Thailand Activities and Ecotours

Specializing in ecotours we offer the following activities at the Koh Ra Ecolodge:

Diving

Snorkeling

Besides the snorkeling trips to Surin Islands as mentioned in the dive section, we also do trips to nearby islands visiting places where few tourists ever go:

Snorkeling day trip to Laem Son National Park islands.

Half day trip to Koh Kai (Egg Island) on longtail boat, includes mask/snorkel and fins, lunch and drinking water. Price- Baht 1200 per person (min. 2 people). Children up to age 12 half price.

Depart 9:00am
Return 12:30pm

Full day trip to Koh Kam islands- includes speedboat, mask/snorkel and fins, lunch and drinking water. Price- Baht 2400 per person (min. 2 people)

Depart 9:00am
Return 4:00pm

Sea Kayaking

Day trips and up to 2 night/3day camping trips organized and/or guided by us. We have new RTM sit inside touring kayaks which are fast and well equiped (guided trips or experienced paddlers). We also have sit-on-top kayaks for nearby self-guided trips.

Day trips around Koh Ra- rent kayaks by half day or full day, boat pick-up/drop-off possible for extra. Paddle the whole way around Koh Ra in about 9 hours (6-7 hrs. paddling)- not for the faint of heart! Otherwise, paddle 1.5 hrs. down to Bird Lagoon and back or short mangrove paddle.

Sit-on-top Prices- Baht 200 per hour, 500 per half day, 800 per full day for kayak rental only (2 paddles, life jackets, dry bag), self-guided; guided- Baht 1400 day, Baht 2300 full day

Overnight trips prices vary depending on destination; guided trips with new sit-inside touring kayaks baht 3200/day.

Possible itineraries:

Overnight to “Baan Krachang” community owned floating bungalows set in a peaceful mangrove river about 9km from KRE.
Overnight camping on Koh Ra west coast, beautiful empty bays and beaches, camp with a tent and our boat support
Overnight to Koh Prathong island, the next island south of Koh Ra, stay in the tsunami village with our friends
Multi-night camping at the uninhabited Leam Son National Park.

Community-based tourism- Village tours

Visit the local Moken (Sea Gypsy) village on Koh Ra, walking distance from the Ecolodge, to experience their tradition lifestyle. Activities may vary on any given day, but would include learning about their subsistence fishing, plant cultivation, handicrafts, Nipa palm weaving, etc... We also set up activities to take part in making crafts that the Moken sell.

Guided half day tour- Price Baht 600 per person

Medicinal and jungle plant tour and hike- Price Baht 600 per person

Other activities, price varies, please inquire

Visit mainland coastal fishing villages for various activities including batik-making, hand-made soap-making (the ones we sell at the Ecolodge), Thai sweet-making, mangrove restoration, orchid conservation.

Day trips range from Baht 1500-3000 depending on where you go and what you do.
Homestays on the mainland village of Baan Talay Nok can be arranged for the full experience, please inquire for more trip details and options.

Bird watching and hiking

The birding scene has taken off on Koh Ra with a species list at 72 (thanks to avid birder Gareth Brown), including a pair of Buffy Fish Owls, Serpent Eagles, and always hornbills. See a trip report here http://www.birdtours.co.uk/tripreports/thailand/thailand-58/Ko-Rah-feb-2010.htm

Koh Ra has some of the last and best quality island lowland tropical forest and its protected status ensures ample habitat for birds and other fauna. Hornbills are especially abundant and easy to observe. Hike our own nature trails and look for the many species of birds and butterflies, jungle plants, hornbills, orchids and much more.

Guided walks for 2-3 hours- Price Baht 500

Longer itineraries including nearby venues (Khao Sok national Park, Krabi) are possible, please inquire.

NEW- Wildlife Photography Expedition!!!

Acclaimed professional wildlife photographer and picture editor, Lee Dalton www.leedaltonphotography.com, will be hosting a wildife photography tour on Ko Ra January 9-16, 2010. This tour is specifically tailored to the needs of wildlife photographers who are looking to improve their photographic technique, and is designed to suit all skill levels, from those new to photography to semi-professionals. The best wildlife photography comes to those who understand the need for patience: this holiday is designed and paced to give you the chance to achieve the best images whilst appreciating the nature around you. Lee will be on-hand to offer specific advice relating to all aspects of photography including exposure, perspective, macro technique and digital processing.

As Koh Ra is almost completely covered in primary rainforest, wildlife photography opportunities abound here, with possibilities of seeing and photographing a myriad number of exotic species, some rare and endangered, including several species of hornbills (inc. oriental pied & great), broadbills, sunbirds, parrots, kingfishers, storks, pitas, bee-eaters, hawks, eagles (inc. white bellied & crested-serpent), wild pigs, deer, otters, pangolin, primates (inc. crab-eating macaque, dusky langur & slow loris), leopard cats, turtles (inc. green, olive ridley & leatherback), flying squirrels, lizards, tree frogs, orchids and butterflies. There are over 100 species of birds on this island and the neighbouring island of Ko Phra Thong making it an ideal destination for bird watchers.

Lee will be running daily workshops on wildlife photography, usually requiring a light trek into the rainforest along trails, focusing on techniques that will help you to take better pictures in the often challenging conditions found in the tropics. There will also be ample opportunities to photograph wildlife found along the coast such as the graceful White-bellied Sea Eagle and Crab-eating Macaque. The neighbouring island of Ko Phra Thong has a breeding population of rare Lesser Adjutant Storks which we will strive to see and photograph one of the days. The techniques of night time photography will also be explored as a number of fascinating animals such as the Slow Loris are nocturnal. Photographers are free to opt out of workshops should they want to explore the island on their own. The tours will be made up of no more than 10 people so that everyone has the opportunity to make the most of the photographic opportunities presented. For those who are interested in pursuing photography professionally Lee will be able to give advice on the stock photo industry and other avenues for generating income from photography.

Cost is only US$960 includes room, food, transfers and photograpy program led by Lee. Please email us to sign up for one of the few spots!