develop
View 7 Photos

Elephant Hills Jungle & Lake Safari and 4* Phuket Beach Stay

12 Day Multi-Centre

Thailand, South East Asia
8 Meals Included
3 Excursions

Escape to paradise with our perfect blend of beachside bliss and jungle adventure. Begin your adventure in the serene coastal haven of Phuket, where golden sands meet crystal-clear waters. Then, trade the beach for the wild beauty of Khao Sok National Park. Venture deep into the ancient rainforest for a once-in-a-lifetime stay in a luxury jungle camp, followed by an unforgettable night on a floating tent atop the emerald waters of Cheow Lan Lake.

Highlights

  • Discover the biodiversity of one of the world’s oldest rainforests on a guided walk through ancient jungle terrain
  • Stay in a beautifully appointed tent at Elephant Hills
  • Get up close with Thailand’s gentle giants during a hands-on, ethical elephant experience focused on conservation and education
  • Enjoy a unique tented experience set in the heart of the lake
  • Glide through a lush rainforest landscape by canoe, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and exotic wildlife
  • Unwind on Phuket's stunning beaches

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Phuket

Depart the UK on your flight to Phuket.

Day 2
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.

Day 3-5
Phuket

Spend the next few days exactly as you please in your idyllic Thai beach resort. Wake up to the sound of gentle waves, enjoy leisurely breakfasts with ocean views, and let time slow down as you unwind beneath swaying palms. Whether you choose 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 blend of relaxation and discovery.

Day 6
Phuket to Elephant Hills

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 jungle river canoe trip down the Sok River. Drift gently along the water, surrounded by towering limestone mountains and cliffs blanketed in lush, 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, you’ll continue to the elephant park for the 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, the devoted caretaker of the elephants. You’ll help prepare and feed the elephants one of their daily meals, including special supplements essential for their digestion and health. This immersive encounter offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect with Asia’s largest land animal in a respectful and meaningful way.

As the day draws to a close, return to your safari tent to unwind with a hot shower in your private, open-air bathroom and enjoy the panoramic views of jungle-covered mountains. Relax at the Jungle Explorer’s Club Bar with a wide selection of cocktails, wines, and spirits.

Optional evening entertainment includes a fascinating movie presentation, a traditional Thai dance performance by local school children, and an engaging Thai cooking demonstration. At 8:00 PM, dinner is served in the open-air restaurant nestled beside the rainforest—an atmospheric and memorable dining experience surrounded by the sounds of nature. Retire for the night in your comfortable luxury tent, complete with a cozy bed, reading lights, hot water, and a western-style toilet. This is true luxury, right in the heart of the rainforest.

Day 7
Elephant Hills

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. As the sun rises over the rainforest-covered mountains of Southern Thailand, enjoy a leisurely start to your day with in-tent tea and coffee-making facilities and breakfast at your own pace.

Today, embark on a long-tail boat journey across the emerald waters of the spectacular Cheow-Larn Lake, a hidden gem surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs and dense jungle. This pristine wilderness, often called the “Guilin” of Thailand, is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife—from wild elephants and hornbills to rare Asian oxen and even elusive leopards and tigers. Glide past soaring mountains rising straight from the water, and soak in the raw, untouched beauty of one of Southeast Asia’s most ecologically important rainforests.

Your adventure continues at the floating Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp, a one-of-a-kind luxury tented experience set in the heart of the lake. Each tent is fully equipped with private en-suite bathrooms, hot showers, solar and wind-powered electricity, and all the comforts of a modern hotel—set against a backdrop of total wilderness.

Enjoy a freshly prepared Thai buffet lunch while taking in the panoramic lake views. In the afternoon, join a guided jungle trek to explore the ancient rainforest on foot. This immersive walk is a chance to see giant hardwood trees, exotic orchids, mosses, and ferns, while listening for gibbons and watching for monkeys in the canopy. As the day winds down, take a dip in the lake, relax in a deckchair outside your tent, and watch the sun set behind the limestone cliffs. Dinner is served under the stars, with only the sounds of the jungle around you—a magical and unforgettable experience that feels straight out of a dream.

Day 8
Elephant Hills to Phuket

Breakfast & Lunch

Begin your final day at Elephant Hills with a wholesome breakfast, fuelling up for an immersive adventure into the heart of the jungle. Today, you’ll explore the rainforest on foot—not as part of a survival challenge, but as a chance to truly connect with one of the world’s oldest and most biodiverse ecosystems. There’s no rush, no competition, and no sudden surprises—just an incredible opportunity to witness the wonders of nature up close.

