My experiences with overwater accommodation have been pretty wonderful over the past few years; from tiny overwater bungalows in the Philippines right through to the most extravagant overwater palaces in the Maldives – I have become a big fan of falling asleep knowing that water is moving beneath me.
Travelling to Khao Sok National Park in Thailand presented me with yet another chance to spend an evening over the water – but this time it would be in the form of overwater glamping!
So, after saying farewell to the stunning elephants that call Elephant Hills home – it was onwards to Khao Sok Lake.
Once arriving at the lakes main port, it was about a thirty minute speedboat ride to camp.
The views en route were nothing short of spectacular. Enormous limestone cliffs could be seen jutting out of the water at every turn, and I remember mentally comparing this boat trip with the one that took me to my island getaway in El Nido.
Before too long, the overwater ‘glamping’ tents came into view. I was super excited to check out my new digs, and even more excited to make use of my kayak and get out onto the water.
This camp may not have been anywhere near an elephant, but it is still very much considered a part of ‘Elephant Hills’ and as such, the adorable elephant touches remain very evident in the décor.
Each ‘tent’ has a fluffy queen size bed, fresh drinking water, a consistently hot shower and comes with a private double kayak.
The lake is safe for swimming too, which is great, because Thailand is pretty unrelentingly hot!
I had pictured myself spending the afternoon kayaking, but instead I threw on my swimmers and spent most of the arvo cannonballing into the water from my tent!
As the sun went down, so did the mercury! With the weather cooler and more tolerable, it was the perfect time to get snap happy and capture some images of the incredible lake and rainforest surrounding me.
I went to sleep that night with a full belly, aching muscles and a head packed with dreams about monkeys swinging through the treetops.
As I had hit the hay rather early, I was wide awake at around 5am – which may sound dreadful, but it was actually kinda perfect. The lake was so smooth and still – which made for some pretty gorgeous photos.
Look at those reflections!
The forest surrounding this lake is well known for being home to gibbons, but as they spend their lives high up in the tree tops, they can be difficult to spot.
However, what they lack in visibility they sure make up for with audibility!
Gibbons are loud.
Not only is it pretty incredible to hear the sheer magnitude of their calls, but it makes it easier to know where to look for them.
The early hours are apparently the best time to get looking, so without any hesitation, it was time to jump in my kayak and go gibbon searching!
In a (totally predictable) twist of fate, within about 10 minutes of being on the water I found myself not even actively looking for gibbons…
…instead I found myself completely and utterly mesmerised by the stunning reflections on the water. Honestly, I am the most easily distracted human being on the planet!
Can you really blame me though?
Eventually, the gibbon calls pulled me from my pretty reflection induced stupor, and I was able to concentrate on the trees above and around me.
As it turned out, I didn’t have to look particularly hard!
Had the gibbons stayed in one spot I likely would never have spotted them, but they seemed to enjoy swinging through the trees – which makes their location a dead giveaway!
I only had my 12-40mm lens with me on this kayaking trip, and unfortunately this was not the ideal lens for capturing gibbons from a distance. I have said it before and I’ll say it again – I need a telefoto lens!
Despite it not being the ideal lens, I still managed to get at least one shot where a gibbon was visible.
Then, I put my camera down, laid back in my kayak and enjoyed watching the gibbon antics going on above me.
As always, happy solo travelling! xx
THE LOWDOWN
Getting to Khao Sok: From Phuket, Khao Sok is about a 2 hour drive north
Elephant Hills: 3 day all inclusive adventures start at 19,399 THB (approx $730 AUD), click here for more
Camera: Images captured with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 in conjunction with M.Zuiko 12-40mm f2/8 lens
Remember: Bring ALL of the deet!
Love the reflections over the water, these look beautiful! Did the gibbons wake you up? Or lull you to sleep? Haha…:)
Definitely woke me up haha!
For some reason I don’t seem to have commented on your Manila to El Nido post but this reminded me of that too because on seeing those round island cliffs I started questioning whether that was where ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ was filmed. Again.
It is a compelling sight and has always stuck with me. It turns out that that aerial filming was done in Phang Nga Bay which seems to be just south of you a bit north of Phuket. So it seems to be the same local geology at least.
It’s a lovely thought of you just lying back on the moving water and just gibbon watching.
I have been to Phang Nga bay and definitely had a similar thought! I also heard other people comparing it to Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, but I haven’t been there myself… and least not yet!
Beautiful pictures! What a great idea to stay overnight on the water! Me and my husband did a similar boat trip in Kerala
Oh lovely! I have heard wonderful things about Kerala.
This sounds amazing I’ve always wanted to try glamping
http://sheismelrose.net/
Do it! I have done the glamping thing a couple of times, and it never gets less awesome. South Africa is another really cool place to do it!
I LOVE THE PICTURES
Thank you! 🙂
This is so wonderful. No less than a dream.. ❤️
It is a pretty gorgeous location!
Wow, look at those reflections! I am with you – the mornings provide for much better adventures than evenings. I would have surely gone gibbon-spotting with you at 5 🙂
Great to hear it! 🙂
This looks incredible!!
Thank you! <3
Great photos!
Thank you! 🙂
Ive been to Thailand twice but never got to khao sok. Next time I go to Thailand I hope I can visit this awesome area.
Awesome to hear it Stephanie!
Never knew that even a lake (I usually prefer the clear sea) could be so perfect!
It is a pretty incredible lake – just so beautiful!
What a beautiful part of the world.
No kidding!
What a dreamy glamping experience, Ellen, and those shots! Egad they are precious. xx
I know, right?! Such a lovely place to glamp, and to kayak! xx
Like I would not doubt a piece of French pastry, I cannot doubt you 🙂 xx
That place is beautiful. It must have been a nice experience!
It really really was 🙂 thanks for reading!
This is incredible!
Thank you! It is such a beautiful pocket of Thailand 🙂
What a marvelous way to greet the day- with apes at play!
Definitely! They were such loud little primates!
We stayed there in 2012 and absolutely loved it. I’ve never been to a more tranquil place in my life and will return Thailand just to experience it again.
Awesome! Did you stay overnight on the lake too?
Truly amazing photos!!! I’ve wanted to see those little islands for years
Any plans to visit Thailand?
wow the park look amazing!! and i feel like i should put overwater accommodation onto my bucket list 😉
You definitely should 😉
Ah those reflections! Beautiful shots as always. And the price point actually seems in the realm of affordability 🙂
No kidding! It is very well priced for what it is!
This looks so beautiful – stunning water reflections!
Thank you – it really is a gorgeous place!
WOW, just beautiful there. And yes mornings can be as beautiful as the sunsets.
Sometimes I think sunrises are even more beautiful!
This is so beautiful! I can’t blame you, and I’d totally be distracted by all of the stunning sights. I also quite love getting up at 5am every day; it’s the perfect time of day! Before everyone else disturbs the peaceful quiet 🙂 My 70-200 IS was THE best purchase of my life.. crazy expensive, but I love love love love LOVE that lens. It served me quite well in both Costa Rica and Alaska. It’s super heavy, but I can’t live without it 🙂
Great post! This is one of my favorite things I’ve ever done and it’s awesome to see this post. Beautiful pics!