This active Thailand trip visits off the beaten path parts of South Thailand rarely seen by most tourists. Kayak in Khao Sok National Park, hike around the remote fishing island of Ko Phayam, and connect with the Moken people on the Surin Islands as you encounter the wildlife, landscape and people of remote regions in Southern Thailand. Not for the faint of heart or those needing luxury hotels, this more rustic adventurer's choice will leave you wanting to come back for more.
Highlights
Take a grass roots cooking class in a Klong Toey community
Search for monkeys, dusty langurs, wild boars & more from a long tail boat
Walk along the white sand beaches of the Similan Islands
Experience the culture and lifestyle of the Moken People or "sea gypsies"
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, please head towards the meeting point sign near Gate B. A representative/driver bearing a sign with your name is waiting for you opposite door 6.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) desk at Door 6 can assist you should you have any problems.
Day 2: Bangkok Grass Roots Cooking Class | Night Train to Suratthani
Today is your first day of exploring! After a light breakfast, start with an early pickup and head to Sukhumvit to join a special grass roots cooking class while encountering life within the Klong Toey community.
Wander the Klong Toey wet market and learn about local Thai produce while selecting ingredients for your cooking class at Khun Poo's small cooking school. Khun Pook will present several delicious Thai dishes as you prepare your authentic Thai lunch.
After lunch, return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon in Bangkok on your own. This evening transfer to the Hua Lamphong railway station for the 2nd class Night Train to Suratthani.
Day 3: Surat Thani - Ratchaprapa Dam (Cheow Lan Lake)
This morning, arrive in beautiful southern Thailand and meet your driver at the train station. Head towards the hills of Khao Sok, a hidden gem covered with towering karst peaks and a beautiful lake, surrounded by one of the oldest rainforests in the world.
Arrive at Cheow Lan Lake with your guide on a long tail boat, journey to the floating raft house where you stay for the evening. The lake is simply breathtaking and its colors can shift from a deep emerald to a darker grey and with the looming mountains giving a dramatic backdrop to the scene.
Enjoy swimming this afternoon in the clear waters as you explore your new surroundings and relax after your journey. You stay tonight in the floating houses of the calm waters of the lake.
Rise early before breakfast and board a long tail boat for a morning wildlife tour. From the boat, keep your eyes peeled along the shoreline for a variety of animals that make this place home. Lucky travelers spot macaque monkeys, dusty langurs, great hornbills, wild boars, gibbon monkeys, and even the occasional wild elephant.
Return to the raft house for a delicious traditional Thai breakfast, a savory rice porridge. Next, hop aboard a kayak for a guided tour of the surrounding area. Paddle along the banks of the lake looking for wildlife in this quiet and peaceful setting.
After your morning kayak, return to the raft house for lunch. After checking out, the lodges long tail boat can take you to the pier at Cheow Lan. From here, transfer to Anurak Community Lodge, a very comfortable accommodation, perfect for a night of relaxation.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a free morning to explore as you like. For those feeling adventurous, you can hike straight out the back of the lodge. The lodge also offers bikes for a leisurely ride through town where you can see local Thai houses and experience the community on two wheels.
Transfer via car mid-day, approximately an hour and a half to Khao Lak. Arrive at Khao Lak and check in to your accommodations. Enjoy an evening free to explore the town.
This morning, you leave early to head towards the popular Similan Islands by boat. These islands are the classic picture of white-sand beaches stretching out before a turquoise ocean. Enjoy a delicious Thai lunch on the beach before departing for Donald Duck Bay, where you can spend the remainder of the day hiking to the island's viewpoint or snorkeling at Christmas Point. Transfer back to your hotel in the early evening.
Day 7: Khao Lak | Koh Surin Island
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to Surin island by speedboat, and check into your tent accommodation at the National Park Headquarters and relax on the beach.
You’ll enjoy lunch at the national park restaurant and head to the Moken village with your local Moken guide.
Explore the village and learn about the intricate relationship between the Moken and their surrounding environment. The Moken guide will take you to a wonderland of colorful tropical fish and allow you to witness the impressive Moken swimming techniques, how they have adapted to living in the water, and why they love it.
Return to park headquarters to relax on the white sand beach where you stay overnight. Enjoy a warm dinner at the tented camp.
Day 8: Ko Surin
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy breakfast at your tented accommodations.
After breakfast, you’ll experience a handicraft workshop, learning the traditional art of Moken weaving. Use forest Pandanus leaves to weave a natural bracelet. Your guide highlights useful plants, including medicinal herbs, edible species, and those used in construction of traditional houseboats and houses while you are out.
Have lunch at the Moken village, and in the afternoon, enjoy snorkeling in clear waters while learning how to spot sea turtles swimming in the waters with your Moken guide. Return to the park headquarters to relax on the white sand beach where you stay overnight. Dinner at the tented camp.
Day 9: Koh Surin | Koh Phra Thong
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Today is your last day on Surin Island. Take your time, and relax after breakfast. You can try rowing a Moken ‘’row‐boat’’ in the Moken village and reenacting their method of spear fishing (you do not spear real or living fish). Spend more time in the village or head out for one more snorkeling exploration before your departure.
After lunch, transfer to Kuraburi Pier. Then transfer to the hotel in Kuraburi. You’ll have a pre-trip briefing once you arrive at Kuraburi at the Andaman Discoveries office.
In the afternoon, transfer to Koh Phra Thong, an ideal holiday paradise containing unspoiled natural beauty as well as wonderful beaches. The island is perfect for nature lovers looking to get off the beaten path. There are plenty of activities like cycling or riding a pick-up or local ‘E-taek’ tractor to explore around the island.
Check in at your hotel in Koh Phra Thong. Free leisure on your own.
**Special remark: All resorts in Koh Phra Thong will annually close during 1 May – 31 October because of heavy monsoons. Alternative programs will be provided during the mentioned period.
Day 10: Koh Phra Thong
1 Breakfast
Breakfast at your hotel and a free day at leisure.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to ‘Phuket’ Thailand’s largest island connected to the mainland by a bridge. Built on the back of tin and rubber plantations, the melting pot of traders who have passed through the island have all left their impression, with Chinese and Portuguese being the most prominent. Surrounded by magnificent beaches and dotted with luxury accommodations and dining options, Phuket is worth exploring beyond the picture-perfect sunsets and clear waters.
You are dropped off at your hotel in Phuket island, and the day is free at leisure.
Breakfast at the hotel & check out in the late morning. Transfer to Phuket International Airport, and fly to Bangkok.
Meet & greet with the representative at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Start a short walking tour in the afternoon.
Stroll the Old Quarter on Foot! Set off on an afternoon walking tour with your expert insider guide. Together, uncover the city’s Old Quarter with hidden sights, local artisans, and intriguing Buddhist temples, and take in the views from Bangkok’s only hill.
Along the way, your guide share stories of this vibrant city, past and present. Start at the Giant Swing and learn how it was originally used in Brahmanic ceremonies, visit the Prison Park, once the site of an old and overcrowded penal facility, but nowadays actively used by exercising locals. Admire the City Pillar Shrine, erected when the capital shifted to Bangkok.
Meander along small alleys, through an authentic fresh market, and discover wooden houses and guardian spirit signs. Learn why these ancient Thai superstitions and beliefs are part of the Thai culture as you engage with the stallholders selling trinkets and good luck charms at the fascinating Amulet market.
Day 13: Bangkok | Return Home
Breakfast at your hotel and free time in the morning. When the time comes, you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 30% ($400 minimum) + internal flight cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. Final payment by credit card may be subject to surcharge and a maximum $20,000 charge
The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
