Thailand tailor made holiday, elephants, jungle & beach
Highlights
Bangkok | Long-tail boat along the Chao Phraya River | Chiang Mai | Elephant Nature Park | Zip lining | White water rafting | Khao Sok National Park | Three-hour nature trek | Chiaw Laan Lake | Night in a floating bungalow | Kayaking | Morning cruise | East Coast IslandsDescription of Thailand tailor made holiday, elephants, jungle & beach
A two-week tailor made holiday that includes all the exciting experiences you dream of from a holiday in Thailand, plus a few extras, too!Kick off your adventure in the capital Bangkok, taking in all the city’s must-see temples and bustling canals, as well as experiencing a slice of local life at the flower market and China Town. Then fly to Chiang Mai for an encounter with elephants at one of the best sanctuaries in the country, with time to explore this lovely city, sampling some of its famous street food and visiting the night market. There’s also a day to explore the forests here the adventurous way, with a treetop zipline and white water rafting.
Next, you spend a night in a floating hut on the beautiful and peaceful Chiaw Laan Lake, enjoying all kinds of activities here, from hiking, swimming and exploring caves to dawn and dusk boat safaris to spot tropical birds and monkeys. Finally, relax on the white sands of one of Thailand’s famous islands or explore the crystal-clear waters by snorkelling, scuba diving or even sea kayaking.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comDeparture information
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.

We have an eye on low-impact tourism, especially in Khao Sok park, where we've chosen simple jungle treehouses and a floating huts on Chiaw Laan lake. There's not a lot of tourist infrastructure but the lack of electricity is more than made up for by your closeness to nature. There are domestic flights included for convenience but we can substitute trains, which is a great way to see the countryside. We are also concerned with animal welfare and the elephant sanctuary has been chosen specifically for its high standards of welfare and leadership in phasing out elephant rides in the Thai tourist industry.
We see protecting the environment as crucially important, especially in beautiful and fragile areas like Khao Sok national park. For this reason, we have chosen Thai partners that active promote higher environmental standards in Thai tourism as part of the Green Leaf Foundation. They are also developing new kinds of holidays that combine ecotourism and community tourism, for example working with the Doi Tung royal project which helps hill tribe people to protect their lands and traditions, or developing holidays at organic farms and the Petchaburi wildlife centre.
The Impacts of this Trip
Creating social and economic benefits for local people is the central goal of our company and as such we try to incorporate meaningful interaction with local people in all our holidays. One of the best ways of doing this is by staying at family-owned guest houses rather than big resorts which also spreads income from tourism more widely - we can suggest many great places in Koh Tao or nearby islands.
If you'd like to stay at a hotel, we have chosen ones that employ all or nearly all Thai staff, provide them with training to further their careers and which give something back to the community through donations or selling local handicrafts. We also buy in services from small businesses wherever possible, helping spread the money from tourism to more people. For example our canoeing trip in Khao Sok park was created by local villagers interested in sharing and preserving their special environment.
With the decline of working elephants in Thailand, many mahouts have lost their jobs and their elephants end up in exploitative camps aimed at tourists. Our elephant experience helps to support the mahouts' families as well as putting the animals' welfare and happiness first and advocating for wider changes in the elephant tourism industry.
Our Thai partners are as involved in community development as they are in environmental issues and they do a lot of work in the rest of the country to develop more responsible tourism. On a national level, they have pioneered synergy training, bringing together hotels, tour operators and communities to better understand each others’ needs and so create more sustainable and enjoyable holidays. We are proud to be taking part in the push for stronger responsibility in the huge, and sometimes destructive, Thai tourism market.


We have an eye on low-impact tourism, especially in Khao Sok park, where we've chosen simple jungle treehouses and a floating huts on Chiaw Laan lake. There's not a lot of tourist infrastructure but the lack of electricity is more than made up for by your closeness to nature. There are domestic flights included for convenience but we can substitute trains, which is a great way to see the countryside. We are also concerned with animal welfare and the elephant sanctuary has been chosen specifically for its high standards of welfare and leadership in phasing out elephant rides in the Thai tourist industry.
We see protecting the environment as crucially important, especially in beautiful and fragile areas like Khao Sok national park. For this reason, we have chosen Thai partners that active promote higher environmental standards in Thai tourism as part of the Green Leaf Foundation. They are also developing new kinds of holidays that combine ecotourism and community tourism, for example working with the Doi Tung royal project which helps hill tribe people to protect their lands and traditions, or developing holidays at organic farms and the Petchaburi wildlife centre.

