If you're planning a trip to Thailand and want more than beaches, shopping and nightlife, Elephant Hills deserves a top spot on your itinerary. Nestled inside the spectacular Khao Sok National Park, this award-winning eco-retreat blends wildlife encounters, jungle adventure and peaceful luxury in one of Thailand’s most breathtaking natural settings.

With Thailand’s first luxury tented camps, ethical elephant experiences and floating rainforest accommodation, Elephant Hills offers an unforgettable escape that feels worlds away from the usual tourist trail.

What Is Elephant Hills?

Elephant Hills operates two soft-adventure camps:

• Elephant Camp – Home to 66 spacious safari-style Luxury tents.
• Rainforest Camp – A truly unique eco-floating camp featuring 20 luxury tents anchored on the turquoise waters of Cheow Lan Lake, offering uninterrupted 360° rainforest views and a rare back-to-nature experience.

Both camps offer private safari tents inspired by African glamping design. Expect real beds, ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, private decks, and serene views of the jungle or lake. Each tent even has its own Wi-Fi access, giving you convenience without losing the wilderness charm.

All packages (2–4 days) include accommodations, activities, meals, transfers, and an English-speaking guide. Everything is organised before you arrive, ensuring a completely hassle-free experience.

Getting to Elephant Hills

Reaching the camps is easy. Courtesy vans provide free pick-up and drop-off from:

• Phuket
• Khao Lak
• Krabi
• Surat Thani
• Koh Samui (via Don Sak Pier)
• Khanom

The best part? Your pick-up location can be different from your drop-off point, making Elephant Hills perfect for multi-destination Thailand itineraries.

Why Elephant Hills Is Famous

Elephant Hills has won numerous awards for sustainability and ethical tourism, including:

• PATA Gold Award for Environment / Eco-Tourism
• National Geographic World Legacy Awards Finalist
• Ranked #1 for Animal Welfare by the Thai Tourism Board and Wanderlust Magazine
• Certified by Global Spirit (Animal Welfare Certification)

From elephant conservation to wildlife monitoring and education projects supporting local schools, Elephant Hills actively contributes to the community and environment.

Best Time to Visit Elephant Hills

• November to April – Dry, warm and perfect for outdoor activities
• May – Cooler and greener, with occasional showers and great wildlife sightings

Khao Sok’s temperatures generally range between 24°C and 31°C all year.

What Wildlife Can You See?

Khao Sok is one of the world's oldest rainforests and one of Thailand’s most bio diverse regions. You may spot:

• Asian elephants
• Long-tailed macaques
• Gibbons
• Hornbills
• Jungle cats
• Monitor lizards
• Rare bird species

The ethical elephant experience is one of the most respected in Thailand, making Elephant Hills a favourite among responsible travellers.

Top Experiences at Elephant Hills

1. Ethical Elephant Encounters

This is the heart of the Elephant Hills experience.

• No elephant riding
• No chains – elephants roam freely in natural surroundings
• Hands-on feeding with pineapples, bananas and special tamarind balls
• Learn their history and how Elephant Hills gives rescued elephants a second chance after the logging ban of 1989
• Expert guides explain elephant behaviour, conservation challenges and daily care routines

It’s educational, responsible and unforgettable.

2. Jungle Trekking & Canoe Safaris

Explore the untouched rainforest with guided treks to hidden waterfalls and ancient caves like the Diamond Cave.

Canoeing down the peaceful Sok River with a dedicated paddler offers a relaxing and scenic way to spot wildlife along the riverbanks.

3. Cheow Lan Lake & the Floating Rainforest Camp

This is one of Thailand’s most unique stays.

Twenty luxurious floating tents sit on crystal-clear turquoise waters surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

You can:

• Paddle your private canoe directly from your tent
• Join guided Speedboat trips through mangroves
• Trek through remote jungle trails
• Relax on your floating deck with 360° views of the rainforest

Many guests call this the highlight of their entire Thailand trip.

4. Evening Cultural Shows & Cooking Classes

After a day exploring:

• Enjoy traditional Thai dance performances by local schoolchildren
• Join a Thai cooking demonstration to learn how to make dishes like Pad Thai and green curry
• Wake up to fresh bread and pancakes prepared daily by the on-site baker

It’s a warm, authentic cultural experience supporting local communities.

