Walk on the Wild Side; Family Adventures in Thailand and Laos

With their stunning national parks, exciting wildlife and elephant escapades, the tropical nations of Thailand and Laos are excellent destinations for fun-filled, family-friendly adventures. Exotissimo has a range of educational, exciting and exotic tours to ensure everyone in the family has the time of their lives.

Home to the famous River Kwai Bridge, the Thai province of Kanchanaburi is steeped in history, boasts massive expanses of tropical forest, and is a great destination for an action-packed family holiday. Discover the fascinating history of the province and its world-famous bridge in the JEATH museum and explore the rugged beauty of Erawan National Park with its spectacular seven-tiered waterfalls, elephant jungle trekking and exhilarating white water rafting.

For a walk on the wild side, monks at the province’s Tiger Temple offers visitors a unique chance to get up close and personal with their domesticated brood of big cats rescued from poachers in the nearby Thai-Burmese border jungle. The adventures continue with kayaking trips down the mighty River Kwai Yai, an informative visit to Hell Fire Pass or even a magical trek into the heart of the impressive Wang Badal and Thum Kra Sae caves.

For jumbo-sized fun, our new “Living like a Mahout” program in Laos allows you and your family to experience life as a Lao mahout (elephant trainer) at our Elephant Park Project and make some larger than life friends in the process!

In this exciting package, which is unique in Laos, participants work directly with the resident mahout team at the park and learn to feed, wash, care for and ride their elephants, follow elephant trails and even guide the elephants out of the jungle. Get a fascinating insight into these magical creatures with your family while enjoying the luxurious accommodation at the Elephant Park Lodge and the stunning scenery of Northern Laos. Eco-projects like this one help secure a future for the region’s domestic elephant population and their hard-working mahouts, and are an elephantastic opportunity for a unique and inspiring holiday and one el’ of a good time!

Living like a mahout?

Pranburi International Triathlon 2007

The southern Thai town of Pranburi will host its first major international sporting event on Saturday 20th October 2007, when the Pranburi International Triathlon is to be held at Evason Six Senses Resort & Spa.

The inaugural race, which will take place on the beaches in front of the five-star resort and on the backroads of Pranburi, is planned to become an annual event and an essential fixture in the Asian triathlon calendar.

The race will be professionally managed by international race organizers and will consist of a swim in the warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand, a bike course close to Sam Roi Yot National Park, and a run through the fishing villages and along the coast of Pranburi with a beach finish.

International professional athletes will compete with local triathletes in the Olympic distance elite race, while a sprint distance short course is set to attract corporate racers and fun runners.

With an abundance of beautiful natural scenery, including the spectacular Sam Roi Yot National park and long stretches of sandy beaches, the race will be scenic as well as challenging. And located just a three hour drive from Bangkok and a short drive from the busy tourist centres of Hua Hin and Cha Am, Pranburi is ideally situated to host an international sporting event.

The race is mainly the result of an initiative by forward-thinking tour operator Exotissimo Travel, and according to Hamish Keith, Managing Director of Exotissimo Thailand, their main goals were "to promote tourism to Thailand and to create a long lasting quality race that will attract both professional and top age group athletes".

Proceeds from the triathlon will be donated to the Royal Project Foundation of His Majesty King Bhumibol, and H.S.H Prince Bhisatek Rajani has confirmed his presence at the event on 20th October.

Thailand has the Art of Golf down to a tee

Every year more and more savvy golfers are swinging by the balmy shores of Thailand for memorable games on some of the world’s finest fairways. Currently boasting over 200 courses, Thailand’s tropical climate, low green fees and highly-trained, service-oriented caddies attract the lion’s share of the region’s golf tourists and was recently voted “Best Golf Destination in Asia” by the respected golfing bible Asia Golf Monthly.

Many of the Kingdom’s inbound golf tour operators are seeing business double year-on-year and the market is rapidly expanding with a new course opening almost every month. Many of these excellent championship courses have been designed by golfing legends including Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Robert Trent Jones Jr. and boast wonderfully varied terrains.

Indeed, one of the most fascinating aspects of golfing in Thailand is the broad diversity of locations and environments in which the courses are situated. From the urban excitement of Bangkok and the seaside charms of the eastern seaboard, from the pristine paradise of Phuket in the south, to the verdant hills of Chiang Mai, Thailand offers a veritable tapestry of golfing delights.

One such outstanding facility with an exceptional location is the Kirimaya Golf Resort and Spa, is set on 250 acres right on the edge of Khao Yai National Park, a lush tropical forest two hours outside Bangkok that is home to elephants, tigers, and more than 300 species of birds.

This exclusive 18-hole championship golf course – designed by Jack Nicklaus – is beautifully set within natural surroundings and features panoramic views of Khao Yai's lush greenery and mountains. The course features ranges from 4,875 yards to an incredible 7,115 yards and has an innovative single-track layout.

In addition to tee times, Kirimaya's concierge can organize rafting, mountain biking, bird-watching, animal safaris and tours of the Angkor Wat–like ruins at Phi Mai, two hours north. So for both golfers and lovers of the great outdoors, a trip to a Thai golf resort is more than par for the course. Check a golf package at Kirimaya Khao Yai.

All aborad! Seriously Stylish Cruising in Southeast Asia

The flowing waters of Southeast Asia form some of its most spectacular geographical features. Mighty rivers flow from the highlands in the heart of the region and run outward in all directions to meet breathtaking bays. Experience these natural wonders in styles aboard luxurious vessels that are almost as spectacular as the waters they cruise!

Thailand’s Chao Phraya is often dubbed ‘The River of Kings’ and Manohra’s lavishly converted rice barges offer a truly regal river experience. The 20-metre-long barges feature warm teak, Padua and mahogany woods throughout, custom designed furniture and sophisticated Southeast Asian art, and can be hired by couples or groups for private charter.

In the northeast of Vietnam, just a three-hour drive from Hanoi, is the stunning World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, a dense cluster of almost 2,000 limestone monolithic islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation rising spectacularly from the ocean. Cruise the bay in the style of yesteryear aboard the Emeraude, a luxuriously appointed replica colonial paddle steamer with a romantic history to match the polished wood and brass fittings!

Myanmar’s Irrawaddy River is the life-line of the nation and flows through the centre of the country for almost 2000 km. Cruise its mighty waters in comfort aboard the RV Pandaw 1947, an original Scottish-built colonial steamer, commissioned at the end of the Second World War. With sixteen beautifully appointed cabins, elegant dining hall, saloon and sun deck, Ayravata Cruises offer cultural and exploration cruises in comfort.

Or enjoy the timeless landscapes of Southern Laos from your luxurious vantage point on “the river-borne boutique hotel’ of Vat Phou. The beautiful 34-metre steel hulled craft features a charmingly appointed interior and gives leisurely cruises along the mighty Mekong. On a different stretch of the Mekong in nearby Cambodia, Mekong River Cruises offer a unique experience of a fascinating country in serious style!

So why not embark on the trip of a lifetime with our Emeraude Experience Cruise.

Eco-logical Tourism

Exotissimo is committed to supporting environmentally and socially responsible tourism projects and we strive to incorporate our philosophies of sustainable travel into all our programmes wherever possible.

In line with this commitment, Exotissimo developed the Sustainable Tourism Department; a team entirely dedicated to pursuing environmental protection and economic and social justice through tourism. Two of the sustainable tourism projects in Laos which we are proud to be involved with are The Kamu Lodge and The Akha Experience.

A three hour upstream cruise from Luang Prabang, The Kamu Lodge offers ‘an exclusive and ecological experience with zero impact on the environment’ at its tranquil, rural centre. Built entirely from natural products and featuring thatched tents and solar-powered energy, guests at the lodge can learn about the traditional farming and fishing techniques of the Kamu villagers, as well as trek through some of the region’s dense jungles and forests.

In 2005, Exotissimo also began working closely with eight tribal villages around Muang Sing to create a sustainable way for visitors to experience tribal life. Muang Sing is a small town 10km from the Lao-Chinese border famed for its abundance of local ethnic minority groups. The Akha Experience is an authentic and responsible tour on which travellers can enjoy a fascinating insight into the village life of the Akha, while helping to fund important community development.

