Anantara pitches luxury Mekong Explorer Tent in Thailand's Golden Triangle

It would be tough to discover a camping experience more luxurious than this

Camping just got ritzy with the launch of the Mekong Explorer Tent at Anantara’s Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.

The hillside retreat in northern Thailand is set within a 160-acre bamboo forest, just four kilometres from Southeast Asia's famed Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. 

This is a stay the family is unlikely to forget. Guests arrive at the resort by traditional longtail boat and are greeted with a two-bedroom tent boasting sweeping views of the jungle, the Mekong river and the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation’s herd of rescued elephants below.

Inside the tent, campers can expect two bedrooms of luxuriously designed space featuring leather, wood and Jim Thompson fabrics accenting handcrafted furniture and locally sourced amenities. Enjoy sustainable teas from Sawanabondin, chocolates from Kad Kakao and homemade elephant-shaped butter cookies. 

Each bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and the two private terraces feature a five metre infinity pool and an outdoor bathtub. Could there be any better way than this of soaking up those verdant jungle views?

The luxurious stay includes a Sky Bike adventure, full-board dining, unlimited soft drinks and access to the local Hall of Opium. Each night’s stay also includes a choice of activities such as the Walking with Giants elephant experience, a Spice Spoons cooking class and visit to a local market, a 60 minute spa treatment or a private yoga or pilates session.

The Mekong Explorer Tent is just one of many accommodation options at the resort. Guests can also opt to stay in a Jungle Bubble or Jungle Bubble Lodge for a unique elephant-viewing opportunity, which comes with butler service, private deck overlooking the elephants and a private plunge pool. 

The resort is also set to introduce Mekong Explorer Suites shortly, with elephant-inspired decor, a balcony with jungle views, a cantilevered Thai daybed, rain shower and soaking tub.

Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort provides sanctuary for 20 rescued elephants through the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. The resort claims to be truly sustainable, relying on solar power and maintaining vegetable gardens, a grey oyster mushroom farm, bee hives and free-range chickens.

How to enjoy Southeast Asia's elephants ethically