Experience Overview
Clear blue waters, white sands, swaying palm trees and a bungalow on the beach… Thailand has the ideal ingredients for a holiday in paradise. Come and explore Thailand's beautiful southern islands on this 10-day adventure that will have you relaxing in the sun and sampling some of the most delicious local Thai food this region is famous for. Take boat rides to different islands everyday, snorkel among colourful corals and tropical fish, look out for sharks and other marine life and spend a night at a homestay to get to know the locals and feast on the day’s fresh catch. What’s better than island life?
Highlights
- Discover the best beaches and islands of Thailand’s east coast – from popular Ko Samui to laid-back Ko Tao – for a true slice of paradise.
- Cruise to Ko Pitak for a taste of real island life. Enjoy an overnight homestay, feast on fresh seafood and interact with local fishermen.
- Two in-depth snorkelling trips, one in Chumphon and one in Ko Tao, give you plenty of time to explore underwater worlds brimming with coral and colourful tropical fish.
- Travel as the locals do on an overnight sleeper train – the best way to travel long distances, meet locals and maximise time at destinations.
- Soak up all the free time to take optional day trips to other islands, hike, search for the best panoramic views or just chill out beachside with a cocktail.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2793
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Ferry,Overnight sleeper train,Private mini bus,Songtheaw,Longtail boat,Taxi
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: TTST
Starts: Bangkok, Thailand
Finishes: Ko Samui, Thailand
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (3), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Homestay (1 night),Hotel (1 nights),Overnight sleeper train (1 night),Resort (6 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $1,800 ($180 /day)
Itinerary
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Bangkok mixes ancient traditions and modernity, where the bazaars and world-class cuisine are only the beginning. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, why not acquaint yourself with the city of tuk tuks, street food and traditional khlong boats winding down the Chao Phraya River. Tonight, you might want to experience the unique tourist haven of Khao San Road.
Optional Activities:
- Bangkok - Bangkok by Bike Urban Adventure (1980 THB)
- Bangkok - Chinatown Sights and Bites Urban Adventure (1960 THB)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
You’ll start today with a visit to Wat Arun – the Temple of the Dawn. Named after the Indian God of Dawn, Aruna, this impressive landmark sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The rest of the afternoon is free for optional activities – maybe head next door to the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or visit Wat Pho, home to the country's largest reclining Buddha and keeper of the magic behind Thai massage. Maybe take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, or travel by longtail boat down the Chao Phraya River to explore the famous 'khlongs' (canals) of Bangkok. Tonight, you’ll board an overnight train southbound for Langsuan.
Notes: Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned, and beds are multi-share compartments with bunk bed padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing compartments with locals of the same or opposite gender. Your baggage will travel in the carriage with you. There's also a food and drink service available on board. Some may find the air conditioning on the train quite cold overnight so best to pack a jumper and some long pants.
Included Activities:
- Bangkok - Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Optional Activities:
- Bangkok - Thai Massage (250 THB)
- Bangkok - Grand Palace (500 THB)
- Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House (200 THB)
- Bangkok - Wat Pho (300 THB)
Accommodation:
- Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)
After disembarking early this morning, try a local-style breakfast in Luangsuan market before heading to the pier for your ferry to Ko Pitak – a small island and tonight's homestay. Head out for an orientation walk around the village with your leader when you arrive. Your homestay tonight will include lunch, dinner and breakfast tomorrow morning. Most meals will be typical local southern fare with fresh local seafood.
Accommodation:
- Homestay (Number of Nights: 1)
Say goodbye to your hosts and travel back to the mainland on a short boat trip. Then make the journey to Chumphon by private minivan (approximately 1.5 hours) and check into your resort. Your accommodation is beautifully located, right on the beachfront at Thung Wua Lan Beach (located about 16 kilometres away from the main town). You'll join the rest of the group to travel to a local lookout point, Khao Matsee, to take in some nice views and perhaps grab a cup of coffee. Back at the beach, spend free time stolling along the white sands of this pristine, uncrowded strip of coast.
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
Embark on a full-day snorkelling adventure. You’ll start at around 9 am and finish up at around 3 pm. The trip covers three different snorkelling spots, which gives you a nice variety of underwater scenery. See how many different kinds of tropical fish you can spot. The snorkelling will take place in the open water, so there will be no beach stops. Lunch is included, and you will arrive back at base at around 5 pm for a free evening to watch the sunset.
Included Activities:
- Chumphon - Snorkelling tour
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
Hop from one beach paradise to another, travelling to Ko Tao – famous for its spectacular coral reefs, the little island of Ko Tao is popular not only among divers but also those looking for palm-fringed beaches like Sairee. Here, you can relax or take up some optional diving. Cooking classes, aromatherapy sessions or local spa visits are also great options. Ko Tao also has a small but lively nightlife for those looking for some dancing on the beach or kicking back a cocktail in one of the local bars.
