Khao Lak Tours
Khao Lak is virtually surrounded by national parks, making eco-friendly tours an easy option to say the least. But in the eco-friendly bracket there are subdivisions in that you can choose between a waterfall tour, a sea canoe tour, a visit to the Similan or Surin islands and of course elephant trekking or simply hiking in the parks.
In rainy season white-water rafting is exhilarating while all year round you can do a temple tour. Khao Lak's driving conditions are much calmer and saner than Phuket's so renting a jeep and simply exploring the surrounding countryside is a pleasant way to find out more about Thailand.
The Similan Islands
The Similan Islands, approximately 100km northwest of Phuket in the Andaman Sea, form an area of great natural beauty and were declared a Marine National Park in 1982. Consisting of nine, densely wooded islands fringed with rocky outcrops and gorgeous beaches with fine talcum powder-like sand, the islands still remain the province of the locals and divers.
Water clarity is excellent and the scenery varies with each island. Ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, every trip to the Similans provides a new diving experience. There are day trips by speedboat and Similan stopover camping tours. (Read more...)
Eco Tours
Located in the mainland province of Phang Nga just north of Phuket Island, Khao Lak stretches across three national parks and offers nature lovers an unspoiled tropical landscape of beaches, hills, mountains, forested valleys, mangroves and estuaries. Take a trek on an elephant, go down the river on a bamboo raft, walk through the forest and get close to nature in this magical place.
Eco Tours in Khao Sok and Khao Lak offer adventure, excitement and some of the most impressive scenery in southern Thailand. Activities like kakaying and elephant trekking offer a unique opportunity to get close to nature. (Read more...)
Phang Nga Bay Sea Canoe
One of the most popular day tours in the area, the Phang Nga Bay Sea Canoe tour involves an 08:30 pickup and a drive to the East Coast of Phuket where a 'mother ship' will take you up to the hongs, or caves of Phang Nga Bay. When tidal conditions are right a guide will paddle you to the centre of the hongs where a whole eco-system exists.
Monkeys and hornbills live inside, undisturbed by the outside world. The mother ship then takes you to another cave and after, a buffet lunch is served. In the afternoon you will explore another cave then be motored to a beach for an hour and then back to port. (Read more...)
National Parks & Waterfalls
Khao Lak area covers three national parks. Thai Muang National Park, formerly a tin mining site, has waterfalls and Hat Thai Muang, where turtles lay their eggs from November to February. Sri Phang Nga National Park in the Kuraburi and Takua Pa districts is about 60km from Khao Lak. Worth a drive, visitors can see tropical forest, hike or even stay overnight in the park's camping grounds.
Khao Lak/Laem Ru National Park runs along the west coast and offers mangroves and estuaries in addition to forest. At Khao Lak Mountain, located beside the sea, visit a Chinese temple dedicated to the wizard of the mountain. (Read more...)
