In the morning, pick up from hotels in Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi, and Surat Thani, and then transfer to one of Thailand’s large rainforests, Khao Sok National Park. Head towards Anurak Community Lodge, a natural accommodation hidden in lush jungle of Khao Sok.

Upon arrival, begin the morning program with the Elephant Bathing and Feeding Experience, which will give you a great opportunity to get close to those beautiful and gentle giants. Spend one magical hour feeding and bathing an elephant. This is the least harmful experience for the elephant, and the best for you to interact with these majestic animals. By offering this ‘low’ impact experience we support the elephants and contribute to their ethical upkeep. 

In the afternoon, you will be taken into a small creek where you will get into a canoe. But all you need to do is lie back, have your camera ready and relax, your guide will be sitting behind you and doing all the paddling! The creek meanders through a mangrove forest, the tangled roots of mangrove trees are almost everywhere, but the real attraction are the 100+ years old Bayans whose massive roots turned into new parts of the trees. Also the huge ferns on both sides on the narrow creek increase the jungly feeling. With only the occasional splash of your guide’s paddle and the birds singing as background music you slowly ‘glide’ through an almost prehistoric world. And if you are lucky; snakes, monkeys, birds and monitor lizards can be spotted! It’s only a trip of about one hour but feels much longer due to the fairytale like scenery.

Return to the lodge in the late afternoon. 

Overnight at Anurak Community Lodge

Phuket – Khao Sok (184 km): 2.40 hr

Khao Lak – Khao Sok (66 km): 1.10 hr 

Krabi – Khao Sok (147 km): 2.10 hr

Surat Thani – Khao Sok (118 km): 1.50 hr

The morning tour starts with a drive to Khao Sok National Park entrance fee and headquarters. After a short briefing, start hiking up and down the main dirt track in Khao Sok. This track winds through enormous bamboo forest, old growth trees and strangler figs. With a bit of luck, we might see dusky langurs, long-tail macaques, hornbills, small lizards and more.

Then hike at a leisurely pace with a short break from time to time so that anyone reasonably fit can enjoy this hike. From time to time, get off the main track and go down across hiking trails towards the Sok River, if there’s enough water, you may even go for a refreshing dip. Keep in mind that the trails are very basic, be prepared to climb occasionally across rocks and tree trunks! At the ranger station at Bang Hua Red, stop for a (cold!) drink (*), if you like. After this relaxing break, we follow the main dirt track back to the park headquarters.

Return to Anurak Community Lodge between 12:30 and 13:30 for lunch.

After lunch, your pick up will be at 15:00 to relax and take in the majestic scenery while gently floating down the Sok River. The journey starts a few kilometers upstream taking you past the towering cliffs of Khao Sok! Half way down the trip you will have a stop for swimming and a coffee break (depending on the season)! Then return to your canoe and continue paddling downstream. On the way, your expert guide will show you brightly coloured birds, and you may also see monkeys, monitor lizards or even a snake or two resting high up in the tree canopies. The guides come from the local villages and although their English language skills may be limited, they more than make up for that with their infectious enthusiasm for the unique natural environment and their desire to share their knowledge with visitors.

Overnight at Anurak Community Lodge

After breakfast, transfer towards your next destination, Phuket / Khao Lak, Krabi, and Surat Thani.

Khao Sok – Phuket (184 km): 2.40 hr

Khao Sok – Khao Lak (66 km): 1.10 hr 

Khao Sok – Krabi (147 km): 2.10 hr

Khao Sok – Surat Thani (118 km): 1.50 hr