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Exploring, Elephants, and Island Hopping: The Complete Thai Experience (HP)

Highlights

  • Explore a local rural stilt village
  • Stay in a gorgeous floating raft house
  • Take a 'morning mist' long boat wildlife safari
  • Explore stunning deserted beaches
  • Stay in Khao Sok National Park with its breathtaking limestone cliffs and ancient forests
From £2699 pp*
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What you'll do

Overview

This 12 day adventure in Thailand is an immersion into the culture, cuisine and lifestyle of this wonderful country. Discover backstreet Bangkok and wonderful deserted islands, take an overnight sleeper train, embark on a morning mist wildlife safari, and discover the best street food with your local guide.

Tour summary

Day 1-3 – Bangkok

Day 4 – Surat Thani

Day 5 & 6 – Khao Sok

Day 7-10 – Koh Lanta

Day 11 – Bangkok

Day 12 – Departure

Explore Bangkok’s Wat Khun Chan where you will be inspired by the modern temples on one side of the khlong and Thai ancient history on the other, with the beauty of the river crossing through the landscape as you sail on a traditional long tail boat.

Visit the Artist Village, with old wooden walkways with artists, an old barber shop, an old grocery, vintage posters, colours of freedom, and a small stupa shining in the sunlight.

Stay in the gorgeous Khao Sok National Park, surrounded by breathtaking limestone cliffs, hovering high above the ancient forests.

Enjoy a truly responsible elephant experience, at a charitable elephant sanctuary, spending time preparing elephant food for one of the elderly elephant residents. You will have opportunity to bathe and spend time with the elephants and mahout (elephant care taker). By taking part in this experience you are supporting the elephants,  and contributing to their ethical upkeep.

Spend the day at Cheow Lan Lake – without a doubt one of the most strikingly beautiful places in Thailand! With over 100 little islets and towering limestone cliffs, a full day lake tour gives you not only the opportunity to marvel at the magnificent ‘fairy-tale’ like scenery, but also to spot wild life in their natural habitat.

Rise before breakfast to board a long tail boat for a morning mist wildlife safari. From your boat you may see macaque monkeys, dusty languor, great hornbills, wild boars, gibbon monkeys, and if you are lucky, a wild elephant!

Enjoy Island Hopping between some of the most beautiful islands off Trang Province by speedboat, or a gentle kayaking  day on the ocean as you relax in Kho Lanta, you will enjoy a great mix of beaches, winter sun, snorkelling, and stunning views.

*Lead in price is per person based on a group of 4 passengers sharing.

For £400 OFF per booking – enter code “thajan02″ into your cart.

Arrival

Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in Bangkok. The rest of the day is free to relax.

 

Bangkok Cultural Tour

Enjoy your first Thai breakfast at the hotel before meeting up with your local guide who will accompany you to the nearby pier to board our traditional Thai long tail boat.

From here you’ll sail down the Chao Phraya, Bangkok’s main river, with amazing views of the Bangkok skyline, before turning to enter the ‘khlongs’ or canals,  and here you will see why Bangkok is known as the Venice of the East. There is a network of canals throughout Bangkok and other low lying areas of Thailand, which were the main traffic and trade routes before cars.

You will pass a range of local wooden stilt houses with clothes hanging to be dried in the sun, a local “7 Eleven”, khlong style. Feel the more traditional and exotic  atmosphere of this area.

You will hear Thai music being played from the houses, you will see birds looking at the trespassing boats, if you are lucky you may spot one of the sunbathing lizards.

The first stop is at the temple Wat Khun Chan where you will be inspired by the modern temples on one side of the khlongs and the tradition and heritage of  days gone by on the other, with the beauty of the river crossing through the landscape.

From there it’s onwards to the Artist Village, old wooden walkways house artists, an old barbers shop, a traditional grocery, vintage posters, the Thai flags of freedom, and a small stupa (a bell shaped Buddhist shrine).

Feel the quietness surrounding this place. A stop will be made where you can feed holy Catfish. It’s a remarkable sight when hundreds of fish come to the surface seemingly out of nowhere!

Upon leaving the khlongs you will see several houses on stilts where the locals live in small houses on the river. Then we leave the quietness and sail back towards the noisy, Chao Phraya river and Bangkok’s  majestic grand palace.