Supporting projects such as these is part of our attempt to encourage sustainable tourism that helps to fight poverty and support environmental and cultural preservation. For more information on these sustainable tours, check out this detailed itinerary of The Akha Experience and review of The Kamu Lodge Eco-Resort.

Khao Sok National Park

Imagine walking through a 180 million year old rainforest, the morning filled with the sound of gibbons calling across the canopy above. You reach a clearing and your guide tells you to be quiet and look to the sky. There you see a hornbill flying low as it searches for food in the jungle below. In Khao Sok this experience an almost daily occurrence.

Khao Sok National Park is the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. It predates the Amazon and can be traced back in time as far as 180 million years when it was part of a great river delta protected by a coral reef six times longer than the Great Barrier Reef.

Part of a protected area that covers almost 4,000 sqm of south Thailand, Khao Sok is home to some of Asia’s rarest flora and fauna including the world’s largest flower, the rare Rafflesia Kerrii. Trekking is the best way to experience the beauty of the area. Several trails lead from the park headquarters into the jungle following jungle paths that take you to waterfalls or caves. Walking under the shade of giant fig and rattan trees, your guides will be on the constant look out for gibbons, hornbills and other wildlife, while monkeys are seen often.

Deeper into the park you will find Chao Lam Lake. Created in 1982 when the Rachabrapha dam was built, Chao Lam is famous for the giant limestone Karst Mountains that rise mystically from the water to heights of over 100 meters. Part of a topographical chain that stretches from Phang Nga Bay near Phuket to Guilin in China and also occurs in Vang Vieng in Laos and Halong Bay in Vietnam, the mountains of Chao Lam are one of the travel world’s best kept secrets. A longtail boat ride across the lake in the early morning is an unforgettable experience as the waters reflect the giant limestone mountains creating magical memories.

When the area was flooded, several villages were lost and 100 metres below the waters are complete communities. As part of the national park, there are no permanent buildings around the lake but the original inhabitants were allowed to build floating raft houses and adventurous travelers can spend the night in the simple bamboo huts in the middle of the lake.

As well as trekking through the park, kayaking on the lake or down the Sok River are other ways to discover the area. Located almost half way across peninsula Thailand, Khao Sok is easily reached from Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani or Khao Lak and should be an essential part of all visits to South Thailand. View our Gibbon's Call in Khao Sok for your Khao Sok trip.

Tribal Nations - Living the High Life

Along the borders of Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand and China, there are dozens of mountain-dwelling semi-nomadic people collectively known as ‘hilltribes’. Although they do share an elevated lifestyle, these colorful communities actually represent a diverse myriad of languages, cultures and belief systems.

The Akha, one complex hilltribe group in the region, are closely related to the Hani of China’s Yunnan province but speak their own distinct language which comes from a branch of the Tibeto-Burman language group. The Akha are traditionally subsistence farmers, and Akha Zang (The Akha Way) combines animism, ancestor worship and their deep relationship with the land.

Also originally hailing from Yunnan, the Lisu have primarily earned their name as a tribe alive with color, and are considered to use the greatest variety of colors of all the hill tribes. Their confident decision-making and independence is reflected in the way the Lisu use powerful combinations of colors to decorate their costumes.

The Karen are one of the largest hilltribes in Southeast Asia with a total population of about three million spread throughout Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. Famed for the ‘long necks’ of their women, the Karen now live at relatively low elevations in permanent villages, and have developed environmentally sustainable terraced rice fields.

The Lahu are a strongly independent and very diverse ethnic group. In Thailand alone there are no fewer than six different Lahu tribes, some of whose languages are not mutually intelligible. Although primarily subsistence farmers, the Lahu are also proud of their hunter-warrior heritage and are strongly committed to principles of unity and working together for survival.

This brief look at just a few of these fascinating groups illustrates the complex diversity of Southeast Asian hilltribe communities.

Experience these remarkable ethnic groups for yourself on our Shan Homestay in Tham Lod.