Cultural Villages of the North Andaman
The usual length of tour is 3 to 5 days but it is possible to arrange shorter or longer visits. Prices vary according to group size and activities. Dates are entirely flexible so you are free to choose your start/finish date and the number of days you would like to join. We can even offer a one day trip if necessary.
We can propose an itinerary based on your interests or you can choose from some of the following activities which are currently available...
General Activities
Lunch on a Krachang
A Krachang is a traditional floating fish farm, a bit like a floating wooden hut with netted areas to enclose the fish. The Krachang includes a small living area where you can watch your delicious lunch being prepared. You can then sit on the open deck, surrounded by mangroves and feast on a selection of mouth-watering Southern Thai curries and freshly caught seafood.
Homestay Experience
Staying in a homestay, you will be made to feel like part of the family due to the warmth and hospitality of the villagers. Being welcomed into a villager’s house is a truly intimate experience and allows you to take a privileged look into the real lives of your hosts. Staying and eating with a family gives you the chance to exchange and interact with the community on a mutual level. Villagers open their homes and their hearts for a truly memorable experience.
Culinary Delights
One of the highlights of any of the trips has to be the food. Every meal is a veritable feast of delightfully tasty Southern curries and fresh vegetable dishes. Mouthwatering 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.
Activities in individual villages
BAAN TALAY NOK
Soap Group Demonstration
A popular place with young and old villagers, the Community Centre is also the home of the Baan Talay Nok ‘Sabu Sabai’ soap group. Established after the tsunami, the group makes beautifully hand-crafted soap, using only the finest natural ingredients from the local area. Visitors are invited to watch an informative demonstration given by the soap ladies. After the demonstration, visitors can then try their hand at making the soaps, with the expert guidance of the soap group ladies.
Wild Animal Rescue Conservation Centre
This highly respected Conservation Centre provides a safe sanctuary for mistreated or sick wildlife, mostly gibbons and exotic birds. A highly-trained group of rangers care for the sick animals and prepare them for their release back into the wild. Visitors can take a guided tour around the sanctuary, and learn about Thailand’s native animals and what steps are being taken to protect these beautiful creatures.
Snorkeling at Koh Kwai
A short boat ride away is the tropical island of Koh Kwai (Buffalo Island). Swaying palm trees, powdery soft sand and crystal clear waters make this a picture-perfect destination to laze away a couple of hours in the sun. Snorkeling reveals the island’s splendid underwater paradise, teeming with colorful fish and vibrant corals. Sea turtles frequent the coast which is well-known for its amazing bio-diversity.
Amazing Sunset
A short drive from the village is an endless stretch of white sandy beach, the ideal place to watch the sun set over the tranquil Andaman Sea. As the sun sets, the sky becomes a canvass of amazing pinks, oranges and reds, set against the back drop of Koh Kwai, resulting in a truly unforgettable sunset with plentiful photo opportunities.
The beach is usually completely deserted, except for the buffalo that come down to bathe in the warm tropical waters in the evening.
TUNG NANG DUM
Hike to Eagle Mountain
Getting to this peaceful village is an adventure in itself, a long-tailed boat through lush mangrove forests passed quaint wooden krachang (floating fish farm) and then a brief walk through the cashew orchards. Once there, visitors can take a pleasant stroll through the dense forests of Eagle Mountain. A highly trained and fluent guide will highlight points of interest throughout the trek, including delicate wild flowers and medicinal plants. Once reaching the top, visitors will have sweeping panoramic views of the Andaman coast and the lush mangroves below.
Cashew Nut Roasting and Making Natural Rubber
Two main sources of income for the villagers are harvesting cashew nuts and making natural rubber. As visitors walk through the cashew orchard and rubber plantations they can see how villagers harvest both the cashews and rubber. Depending on the season, guests can watch the lengthy process involved and even join in making the rubber or roasting the cashews.
Rowing through the mangroves
Explore deep into the winding mangroves. Gently rowing under the mangrove canopy, head into the wild to discover an amazing world camouflaged amongst the tangle of roots, branches, and foliage. Open your eyes to a wonderful display of birdlife; including exquisitely colored kingfisher, waders and even the occasional lucky sighting of an owl. The silent motion of the boat encourages other wildlife, including monkeys and small cats, to come to the water’s edge to feed on crabs lurking in the mud.
Amazing Sunset
Tung Nang Dum boasts a beautiful beach, lined with palm trees and soft, white sand, the perfect place to chill out or catch a stunning Andaman sunset. Inviting warm tropical waters and gentle waves make this beach a great place to swim. In the evening the sky comes alive with color as the sun sets over the horizon.
In the evening young villagers come to the beach to play football and volleyball, and visitors are welcome to compete with the locals. For the less energetic, sitting and watching can be just as fun.
PAKTRIUM
Gone Fishing
A really fun activity for all visitors not just those who enjoy fishing. Visitors can join the local fishermen on their long-tail boats and see traditional methods of fishing. The equipment is simple yet effective and includes a simple hand held line with hook. Night fishing under the moonlight is a truly magical experience, popular with all ages of people.
Snorkeling at Koh Kai
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. Spend a few hours exploring the warm tropical waters, teeming with an abundance of colourful life.
Visit Old Paktrium
The original Paktrium village was located on a sandy peninsula before the tsunami struck and devastated the village. The peninsula was actually split into two sections by the massive wave, destroying the whole village. The village has now been relocated to higher ground. A visit to Old Paktrium is a sobering reminder of the force of the tsunami and its affects on the lives of many Southern villagers. Fluent guides can retell the sad tales of families whose lives were literally washed away on that fateful day.
Tie Dye Group
Paktrium’s Tie Dye group was established after the tsunami to create a supplementary income for the families left with nothing after the tsunami. Visitors can watch a lively demonstration with the tie dye ladies and then join in to create their own intricate designs. The group uses only natural ingredients to create beautiful bags, shawls and sarongs.
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