Once your boat trip has ended there is time for your trip ends at Pier 9 on the Chao Phraya River, from where you you can visit the nearby temples on your own, continue to the shopping malls or return to your accommodation.

Explore Bangkok

Today, breakfast and dinner are included, with you spending the morning at your leisure, enjoying the pool or exploring the temples nearby.

Then, in the late afternoon be prepared for a walk through Bangkok’s Chinatown. Your local guide knows Chinatown inside out, its  jungle of markets, lights, sounds, and street life, they will take you on a journey showing you the very best from a locals perspective, this way you will see what most visitors miss! Once you have learnt all about the area and its history you’ll then have some time to spend exploring on your own.

This evening, you will meet up with your guide again South of Chinatown and from here we’ll venture north by public bus or tuk-tuk to the heart of night-time Chinatown and explore the evening secrets of this bustling neighbourhood when all the eateries and bars come alive.

On this 4-hour trip, we experience the wave of life on Yaowarat Road that mixes locals and foreign tourists alike. We’ll stop at some of the best street food shops and try multiple dishes that are loved by Thai and Chinese people alike, some will be familiar to you and some may be new!

We’ll try the spicy stuff, indulge in the sweet deserts, hear stories about the dishes, and talk to the food sellers and food lovers around us.

In between, we’ll explore the less-traveled side-streets and hidden alleys for temples, local customs, and the behind-the-scenes of this world-famous foodie haven.

If you still have space, we’ll finish our trip with some local desserts and your guide will bid you farewell and you can choose to continue exploring Chinatown on your own or return to your hotel to prepare for tomorrow!

Transfer from Bangkok to Surat Thani

Enjoy breakfast at your leisure, in the comfort of your hotel.

Today is your last day in Bangkok, after checkout take the opportunity to take a stroll in the city for one last time.

In the late afternoon you will be  heading to Hua Lumphong railway station by a private transfer.

You will be boarding on the sleeper train and experience a typical and very local mode of  transport, to Surat Thani.

Explore Khao Sok National Park

Welcome to Surat Thani! A private transfer takes you to the Khao Sok National Park.

Khao Sok National Park is one of the oldest rainforests in the world and home to the man-made Cheow Lan Lake. It is conveniently located in Southern Thailand, between the two coasts, and in the morning you will transfer from either Surat Thani or Khao Lak to Anurak Community Lodge.

Anurak Community Lodge is on the edge of Khao Sok National Park, surrounded by breathtaking limestone cliffs, hovering high above the ancient forests. Take your time to settle in, enjoy the jungle surroundings and the charm of your community lodge.

In the late afternoon go for a true and sustainable elephant experience. You will spend time preparing elephant food and an opportunity to feed them.

You will then have the chance to to bathe and spend time with the elephant and mahout (elephant care taker). By taking part in this low impact experience we support the elephants and contribute to their ethical upkeep.

A traditional Thai dinner will be served in the lodge restaurant around 18:00, included in the cost, and the rest of the evening is free to relax and let the day’s experience sink in.

Accommodation: 

Anurak Community Lodge – Standard Room

Nested in the heart of a palm plantation, Anurak Community Lodge is an ideal place to escape busy city life. Located a 15-minute drive from the entrance of the Khao Sok National park, the property offers free WiFi in public area, free parking and free bicycle rental.

Surrounded by jungles, each bungalow is equipped with air conditioning, a private balcony and a safety box. An en suite bathroom comes with a shower.

Group and private tours to Khao Sok National park can be arranged at the property. Other activities include table tennis, trekking, canoeing, bamboo rafting, cycling and bird watching. Arranging a cooking class is also possible.

Khao Sok Adventure and Floating Raft House

Wake up to the sound of birds singing and gibbons calling from the treetops. Have breakfast in the early morning as the mist slowly lifts itself from the mountains.

You will spend the coming day and night at Cheow Lan Lake – without a doubt one of the most strikingly beautiful places in Thailand!

With over 100 little islets and towering limestone cliffs, a full day lake tour gives you not only the opportunity to marvel at the magnificent ‘fairy-tale’ like scenery, but also to spot wild life in their natural habitat.

Upon arrival at the Rajaprabha Dam you will board a long tail boat and head deep into a remote corner of the lake. Surrounding you is the giant limestone cliffs, green rainforest, and bold trees rising from the water surface.

