Spotlight: Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camp in Khao Sok, Thailand

Allison Sodha

Welcome to Elephant Hills, a luxury tented camp in Khao Sok, Thailand. Located less than two hours from most Phuket resorts, Khao Sok is part of the largest area of tropical rain forest in southern Thailand. It connects with Klong Phanom and Si Phangnga national parks as well as Klong Naka and Klong Seng wildlife sanctuaries. Elephant Hills was Thailand’s first luxury tented jungle camp. It features 30 exclusive tents with attached bathrooms, hot/cold running water, fans, and handmade furniture. In the center of the resort is a large swimming pool, restaurant, and meeting space to share a conversation with other guests. During your stay, the resort will share their conservation initiatives and voluntourism projects. The elephants are well cared for and the camp strives to provide a sustainable experience.

Elephant Hills Luxury Camp in Khao Sok, Thailand Elephant Hills Luxury Camp in Khao Sok, Thailand

At Sodha Travel, we recommend Elephant Hills to travelers who visit Phuket and wish to incorporate an integrated elephant and nature experience. Most of our clients select the 3 day/2 night program, though it can also be arranged for one or multiple nights. Here is a sample 3-day program:

3 days/2 nights: Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camp

Day 1: Phuket - Khao Sok

In the morning, transfer from Phuket to to Khao Sok. Proceed to Phang Nga Province passing small rural villages, rubber and oil palm plantations. 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. Emerging further along the coast, meet up with our classical Burmese junk where lunch will be served. Spend the afternoon on a deserted beach, swimming, relaxing or paddling canoes. The panoramic views of distant mangroves and banyan trees 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 transfer to Khao Sok for dinner and overnight at Elephant Hills.

A local greeting at Elephant Hills in Khao Sok, Thailand A local greeting at Elephant Hills in Khao Sok, Thailand

Day 2: Khao Sok

When the sun rises and clears the mist over the mountains and jungle, the gibbons start to make their morning territorial calls that echo down the valley. After breakfast, transfer to the elephant camp where you will see, touch, and learn about Thai elephants and the camp's conservation initiatives. Your guide will also explain about the life of the mahout, the man who takes care of the elephant. 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. Sometimes hornbill can be seen flying high overhead or reptiles basking in the sun on the riverbanks. Dinner and overnight at your resort.

Day 3: Khao Sok - Phuket

After breakfast, explore the jungle by foot! This is a great way to discover the ecology of the rain forest, to see a great variety of exotic plants, tropical hardwood trees with huge roots, orchids, palms, ferns, bamboos, mosses; the variety is unlimited. Weather permitting, lunch will be served in the rain forest cooked in bamboo, a tradition of jungle explorers for centuries past. In the afternoon, return to Phuket.

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Sodha Travel's team of Thailand Destination Specialists can answer any questions regarding this unique and rewarding stay in Khao Sok. Contact us for more information!

Topics: Accommodations, Thailand, EcoTourism

Allison Sodha

Written by Allison Sodha

As the President of Sodha Travel and author of Go! Girl Guides India, Allison has spent almost two decades exploring South Asia. She has a passion for creating experiences fueled by a deeper understanding of local communities.