Thailand Island Hopping

FOR TRIPS DEPARTING JAN 1st 2015 to MAY 2nd 2015 and NOV 1st 2015 to DEC 31st 2015

Day 1 Bangkok

Arrive at any time.

Today is arrival day so there are no activities planned. You are free to relax, explore the city & adjust to the frantic pace and heat of Bangkok.?? Please arrive at our start point hotel before 6pm for an important group meeting where you will meet your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. Please look for a sign on the hotel’s notice board for the time and location of this meeting.?? This is where your CEO will ask to see your travel insurance and provide necessary details for the rest of the trip.? After, head out for an optional optional dinner to get to know fellow group members. ??

Our hotel is located in Chinatown, next to the central train station and MRT (subway), and is only a short USD2 taxi ride from Khao San Road and the central shopping area of Siam Square, MBK, Siam Paragon, etc. All rooms are double or twin share with air-conditioning and an en suite bathroom. The hotel has a small pool and wifi, with computers available at extra cost.

Day 2 Koh Klang (1B,1D)

After a short flight to Krabi, head to your homestay with a local Muslim family on Koh Klang where you’ll be immersed in southern Thai culture. Visit a local government-supported project to help build local communities, then relax and soak in the southern Thai culture.

Koh Klang is situated at the mouth of Krabi River into the Andaman Sea. It is the closest island to Krabi town and is connected to the mainland only by long tail boats travelling from two different piers. It takes only 10 minutes to travel across to the island. En route to catching our boat, we’ll stop at Department of Fisheries to learn about fish in the Andaman Sea, mangrove forests and local ecotourism of the Krabi area.

We’ll also stop at the best OTOP (government project called ‘One Tumbol One Product’). Thailand consists of sub districts, which are also known as tambons. In order to help build local communities, each tambon has uniquely made and marketed products that are promoted and sold all over the world. We’ll be able to see what this particular local community is producing and learn a bit more about the initiative.

Approx travel times :
Transfer from hotel to Bangkok Airport : 45 – 1 hrs
Estimated flight time: 1.5 hrs
Transfer from Krabi Airport to Koh Klang homestay : 45 mins plus stops

Days 3-4 Krabi (2B)

After breakfast, we’ll take a private boat to Jao Fah Pier and drive to Ao Nang Beach in Krabi. Explore the Ao Nang Beach area with loads to do.

Ao Nang in Krabi is a virtual paradise for anyone looking for relaxation or adventure. White sandy beaches with swaying coconut palms, incredible cliffs and heaps of exciting excursions provide entertainment in all forms. Try kayaking, snorkeling or diving or choose to lounge on the beach. The small village of Ao Nang still retains its tranquil pace of life, while offering a host of shops, bars and charming restaurants.

Day 5 Railay Beach (1B)

Stay one night in a guesthouse on Railay Beach. Railay is isolated from the mainland on a peninsula, surrounded by the warm Andaman Sea, lush jungle and twisted rock. This area boasts plenty of activities such as sea kayaking, diving, snorkelling, jungle trekking, cooking, whitewater rafting and quad biking. Feel free to lounge on the beach, too.

Day 6-7 Koh Lanta (2B)

Take a local ferry in the morning for about two hours to Koh Lanta, one of the more tranquil islands in the area. For the next day and a half you are free to spend your time anyway you wish. On Day 7, opt for a day trip to nearby Koh Rok where you can snorkel at Koh Rok’s national park, trek to a view point and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Day 8 Krabi (1B)

Enjoy a lazy beach morning following by a transfer to Krabi before continuing on to the train station for an overnight sleeper train back to Bangkok.

Estimated travel time: 3 hrs to the train station
Estimated travel time: 12 hrs to Bangkok

Day 9 Bangkok

We arrive back into Bangkok train station at approximately 8am where our tour finishes on arrival. Onward travel can be booked at 4pm.

We are able to arrange post-tour accommodation for those who would like to spend a little more time in Bangkok. Please ask at time of booking.

FOR TRIPS DEPARTING MAY 3rd 2015 to OCTOBER 31st 2015

Day 1 Bangkok

Arrive at any time.

Today is arrival day so there are no activities planned. You are free to relax, explore the city & adjust to the frantic pace and heat of Bangkok.?? Please arrive at our start point hotel before 6pm for an important group meeting where you will meet your Chief Experience Officer (CEO) and the other group members. Please look for a sign on the hotel’s notice board for the time and location of this meeting.?? This is where your CEO will ask to see your travel insurance and provide necessary details for the rest of the trip.? After, head out for an optional optional dinner to get to know fellow group members. ??

Our hotel is located in Chinatown, next to the central train station and MRT (subway), and is only a short USD2 taxi ride from Khao San Road and the central shopping area of Siam Square, MBK, Siam Paragon, etc. All rooms are double or twin share with air-conditioning and an en suite bathroom. The hotel has a small pool and wifi, with computers available at extra cost.

Days 2-3 Koh Samui (2B)

Catch a flight to the tropical island of Koh Samui. Relax on the beach or visit the bustling little town. Opt for a snorkeling tour to Ang Thong Marine Park, an archipelago made up of 42 islands. There is a lot of biodiversity here, mainly of the marine life, due to the protection of its national park status.

Approx travel time :
Bangkok hotel to airport: 45 mins
Flight to Koh Samui: 1 hr
Transfer from Koh Samui Airport to the hotel: 40 mins

Day 4-5 Koh Phangan (2B)

After a short boat ride, we arrive on the small island of Koh Phangan, where we have the next two days to explore the island’s waterfalls, swim in its lagoons, enjoy some scenic hikes or just relax. With everything from yoga and meditation courses, natural beauty, and its famous full moon parties, Koh Phangan has something for everyone.

Approx travel times:
Transfer from hotel to pier: 15-30 mins each way
Ferry to Koh Phangan: 45 mins

Day 6-8 Koh Tao (3B)

Board another ferry to travel to Koh Tao, in English known as ‘turtle island’. Initially, the island was not inhabited but in the 1980s the first travellers discovered the island paradise and fantastic marine life and word quickly spread. It’s now become a popular backpacker destination, known mainly for the surrounding 40 or so dive sites and cheap dive courses. While most of the visitors spend their days in the water, in the evening the beach bars and hotels spill over with people looking to share their tales of the days activities and a cold beer or two. Enjoy an included snorkelling excursion from Koh Tao through Koh Nang Yuan.

Our resort is located on the beach with comfortable twin and double rooms with en suite bathrooms. There is a pool close to the beach and there is free wifi available in the lobby.

In the afternoon of Day 8, return to the mainland to board an overnight sleeper train back to Bangkok.

Approx travel time:
Hotel to pier in Koh Phangan: 1 hr
Ferry from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao: 2.5 hrs
Pier on Koh Tao to hotel: 20 mins

Day 9 Bangkok

We arrive back into Bangkok train station at approximately 8am where our tour finishes on arrival. Onward travel can be booked at 4pm.

We are able to arrange post-tour accommodation for those who would like to spend a little more time in Bangkok. Please ask at time of booking.