Description
ITINERARY: The Krabi “Jungle Tour” offers a packed day of sightseeing for those with limited time. You’ll get to visit three of Krabi’s must-see inland attractions – all of which are very accessible and require average fitness – and have a close encounter with some incredible Thai elephants. Note: as the Hot Springs / Emerald Pool sites are located more than 70km from the beach areas, there will be a considerable amount of time spent travelling between destinations.
The first stop on the tour is the mineral rich waters of the Klong Thom Hot Springs, where you can bathe in the natural jacuzzis hollowed out in the rock by the fast flowing water, or in one of the slightly cooler new pools made by diverting the stream. You will stay about 45 minutes here. Then it’s time to head to the nearby Khao Phra Bang Kram Nature Reserve where you can take a short trail to the spring-water filled Emerald and Blue Pools, swim and explore the surrounding forest. You will have approximately 1.5 hours for independent exploration.
Break for lunch at a Thai restaurant next to the entrance of the Emerald Pool – food is served family style (various dishes with rice). Then it’s on to Tiger Cave Temple. 1.5 hours is allowed here – this would give you just enough time to climb the 1260 steps to the mountain top shrine with the panoramic views (if you are in shape). If not, there are plenty of temple buildings at ground level to explore, as well as a great rainforest nature trail and several caves in a valley where the monks go to meditate. On the way back to Ao Nang, make the final stop at the elephant camp, where you will take a 30 min trek through a shady oil palm plantation and along a river, after which you can interact with and feed the animals.
Note that the order of events may be changed in the event of more than one group being booked on a single day; in this case, the itinerary will be normally be reversed with elephant trekking + Tiger Cave Temple in the morning, then Emerald Pool and Hot Springs after lunch. It is not possible to choose the order in advance.
Expected group size: 6 – 13 pax, depending on the day and time of year.
FURTHER READING:
– More info on elephant trekking.
– More info on the Hot Springs and Emerald Pool.
– More info on Tiger Cave Temple.
– Detailed trip report
Carly –
The whole thing was really rushed with a lot of travel time inbetween so you don’t get to relax and enjoy the places much. Guide is there mostly as a timekeeper, no real informaiton provided. Lunch was good with lots of food. Overall it was ok, but not sure I would recommend to others, maybe if you have limited time it would be fine?