Hidden treasure of Thailand

Arrival in Bangkok

• Activities:

  Arrive in Bangkok, relax

• Meal:

  N/A

• Included:

  Airport transfer with pickup guide, hotel in Bangkok

You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Bangkok

• Activities:

  Drive through Bangkok, travel to Thewet river pier, visit local market and board a longtail boat

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, tuk tuk, guide, boat trip, entrance fees, hotel in Bangkok

This morning you'll be met by your guide in the lobby of your hotel, and together you'll embark on an exciting drive through Bangkok by tuk-tuk. You'll travel to Thewet river pier where you'll first visit the local 'fresh market' and then board a classic longtail boat! Your boat journey will give you an insight into how much the city life still revolves around the river and its network of 'klongs' (canals). In some ways it is a trip through the past where you'll see wooden houses on stilts, local folks doing their laundry in the klongs, monitor lizards suddenly swimming by, and lots of other fascinating sights. Back at the pier again your guide will return you to your hotel by tuktuk! You should be back before noon, and the rest of your day is free to explore the city before you continue your Thailand trip along the River Kwai tomorrow.

Bangkok - River Kwai

• Activities:

  Travel to Kwai River, visit Samut Sakhon market, take a train along Burma Death Railway, take a boat to floating bamboo bungalow

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide, ground transportation, boat trip, entrance fees, bamboo bungalow, overnight on River Kwai ( Kanchanaburi)

You'll be picked up early this morning for the next stage of your Thailand trip; travelling by air-conditioned minibus to the River Kwai accompanied by an english-speaking guide. First stop will be the Samut Sakhon 'train market' where you'll get to try your haggling skills. Afterwards you'll continue to the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, where you'll take a train ride along a stretch of the infamous Burma Death Railway. On arrival at the small station, a tasty lunch will be served and you'll step into a longtail boat. This boat will drift along the River Kwai, deep into the thick evergreen jungle. Just forty minutes later, you'll arrive at your floating bamboo bungalow on the river. You'll have your own room with a swimming jetty and a hammock. There's no electricity, and you'll eat an ambient dinner by the light of flickering oil lamps. Seated at long tables, you'll share the meal with your fellow travellers with a background chorus of jungle sounds.

River Kwai – Kanchanaburi

• Activities:

  Go to Erawan Waterfalls, visit JEATH War Museum and Memorial Cemetery

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, ground transportation, boat trip, guide, hotel in Kanchanaburi

Waking up from a night in the jungle and sail along the river by boat for the hour long ride to the Erawan Waterfalls (400 Baht, approx £8 entrance fee paid locally). The waterfall has seven different levels, dropping a total height of 1500m. You can reach the top in about 1½ hours depending on your walking speed, but you'll be duly rewarded for your efforts. Sparkling water cascades down into bright turquoise pools against a backdrop of smooth limestone rocks. You'll have three hours here, so don't forget your swimsuits. At the end of the day the guide will drop you off at your friendly hotel in Kanchanburi. From here it's only a short walk to the JEATH War Museum and the Memorial Cemetery (option not included).

Kanchanaburi - Bangkok - Night train to Surat Thani

• Activities:

  Travel to Bangkok, board a night train to Surat Thani

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, guide, ground transport, train ticket to Surat Thani, overnight on train

(Travel time approx: 11 hours) Depart for Bangkok you'll have plenty of time to stock up on snacks and drinks for the trip ahead. Early in the evening you'll take the overnight sleeper train to Surat Thani for the next part of your Thailand trip. You'll travel in a second-class carriage in seats facing each other; however these seats can be fashioned into a bed in no time at all. The train has a restaurant car if you fancy dining on the rails. There will be many international travellers, as well as locals on this train to Surat Thani. When you're ready for bed let the train gently rock you to sleep. If you're a light sleeper, don't forget to bring along your ear plugs. You'll be awoken an hour before arrival in Surat Thani to continue your Thailand tour.

Arrival in Surat Thani - Khao Sok National Park

• Activities:

  Arrive in Surat Thani, travel to Racha Praba Lake, stay in a floating cabin

• Meal:

  Lunch, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide, ground transportation, entrance fee, boat trip, bamboo cabin, simple sleeping stuffs, float tube, overnight in Khao Sok

(Travel time approx: 2-3 hours) When you arrive in Surat Thani the next morning, you'll be met at the railway station and driven to Racha Praba Lake. You'll only need an overnight pack for your floating cabin stay, any extra luggage will be taken straight to the lodge where you'll stay tomorrow. All meals are included and you'll have an English-speaking guide to lead you through the park. From the lakeside, a long tail boat will take you past spectacular rock formations shooting up from the water. Considering that it'll be early in the morning during this boat ride, thin wisps of mist will still hang around the rocks. After about an hour you’ll arrive at your floating bamboo cabin in an isolated and idyllic location. Sleeping mats, sheets, blankets, and towels will be provided, but you may want to bring along your own sleeping bag liner to sleep in or your own towel. You'll have your own inflatable tube to float lazily on the water - a real highlight of this Thailand holiday. After lunch, you'll take a walk through the thick jungle, alongside bamboo shoots and giant trees. A tasty dinner will be prepared for you in the evening.