As you walk slowly through the lush undergrowth, you’ll encounter an astonishing variety of exotic plant life: towering tropical hardwood trees with massive roots, delicate orchids, palms, ferns, bamboos, mosses, and much more. High above, hornbills may soar between the treetops, gibbons call to one another across the canopy, and if you're lucky, you might spot a macaque or leaf monkey swinging through the branches. Brilliant 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—look, listen, and learn—and you’ll begin to uncover the hidden secrets of this ancient jungle.

After your morning exploration, return to the camp to enjoy a delicious Thai buffet, offering a final taste of the local cuisine. Following lunch, there’s time for a refreshing shower before your onward transfer to your chosen beach hotel.

Day 9-11
Phuket

Continue to unwind in tropical bliss with another 4-nightson 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 seaside escape offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.

Day 12
Phuket to UK

After a memorable stay in paradise, you’ll be transferred to the airport in comfort for your return flight to the UK. Take with you the warm memories of Thailand’s golden beaches, vibrant culture, and tranquil moments—until your next adventure.

Accommodation

The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 21 days before you travel
Elephant Hills Jungle Camp
1 nights
Panom District, Thailand
Elephant Hills The Lake Camp
1 nights
Ban Ta Khun Distric, Thailand

Hotel Information

Kata Palm Resort and Spa

TripAdvisor Review
Thailand, South East Asia
Kata

Set amongst verdant gardens, Kata Palm Resort and Spa is located a short walk away from world famous Kata Beach in Phuket and just a 20 minute drive from Phuket Town. With winding, lagoon-style swimming pools and lush tropical gardens surrounding the resost, the Kata Palm Resort is a picture perfect complex for a well deserved holiday.

Facilities at Kata Palm Resort and Spa:

Perfect for both families and couples, the hotel provides a range of facilities to ensure you have everything at hand during your stay. Featuring two large swimming pools (one with a swim up bar), a fitness centre and a spa- the hotel is renowned for providing a relaxing holiday. For the little ones, a kid club and splash area are the perfect spots for releasing some energy.

The Kata Palm Resort and Spa has 3 restaurants. The 'Palm Leaf' provides breakfast daily in a buffet style, 'Palm Restaurant' is the main restaurant which offers delicious cuisine incuding seafood and western style dishes. During the day, enjoy a snack at the poolside restaurant 'Angkor' or have a few drinks from the swim up pool bar.

Your Guestroom at Kata Palm Resort and Spa:

All rooms are carefully decorated in traditional Thai style decor, with warm colours and dark woods. Each room has a private balcony and come equipped with Cable TV, Telephone, Mini Bar, Hair Dryer and Safe. Room upgrades are available at a supplement.

View 14 Photos

Facilities

  • 2 swimming pools
  • Fitness Centre*
  • Kids' Club
  • Splash area
  • Resturanta
  • *Some facilities may incur an additional fee

The Local Area

Set amongst verdant gardens, Kata Palm Resort and Spa is located a short walk away from world famous Kata Beach in Phuket and just a 20 minute drive from Phuket Town. With winding, lagoon-style swimming pools and lush tropical gardens surrounding the resost, the Kata Palm Resort is a picture perfect complex for the perfect holiday.

What's Included

Hand-picked Accommodation

8 Meals

International Return Flights

Overseas Transfers and Transport (as per itinerary)

Hold Luggage for all flights

ABTA & ATOL Protection

Important Information

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. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0333 188 0407 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. 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.

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.

For this holiday, 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, vegetarian options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.

It is not recommended to drink the tap water, 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.

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:

Asian Trails Ltd, 9th Floor, SG Tower, 161/1 Soi Mahadlek Luang 3, Rajdamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Email : travis@asiantrails.org

24 hour emergency contact information: Travis Clark - +66 (0)6-3080-5580,

Email: attinboundenglish@asiantrails.org / travis@asiantrails.org / supen@asiantrails.org

Sign up to our E-newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Tell us how we can improve

About UsContact UsHelp and FAQsPrivacy PolicyTerms & ConditionsABTA & ATOLHoliday InsuranceHow To BookOnline BrochuresOrder a BrochureModern Slavery StatementSitemapTravel Agents

01732 809 181

Opening Times
Mon - Fri:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Bank Holidays:
9.00am - 8.00pm
9.00am - 7.30pm
9.00am - 7.30pm
10.00am - 5.00pm

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information visit www.gov.uk/travelaware.

Abta Atol
Chat Specialists