Khao Lak – Surin Islands – Koh Prathong                                             [L]

Escape to a tropical island paradise within the idyllic Koh Surin National Marine Park. An early 7 am start, with a transfer from Khao Lak to Kuraburi Pier, is followed by an exhilarating speedboat trip to Koh Surin. A guided tour conducted by the island’s original inhabitants, the Moken, provides a unique insight into their home. We will learn about the intricate relationship between this indigenous group and the environment, view brightly coloured poles that honour the spirits of nature and see bamboo stilt houses erected on the sand. We also try our hand at rowing a traditional boat, spearfishing and weaving, including the creation of a bracelet made from Pandanus leaves. Lunch is a Thai set menu served under the shade of a tree on the beach, followed by a short walk to a coral reef to view the Moken’s impressive diving techniques. It is then time to enjoy a cooling swim surrounded by tropical fish. We then take a long-tail boat to Baba Ecolodge Resort, with the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy this idyllic site nestled within lush tropical jungle and facing a 12-km deserted beach.

Koh Ra                                                                                                    [B, L]

After breakfast at the resort, our adventure begins with a 15-minute long-tail boat ride to Koh Ra. This is a long and mountainous island and covered in ancient rainforest. The elevated and overgrown terrain has preserved the serenity. Consequently, it is home to abundant flora and fauna and this makes it an excellent trekking venue. We will set off on a leisurely hike and look out for hornbills and other native species. Lunch is served al fresco on a secluded beach, with time afterwards to enjoy a cooling swim, or relax on the pristine sand. At around 2 pm, we head back to the resort on Koh Phrathong, with the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the stunning beauty of this tranquil destination.

Optional activities                                                                            [B]

Savannah Tour with breakfast (by Baba Ecolodge Resort)
Another day in an idyllic island paradise unfolds, with the option to relax at the resort, or undertake some excellent optional excursions. The Savannah Tour reveals native wildlife and abundant nature. Our destination, Ko Phra Thong’s savannah interior is more reminiscent of Kenya than Thailand. We leave by jeep at 6 am and head to a spectacular environment featuring brilliant white sandy dunes covered with thick grass. This is one of the best bird watching destinations in Thailand and one of the few places on earth to spot the endangered lesser adjutant stork.

Island Adventure
Another option is an island adventure tour that reveals rustic Tung Dap village. The discovery starts with a 9 am transfer. After a briefing and a cultural orientation, we join an interactive workshop where we learn how to make squid traps, an essential tool for the indigenous Moken. We then enjoy a homemade lunch and a cultural exchange with our host family. We then head out to catch crabs, fish or gather seashells, depending on the tide. We also learn how to make a traditional Moken desert. At around 4.30 pm we arrive back at the resort, with the rest of the day at leisure.

Koh Prathong – Khao Lak                                                               [B]

Our escape from civilization to a remote island getaway concludes today. After breakfast, we have some time to soak up rays and enjoy a cooling swim. We then check-out of the resort and take a long-tail boat transfer to Kuraburi Pier, followed by a speedboat trip back to either Khao Lak or Phuket, depending on individual itineraries. This excursion provides the ultimate escape from modern life and promotes sustainable travel practices.

Your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel in the early morning, eager to show you the untouched parts of the region, rarely visited by tourists. The morning will be spent touring the ‘Little Amazon’. For a close-up view, climb into a kayak for a leisurely paddle along the Klong Sung Nae River. Keep a lookout for wildlife as you pass by large banyan trees and meander through the mangroves. The waterway eventually makes its way to the sea – you won’t go that far though, as a delicious lunch is waiting at a local restaurant!

The afternoon is dedicated to Sri Takua Pa, the Thai name of the old part of Takua Pa that dates back to the 13th century. During the town’s lucrative tin mining days, this was a busy trading area for Chinese, Thai and Portuguese tradesmen who came to ply their wares. The tin industry may have disappeared, but Chinese influences still remain. In addition, many traditions from those bygone days are still being passed down through the generations. A walk through the streets with your guide will give you an insight into a town bursting with heritage, culture and colour. You will pass by old Chinese shrines and see examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture, including charming pastel-coloured shophouses.

At the end of the afternoon, it is time to leave the heritage town behind and drive back to your Khao Lak resort.

Your guide will meet you in the hotel in the morning and together you will set off to Phang Nga province to explore the spiritual side of Phang Nga. You will discover three exceptional temples and will experience a day filled with culture, religion, myths and legends.

