Family Thailand Active Jungle and Beach Adventure

Arrive in Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand famous for its street vendors serving up tasty Thai food, bright lights, tuk tuks and khlong boats plying the network of canals and waterways. For those arriving on time, our Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting. If you would like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International airport (BKK), which is 30km and approximatively 40 minutes from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Tour Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. Following the welcome meeting, we take a short ride by tuk tuks to a local food market to enjoy our first taste of authentic Thai cuisine.

This morning, we head to Tha Tien Pier where we enjoy a one-hour cruise in traditional long-tail boats along the klongs (canals). This is the ideal way to explore Bangkok's network of meandering waterways that continue to serve as an important thoroughfare in the city. Along our route, we watch local life taking place around us. The rest of the day is yours to explore Bangkok at your own pace. You might opt for a sightseeing tour of the Grand Palace and the sprawling Wat Pho complex, home to the iconic 46-metre long Reclining Buddha, a golden- statue representing Buddha's peaceful transition into Nirvana. Alternatively, you could embark on a cycling tour, weaving through the city's hidden backstreets to discover the authentic local life and lesser-known gems of Bangkok.

This morning, we bid farewell to Bangkok and make our way on a three hour drive to Kanchanaburi. Our first stop is Kanchanaburi town, where we walk across the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai and begin delving into the significance of this historic site. From there, we board on the train for a scenic and historic journey, offering a chance to experience Thailand?s beautiful countryside while exploring its significant World War II history. The train, often referred to as the "Death Railway" or the "Burma Railway," was originally constructed by forced labour during the war, and it now serves as a reminder of those times. After lunch, we take a short drive to the Hellfire Pass Museum - a poignant memorial dedicated to the prisoners of war and local labourers who were forced to work on the infamous Burma-Thailand Railway. The museum overlooks Hellfire Pass, a deep and narrow cutting through solid rock, which was excavated by hand. Visiting the memorial and walking through the cuttings in the jungle is a deeply emotional experience, but it is a crucial part of history that is important to remember. We then board a long-tail boat for the journey to our raft house on the Kwai Noi (River Kwai). We spend the next two nights in this spectacular jungle setting. The resort is in tranquil and natural surroundings of tropical forests and scenic mountain ranges with an eco-approach that includes having candles and lanterns rather than electricity.

After breakfast, board long tail boats for a short journey to Phutakien pier where we disembark and drive to Erawan Waterfall - a stunning natural attraction renowned for its emerald-green waters and picturesque, multi-tiered cascades. Trek to the waterfall along a well-graded nature trail and enjoy time at the falls to swim in the natural pools. In the afternoon, we go bamboo rafting on the River Kwai. As you glide down the river, you'll enjoy stunning views of the lush landscape and tranquil surroundings, providing a unique perspective on the natural beauty of the region. The rafting will last around an hour with plenty of opportunities to swim. We then return to our jungle raft for another relaxing night in this breathtaking environment.

After a relaxing breakfast, we leave Kanchanaburi and travel down south but before jumping on the train, we make a stop in the Ban Nong Khao Community, a vibrant local village in Thailand known for its rich cultural heritage and traditional lifestyle. Situated in a picturesque rural setting, the community offers visitors a chance to experience authentic Thai village life. Highlights include traditional craftsmanship, local cuisine, and community-based tourism activities that provide insights into the daily lives and customs of the residents. The village is often praised for its warm hospitality and efforts to preserve and share its cultural traditions with visitors. After spending some time with the community, we continue on to the railway station at Nakhon Pathom, from where we board the overnight train to Surat Thani and the Gulf of Thailand. Berths are not in compartments but are arranged open plan either side of a central aisle. During the evening and morning part of the journey, pairs of seats face each other on each side of the aisle. At night, each pair of seats pulls together to form the bottom bunk, and an upper bunk folds out from the wall. The attendant will make up your bunk with a pillow, bedding and blanket. There's plenty of luggage room. Toilets and hand wash sinks are located at the end of each carriage. A steward or stewardess from the restaurant car may come round and take your food or drink order, offering you a set menu with several choices. There will also be the chance to shop at a local market for food before boarding the train.

Early this morning, our train arrives into Surat Thani and we take time to explore the morning market and have breakfast (not included). It's then a drive to the homestay at Klong Noi, a small village located in a mangrove forest near the coast. We meet our hosts, one of many local families who participate in the community based tourism program, an initiative set up to empower local communities to not only showcase but also help preserve their traditional way of life. We visit the local shipyards and learn how the locals have made boats over the years, something that is vital to their way of life. The village is also a great place to learn the art of weaving with palm leaves. In the afternoon, we return to our host families and help with the preparation of our dinner. The evening is free to relax and spot the local fireflies lighting up the night sky. The homestay accommodation is simple, with shared bathrooms and no air conditioning. Depending on the group size, you'll be divided among different houses, sometimes sharing a room to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and experience authentic village life.