The Impacts of this Trip
Creating social and economic benefits for local people is the central goal of our company and as such we try to incorporate meaningful interaction with local people in all our holidays. One of the best ways of doing this is by staying at family-owned guest houses rather than big resorts which also spreads income from tourism more widely - we can suggest many great places in Koh Tao or nearby islands.
If you'd like to stay at a hotel, we have chosen ones that employ all or nearly all Thai staff, provide them with training to further their careers and which give something back to the community through donations or selling local handicrafts. We also buy in services from small businesses wherever possible, helping spread the money from tourism to more people. For example our canoeing trip in Khao Sok park was created by local villagers interested in sharing and preserving their special environment.
With the decline of working elephants in Thailand, many mahouts have lost their jobs and their elephants end up in exploitative camps aimed at tourists. Our elephant experience helps to support the mahouts' families as well as putting the animals' welfare and happiness first and advocating for wider changes in the elephant tourism industry.
Our Thai partners are as involved in community development as they are in environmental issues and they do a lot of work in the rest of the country to develop more responsible tourism. On a national level, they have pioneered synergy training, bringing together hotels, tour operators and communities to better understand each others’ needs and so create more sustainable and enjoyable holidays. We are proud to be taking part in the push for stronger responsibility in the huge, and sometimes destructive, Thai tourism market.

43 Reviews of Thailand tailor made holiday, elephants, jungle & beach
Reviewed on 27 Mar 2020 by Dee Forrest
Fantastic, memorable, above expectations and brilliantly organised... Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Feb 2020 by Judy Harp
The most exciting part of the holiday was the day spent with the elephants. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Jan 2020 by John Kimmance
We loved the scenery and set-up at Khaosok National Park and of course the elephants at De Kashor Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Dec 2019 by Sophie Mumford
Brilliant - superbly organized and totally memorable. Probably he best holiday we’ve ever had, and certainly as a family. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Nov 2019 by Alice Brindley
The most memorable part of the holiday was Khao Sok National Park. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Nov 2019 by Stuart Mathieson
The most memorable part of the holiday was spending time away from the busier areas with local guides who were full of information about the local area and environment. Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Jul 2019 by Robin Bone
The most exciting part of the holiday was the zip lining was amazing as was staying at Praiwan Raft House in Khao Sok National Park. ALL the Thai people we met were genuinely friendly and could not do enough for us, they are great hosts. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Jun 2019 by hayley tait
The most memorable was to meet Punoi the large bull elephant and to watch him stroll through the natural habitat, grazing, pulling down trees to access his lunch while his Karon tribe Mahout, made us a gourmet lunch over an open fire. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 May 2019 by Lynne Humphrey
Visiting the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai was the most memorable part of our holiday Read full reviewReviewed on 13 Feb 2019 by Kate Leslie
The most memorable part of the trip was the sunset dinner on the rice barge at Ayuthaya… It was excellent. The quality of the hotels and guides was very good and the itinerary was well thought out Read full reviewReviewed on 21 Feb 2019 by Leaticia Kossligk
Most memorable was the overnight stay at Pa Kao Lam village and the interaction with the elephants there!.. Overall it was an amazing experience and perfect balance of excitement/activity and relaxation. Read full reviewReviewed on 11 Dec 2018 by Noa Tal
A two day trek to a remote village of the Karen tribe was the most memorable part of the holiday... Great! Read full reviewReviewed on 17 Jun 2018 by Sharon Crook
One of the very best holidays we’ve ever had Read full reviewReviewed on 04 May 2018 by Glenda Bregazzi
The whole holiday was memorable. A fabulous adventure. Fantastic. I would highly recommend it. One of the best holidays I have ever had. Extremely well looked after and all the pick ups on time. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Apr 2018 by Jenny Adcock
Tour of Bangkok was great with excellent guide, same with jungle trek near Chiang Mai, loved the White water rafting in kayaks, and day with elephants. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the lake trip and my son liked Chiang Mai and jet skiing at beach. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Feb 2018 by Tony Allen
The most memorable was watching the dance show put on by the children at joys House in Chiang Mai. Read full reviewReviewed on 09 Feb 2018 by Rose Barling
Such memorable experiences. A million bats streaming put at Dusk in Khao Yai, the elephant rescue nature park, the night in a raft house on Khao Sok Lake and the final three days on the beach... we needed it by then! Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Feb 2018 by Sophie Horner
The zip lining and white water rafting were pretty exciting! The zip lining was very safe and well run. The white water rafting guides just want to make sure you get as wet as possible! Read full reviewReviewed on 31 Aug 2018 by Michal Stein
