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Peregrine Travel Centre

Thailand Beaches: Bangkok to Ko Samui

Thailand Beaches: Bangkok to Ko Samui

From $ 2,390 AUD

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Description

Clear blue waters, swaying palm trees and a bungalow on the beach – Thailand has all the ingredients for a holiday in paradise! Journey through Thailand’s southern islands on this eight-day adventure that will have you exploring by morning and relaxing in the sun by afternoon. Learn about the Khum Sa-ke community project, visit Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn) and look for elephants in Khao Sok National Park. Stay in a traditional raft house on Cheow Lan Lake, snorkel among tropical fish at Nang Yuan Island and indulge in some of the best home-cooked flavors. What’s better than island life?

Trip Name
Thailand Beaches: Bangkok to Ko Samui
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Discover the best beaches and islands of Thailand’s east coast, including the popular Ko Samui and laid-back Ko Tao, for a true slice of paradise.
  • Stay in the traditional raft house on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park, surrounded by turquoise waters and one of the world’s oldest jungles.
  • Learn about the community project at Khum Sa-ke. Walk along their birdwatching route and rice paddies and learn about their waste management and organic gardens.
  • Explore the underwater world of Ko Tao on a snorkelling trip, brimming with vibrant coral and colourful tropical fish.
  • Enjoy plenty of free time to take an optional daytrip to Ang Thong Marine National Park, search for the best panoramic views or simply chill out beachside with a cocktail.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Bangkok
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins in Thailand’s bustling capital, Bangkok with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. Bangkok is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors who serve delicious Thai food. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road or relax with in a Thai massage. After the meeting tonight, maybe gather your fellow travellers together and tuck into some world-famous street food.
Day 2 - Bangkok
Start today with a visit to Wat Arun – the Temple of the Dawn. Named after the Indian God of Dawn, Aruna, this impressive landmark sits on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Wat Pho, home to the country's largest reclining Buddha, take a riverboat to Chinatown and wander its crowded streets or travel by longtail boat down the Chao Phraya River to explore Bangkok's famous 'khlongs' (canals). Tonight, you’ll board an overnight train southbound for Surat Thani.
Day 3 - Khao Sok National Park
Arrive at Surat Thani in the morning, then travel by minivan to Khao Sok. Set amid hectares of thick jungle, waterfalls, limestone cliffs and an island-studded lake, the Khao Sok National Park is a nature lover's paradise. Here, you’ll hop in a traditional longtail boat for a calm sail to your accommodation on the water. Keep your eyes out for wild bull elephants, gibbons and spectacled langur (dusky leaf monkeys). Khao Sok National Park is the wettest spot in Thailand with some of the oldest jungles in the world. Your accommodation tonight will be in a traditional raft house, surrounded by turquoise waters of the lake in the front and one of the oldest jungles at the back.
Day 4 - Ko Tao
This morning, you’ll wake up in the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. Your raft house sits right inside the park, so you’ll have time this morning to catch the mist drifting along the lake as you search for wildlife in the jungle on a longtail boat. Before lunch, take a jungle hike around the park, and depending on the season, maybe see waterfalls or head up high to a panoramic viewpoint. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of an elephant, hornbill or langur monkey. After, make your way to Koh Tao. Best known for its vibrant coral reefs, tis little island is popular with divers and those just looking for beautiful, palm-fringed beaches like Sairee. Soak up some free time to relax or maybe join a cooking class, visit a local spa or go swimming. Koh Tao also has a small but lively nightlife for those looking for a dance on the beach.
Day 5 - Ko Tao
Today, you’ll discover the underwater world that surrounds Koh Tao with an exploratory snorkelling trip. With abundant coral and tropical fish, this is undeniably one of the jewels in southern Thailand – and you might even see a timid reef shark among the corals!. Sail south from Mae Haad Pier, navigating around the southern tip of the island until you reach Shark Island. Look out for the occasional leopard shark! Drop by Luek Bay for one of the best swimming beaches on the island, with fish-filled reefs on either side, then stop at Hin Wong Bay for lunch aboard the boat. Then, head to the privately-owned Nang Yuan Island and take a short hike up to a viewpoint, relax on the beach, snorkel through schools of parrotfish or chill out on the boat.
Day 6 - Ko Samui
After breakfast, jump on another boat and cruise over to Koh Samui. Known simply as Samui by locals, this spot has beautiful white sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut trees. In the afternoon, visit Khum Sa-ke Village – an organisation working to improve the eco-environment of the village. Walk along their birdwatching route and rice paddies and learn about their waste management and organic gardens. Wrap it all up with a hearty home-cooked dinner full of southern Thailand flavours and see how important coconuts are to this delicious cuisine.
Day 7 - Ko Samui
It’s up to you what you’d like to do today! If you feel like getting active, maybe set off on a daytrip to Ang Thong Marine National Park – an archipelago of around 40 islands (many uninhabited). If you choose this option, you’ll sail around the steep limestone cliffs to an inland saltwater lagoon called Emerald Lake (Talay Nai), which is fed by an underground cave. If you prefer to stay on land today, maybe check out the Samui Elephant Sanctuary and see the gentle giants as they roam, socialise and bathe. Or simply relax on the beach with a good book.
Day 8 - Ko Samui
As there are no further activities, your Thailand adventure comes to an end this morning. This doesn’t mean you have to go home! If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Day 9 - Ko Samui
It’s up to you what you want to do today! If you feel like getting active, take an optional day trip to Ang Thong Marine National Park – an archipelago of around 40 islands (many uninhabited). If you choose this option, you’ll take a speedboat to the Marine Park with the island of Ko Wao or Ko Tai Plow as your first stop. There, you can snorkel in the turquoise waters filled with ever changing colours of coral and fish. Sail around the steep limestone cliffs to an inland saltwater lagoon called Emerald Lake (Talay Nai), which is fed by an underground cave. Take a short walk up pathways and a wooden staircase to reach a hilltop lake viewpoint, then have lunch on the island that houses the park headquarters. Chill out on the beach, climb up for a panorama of the Marine Park or get out on to the bay for some kayaking. You’ll head back to Ko Samui mid-afternoon. If you prefer to stay on land today, maybe check out the Samui Elephant Sanctuary and see the gentle giants as they roam, socialise and bathe.
Day 10 - Ko Samui
With no further activities planned after breakfast, your beach adventure comes to an end and you can depart the accommodation at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
17-05-202624-05-2026AUD $ 2,400-
07-06-202614-06-2026AUD $ 2,450-
05-07-202612-07-2026AUD $ 2,410-
26-07-202602-08-2026AUD $ 2,490-
06-09-202613-09-2026AUD $ 2,390-
20-09-202627-09-2026AUD $ 2,390-
30-05-202706-06-2027AUD $ 2,485-
20-06-202727-06-2027AUD $ 2,485-
11-07-202718-07-2027AUD $ 2,585-
25-07-202701-08-2027AUD $ 2,585-
05-09-202712-09-2027AUD $ 2,485-
19-09-202726-09-2027AUD $ 2,485-

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Resort (4 nights), Raft House (1 night)

Transport

Ferry, Overnight sleeper train, Private mini bus, Songtheaw, Longtail boat, Taxi

Map

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