Following breakfast, we bid farewell to our hosts and drive to our jungle adventure in Khao Sok National Park. Covering an area of some 65 square kilometres, the park is one of the oldest and most bio-diverse jungles in Southeast Asia, boasting a lush rainforest that is older than those of either the Amazon or Central Africa. In the afternoon, we explore the area by kayaking down the Khao Sok River, this is a very relaxing way to take in the astounding surrounding beauty. Passing towering cliffs, we have the chance to break our journey with a swim in the cool waters. Along the way, our guide will show us brightly coloured birds and monkeys on the shore, and maybe even a snake or two hanging high up on the trees. After returning to land, you'll have the chance to enjoy dinner at one of the many local restaurants in the main town before heading back to our lodge.

The morning is yours to enjoy at your leisure-whether you choose to relax, explore, or indulge in your surroundings. For those keen to see more of the area, mountain bikes and helmets are available free of charge from the lodge. In the afternoon, head out on a guided walk through the surrounding jungle keeping eyes peeled for mischievous monkeys playing in the canopy above and watch out for colourful hornbills and kingfishers as they dart amongst the trees. The park is a haven for a wide variety of exotic plants, including bamboo, fig, palms and the carnivorous pitcher plant.

This morning, we leave our lodge and head to Cheow Lan Lake, located on the eastern side of Khao Sok National Park-a breathtaking man-made reservoir known for its towering limestone cliffs, emerald-green waters, and tranquil natural beauty. Upon arrival at the pier, we board long-tail boats for a scenic tour of the stunning landscape. Once there, you'll check into your own traditional Thai-style floating bungalow. For the rest of the morning you can relax, take a swim or go kayaking to explore the many inlets and waterways of Khao Sok Lake. For lunch, we savour a traditional Thai meal featuring rich southern curries, fresh local vegetables, and a variety of tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and watermelon for dessert. This afternoon we embark on a trek through the ancient jungle of Khao Sok National Park. Depending on the season, your local guide may demonstrate how to find edible plants, extract drinking water from bamboo, or spot wildlife hidden in the jungle canopy. Finally, in the late afternoon, we board the long-tail boats once more for a wildlife-spotting excursion during the animals' most active time. From the boat, you may catch glimpses of macaque monkeys, dusky langurs, great hornbills, wild boar, gibbons, and possibly even a wild elephant! After a full day of adventure, we'll enjoy a delightful Thai dinner with freshly steamed or fried fish from the Andaman Sea, dark green Asian kale, spicy Thai soup, and an omelette topped with baked garlic.

Wake up to breathtaking scenery and the peaceful sounds of nature. Enjoy a traditional Thai breakfast of Khao Tom-savoury rice porridge-along with eggs, toast, or pancakes before boarding the long-tail boats for the return trip to the pier. From there, we embark on a three-to-four-hour drive to Don Sak Pier, where we catch the local ferry to Koh Phangan. The island is known for its serene beaches, calm shallow waters, and stunning surroundings, offering a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of family-friendly activities-perfect for a relaxing tropical getaway. Upon arrival at our resort, the rest of the afternoon is yours to unwind by the swimming pool or take a dip in the turquoise waters of the beach.

This morning, embark on an unforgettable adventure aboard a traditional longtail boat, setting off to discover the vibrant underwater paradise of Koh Ma gliding through crystal-clear waters towards this enchanting island, where a world of colourful marine life awaits your snorkelling exploration. With all gear provided, simply dive in and enjoy the experience. Later, indulge in a mouthwatering lunch on the secluded shores of Bottle Beach, where the fresh coastal breeze and rhythmic sound of the waves create a tropical lunch experience like no other. As the day winds down, we gently cruise back to the hotel, capping off a perfect day in paradise.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Koh Phangan and head to the pier to catch a swift ferry to Koh Samui. As the largest island in the Samui Archipelago, Koh Samui offers a unique blend of tranquil palm-fringed beaches, lively backpacker resorts, and lush coconut plantations. For our final two nights, we'll stay in a beachside accommodation situated in a vibrant neighbourhood, perfect for last-minute shopping and dining. In the afternoon, we take a short stroll to the Muay Thai training camp, where we can watch skilled Thai Boxing experts demonstrate their craft. We'll then have the opportunity to try out some of the traditional martial arts techniques ourselves during a training session. The rest of the day and evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. On many nights, local restaurants host impressive fire shows on the beach, providing a spectacular and memorable end to your day.

Koh Samui has something for everyone: explore the island's pristine white sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and trendy restaurants. Experience the energetic nightlife, visit stunning waterfalls and ancient temples, or indulge in some fantastic shopping. The choice is yours to craft your perfect day.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Koh Samui. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Samui International Airport (airport code USM), which is 20km, approximatively 40 minutes from the hotel.