Around noon, you will arrive at the raft house, and the rest of the day is all about relaxation in amazingly beautiful surroundings. Either go for a swim, borrow a kayak and explore the many paths and canals of Khao Sok Lake, or just relax and sunbathe while enjoying the beautiful nature.

You will experience spectacular views, incredible atmosphere and natural scenery in front of you, which many travelers compare to Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam. Be sure to be at the raft house as the sun sets over the lake, and enjoy a Thai dinner and the quietness of the lake while stars sparkle above you.

Transfer to Koh Lanta

Rise before breakfast to board a long tail boat for a morning mist wildlife safari. From your boat you may see macaque monkeys, dusty languor, great hornbills, wild boars, gibbon monkeys, and if you are lucky, a wild elephant!

Back at the raft house, enjoy a traditional Thai breakfast and a bit of free time to swim and relax. Around noon you will check out from your raft house, have lunch and prepare to return to dry land.

You will go by long tail boat back to the pier through the magical landscape. Once you reach the pier around 13:30, you will continue to your next destination.

A overland transfer will take you to Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta an island district in Krabi Province on Thailand’s Andaman coast. It’s known for its coral-fringed beaches, mangroves, limestone outcrops and rainforests.

Enjoy an afternoon and evening exploring this beautiful area of the country on your own.

Explore Koh Lanta

Today, you have the day to spend at your leisure. Explore Koh Lanta as you desire, whether you decide to venture out into the gorgeous landscape, or enjoy the luxuries in your hotel, we’re sure you’ll have an amazing day!

Koh Lanta Four Islands Speedboat Tour

Enjoy the Four Islands Tour Koh Lanta by Speedboat (Available from October to May). Outside of these dates an alternative activity will be provided instead.

The tour takes you Island Hopping between some of the most beautiful islands off Trang Province, which are Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, Koh Chuck, and Koh Mook with its popular Emerald Cave. You will enjoy a great mix of beaches, snorkelling, and stunning views.

08:30-09:00: Pick up at your Koh Lanta hotel

09:30: Arrive at Koh Ngai and enjoy the first snorkeling session.

10:30: Visit the famous Emerald Cave at Koh Mook, the highlight of the trip.

12:00: Lunch will be served on the beach at Koh Kradan. Free time, can enjoy the fantastic beach and relax, sunbathe, or do more swimming & snorkeling off the beach.

14:00: Depart from Koh Kradan to move to the last island of the day, Koh Chuck. One more snorkeling session among colorful tropical fish and corals.

15:00-16:00: Time to cruise back to Koh Lanta and drop off at your resort.

 

Between June and September:

A full day kayaking around Talabeng Island & relaxing on Bubu Islands.

In the morning you will be collected byvan or local song taew, then you will board the long-tailed boat to Talabeng Island.

Talabeng Island is huge rock island on the east coast of Lanta Noi. The island is well known for kayaking due to its beautiful shape and still current.

The journey by long tailed boat through the mangrove forest to the Island will take about 40 mins. There are stunning rock formations to see on your way.

The kayaking is gentle and relaxed, you will stop half way to rest on a beach and to have a swim on Babu island.

Relax in Koh Lanta

Spend the day at your leisure.

Your hotel offers a range of activities, such as snorkelling and jungle trekking, as well as luxurious spa treatments.

Whether you choose to be active or relax, this is sure to be the perfect time to explore the area as you wish.

Turn in for the night at your beautiful hotel.

Journey Back to Bangkok

After waking up, you will be spending your last day in paradise.

After checking out of your hotel, you will begin your journey back to Surat Thani, where you will then board your night train back to Bangkok.

This unique experience is sure to be one for the memories!

Departure Day

Arrive early morning to Bangkok and a private transfer takes you to the international airport for your flight back home. This marks the end of your amazing trip here in Thailand, we are sure it will leave you wanting to return!

