The food provided is wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits from the jungle and local markets. The superb chefs use lots of delicious tofu, cashews and peanuts as well as cooking fish that they catch fresh from the lake. Chicken is also available so, there is plenty for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. It is a real privilege to feed ourselves with food that comes from such a trusted local source where the nutrition is straight from the natural environment that surrounds us.
Supper is more likely a protein delight of fish, chicken or tofu with vegetables bursting with extra jungle vitamins!
There will be bottled drinking water, beer, soft drinks and fresh coconuts and small bags of fresh ground coffee available to buy too.
Food allergies and other specific dietary requirements can be catered for. Please just let us know before you arrive...
applefusion - lovingly developed through Katy's life experience as a ballet dancer, yoga teacher and pilates instructor.
Transformational solar vinyasa flow yoga: a variety of active asana practices for all levels: dynamic prana vinyasa flow, energetic and alignment-based hatha yoga, liberation creative dance, pilates core-inspiration, body prayer, invocations, heart opening practices to liberate body and mind - are you ready? WOO HOO!
Soak up the stillness, sunbathe, swim, kayak, have blissful massages, read, take time out to completely rest and recharge. There is also the chance to discover some of the amazing wildlife with day hikes and night safaris.
Introspective & awaking lunar yoga practices.
These sessions will consist of various techniques such as pranayama, meditation, mantra, yoga nidra, nada yoga to bring you home to YOU.
Natural bug repellant just in case, and try to bring only natural soaps, shampoos, etc.
Priwan Raft House is nestled within the Klong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary that is located in the west of Surat Thani province in southern Thailand.
Khun Sucheep and his wife Khun Kamlaa are the owners of the bungalows and they welcome all into their life and home to share this special place. Dick and Beth have been facilitating retreats for many years and know this place to be their home too.
The lake's sweet fresh water is not only safe but a therapy to swim in. The water temperature is always perfect. There are kayaks available to use in and around some of the fantastic limestone crags and coves. If you are not a swimmer, there are life jackets available.
The sanctuary offers sensational lake and cliff vistas, primary rainforest, and extraordinary wildlife. There is a chance of hearing many a gibbon as they sing in the morning to the rising mist plus seeing monkeys, hornbills, eagles, osprey, wild boar and bears as well as elephants and, if you're the luckiest person alive, possibly even a tiger!
All of these animals are endangered and they know it...that's why it is difficult to find them. Bring your binoculars!
Accommodation are floating bamboo huts with simple bedding.
What is your Jungle Yoga bungalow?
A front deck, bedroom and a back deck. Inside the bedroom is a mattress, mosquito net, which is a nice comforting way to sleep tucked under and surrounding your mattress. Blanket, pillow, sheets and a towel are provided for bathing. Bedding and towels are changed every 3/4 days. There are toilets on dry land, Asian style and a shower room. Although those happy to,can take a bucket and wash at the lake (with natural soaps) just off the deck of your bungalow - as many of us do, and as do the Thais. We also wash clothes in the lake. The lake is home to many fish and an incredibly cute community of otters, as well as large water snails and goodness knows what else, but all harmless!
For this reason it is really important to try to use natural washing products, for body, hair and clothes too if possible.
The yoga shala is a floating split bamboo floor space with a thatch roof, and open sides. Ideal for yoga and meditation classes as it is an ideal place for quietude.
All the bungalows as well as all other structures are FLOATING on the lake, connected by bridge walkways. The bathroom/shower facilities are the only structures on the land.
Airports and Transfers:
There are plenty of international flights into Bangkok. You will then need to take an domestic flight to Surat Thani airport where the group will meet. When booking flights please make sure that you arrive into Surat Thani before 1.15pm on 10th January as we will need the rest of the day to travel to the lake, the flights below are the suggested ones to arrive on. The return transfer will drop us back to Surat Thani airport on 20th January arriving 10.30am.
Joelle is an independent travel agent, an excellent service that takes the hassle out of booking your flights
Tel: 0845 058 7311
Mob: 07747 133457
email:
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Website:
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/joelle.salomone
Domestic flights to Surat Thani:
There are 2 carriers out of Suvarnabhumi (pronounced SU-WANA-BOOM).
Suvarnabhum in Bankok is the airport where ALL international flights land, so much easier to get the domestic flight from same airport.
BKK (Bangkok) - URT (Surat Thani Airport) is a 1 hour 15 minute flight
THAI AIRWAYS - Price round trip - 5,460 baht with tax.
Thai Airways is the #1 air carrier in Thailand. www.thaiairways.com
Jan 10 - TG253 departs BKK 09:35AM arrives URT 10:50AM
Jan 20 - TG254 departs URT 11:30AM arrives BKK 12:40PM
AIR ASIA - Price 2,027 baht round trip. THE #1 low cost airlines (no frills - pay for drinks, baggage - 10 kilos, pay extra for additional baggage weight)
Booking online: http://booking.airasia.com
Jan 10 - FD3181 departs BKK 11:25AM arrives URT 12:35PM
Jan 20 - FD3182 departs URT 13:05AM arrives BKK 14:25PM
Getting to Jungle Yoga:
The journey to the lake consists of an hour's drive from Surat Thani Airport. After signing in at the park office everyone will transfer to the 500 Rai Rafthouse boat for the journey across a phenomenal lake. This takes about 35 minutes and you will be dropped off at Priwan Raft House. On the boat journey you will be surrounded by beautiful limestone mountains filled with jungle and nature. This environment will be your home for the next 10 days of your Jungle Yoga experience. PLEASE NOTE THAT SOFT LUGGAGE IS TRANSPORTABLE - HARD WHEELIE SUITCASES ARE NOT (if people are travelling before or after and have a lot of luggage, Jungle Yoga have a safe house where luggage (not needed at the lake can be left and collected on departure). We will aim to arrive at the bungalows before dusk.
If you are not able to make the group transfer then we can organise for you to be picked up but the cost will be extra.
Visas are not required for British and European passport holders for stays up to 30 days. Passports must be valid for three months from the date of entry into Thailand.
Insurance:
Everyone must have full travel insurance. Appleyoga accepts no responsibility for loss theft or damage to persons or property during their stay. Guests must obtain their insurance independently.
Thailand general:
Currency and where to get it:
The Thai currency is the Thai bhat. Exchange rates at last time of checking was around 54 bhat to the £1. There are exchange facilities in the airport as well as ATMs. There are no ATM's in the park!
Weather/climate:
Average temperatures range from 24 - 32 degrees centigrade ... perfect!
Clothing:
Shorts and tees and bikinis are the norm. A long sleeved top is handy for extended kayak expeditions, Dick and Beth who run Jungle Yoga said that we don't need many clothes, just the essentials above!
Electrics:
There is electricity provided by a small generator, which is on only in the evenings from 6pm until approximately 10pm. It is very limited lighting - so bring headlamps and torches (and extra batteries) for nighttime reading and walking to the bathrooms at nighttime. You will be able to charge up your cameras, ipods, etc.
This is a time to disconnect from the 'civilized world' and connect to yourself and to the world of nature.
Communications:
Mobile Phones:
Absolutely no mobile reception ... bliss!
Public Phones:
Dick and beth do have a satellite phone that can be used for INTERNATIONAL or local calls. This is charged according to the country you are calling. For instance - Call to England is 80 baht per minute, Incoming call from England is 50 baht per minute. Local calls are 50 baht per minute and incoming local calls are 25 baht per minute.
Internet:
The only possible connection is via the cosmos!
Vaccinations:
Recommended vaccinations are:
Diphtheria, tetanus and polio - usually given all as one vaccination.
Hepatitis A
Malaria
You may also be advised to have typhoid, tuberculosis, rabies, hepatitis B and Japanese B encephalitis
Please check with your GP for the relevant vaccinations needed.
