Thailand with teenagers
Itinerary
Days 1-2 – Arrival in Bangkok
On arrival in Bangkok, one of our friendly representatives will meet you and your family at the airport. They will take you to your family-friendly hotel with a rooftop swimming pool, perfect for a refreshing dip after your long flight. Nothing is planned for your first evening, except to relax and unpack but we can give you lots of tips on the best places to eat in the local area. You’re also within walking distance to the famous Khao San Road should you wish to go and have a little nose around!
Day 3 – Tuk-tuks and longtails
After a much-needed sleep, we’ll take you on your first adventure through Bangkok. Your guide will hail a tuk-tuk and take you on a thrilling ride through the city. You’ll visit a local food market, feed the local fish that gather there and then board a classic longtail boat. You’ll have the opportunity to see the network of canals that the city revolves around, local families doing their washing and even the odd monitor lizard swimming by! You’ll return to your hotel in time for lunch and the afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure or relax at your hotel.
Day 4 – Bangkok – River Kwai
After breakfast, you’ll be collected from your hotel and travel by air-conditioned minibus to the River Kwai area. You’ll visit a local market, visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum and stop for lunch at a local café where you can sample local food such as the bright pink dragon fruit and prickly rambutans. You’ll then embark on a picturesque boat ride to your floating raft-house resort, made from natural materials. The raft houses have an en suite, mosquito nets, a balcony, a terrace and a hammock to laze in. There’s no electricity here, but the warm glow of oil lamps creates a relaxed, intimate atmosphere amongst the gentle lapping of waves against the raft. You may also get the opportunity to see a local dance performance in the evening.
If you’re looking for a little more luxury, we have a river cottage option, just ask your Family Travel Specialist.
Day 5 – Erawan Waterfalls
This morning, you’ll say goodbye to your floating hotel and head to the Erawan waterfalls. There are seven tiers of waterfall here and you will have plenty of time to reach the top at your leisure! After lunch at the waterfalls, you’ll take a ride on the infamous ‘Death Railway’ built by prisoners of war during WW2. You’ll also have a photo opportunity at the Bridge Over the River Kwai, where part of the original structure remains today. Tonight you’ll stay at a Thai-style hotel with a swimming pool in the town of Kanchanaburi.
Day 6 – Kanchanaburi – Bangkok – Surat Thani
Today, you will be transferred back to Bangkok to catch the overnight sleeper train to Surat Thani, in the South of Thailand. Following departure, your seats will be transformed into beds by the attendants and all your bedding will be provided. Although food is available on board, it is very basic and we recommend getting some snacks at the station before boarding. The journey to Surat Thani is an adventure in itself, offering a unique way to see the diverse landscapes of Thailand from the comfort of a moving train.
Even though we recommend the experience of a sleeper train, if you’d prefer to travel by domestic flight we can also arrange this for you, just speak to your travel specialist.
Day 7 – Arrival in Khao Sok
You will arrive at the train station in the morning, where you’ll be collected and transferred to your accommodation, nestled in the lush surroundings of Khao Sok, near the entrance to the national park. The resort has fantastic views of the rugged limestone cliffs and a refreshing swimming pool to enjoy after your long train journey. You can arrange activities through the resort such as guided jungle treks, canoeing and wildlife spotting, or just spend the rest of today relaxing by the swimming pool and end the day with a tasty meal at the on-site restaurant.
Day 8 – Lake Racha Praba tour
After an early breakfast this morning, you’ll be collected along with a small group of other travellers and head to Lake Racha Praba. You’ll take a traditional longtail boat over the still waters, surrounded by spectacular rock formations jutting vertically from the lake, before arriving at beautifully located floating bungalows on the water, where you are free to do as you please. Take one of the kayaks and explore your surroundings or simply jump off the decking and splash around in the crystal-clear water. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a delicious Thai lunch before your guide takes you for a walk and boat ride through the dense jungle, past bamboo groves and beneath giant trees back to your jungle lodge.