Facilities at Elephant Hills

Luxury Tented Rooms

• Private safari tents
• Hot showers
• Comfortable beds
• Private decks
• Wi-Fi in tents at Elephant Camp
• Floating tents at Rainforest Camp for an unplugged, nature-immersive stay

Dining

Buffet-style meals featuring Thai and Western cuisine. Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

Relaxation

A jungle-side swimming pool and sun deck help you unwind after day excursions.

Guided Tours

All activities are led by experienced English-speaking guides who know the region inside out.

The Community & Conservation Projects

Elephant Hills actively supports:

• Student education projects
• Elephant conservation initiatives
• Wildlife monitoring

Although a tourism business, the camp places strong emphasis on giving back to local communities and protecting Thailand’s wildlife.

Is Elephant Hills Worth It?

Absolutely — especially if you want a Thailand holiday combining:

• Ethical wildlife encounters
• Soft adventure
• Luxury in the heart of nature
• Unique floating accommodation
• Hassle-free logistics with transfers included

It’s ideal for couples, families, honeymooners and wildlife lovers looking for a Thailand experience that truly stands out.

If you’re planning a Thailand holiday and want to mix wildlife, beaches and a bit of adventure, you can easily build Elephant Hills into a wider trip. Because the camps offer free pick-up and drop-off from major resort areas, it fits smoothly into many popular routes. It also saves you travel time and lets you explore more of southern Thailand in one go.

Itinerary ideas for Elephant Hills

Below are a few itinerary ideas that pair Elephant Hills with favourite Thai beach destinations and lively city stays:

• Bangkok > Phuket > Elephant Hills > Khao Lak Start with the buzz of Bangkok, fly to Phuket for a few days by the sea, then head into the rainforest for your Elephant Hills stay. Afterward, slow things down in Khao Lak, known for calm beaches and easy-going resorts. It creates a nice balance of city, coast and jungle.
• Bangkok > Krabi > Elephant Hills > Phuket This route works well if you want island-hopping and dramatic limestone scenery. Spend a couple of days in Krabi, continue to Elephant Hills for your wildlife experience, then wrap up in Phuket for dining, markets and lively evenings.
• Phuket > Elephant Hills > Koh Samui A simple two-coast option. Begin in Phuket, move on to Elephant Hills for your jungle adventure, and then travel via Surat Thani to Koh Samui for palm-fringed beaches and a relaxed island feel.

These routes help position Elephant Hills as the highlight of a wider Thailand journey, giving travellers the chance to enjoy nature, wildlife, beaches and local culture in one smooth trip.

If you’re ready to start planning or want help choosing the right route, our team at The Flights Guru can guide you through it. Speak with one of our holiday experts and we’ll help you build a trip that fits your style and your budget.

As a booking partner to Elephant Hills, the Flights Guru are able to book this unique experience as part of your wider Thai holiday itinerary.

Elephant Hills – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is Elephant Hills located in Thailand?
Elephant Hills is located in Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand, approximately 3 hours from Phuket. The region is known for its ancient rainforests, dramatic limestone cliffs and rich wildlife.

2. How do I get to Elephant Hills?
Elephant Hills provides complimentary transfers from Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak, Surat Thani, Khanom, Don Sak Pier and even select flights arriving at Phuket Airport. Your pick-up and drop-off locations can be different, making it easy to fit into any multi-stop Thailand itinerary.

3. Is the elephant experience at Elephant Hills ethical?
Yes. Elephant Hills is known for one of Thailand’s most ethical elephant experiences. There is no elephant riding, and no chains are used, allowing the elephants to roam freely. Guests learn about elephant care, prepare food and feed them in a respectful, hands-on environment. The camp has won multiple awards for sustainability and animal welfare.

4. What is the difference between Elephant Camp and Rainforest Camp?

• Elephant Camp features 66 luxury safari tents set in the jungle with private bathrooms, hot showers, Wi-Fi and a pool area.
• Rainforest Camp offers 20 floating luxury tents on Cheow Lan Lake, each with a private deck and canoe, providing a unique, peaceful experience surrounded by 360° lake and rainforest views.

5. What activities can I do at Elephant Hills?
Guests can enjoy ethical elephant interactions, Sok River canoeing, guided jungle treks, cave explorations, cultural dance shows, Thai cooking demonstrations and lake excursions. At Rainforest Camp, optional activities include canoeing, wildlife spotting, guided hikes and relaxing on the floating decks.

6. When is the best time to visit Elephant Hills?
The best time to visit is between November and April, during Thailand’s dry season. For cooler weather and vibrant green scenery, May is also excellent, though you may experience light showers as monsoon season begins.