Thailand Beaches: Bangkok to Ko Samui
Experience Overview
Clear blue waters, swaying palm trees and a bungalow on the beach – Thailand has all the ingredients for a holiday in paradise! Journey through Thailand's southern islands on this eight-day adventure that will have you exploring by morning and relaxing in the sun by afternoon. Learn about the Khum Sa-ke community project, visit Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn) and look for elephants in Khao Sok National Park. Stay in a traditional raft house on Cheow Lan Lake, snorkel among tropical fish at Nang Yuan Island and indulge in some of the best home-cooked flavors. What’s better than island life?
Highlights
- Discover the best beaches and islands of Thailand’s east coast, including the popular Ko Samui and laid-back Ko Tao, for a true slice of paradise.
- Stay in the traditional raft house on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park, surrounded by turquoise waters and one of the world’s oldest jungles.
- Learn about the community project at Khum Sa-ke. Walk along their birdwatching route and rice paddies and learn about their waste management and organic gardens.
- Explore the underwater world of Ko Tao on a snorkelling trip, brimming with vibrant coral and colourful tropical fish.
- Enjoy plenty of free time to take an optional daytrip to Ang Thong Marine National Park, search for the best panoramic views or simply 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
Travel Styles:
Explorer
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: TTST
Starts: Bangkok, Thailand
Finishes: Ko Samui, Thailand
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Not Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (5), Lunch (3), Dinner (2)Accommodation: Hotel (1 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Resort (4 nights), Raft House (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2145 ($268 /day)
Itinerary
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins in Thailand’s bustling capital, Bangkok with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Bangkok is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors who serve delicious Thai food. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road or relax with in a Thai massage. After the meeting tonight, maybe gather your fellow travellers together and tuck into some world-famous street food.
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)
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 you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Wat Pho, home to the country's largest reclining Buddha, take a riverboat to Chinatown and wander its crowded streets or travel by longtail boat down the Chao Phraya River to explore Bangkok's famous 'khlongs' (canals). Tonight, you’ll board an overnight train southbound for Surat Thani.
Included Activities:
- Bangkok - Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Optional Activities:
- Bangkok - Thai Massage (300 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)
Arrive at Surat Thani in the morning, then travel by minivan to Khao Sok. Set amid hectares of thick jungle, waterfalls, limestone cliffs and an island-studded lake, the Khao Sok National Park is a nature lover's paradise. Here, you’ll hop in a traditional longtail boat for a calm sail to your accommodation on the water. Keep your eyes out for wild bull elephants, gibbons and spectacled langur (dusky leaf monkeys). Khao Sok National Park is the wettest spot in Thailand with some of the oldest jungles in the world. Your accommodation tonight will be in a traditional raft house, surrounded by turquoise waters of the lake in the front and one of the oldest jungles at the back.
Included Activities:
- Khao Sok National Park - Rafthouse Stay
Accommodation:
- Raft House (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you’ll wake up in the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. Your raft house sits right inside the park, so you’ll have time this morning to catch the mist drifting along the lake as you search for wildlife in the jungle on a longtail boat. Before lunch, take a jungle hike around the park, and depending on the season, maybe see waterfalls or head up high to a panoramic viewpoint. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of an elephant, hornbill or langur monkey. After, make your way to Koh Tao. Best known for its vibrant coral reefs, tis little island is popular with divers and those just looking for beautiful, palm-fringed beaches like Sairee. Soak up some free time to relax or maybe join a cooking class, visit a local spa or go swimming. Koh Tao also has a small but lively nightlife for those looking for a dance on the beach.
Included Activities:
- Khao Sok - Cheow Lan Lake tour
- Khao Sok National Park – Waterfall Hike
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 discover the underwater world that surrounds Koh Tao with an exploratory snorkelling trip. With abundant coral and tropical fish, this is undeniably one of the jewels in southern Thailand – and you might even see a timid reef shark among the corals!. Sail south from Mae Haad Pier, navigating around the southern tip of the island until you reach Shark Island. Look out for 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 the privately-owned Nang Yuan 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)
After breakfast, jump on another boat and cruise over to Koh Samui. Known simply as Samui by locals, this spot has beautiful white sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees. In the afternoon, visit Khum Sa-ke Village – an organisation working to improve the eco-environment of the village. Walk along their birdwatching route and rice paddies and learn about their waste management and organic gardens. Wrap it all up with a hearty home-cooked dinner full of southern Thailand flavours and see how important coconuts are to this delicious cuisine.
Included Activities:
- Koh Samui - Community project visit & home-cooked dinner
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
It’s up to you what you’d like to do today! If you feel like getting active, maybe set off on a daytrip to Ang Thong Marine National Park – an archipelago of around 40 islands (many uninhabited). If you choose this option, you’ll sail around the steep limestone cliffs to an inland saltwater lagoon called Emerald Lake (Talay Nai), which is fed by an underground cave. 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. Or simply relax on the beach with a good book.
Optional Activities:
- Ko Samui - Ang Thong Marine Park tour (2500 THB)
- Ko Samui - Samui Elephant Sanctuary (3500 THB)
- Ko Samui - Island sightseeing tour (1800 THB)
- Ko Samui - Thai Cooking Class (2300 THB)
Accommodation:
- Resort (Number of Nights: 1)
As there are no further activities, your Thailand adventure comes to an end this morning. This doesn’t mean you have to go home! If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
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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
Maree - Traveled, September 2024
I loved this trip. Tony was a fantastic leader and ran the trip smoothly from start to finish. The locations are stunning and there is a good amount of free time to choose your own adventure or relax and recharge by the pool/beach. Tony was amazing with assisting in booking optional activities. Personal highlights were the homestay in Ko Pitak, the full day snorkeling tour in Chumphon and the final days in Ko Samui. Highly recommend adding on extra days in Ko Samui at the end of the trip - 2 days is not long enough in my opinion to fully enjoy everything there is to offer!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/03/2024
Richard - Traveled, September 2024
Everything exceeded my expectations. The organisation, the customer care and local knowledge. Our group leader, Arjan, could not have been more helpful and was always available night or day. If you are thinking about it, do it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/10/2024
Cédric Burkart - Traveled, August 2024
The guide was great and the trip in generall was such a good experience. You where able to choose freely what youre daily goal was and if you wanna do activitys or not. Great for young and old.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2024
Lana - Traveled, August 2024
Traveling with Intrepid was the best decision in my life! Traveling with a great group and a fun guide who knows his way around was such an enjoyable experience. The trip gave me so much that I will never forget, thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2024
Andrea - Traveled, August 2024
My first solo trip was a beaches and islands tour in Thailand. I had the best time, our guide Arjan was knowledgable and very well organised. The itinerary was interesting and varied with lots of water activities. Free time was built in. Transport and hotels were excellent. I would recommend this intrepid tour to all ages if you like the sea, sand and heat.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2024
Katie - Traveled, August 2024
Exploring Southern Thailand, Nok is the best host for the trip. 2 fantastic snorkel trips, a great homestay, superb selection of hotels and resorts to stay in. Some great down time too on this trip, time to relax and enjoy the beaches.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/23/2024
Sascha - Traveled, August 2024
We still can not believe we saw so many wonderful places. Snorkeling at Koh Tao was the best we ever had. We had a wonderful time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/24/2024
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