Thailand & Laos - The Ultimate Wildlife Ecotour

11 Day Itinerary

A shorter version of our most popular itinerary emphasizing wildlife and bird-watching "off the beaten path." This is our signature wildlife adventure, with many of Wild Planet's special touches, including:

More value than any other professional wildlife tour, including Bird & Wildlife Viewing in over 4 National Parks and Wildlife Preserves, Eco-Responsible Elephant Camp, Exclusive Interaction with Tigers at Tiger Kingdom, Snorkeling on Thailand's famous Islands, Beaches and Karst on the Islands, Karen Indigenous Village, Chiang Mai Old City, Cooking School, Buddhist Temple, Khantok Dinner & Dance Show, Thai Massage and more!

Expert Local Naturalist Guides - Even biologists in some places

Authentic Thai Boutique Hotels, Spas and Rainforest Lodges - as well as a special choice in Kaeng Krachan of 2 nights deep jungle camping or an all lodge-based option!

Specifically designed to optimize the chances of seeing more wildlife by visitng a variety of different eco-systems, including some of Thailands most remote and least visited national parks.

Day 1 Bangkok

Arrive Bangkok airport, meet our staff and transfer straight to your hotel. Our staff will brief you about all the activities. Dinner on your own. Option for dinner cruise on Chao Preya river, depending on arrival time.
Overnight: Baan Chantra

Days 2 and 3 Kaeng Krachan National Park

*Choice of Lodge-based or Camping
Highlights: Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Birdwatching, Night Drive. Lodge or Camping Option
Wildlife: Over 40 mammal species including elephant, tiger, clouded leopard, Malayan sun bear, Asiatic black bear, slow loris, binturong, serow, barking deer, mouse deer, tapir, Malayan pangolin, and 3 species of primates –gibbons, dusky langurs and long-tailed macaques. Local hill tribes also claim there are Sumatran rhinoceros by the border with Burma, but this is doubtful. The park is also home to more than 250 species of birds including five species of hornbills.

LODGING OPTION: Hike through the lush tropical forests of Thailand’s largest national park –and one of its least visited. View wildlife by Mt. Pakarang where langurs and serows are commonly seen, then enter the lush tropical forest at Pha nen Thung to see Gaurs, Elephants and Gibbons. Enjoy night drives each night to look for nocturnal animals such as jackals, civets, Malayan porcupine or possibly even a clouded leopard. Overnight: Kaeng Krachan country club (superior room)
Or choose special camping option for both days (below)

DEEP JUNGLE OPTION: Wild Planet Exclusive! Days 2 & 3 Camping instead of lodging choose 2 nights camping (We provide camping gear, no need to carry it!)
Our base camp is the ideal spot to see langurs, serows and other wildlife. Each day we'll choose from a variety of hikes, including the road to Mt. Pakarang, a trail to the beautiful Hanuman cave, a specacular waterfall, and a salt lick basin, a hot spot for wild elephants. Animal tracks are everywhere! We've even spotted wild tiger tracks and "sandboxes"! We’ll also hike to a calm, secluded stream, where wild animals come to drink. Gibbons, Langurs, Macaques, Bears, Gaurs, Civits, Giant Squirrels, Porcuipine, Flying Fox, and 6 species of hornbills are often seen here. Enjoy delicious Thai meals deep in the forest at the end of your exciting day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 4 and 5 Ko Talu Island - Snorkeling, Kayaking, Karst and Beaches

Highlights: Snorkeling, sea-kayaking and brilliant white-sand beaches
Boat to beautiful Ko Talu Island for snorkeling, kayaking and relaxing on the beach. Thailand’s famous shallow turquoise waters are perfect to explore the kaleidoscope of colorful coral reefs.
Overnight: Ko Talu Island Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park

Highlights: This small park contains a diverse array of habitats: ten distinctive habitat zones in all, including high steep limestone mountains, fine sandy beaches, spectacular caves, forest trails, estuarine and mangrove habitats. But its most famous attraction is a spectacular cave, home to unique limestone formations and a Buddhist pagoda favored by kings for over 100 years. Evening transfer to Pa La-U, the far Southwestern entrance to Kaeng Krachan known for its abundant wild elephant population.
Overnight: The Park's House
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Pa La-U, Karen Indigenuos Village, Waterfall, Wild Elephant Tracking

Visit Pa La-U waterfall, a beautiful 11-tiered rock waterfall in the jungle, surrounded by monkeys and birds. Then visit an indigenous Karen village, moved to Thailand from Myanmar their ancestors. This afternoon we'll follow elephant tracks to see wild elephants and other animals as they come to forage and then find their sleeping place for the night. This second foray into a completely different entrance of Kaeng Krachan Natonal Park is ideal for observing these incredibly social animals.
Overnight: The Park's House

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Bangkok, Floating Market, Temple of Emerald Buddha, Grand Palace

Leave Pa La-U and head back to Bangkok. On the way we'll visit the Damnoen Saduak floating market, one of Thailand’s most exotic and colorful spectacles. Hundreds of longboats laden with an astonishing variety of fruits, vegetables, sweets and meats navigate the canal. Later, visit two of Thailand’s most famous sites; The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The breathtaking Grand Palace was built in 1782 and was the residence of the king for 150 years. Next door is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a wonderland of golden towers and grand buildings decorated with glittering mosaics, widely regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand. Evening flight to Chiang Mai
Overnight: Lanna Mantra Ping River Hotel
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 Chiang Mai Cooking School, Doi Suthep Temple, Khantok Dance Show

Chiangmai is the most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand, once part of the ancient Silk Road. Enjoy a phenomenal cooking class led by a world-renowed professional Thai chef who will teach you to prepare tasty Thai dishes. Afterwards visit Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple that is a landmark of Chiang Mai. This evening enjoy a Khantok Dinner, Northern style, with a fantastic Thai dance show.

Overnight: Lanna Mantra Ping River Hotel
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Tiger Kingdom, Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Highlights: Visit a Tiger Sanctuary, meet tigers and play with baby tiger cubs! Explore the birds of a Thai Cloudforest. Shop at a famous Thai night bazaar.
Wildlife: Tigers! Sunbirds.
Early morning wildlife viewing and birdwatching at Doi Inthanon National Park, home to the largest nubmer of bird species in Thailand, including the endemic Green-tailed Sunbird. Beautiful Asian orchids adorn its cloudforest ad Gibbons, deer and Siamese Hares are sometimes seen. Visit nearby waterfalls. Then visit Tiger Kingdom, a Wild Planet Adventures Exclusive!

Wild Planet Adventures Exclusive!

Meet tigers and Interact with baby tiger cubs! You’ll be instructed to safely feed and play with tigers up to 1 year old at this special sanctuary.

This evening enjoy shopping at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, famous for handmade items and Thai silks.

Overnight: Lanna Mantra Ping River Hotel
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Elephant Camp, River Rafting, Chiang Rai

Spend an amazing day feeding, bathing and learning about elephants at an eco-responsible elephant camp. Play with them in the river, then float downstream on a bamboo raft. You will not believe how much fun this experience is, and how much it will open your heart to learn about these incredibly social animals! Afternoon transfer to Bangkok for international flights departing that evening, or overnight in Bangkok at extra cost if needed (15 day passengers transfer to Chiang Rai and overnight at a beautiful Thai spa and prepare for the Gibbon Experience Treehouses.)
Overnight: Pholwadon Resort & Spa (15 day passengers only)
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

(Travelers on 11 day itinerary return to Bangkok. Overnight in Bangkok if necessary at extra charge)
15- day travelers transfer to a beautuful Thai spa in Chiang Rai - see 15-day program here. )