Insights of the South

^{11 Jours / 10 Nuits}

Itinerary (Bangkok – Khao Sok – Ko Samui – Ko Tao – Bangkok)


Southern Thailand is not famous only for its crystal clear sea and white powdery-sand beaches, but also for its beautiful forests. Think of jungles and these are the real thing; tropical rain forests full of tree, plant and animal species different from anywhere else in Thailand. Visiting Khao Sok National Park and island hoping from Ko Samui to Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao will give you a taste of the very best that Southern Thailand has to offer.

Jour 1-2 : Bangkok
Welcome to Bangkok! Today is free as group members will arrive individually. We will though provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area until it is time for the group meeting in the evening where we would like you to give your local leader an idea of some of the things you would like to see and do on your tour. On the second day is a tour on foot to experience a different side of bustling Bangkok. Your local leader's aim will be to make sure that you see as much as possible of the everyday life of Bangkok and its people. What better way to do that than to combine your walk with as many different modes of public transport as possible. Boat, bus and Skytrain. Stops on the tour will normally include a couple of interesting Buddhist, Chinese or Hindu temples, a flower market, Chinatown and Little India. Don't forget that no entrance fee is included as the visiting place can be very much varied, depends on group interest. In the evening you will board the train for the overnight journey to Surat Thani, with second-class air-conditioned sleeping berths provided.

Jour 3-4 : Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok National Park is 656 sq. km. of dense rainforest with waterfalls, limestone cliffs, numerous streams, an island-studded lake and many riverside walking trails. Your options include to laze around your simple forest huts near the bank of Sok river or choose one of various trails and search for signs of wildlife including elephants, serow, banteng, gaur or dusky langur as well as a multitude of bird species. Don't forget that the park entrance fee of 200 baht is not included in the tour price as your accommodation is just outside the park perimeter.

Jour 5-6 : Ko Samui
After taking a public bus to Surat Thani to connect with the ferry to Ko Samui you will have lots of free time for relaxation; swimming, sunbathing and exploring the island.

Jour 7-9 : Ko Tao
Continue your island hoping to Ko Tao, or Turtle Island (named for its shape). A remote island north of Ko Samui with some of the Gulf of Siam's best scuba-diving waters, for those who are keen to learn to dive where better place to start than Ko Tao?

Jour 10-11: Bangkok
Take the public ferry back to the mainland, disembarking at Chumphon ready for the night train to Bangkok. Our trip finishes on arrival at Bangkok train station at about 07.00. Please check with your local leader for onward travel arrangements.

Additional accommodation in Bangkok is available on request.