Optional Activities:
- Ko Tao - Thai Massage (300 THB)
- Ko Tao - Scuba diving (2000 THB)
- Ko Tao - Aromatherapy Care by Jamahkiri Spa (950 THB)
- Ko Tao - Thai cooking class (1900 THB)
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll experience the underwater world that surrounds Ko Tao with an exploratory snorkelling trip. With coral and fish aplenty and the chance of seeing timid reef sharks among the coral formations, Ko Tao is undeniably one of the jewels in southern Thailand. Sail south from Mae Haad Pier, navigating around the southern tip of the island until you reach Shark Island. You might see the occasional leopard shark! Drop by Luek Bay for one of the best swimming beaches on the island with fish-filled reefs on either side, then stop at Hin Wong Bay for lunch aboard the boat. Then, head to Nang Yuan Island – you can pay the small entrance fee to this privately owned island and take a short hike up to a viewpoint, relax on the beach, snorkel through schools of parrotfish or chill out on the boat.
Included Activities:
- Ko Tao - Day tour & snorkelling
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
Jump on another boat today and cruise over to Ko Samui. The island is more vibrant compared to its sister islands. Known simply as Samui by locals, Thailand's third largest island is rich with white sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees. There's also the Big Buddha, waterfalls, markets, temples, a mummified monk, shopping opportunities, Michelin star restaurants, luxury spas and a lively nightlife. Today, you can take an optional sightseeing tour around the island or brush up on your cooking techniques with a Thai cooking class.
Optional Activities:
- Ko Samui - Island sightseeing tour (1800 THB)
- Ko Samui - Thai Cooking Class (2300 THB)
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
It’s up to you what you want to do today! If you feel like getting active, take an optional day trip to Ang Thong Marine National Park – an archipelago of around 40 islands (many uninhabited). If you choose this option, you’ll take a speedboat to the Marine Park with the island of Ko Wao or Ko Tai Plow as your first stop. There, you can snorkel in the turquoise waters filled with ever changing colours of coral and fish. Sail around the steep limestone cliffs to an inland saltwater lagoon called Emerald Lake (Talay Nai), which is fed by an underground cave. Take a short walk up pathways and a wooden staircase to reach a hilltop lake viewpoint, then have lunch on the island that houses the park headquarters. Chill out on the beach, climb up for a panorama of the Marine Park or get out on to the bay for some kayaking. You’ll head back to Ko Samui mid-afternoon. If you prefer to stay on land today, maybe check out the Samui Elephant Sanctuary and see the gentle giants as they roam, socialise and bathe.
Optional Activities:
- Ko Samui - Ang Thong Marine Park tour (2500 THB)
- Ko Samui - Samui Elephant Sanctuary (3500 THB)
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
With no further activities planned after breakfast, your beach adventure comes to an end and you can depart the accommodation at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Andrew (Henry) - Traveled, August 2023
A fantastic way to see a few different parts of Thailand that you wouldn't usually see. The trip was really well designed with opportunities do our own thing as well as the group activities. Tony the tour guide was awesome!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/06/2023
Roxanne - Traveled, August 2023
Thank Anjan for an incredible trip, best birthday ever.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/25/2023
Kate - Traveled, August 2023
Jane the tour guide made this trip. The islands were great. The resorts really nice and Thailand has awesome food and places to see! Just click book
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/25/2023
Becki - Traveled, August 2023
Trip was amazing, so well organised, a variety of activities and feel I have made the most of my time. Our guide Nok was wonderful- kind, caring, funny and very organised- everything was perfect!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/14/2023
Jikani - Traveled, August 2023
She Is Good N Thank for Taking Care Of Us Wish She Can Keeo Doing Good Take Care If Anither group Of Peaple
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/14/2023
Kalkidan - Traveled, August 2023
Our trip was so good we are come from different continents and country but share common idea about our trip .It Was So Interesting ,I Like It So Much Thank You
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/14/2023
Lisa - Traveled, July 2023
This trip was a great choice for me as I wanted a relaxing trip but with the opportunity to discover a new culture and more about the country of Thailand. It is a very different trip to the Northern Thailand one I did last year and complemented it well, as a person who was keen to find out more about Thailand. That was my ninth trip with Intrepid and i have travelled both with friends and as a solo traveller on their tours and the group are always nice and a varied group of different nationalities and the local guide always plays an important part in supporting individuals and the group as a whole. The accommodation was lovely for an original. I was as pleased as any other year and will travel with them again. ??
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/11/2023
Linda - Traveled, May 2024
Our trip was fantastic…travelled with my daughter and her partner who live other side of our country so was lovely to spend time with them plus my son and his friend came along. Our group was made up of us and 3 other family members from America and we all got along really well . Nok our tour leader is fantastic and we had a great time with her
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/31/2024
James - Traveled, May 2024
Again, Intrepid came through as a wonderful travel planner! Our Thailand adventure was everything and more than expected. We look forward to our next next travels with Intrepid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/02/2024
Rachael - Traveled, June 2024
Great trip , Nok was an excellent leader, itinerary and food spot on. Can’t wait to come back to see more of Thailand!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/25/2024
Leah - Traveled, July 2024
Trip leader was great. However, the trip was underwhelming with not a lot of activity. I booked this trip in July and that is not a good time to go as this is the rainy season. The weather was not good which negatively affected the trip as well.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/25/2024
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