Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At the northeastern tip of the island,
Viking Cave
(Tham Phaya Naak) is a big collec-
tion point for swifts' nests. Nimble collectors scamper up bamboo scaffolding to gather the
nests. Before ascending, they pray and make offerings of tobacco, incense and liquor to
the cavern spirits. This cave gets its misleading moniker from 400-year-old graffiti left by
Chinese fishermen.
There are no hotels on Phi-Phi Leh and most people come here on one of the
ludicrously popular day trips out of Phi-Phi Don. Tours last about half a day and include
snorkelling stops at various points around the island, with detours to Viking Cave and Ao
Maya. Long-tail trips cost 800B; by motorboat you'll pay around 2400B. Expect to pay a
400B national-park day-use fee upon landing.
It is possible to camp on Phi-Phi Leh through
Maya Bay Camping
( 08 6944 1623;
www.mayabaycamping.com
; per person 2100B)
. It offers action-packed overnight trips that
include kayaking, snorkelling, lunch, dinner, and sleeping bags under the stars.
Ko Lanta
POP 20,000
Long and thin, and covered in bleach-blond tresses, Ko Lanta is Krabi's sexy beach
babe. The largest of the 50-plus islands in the local archipelago, this relaxing para-
dise effortlessly caters to all budget types with its west-coast parade of peach sand
- each beach better than the next. The northern beaches are busy but fun and
things get more and more mellow as you head southbound.
Ko Lanta is relatively flat compared to the karst formations of its neighbours, so
the island can be easily explored by motorbike.
Sights
KO LANTA MARINE NATIONAL PARK
( adult/child 400/200B)
Established in 1990, this marine national park protects 15
islands in the Ko Lanta group, including the southern tip of Ko Lanta Yai. The
na-
tional park headquarters
is at Laem Tanod, on the southern tip of Ko Lanta Yai,
reached by a steep and corrugated 7km dirt track from Hat Nui. There are some ba-
sic hiking trails and a
scenic lighthouse
, and you can hire long-tails here for is-
land tours during the low season.
National Park