The most memorable part of the holiday was...the cooking class, white water rafting and zip wires. Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Aug 2018 by Keith Scarfe
Overall, a great experience. We got to do the things we had hoped to do. Met and enjoyed the company of locals and people from all around the world which is always nice on holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Apr 2018 by Jo Loughran
The markets & wandering the streets to all the amazing sights & smells. The elephant sanctuary, ziplinging, ATV & white water rafting. The cave trek on chiaan lake. Chiang mai was great. Khao lak & further south, was the only part we found very touristy, expensive & not typically Thai. Read full reviewReviewed on 08 Sep 2017 by Ashley Woodford
I think there were 2 memorable moments... meeting the elephants and white water rafting. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Apr 2017 by Wendy Mason
All of it was amazing! I can't recommend our tour operator enough. They deserve all the credit. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Apr 2017 by Jenny Thornhill
It was amazing!!...Khao Sok National Park, our Jungle House really stood out as being a spectacular part of our holiday! Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Mar 2017 by Paul Grout
It was all memorable, we couldn't have planned it better if we'd tried, highlights included the visit to the elephant sanctuary, the stay in the jungle treehouse, the stay on the lake and the relaxing days had at Koh Tao Cabana. Perfect. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Jan 2017 by Steve Martin
The best part of our whole trip was our 3 night stay in Chaing Mai at Joy's house. The white water rafting, zip lining and elephant Park were all such incredible fun but the best part was Joy's house; what a place. It's so welcoming there, it's like staying with family. All the trips were organised to perfection as was the whole holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 03 Apr 2017 by Deborah Ives
My day tour of Bangkok was fantastic. My guide was so interesting and made it all fun - from the flower market to China town, the temples to the Palace - it was fantastic. I loved Bangkok, not so sure about Chiang Mai and really enjoyed the beaches of Koh Lanta! Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Nov 2016 by Terri Denton
Everything about this holiday was fantastic, we were treated like royalty. If we had to pick anything it would be... the elephant sanctuary is a must see... it was just a fabulous holiday. Ten out of ten definitely, the best holiday we have had by far. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Dec 2016 by Jane Pattenden
Thailand is an amazing place - the country has very diverse regions each with their own flavours and challenges. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Nov 2016 by Kimberly Schwiger
Elephant Nature Park and the Praiwan Rafthouse on Rachabrapha Lake (Chiew Laan) were amazing. The lake was one of the most beautiful places I've been, and our guide was wonderful at pointing out wildlife we would have missed on our own. We even got to kayak close to a group of monkeys and got to enjoy watching them in their natural habitat. Read full reviewReviewed on 05 Sep 2016 by CIARA FOLEY
Where do I start - meeting the elephants, being suspended upside down on the zipwire, white water rafting, scuba diving in Koh Tao Read full reviewReviewed on 16 Aug 2016 by Wendy van Gool
The holiday was packed with diversity from the beaches to the cities to the jungle. Each part had its captivating, unique appeal. Family unanimously agree that we cannot identify a single moment that stood out from the rest as it was all total fun, yet different. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Dec 2016 by Neville Isaacson
The most memorable moments were the elephant farm, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, the Bridge over the River Kwai... Some of the Temples and Buddas were also stunning. We had a wonderful time. Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Aug 2015 by Neil Emmott
It was a really great holiday, very well organised, and enjoyed by everyone in the family Read full reviewReviewed on 24 Dec 2015 by Jonathan Rajaram
The most exciting experience was the walk in the cave and jungle at Kao Lak. It was amazing to see bats suspended above our heads during all the walk. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Nov 2015 by Tracey Cannon
Great holiday...I would use this company again for a tour. Best bits: all of the different activities eg. cooking school, elephant camp, lake stay, train ride to Chiang Mai and Koh Tao. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Aug 2015 by Sarah Stephenson
For me, trekking through the jungle with an amazingly knowledgeable Guide was the highlight, despite the rain! And then there was the white water rafting, and the elephants, and the night noises, and the night markets...but let's not forget the unforgettable Thai people! Read full reviewReviewed on 19 Jun 2015 by Helen Sanderson
It was so remote, and felt really exclusive. They had set our room and stay up for a honeymoon, and prepared a private dining area for us. Read full reviewReviewed on 23 Sep 2014 by Georgina Mackenzie
I would say break it down into areas where 10/10 or 9/10 is assigned. I loved the way in which I was with Elephants and then in a city. Read full reviewReviewed on 27 Aug 2014 by Amanda Henson
A very memorable holiday with lots of different experiences - a great mixture of travel, activity and finally relaxation! Read full reviewOur travel guides
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