8 Days Exploring Thailand’s Beaches

Arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and transfer to your hotel. On your first night in Thailand, stay at the boutique Shanghai Mansion Bangkok in the heart of Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown—a neighborhood overflowing with flower stalls and street food. Feel free to get exploring before the welcome meeting when the group officially meets for the first time on night one for introductions, and some details about the exciting travels in the week to come—and, of course, some Thai food.

A hotel transfer brings you to the airport to catch your one-hour flight south to Koh Samui with accommodations at the all-villa resort Centara Villas Samui. With nothing on your schedule this afternoon, relax by one of the hotel’s three freshwater swimming pools, stroll along its private beach overlooking the sapphire waters of the Gulf of Thailand, or check out the local village. Come evening, head 15 minutes to the island hub of Lamai Beach for dinner and nightlife.

Design your time in Koh Samui to fit your mood. Relax by the beach all day with a cocktail in hand or join one of several optional activities for a day trip.

You could choose to explore the spectacular Ang Thong National Marine Park. This full-day trip includes snorkeling and hiking in the protected archipelago of 42 islands. On land, see the dusky leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, leopard cats, and fishing cats all enjoying life in the wild. Under the waves, open your eyes to the world of bright and beautiful fish.

If you’d prefer to stay on Koh Samui for the day, dive into the interior of the island via a guided tour. Visit the island’s natural waterfalls and famed cultural sites (like the Big Buddha Temple and Chinese Temple) and stop at many of Koh Samui’s seemingly endless offerings of scenic viewpoints. Then take a trip to the south coast of the island to see the unusual and amusing Grandmother and Grandfather rock.

After a final breakfast on Koh Samui, hop on the ferry to the mainland for a private transfer to Khao Thep Pitak, a community-owned farm. Stroll among Khao Thep Pitak’s organic farm and fruit orchard and walk across the area’s beautiful suspension bridge with views of a particularly photogenic heart-shaped mountain. While at Khao Thep Pitak, enjoy a lunch of local specialties made with farm-grown ingredients. With the support of G Adventures, this community has created a self-sufficient economy that benefits over 140 families.

From Khao Thep Pitak, continue to the natural majesty of Khao Sok National Park, home to one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world and surrounded by limestone karst cliffs. Here, begin your stay at The Cliff & Jungle Resort. Once the sun sets, take a nighttime walk through the rainforest, guided by a local expert who will also share information about traditional jungle medicines and how locals use the natural environment to enhance their lives. Afterward, gather around the campfire for a dinner of local rainforest specialties.

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll have a full day to soak in Khao Sok National Park, southern Thailand’s largest area of virgin rainforest. Incredible wilderness defines the region: karst peaks, turquoise lakes, and a tropical rainforest that stretches along the country’s southwest coast.

There are a variety of ways you can immerse yourself in the natural wonders here. Hit the trails for a self-guided hike in search of monkeys and tropical birds, glide down the sparkling Sok River in a canoe, or join a group boat tour and take in the majestic limestone cliffs.

After a hotel breakfast to start your day, board your private transfer for the drive south to Krabi.

Cross the Krabi River by private longtail boat, passing mangroves and limestone crags, to explore Khao Khanap Nam cave and its prehistoric paintings and rock formations. Then, take a tuk-tuk to Koh Klang Island and visit with the local community, including a rubber plantation, rice fields, and a batik workshop. Rest up at your hotel, Aonang Princeville Villa Resort & Spa overlooking the Andaman Sea, for more Krabi adventures tomorrow.

Day two in Krabi is all about experiencing the marine life of this special corner of the world. Set out via longtail boat for a full-day tour of the Hong Islands, a beautiful 30-minute boat ride from the mainland. Stops along the way include Hong Beach, Hong Lagoon, Phak Bia, and Lading Island with some of the world’s most spectacular beaches. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach once you’ve found your favorite spot. The next day, you’ll head to the airport for your flight back to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok where your trip concludes.