Chaotic, carnal and congested, Thailand's capital is divided by the Chao Phraya River and is nestled in one of the world's most fertile rice-producing deltas. Bangkok's 579 square miles (1 500 sq km) are criss-crossed by a series of canals carrying passengers and cargo. Its roads are clotted with endless traffic jams while the city sprawls in all directions with a hodgepodge of urban, commercial and industrial buildings.

A new overland metropolitan railway speeds above the city providing visitors with a relaxed and efficient way to observe the hustle and bustle below. Despite its pollution and overcrowding, Bangkok is undoubtedly one of Asia's most exciting cities and one of the world's largest, promising to reveal to each traveller the wild and untamed mysteries of the East.

Khao San Road is one of the city's most vibrant streets and is probably one of the best examples in the world of a backpacker's 'ghetto'. Day and night the short stretch of road is abuzz with activity. On the banks of the Chao Phraya River visitors will find the Grand Palace as well as Wat Phra Kaew, the palace temple housing the Emerald Buddha constructed entirely from translucent green jade. Slightly upriver are the exquisitely ornamented Royal Barges still used today for special floating processions. Of the 30 or so temples in Bangkok the largest is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha which houses an impressive statue of the deity.

The famous Floating Market is a delight to visitors and well worth a visit. As the sun lurches towards the horizon in the west and the sweat cools and this city of royalty and religion comes alive with a palpable decadence. Music and dazzling neon advertise a miasma of trendy bars and nightclubs as well as the notorious 'girlie joints' that have ensured the Patpong district its reputation for hedonism. Though the city's frenetic pace and infamous congestion can be overwhelming. A holiday in Bangkok is a must for anyone travelling in Thailand.

Fly from Bangkok to Elephant Hills

Welcome to Elephant Hills Camp

Pick-up from your hotel or the airport in Phuket, Khao Lak, Phang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani or even from Koh Samui and transfer to Khao Sok. En-route, glimpses of tropical rural life here in southern Thailand can be caught. Upon arrival at Elephant Hills Camp, buffet lunch is served at 12:00pm, a variety of delicious Thai dishes cooked not too spicy awaits you.

Time travel on a canoe trip

After lunch you can relax during a jungle river canoe trip down the Sok River. The canoes are very stable and safe; life jackets are provided as well as a local river guide to paddle the canoe. Drift along the jungle river passing Limestone Mountains and cliffs covered with exotic tropical vegetation. Sometimes hornbill birds can be seen flying high overhead or reptiles basking in the sun on the riverbanks. From the canoe you can experience some of the last areas of primary rainforest, a world that has changed little in thousands of years.

The amazing Elephant Experience

Get out of the canoe and head over to the elephant park. Here you can see, touch and learn about the life of Thai elephants and about the Elephant Hills elephant conservation project. Your guide will also teach you about the mahout, the elephant caretaker. While participating in our amazing Elephant Experience you will get very close to and even get your hands on these magnificent animals, you will have the chance to interact with them and learn the secrets of their mahouts. You will prepare and feed them one of their daily meals, including their dietary supplements that help with their digestion and their overall well-being. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really experience the Asian Elephant, this part of the world’s largest land animal!

The laid-back evening you deserve

After all this activity close to nature it is time for a hot shower in the unique bathroom of your luxury safari tent. Relax and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding jungle-covered mountains – this is 100% real nature! A wide selection of cocktails, wines and spirits is available at the “Jungle explorer’s club bar”. Optional evening entertainment includes a movie presentation, a traditional Thai dance performance from local school children and a cooking demonstration, where you learn how to properly prepare Thai specialties. At 8:00pm it is time for dinner in this unique location beside the rainforest, the sounds and the atmosphere will make this a memorable meal. Spend the night in your luxury safari tent with a comfortable bed, reading lights, hot water and a western-style toilet. This is real luxury so close to the heart of the rainforest!

DAY 2: SPECTACULAR CHEOW-LAN-LAKE

Good morning Khao Sok!

Wake up to the sounds of nature and birds calling from the bushes next to the tent. By the time the sun comes up and the mist over the rainforest-covered mountains to the south of Elephant Hills clears, gibbons’ territorial morning calls echo down the valley. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in your tent for early risers; breakfast is at your leisure.

Spectacular Cheow-Lan-Lake

Today you will explore Cheow-Lan-Lake by local long-tail boat. The man-made lake is surrounded by Limestone Mountains and cliffs covered in tropical rainforest that rise up from the shore of the lake and disappear somewhere in the far distance. The scenery has been compared to Guilin in China and Halong Bay in Vietnam. Few people know of the lake and even less have visited it. There are more than one hundred islands in the lake and it stretches over 60 km from North to South. In the 70’s the area was a hide-out for communists and students opposing the military dictatorship, which well preserved the area’s unique environment as it was spared from urbanization. You can enjoy the spectacular scenery from the boat and will have time to dip into the lake’s emerald water. Please bring your swimwear; towels are provided at the local raft house, where you will stop over for lunch and relaxation.

Good night, Khao Sok

In the late afternoon return to Elephant Hills for dinner and overnight in your luxury tent. The jungle bar will be open for people wanting to exchange stories of their day’s experiences at the lake, and as extra entertainment you can witness a different movie, a different dance performance and a different cooking demonstration today – enough program to keep you busy until dinner, and enough action to ensure sweet dreams after you have been lulled to sleep by the background symphony of insects and frogs.

DAY 3:   A LITTLE JUNGLE ADVENTURE

Modern era jungle explorers

Start the day with a wholesome breakfast before you will come face to face with the jungle by exploring it on foot. It is not an army survival exercise, there are no prizes for the fastest, snakes and spiders do not jump out at you – it is just an excellent opportunity to explore the ecology of one of the world’s oldest rainforests, to see a great variety of exotic plants, tropical hardwood trees with huge roots, orchids, palms, ferns, bamboos, mosses… the variety is huge. Birds such as the hornbill live high up above, gibbons can often be heard calling to their mates, a macaque or a leaf monkey may be swinging through the branches, beautiful butterflies buzz around – every day is different, but it is always truly wonderful to discover the great variety of life-forms that co-exists here together. Walk slowly. Look, learn and listen. Then you too will start to discover some of the secrets of the rainforest.

Memories for a lifetime

After your morning activities, it will be time to return to the Elephant Camp where a delicious Thai buffet will be served for our guests to indulge in some Thai cuisine before they depart the camp. After a refreshing shower the onward transfer to your next hotel or the airport awaits you. All good things come to an end, they say, but luckily this unique experience will remain in your memory for the rest of your life!

Transfer from Elephant Hills to Phuket

Phuket, one of Thailand’s larger islands, offers something for everyone, from those looking for action packed days and all-night entertainment to couples looking for a relaxing retreat. As well as the sheer diversity of accommodation in Phuket on offer with every conceivable style of resort, it also offers almost every activity a holiday in Phuket could possibly want, from kayaking and golf to island hopping and Tahi cookery Classes. A holiday in Phuket has everything!

Families can visit Phuket Fantasea, rise horses along the beach, visit a butterfly farmer try all manner of water sports. Located about an hour’s flight or overnight bus from Bangkok, Phuket is a vibrant island resort, globally renowned for its hospitality and choice of top hotels. Fashionable beach hotels with exotic restaurants and spas surround the stunning Phang Nga Bay off the west coast of Thailand, a white sandy coastline with a lively atmosphere.

Fly from Phuket to the UK