Kamu Lodge - A Ideal Camping Site in Asia, Expat Living Hong Kong

The Referral Guide for HONG KONG June–July 2014

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patliving.hkJune–July 2014 Issue 17

TRAVEL

134 Jun-Jul14

Ah, Mother Nature. In air-conditioned, sanitised, concreted cities it can sometimes be hard to feel in touch with the natural environment. Camping is one way to reconnect with the smells, sounds and sights of the great outdoors, and it doesn’t always have to mean roughing it. We’ve rounded up some interesting options across Asia and Australia.

CANVAS BEATS CONCRETE

By Katie Roberts

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CAMPING

THAILAND

FOUR SEASONS TENTED CAMP WHERE: Named after the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet, the camp is 65km from Chiang Rai International Airport or a four-hour drive from Chiang Mai.

WHAT: This is a high-end glamping experience complete with elephants. The luxury tents have everything you’d expect from a hotel room and more, even a hand-hammered copper bathtub, an outdoor rain-shower, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a complimentary minibar.

ACTIVITIES: Spend a day with the elephants, enjoy a spa in the bamboo jungle, or just lie by the pool overlooking the Ruak River. There’s also elephant polo for the adventurous.

WHAT’S NEARBY: Nose around Chiang Rai, head over to Myanmar, float down the mighty Mekong River or visit the local hill tribes.

COST: Expect to pay about HK$18,500 per night for two people. Guests must be 12 years of age or older.

fourseasons.com/goldentriangle

HINTOK RIVER CAMP WHERE: Northwest of Bangkok in Kanchanaburi, an area well known for the notorious WWII Thai-Burma railway. It’s a three-hour drive from Bangkok Airport (or go by train).

WHAT: The air-conditioned tents have local teakwood furniture, en-suite bathrooms and hot water. There is Wi-Fi, a pool, campfires and mountain bikes, all in a gorgeous riverside location,

ACTIVITIES: Most people stay here for its close proximity to the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum and for the historical trail along the Death Railway. You can also do mountain-biking trips and elephant-riding into the bamboo forest and to Mon Village.

WHAT’S NEARBY: Visit Lawa Cave to see natural stalactite and stalagmite formations; it’s home to the world’s smallest bat. There are waterfalls, bamboo rafting, boat rides and canoeing on the River Kwai Noi.

COST: Three-day, two-night packages including transfers from Bangkok start from HK$1,970 per person. Check the website for advance booking deals.

hintokrivercamp.com

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ELEPHANT HILLS TENTED CAMP AND RAINFOREST FLOATING CAMPKhao Sok National Park, Surat Thani

WHERE: The two camps are located in Khao Sok National Park, in Southern Thailand’s largest rainforest. Two hours’ drive from Phuket Airport.

WHAT: Elephant Hills has 30 tents with running water, electricity and king-size beds. There’s a pool at the resort, too. Rainforest Floating Camp has 10 tents situated in the centre of Cheow Larn Lake. Accessible by longboat, the tents are powered by solar and wind energy and have en-suite bathrooms.

ACTIVITIES: Enjoy nature tours through the rainforest, or canoe trips and trekking for different skill levels. Try Thai cooking classes or the Elephant Experience for close interaction with the animals, including daily bathing. At the Rainforest Camp there are night safaris in inflatable boats, wildlife-spotting and swimming.

WHAT’S NEARBY: Sri Phang Nga National Park, beautiful waterfalls, Buddhist temples and a fresh market at Takuapa.

COST: Elephant Hills offers a range of packages. The 3-day Jungle Lake Safari costs around HK$4,200 per adult (half price for children), including accommodation, all meals, activities, and transfers from Phuket Airport.

elephant-hills.com


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136 Jun-Jul14

INDIA BIG RED TENT KOLAD

WHAT: The campsite is set on an acre of land beside the Kundalika River in the village of Kolad in Maharashtra state, a three- to four-hour drive from Mumbai and Pune.

WHAT: Tents and sleeping kit are provided. There are common toilets and showers, picnic tables, lanterns and games and puzzles in the common area. Barbecues are available for self-catering, and food is available.

ACTIVITIES: Four-hour white-water rafting (children must be over 14), boat rides and quad biking.

WHAT’S NEARBY: Mumbai, Pune and Goa are within a few hours’ reach.

COST: Prices start from around HK$160 for adults and $100 for children under eight, depending on time of year. There are more Big Red Tent facilities at Vashind and Karnal.

bigredtent.in

LAOSKAMU LODGE WHERE: Located on the Mekong River in an isolated mountainous area, it’s three hours north of Luang Prabang by boat. Get there quickly, because the road that’s under construction will no doubt bring big changes. It’s also accessible by boat (down river) from Thailand. WHAT: This decade-old venture was established by a French hospitality company in partnership with the adjacent village of 450 people, providing employment and a unique experience for visitors. Rustic accommodation in canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms and hot water is located amongst the trees along the Mekong. There’s no TV and no phone coverage; electricity is generated by solar power and the village is largely self-sufficient. Simple buffet meals are served in the communal restaurant. ACTIVITIES: Discover traditional village life: plant rice seedlings in the paddies, check out the village school, try your hand at archery or fishing; explore the surrounding hills and the riverbank or experience a vigorous massage. WHAT’S NEARBY: Call in at the Pak Ou caves on the banks of the Mekong on the way back to Luang Prabang.COST: A two-night package is US$190 per person, including all meals, activities, boat transfers and accommodation.

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Read an account of a personal stay online. Head to our website and click on Travel.
