repellent, sun hat and sun cream (especially for
kayaking) Please check with your health care provider on anti-malaria
prophylaxis prior to departure for this trip.
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