What's included

Included

  • All transfers and transport as per program
  • Service of an English speaking local guide
  • All entrance fees
  • 4 nights in Bangkok - Raweekanlaya Bangkok Wellness Cuisine Resort BB
  • 2 nights Overnight sleeper train Bangkok to Surit Thani and Return
  • 1 night Khao Sok - Thara Raft House FB
  • 1 night Khao Sok - Anurak Community Lodge HB
  • 2 nights Kho Lanta -Lanta Casa Blanca BB
  • Long Tail boat ride in Bangkok
  • Guided food walk of Bangkok
  • Responsible elephant sanctuary visit
  • Cruise on Cheow Lan Lake
  • Morning Mist wildlife safari
  • Kayaking day trip to Babu island including lunch
  • * all accommodation is subject to availability - and will be confirmed at time of booking

Accommodation

The Raweekanlaya Bangkok Wellness Cuisine Resort (or similar)

Mattanee Executive Room

he hotel was originally built in the late 1800’s as a royal residence and has been restored and carefully designed to reflect the heritage of Old-Siam with contemporary touches. It is a true oasis with lush green vegetatian and gardens including a Banyan tree more than 100 years old.

Meals: Breakfast

Sleeper Train

2nd Class Sleeper Train. (1st class will be booked if available – subject to availability at time of booking )

Traveling overnight by train not only is a great experience, but it’s also very efficient. It saves you time plus the cost of an overnight hotel stay.

Hundreds of miles fly by while you are sleeping. If all goes well, you’ll wake up in the morning feeling well-rested and still have the entire day to explore your new surroundings.

As the world passes by you can lie down in a clean bed and snuggle underneath a blanket. You can close your curtain for privacy so no one can see that you are wide awake – reading your favorite book, listening to music, or picking your nose – if that’s your thing.

In the morning you’ll be awakened by the rising sun shining through your curtain. Magical!

Meals: None

Anurak Community Lodge

Standard Room

Nested in the heart of a palm plantation, Anurak Community Lodge is an ideal place to escape busy city life. Located a 15-minute drive from the entrance of the Khao Sok National park, the property offers free WiFi in public area, free parking and free bicycle rental.

Surrounded by jungles, each bungalow is equipped with air conditioning, a private balcony and a safety box. An en suite bathroom comes with a shower.

Group and private tours to Khao Sok National park can be arranged at the property. Other activities include table tennis, trekking, canoeing, bamboo rafting, cycling and bird watching. Arranging a cooking class is also possible.

Meals: Breakfast

Thara Rafthouse

You will be staying in a floating bungalow on the gorgeous Khao Sok Lake. This unique and truly off the beaten track experience is sure to amaze you, staying in authentic accommodations! This bungalow will include all necessities, as well as a fan for the warmer nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Lanta Casa Blanca

Deluxe Villa

Lanta Casa Blanca has become Lanta’s first “Green Resort.” The island’s marine ecosystems are extremely diverse and highly sensitive, thus putting sustainability at the top of the hotel’s mind.

Meals: Breakfast

Sleeper Train

2nd Class Sleeper Train. (1st class will be booked if available – subject to availability at time of booking )

Traveling overnight by train not only is a great experience, but it’s also very efficient. It saves you time plus the cost of an overnight hotel stay.

Hundreds of miles fly by while you are sleeping. If all goes well, you’ll wake up in the morning feeling well-rested and still have the entire day to explore your new surroundings.

As the world passes by you can lie down in a clean bed and snuggle underneath a blanket. You can close your curtain for privacy so no one can see that you are wide awake – reading your favorite book, listening to music, or picking your nose – if that’s your thing.

In the morning you’ll be awakened by the rising sun shining through your curtain. Magical!

Meals: None

Your local host

Martin

I have spent many years travelling through Thailand and have made many lasting memories and friendships. The region is rich in natural beauty and culture and offers one of the greatest culinary kitchens in the world. Many years have passed and I still think that the people are everything and I'm still surprised at the hospitality and friendliness. Working in travel is a passion for me and I enjoy helping our customers to enjoy all the best that Thailand has to offer.

I have spent many years travelling through Thailand and have made many lasting memories and friendships. The region is rich in natural beauty and culture and offers one of the greatest culinary kitchens in the world. Many years have passed and I still think that the people are everything and I'm still surprised at the hospitality and friendliness. Working in travel is a passion for me and I enjoy helping our customers to enjoy all the best that Thailand has to offer.

Martin image

FAQs

Are tranfers to and from the airport included?

Yes! Both the transfer from the airport to your accommodation, and the transfer back to the airport in time for your departure are included.

Will we have a guide?

Yes, you will have a local English speaking guide with you, ensuring you have the best time possible whilst here in Thailand.

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