(The perfect) Family Holiday in Thailand
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.
You’ll stay in a small village, located on a beautiful island, only accessible by boat through mangrove forests. Here you’ll engage in a variety of activities including snorkelling, light hiking and even try your hand at Thai cooking with your host family.
Round off your trip with 6 nights relaxing on the stunning beaches of Ko Yao Noi island…
Suggested Itinerary
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
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 and then head to Kuraburi pier, driving through the lush mountainous terrain of Kuraburi and past sleepy fishing villages.
You will take a long-tail boat deep into the mangrove forests to get to the island of Tung Nang Dam. Then walk through cashew orchards and rubber plantations to get to your homestay and meet your host family over a traditional Thai lunch of Southern curries and fresh seafood. Lunch will be an excellent opportunity to get to know your host family.
After lunch, your adventures really begin as you head out to sea with local fishermen to see how they catch fish, crabs and shrimp. You will learn about traditional fishing techniques and can even have a go at catching your dinner!
A short boat ride away is the beautiful island of Koh Kai (Egg Island), an ideal place to experience Thailand’s famous underwater eco-diversity. You will spend a few hours exploring the warm tropical waters, teeming with an abundance of colourful life before returning back to Tun Nang Dam village.
Early evening, you will head down to Tung Nang Dam beach which boasts a beautiful coastline, lined with palm trees and soft, soft sand, the perfect place to chill out and watch the island’s famous sunsets. Inviting warm tropical waters and gentle waves make this beach a great place to swim. In the evening the sky comes alive with colour as the sun sets over the horizon.
After working up an appetite, you will return to your homestay and have a veritable feast of delightfully tasty Southern curries and fresh vegetable dishes. Mouth-watering dishes are prepared using traditional cooking methods with the finest local ingredients and freshly caught seafood. Sharing a meal with the host family provides the ideal opportunity to share stories and learn more about each other cultures in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Day 7: Andaman Homestay
After a breakfast of sweet coffee and traditional pancakes, you will hike up to Eagle Mountain, for sweeping panoramic views of the Andaman coast and the lush mangroves below.
An expert English-speaking guide will be on hand to point out exotic plants, often used in cooking and in traditional remedies. If you are lucky, you might see eagles that nest in the rich eco-system. The hike (you determine the pace!) will end up on the beach, where you’ll enjoy another feast of Thai favourites for lunch.
You will need all the energy you can get, as after lunch you will be going rowing in a handcrafted wooden rowboat. Rowing is the best way to explore deep into the winding mangroves because it is so quiet. Gently rowing under the mangrove canopy, the family will head into the wild to discover an amazing world camouflaged amongst the tangle of roots, branches, and foliage. The silent motion of the boat encourages wildlife, including monkeys and small cats, to come to the water’s edge to feed on crabs lurking in the mud.
Alternatively, you can stay back at the homestay with your family and help prepare the evening’s meal. It will be a great chance to learn how to cook Thai food so that you can return home and impress your friends with a Thai dinner party! You can then head to the beach in the early evening to hang out with the villages or chill out while watching the sky come alive with colours as the sun sets over the Andaman Sea.
Enjoy dinner with your host family.
Day 8: Andaman Homestay - Ko yao
In the morning you will prepare for your departure, saying goodbye to your host family. A scenic boat trip, passing rickety floating fish farms will bring you back to Kuraburi ready to set off on the next stage of your adventure.
Take either a taxi or a bus from Kuraburi to Phuket. Journey time is about 3 hours but it’s a comfortable, air-conditioned bus and the scenery along the way is sure to keep you occupied. (Cost of the bus is not included but it’s literally only a couple of pounds per person.)
Arrive at Phuket bus station where you will be met by the taxi driver who will escort you to the harbour for a magnificent scenic boat ride to Ko Yao Island 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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