Khao Sok National Park

• Activities:

  Take a canoe trip, take a walk into rainforest or hidden lagoon, visit Khao Sok National Park, stay in a bungalow

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide, bungalow, canoe, boat riding, overnight in Khao Sok

This morning you'll wake up to the exotic sounds of the jungle. Each bungalow has its own canoe, and after breakfast you'll paddle along the jungly shores in search of monkeys and other animals. Lunch will be served after your canoe trip. After lunch, you can either take a walk further into the rainforest or head for a hidden lagoon. The choice will depend largely upon the weather and the tide. From somewhere deep inside the dense greenery you'll hear the rising calls of monkeys and toucans. Later in the afternoon, you'll be taken deeper into the Khao Sok National Park by longtail boat for an adventurous part of this Thailand trip. You'll be met on the shore and taken even further into the tropical wilderness. Before long you'll reach the jungle bungalows where the rest of your baggage awaits you. There is plenty of time to get settled into your bungalow, which has a private bathroom. There's no hot water, but in such high temperatures a hot shower will be the last thing you'll want. You can spend a while taking in your fabulously remote setting. Later you’ll dine by the river, surrounded by lush green mountains and the manifold sounds of the forest.

Khao Sok National Park

• Activities:

  Explore Khao Sok National Park, enjoy lunch in the jungle

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide, bamboo cabin, overnight in Khao Sok

After breakfast you'll set off with your guide on a fascinating hike into the surrounding jungle. You'll explore the tropical rainforest, and your guide will tell you all about the vegetation and wildlife that lives in the area. On the way, you'll enjoy a hearty lunch (included), served at a beautiful spot in the jungle, for instance next to a river or a waterfall. Late in the afternoon, you'll return to your jungle cabin, weary but happy. Find a good place to watch the sunset and make sure you have that camera handy.

Khao Sok National Park - Ko Phangan

• Activities:

  Depart for Ko Phangan, relax

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, guide, ground transportation, boat to Ko Phangan, hotel in Ko Phangan

(Travel time approx: 4 hours) Today it is time to pack your bags and get ready for your trip from Khao Sok to Ko Phangan, where you'll stay for the next few days. Once you arrive at the pier in Ko Phangan, you'll be taken to your hotel. Last of your day is free time.

Ko Phangan - Free Time

• Activities:

  Travel to the beach to snorkel or sunbathe, go hiking in Kao Ra

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, hotel in Ko Phangan

Enjoy your free day, you can follow some suggestions, there are many beautiful beaches where you can snorkel and sunbathe to your heart's content. Many beaches are remote and the best are reached by long tail boat. These small colorful boats are quintessentially Thai, and can take you to idyllic little beaches. Alternatively, you might be in the mood for something a little more active during this part of your Thailand holiday, In which case you could take a hike up to the island's highest point - Kao Ra. This breathtaking viewpoint is located at an altitude of 627m. As you hike up to the summit you may come across a few cheeky monkeys, pigs or a deer. The resort reception will give you detailed information about the route.

Ko Phangan - Ko Samui

• Activities:

  Go to Ko Pha Ngan pier, take a ferry to Ko Samui, visit evening market

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, guide, ground transportation, ferry to Ko Samui, hotel in Ko Samui

(Travel time approx: 2 hours) Today you'll start with breakfast at the hotel's restaurant; a great spot overlooking the sea. After breakfast we'll arrange for a transfer to collect you from your hotel and take you to Ko Pha Ngan pier for the ferry to the tropical island of Ko Samui. Ko Samui is a popular Thai island with quite a few excellent restaurants and bars. There's also a colorful evening market in Lamai for you to visit.

Ko Samui - Free Time

• Activities:

  Explore the beach, visit waterfalls in Na Muang, temple at Laew Saw and Ang Thong Marine Park

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, hotel in Ko Samui

Your time in Ko Samui is free for you to do as you wish! If you start feeling restless on the beach, you can hire a moped to explore the interior of the island. Behind the beaches, Ko Samui is draped in lush green vegetation and countless coconut palm plantations. There are shimmering waterfalls at Na Muang and a temple at Laem Saw. Snorkellers and divers can take advantage of the nearby Ang Thong Marine Park. This national park has coral gardens which are great for snorkelling and diving, and the whole area around the 18 small islands is protected from fishermen.

Ko Samui - Free Time

• Activities:

  Explore the beach, visit waterfalls in Na Muang, temple at Laew Saw and Ang Thong Marine Park

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, hotel in Ko Samui

Your time in Ko Samui is free for you to do as you wish! If you start feeling restless on the beach, you can hire a moped to explore the interior of the island. Behind the beaches, Ko Samui is draped in lush green vegetation and countless coconut palm plantations. There are shimmering waterfalls at Na Muang and a temple at Laem Saw. Snorkellers and divers can take advantage of the nearby Ang Thong Marine Park. This national park has coral gardens which are great for snorkelling and diving, and the whole area around the 18 small islands is protected from fishermen.

Ko Samui - Bangkok departure

• Activities:

  Depart from Ko Samui

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, airport transfer with drop-off guide, flight ticket Ko Samui-Bangkok

This morning you'll take one last stroll along the beach before making your way to the airport in Ko Samui. Transfer to Bangkok airport, take your flight home.