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Sport & Leisure

Four Seasons tented camp in Thailand offers jungle workouts

by Jessica Miller | May 9th 2012 | 10:46 am

We're sure you hit the hotel gym as often as you possibly can on the road (time and restaurant reservations permitting), but what is a health-conscious traveller to do when that hotel is in the middle of the jungle, sans fitness equipment? Of course, pachyderm riding and jungle trekking have their benefits, but they're rather poor substitutes for a heart-thumping, muscle-grinding exercise session.

If you're headed to the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, though, it's no longer an issue. The luxury outpost, situated on northern Thailand's Ruak River just west of Laos and south of Burma, recently inaugurated a daily 'Jungle Gym' workout experience. For those willing to lace up their running shoes before the breakfast bell tolls, it'll be a rigorous but rewarding course.

The session starts with stretching and warming up at the pool deck, where cool morning air rouses the senses and sleepy eyes can slowly awaken to views of the river and the plains of Burma beyond. A one-kilometre uphill hike gets the blood flowing and takes participants to Camp Peak, the highest point on the grounds from which the Mekong River and mountains of Laos can be seen.

What goes up must come down, so after a quick breather and short trek to the Burma Bar for water and cold towels, the course continues with an 800-metre downhill walk, jog or run. This particular route is frequented by the Camp's resident elephants, so joggers can expect to be joined by some large, slightly slower workout partners.

Back at the pool deck, there's weight training and jump roping to be done before dipping into the free-form swimming pool for a cool down – though the therapeutic whirlpool might be more tempting. Then it's time for breakfast with the elephants at Nong Yao and another active day in the bamboo jungles of Thailand.

Guided Jungle Gym workout sessions are provided daily and are complimentary for the camp guests.

Visit the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle online