It's probably one of our most popular requests... a two week trip to include a few days sightseeing, some wildlife, some culture, maybe a bit of adventure... and finishing it all off with a few days on the beach... This itinerary has it ALL (and will also take you well away from the usual tourist routes for an unforgettable and unique experience)... It's also easily customisable so if this isn't quite what you're looking for, just let us know!
Go Differently invites you to spend a couple of days exploring Bangkok before heading off to an adventure surrounded by the stunningly beautiful scenery and breathtaking wildlife of Khao Sok National park and then experiencing untouched Thailand on a customized community-based tour just off the beaten track in Southern Thailand. The region remains remarkably undeveloped and communities still survive by their traditional livelihoods.
Round off your trip with 6 nights relaxing on the stunning beaches of Ko Yao Noi island…
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Contact us to enquire or book.
Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok
Arrival in Bangkok and make your way to your hotel in central Bangkok. We regularly use a comfortable, 3 star hotel with its own swimming pool, centrally located very close to the (in)famous Khao San Road - an ideal location if you only have limited time available and want to get a feel for the wonderful chaos that is Bangkok whilst also having a clean, safe, efficiently run base to which you can escape!
Chill out and relax or head out to get your first taste of this crazy, noisy, bustling, fascinating city.
Day 2: Exploring Bangkok
Today is free for you to explore on your own or we can book you an organised tour/guide if you prefer. Don't miss the Grand Palace and maybe take a long-tail boat ride to explore the backwaters (klongs) of the Chao Phraya river.
Day 3: Bangkok to Phuket - Khao Sok National Park
Head to the airport and catch a short (one hour) flight to Phuket where you will be met and escorted to a tiny resort deep in the heart of the jungle. The journey takes about two hours but the scenery, especially once you enter the park itself, is quite breathtaking.
Upon arrival, settle into your little jungle house and start to acclimatise to the sights and sounds of the jungle – if it's your first time in an area of such abundant wildlife, you may be quite surprised at how noisy it is, especially at night, but you quickly get used to it!
Start to relax into jungle life… sit on your balcony and enjoy the sounds, watch the river gliding by or, if you feel like a mini-adventure, for a small extra charge, grab an inner tube and enjoy an hour floating downstream – trust us, it's great fun and an ideal way to pass the late afternoon hours before dinner... otherwise, why not just chill out over a cold beer and soak up the atmosphere...
Day 4: Khao Sok - Elephant Trek - Canoe Trip
Enjoy an early breakfast before setting off at 08.00 for a two-hour elephant trek through the jungle. Return for lunch and time to relax before taking a canoe trip down the river at 15.00. Your guide will point out some of the birds and wildlife you see along the way but this is just a taste of what's to come tomorrow…
Day 5: Full Day Lake Adventure
Set off on a full day lake trip adventure. Khao Soke National Park is one of South East Asia's best-preserved habitats for tropical flora and fauna. The park covers an area of about 645 km, with evergreen virgin jungle, waterfalls, massive limestone cliffs and crystal clear rivers and streams. Many species of protected wildlife live in the park including elephants, gibbons, monkeys, tapir, birds of prey and wild gaur. Strikingly beautiful Chio Larn Lake features spectacular limestone karst rising out of the sparkling waters, it's a part of the park that you won't want to miss.
Day 6: Khao Sok - Andaman Homestay Adventure - Cultural Exchange
Enjoy your last breakfast in the jungle before your taxi driver arrives to take you to Kuraburi, Phang Nga. (Journey time about 90 minutes.) Here you will meet with your English-speaking guide for a pre-trip briefing.
The spectacular natural beauty and cultural diversity of the North Andaman region make it a fascinating and safe place to explore with families, providing an authentic cultural experience in a safe and supportive environment.
Thai people love having other families stay in their homes, and you'll be welcomed as part of the family. The people of the region are diverse, comprising of Muslims, Buddhists and Moken Sea Gypsies, each with their own unique culture.
The villages are peaceful and open-hearted, with very little traffic, making it a perfect place for children to play, relax and learn about the Thai way of life.
Our translator will accompany your family throughout your time in the village, to make sure you can fully interact with the people you meet.
Activities available are both fun and educational: they encourage experiential learning, cultural awareness, and global citizenship. Itineraries may vary depending on when you visit and for how long, however an example of a 3 day tour would be as follows –
| 09:00 | Transfer to the village where a warm welcome awaits you from your host family. |
| 10.30 | With your local guide, visit the beach and the site of the pre-tsunami village to learn about the history of the area. |
| 12.00 | Lunch will be served at your homestay, where you will have the chance to try a variety of mouth-watering dishes. |
| 13:00 | Batik is the technique of hand-dyeing fabrics by using designs drawn in wax. You can create your own design or have the ladies draw one for you, then colour in the beautiful designs and keep your creation as a souvenir. |
| 15:30 | Go fishing on the beach with a local fisherman and help to catch dinner. It's so much fun, you'll understand why the fishermen are proud of their lifestyle. |
| 17:30 | Afterwards you will have free time to explore the village, make friends with the local children and play or relax on the beach. |
| 18:30 | For dinner, enjoy a beach barbecue and watch the sunset over the Andaman Sea - an unforgettable meal shared between your hosts and your family. |
| 20:00 | After dinner, end the day with a wonderful and warm cultural exchange between your family and your Thai host family, a most rewarding end to a fun-filled day. Spend the night in a simple but comfortable homestay. |
Day 7: Andaman Homestay - Natural Wonders
| 08:30 | Enjoy a hearty breakfast at your homestay to prepare you for the day's adventures. Then take a boat trip through the mangroves to learn about the conservation of this brilliantly bio-diverse forest - a maze of winding canals and entangled trees. Keep an eye out for playful otters and shy monkeys, and if the season is right, you can even have a go at planting your own mangrove sapling. |
| 12:00 | Lunch with your host family. |
| 13:00 | Learn how local people use nypa palm leaves to make a traditional thatched roof and have a go at weaving a piece of thatch yourself. |
| 14:30 | Try your skill at making a local speciality dessert - grilled coconut wrapped in a leaf, then enjoy the delicious snack, hot off the fire. |
| 16:00 | Your children can join the village kids to learn about the life of a baby sea-turtle and the challenges they face in surviving and swimming out to sea. |
| 17:00 | Free time to explore the village, play football with the locals and relax in the splendour of a sunset on a safe and tranquil beach on the Andaman coast. |
| 19:00 | In the evening, you will be served a hearty meal at your homestay. |
| 20:00 | After dinner, the children will have the chance to play traditional games with one another before bedtime. |
Day 8: Andaman Homestay - Ko Yao
| 08:30 | Breakfast with your host family. |
| 09:30 | Get creative and have the family join in the women's craft group. They will show you how to create soap from natural ingredients - which also make great souvenirs to take away with you. |
| 11:00 | Help your host family to prepare lunch and learn how to make mouthwatering Thai dishes such as stir-fries and curries. |
| 12:00 | Enjoy one final lunch with your host family. |
| 13:00 | Visit the village school where your family can meet the local teachers, interact with the kids and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Andaman Sea. |
| 14:00 | Pack and say goodbye to hour homestay family. |
Drive back to Phuket. Journey time is about 3 hours but the scenery along the way is sure to keep you occupied. Arrive at Phuket harbour for a magnificent scenic boat ride to Ko Yao island.
Upon arrival, check in and relax. After a few days of simple living, you may be surprised how much you appreciate the little luxuries offered by this lovely, laidback resort.
Days 9 - 13: Ko Yao Island
Relax in the stunning surroundings of Ko Yao Island resort.
Day 14: Return Bangkok
Enjoy your last breakfast on this beautiful island before getting the boat and then a taxi to the airport in order to catch your flight back to Bangkok
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Contact us to enquire or book.
Prices start from around GBP 1100 per person based on 2 adults travelling together.
Price includes accommodation, transfers, most meals and activities.
We can arrange this itinerary at ANY time of year, subject to availability.
This itinerary can be tailor-made to suit your particular interests.
Contact us to enquire or book.