Day 9 – Khao Sok – Khanom
Today, you will be collected and transferred to Khanom, where, for the next two days, you will stay in a Thai-style resort with a pool overlooking the sea. There’s nothing planned for today so you can kick back and relax with a good book or take the hotel’s shuttle into town about 10 minutes away by car.
Days 10-11 – Dolphin spotting tour
You’ll be collected from your hotel this morning and taken to the pier to catch a longtail boat out into the bay to spot pink dolphins! Make sure to keep your camera ready as they often jump alongside the boat. The boat will glide past jagged cliffs and dense mangroves over the smooth water; of course, we cannot guarantee you will see dolphins but as they are friendly animals it is highly likely. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish.
The following day we will not plan anything for you, so you can spend the day together as a family. Relax on the tranquil sandy shores and enjoy a picnic lunch under the shade of a palm tree. There are also scenic waterfalls to be explored, surrounded by lush greenery and perfect for a refreshing swim amongst the natural beauty of Khanom.
Day 12 – Khanom – Ko Phangan
Today, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the Don Sak pier where you’ll catch the ferry over to Ko Phangan. Upon arrival on Ko Phangan you will be met by one of our local representatives who will take you the scenic route from the pier to your Thai-style beach resort in the northern side of the island. You’ll travel through lush green jungle and be welcomed with warm smiles by the hotel staff. There is a swimming pool for you to cool off and the restaurant serves delicious Thai food, or you can try one of the cosy beach restaurants for some delicious fresh fish.
Days 13-14 – Long-tail boat adventure and free time
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, we’ll arrange for you to discover Ko Phangan’s hidden gems by long-tail boat. You’ll join a small group of fellow explorers on one of the island’s beaches and set off to a small island off the coast to explore its underwater world during some snorkelling. Enjoy a lovely spot of lunch on one of the picturesque beaches and on your way back you will stop by a beautiful waterfall. You’ll be back at your pick-up spot by early afternoon and the rest of your time on the island is free for you to relax.
The following day is unplanned and for you to spend as you wish. Ao Thong Nai Pan consists of two bays, both lined with powdery golden sand and a tropical jungle backdrop. You can take the day to indulge in island life, where everything moves slowly and you will get to enjoy some quality family time.
Day 15 – Ko Phangan – Ko Samui
This morning, you’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the pier to catch the ferry over to the island of Ko Samui. Ko Samui has so much to offer families, with plenty of restaurants to choose from and lots of day trips if you’re feeling adventurous. You’ll stay in a charming bungalow with a swimming pool on the pretty Bo Phut beach. After checking in, there is nothing planned for the afternoon and you can do whatever takes your fancy. If you feel like enjoying some well-deserved relaxation, then you can simply enjoy the sand and the sea which is right on your doorstep.
Days 16-17 – Kayaking in Ko Samui
Just a stone’s throw away from Ko Samui is the Angthong National Marine Park and this is where you’ll be heading for your kayaking excursion today. We’ll arrange for you to be picked up from your hotel and taken by boat to discover this hidden gem. Once there you’ll jump into your kayak and paddle your way through a maze of high limestone cliffs rising from the sea. There’s also snorkelling gear available for you to discover the wonderful underwater world full of tropical fish and colourful coral.
The following day is free for you to do as you please. The island’s rugged interior is a fantastic place to explore and we recommend a trip to the Giant Standing Buddha, a huge Buddha where the local Thai community regularly make offerings. There’s also the exciting night market over on Chaweng Beach for you to pick up some more souvenirs.
Day 18 – Departure from Ko Samui
All good things must come to an end, and today so must your Thailand trip. This morning you’ll take one last stroll along the beach before making your way to the airport in Ko Samui. We’ll arrange your domestic flight tickets for your voyage back to Bangkok, the flight should take just over an hour. From here you can connect to your international flight home.
Accommodation