Located high on a mountain is Bang Rieng Temple boasting a beautiful, golden Buddha image that rises above the trees. The largest temple in the province, it commands breathtaking views over the surrounding forest and mountains. The temple consists of three parts in different architectural styles and is rumoured to contain a relic of the Lord Buddha.

Another impressive place of worship is the Dragon Cave Temple. It is located within a limestone cave amid a collection of stalagmites and stalactites. Enter into the temple via the many stone steps and discover countless small shrines and images of Buddha in all shapes and sizes. According to legend, the temple has healing powers and the monks residing in the temple have become masters in concocting herbal medication for the villagers living near the temple. The serene atmosphere makes it a popular place for meditation and reflection.

Also located in a cave is Wat Suwan Khuha, one of the oldest temples in the province. Inside, you will be dazzled by a 15-metre-long golden, reclining Buddha surrounded by other religious statues and relics. Monks, and the cave’s resident cats, can often be seen next to the reclining Buddha – the monks meditating and the cats sleeping! Outside the temple, watch out for the dozens of mischievous macaque monkeys roaming around.

Lunch is included at a local restaurant. The order that you visit the temples may vary and will be decided by the guide on the day. At the end of the temple exploration, you will return to Khao Lak and to your hotel.

It is worth getting up early if it means arriving at popular sites before everyone else and having these natural splendours all to yourself for a while – and that is exactly what you will do on this ‘early bird’ tour. Early morning, board the speedboat and set off towards the stunning Phi Phi Islands. As you approach, you will see the distinctive jungle-shrouded limestone rock formations that rise out of the turquoise sea.

Enjoy a fun-filled day of snorkelling and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of this beautiful archipelago. The gorgeous blue Andaman Sea is teeming with colourful coral reefs and exotic marine life. There is also plenty of time to stroll along the soft powdery sands, take photos of the unrivalled beauty of the surroundings and just soak up the sun.

As you cruise through the area, you will view some of the other islands including Mosquito Island. Stop for a while on Bamboo Island, a small island covered in lush vegetation surrounded by a strip of dazzling white sand. Enjoy a delicious picnic-style lunch on the beach under the shade of the trees.

After more time to relax, you will board the boat again for the cruise back.

After breakfast, travel by minivan to one of the leading Thai cooking schools in Khao Lak. On arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by the professional chef and the culinary crew. After a brief introduction, set off to the local wet market. Wander through the stalls to learn about the locally grown herbs, spices and fiery chillis and their uses in Thai cooking. It’s important to get to know these aromatic herbs as many will be added to your dishes to infuse them with flavour.

Back at the cooking school, start with a theory session and cooking demonstration by the chef. Then it is time to roll up your sleeves and don an apron. In this hands-on class, you will have your own cooking station with wok where you can whip up your own culinary creations. Under the close guidance of the chef and talented culinary team, you will learn how to transform the raw ingredients into tasty, traditional Thai dishes.

For lunch, you finally get to sit down and relax while sampling the fruits of your labour – delicious Thai dishes cooked by yourself!

To ensure you can recreate these dishes at home, you will receive a set of the course recipes as a fabulous take-away souvenir of a fun and educational day out.

An early morning transfer by minivan will bring you and your fellow travellers to the main boat pier where your speed boat for the day will be ready to welcome you on board. The Similans are a group of 9 protected islands off the southern coastline of Phuket and Khao Lak and are seen as some of the finest examples of the tropical name and fame of the country.

Closed during May and October for visitors in line with its Marine National Park status, particularly snorkelling, scuba diving and visiting the serene beaches are amongst the most sought-after activities during its opening months. Water clarity is excellent, and each island has its own unique scenery.

In the morning, guests are taken across the Andaman Sea to one of the more characteristic islands of the group. A sheltered space in front of island number 8, Donald Duck Bay is a popular overnight spot for live-aboard scuba diving vessels. The name Donald Duck is derived from the large boulder on the east side of the bay, resembling the head of this famous cartoon character. Besides its beach, the hike to the island’s viewpoint, called Sailing Boat Rock, visible by its huge symbolic rock of sailing boat shape atop the mountain is a perfect way to grasp the beauty of Donald Duck Bay

We then head out to Koh Miang (Honeymoon Bay) where a picnic lunch is served with this idyllic background as your decor. Romance reigns supreme here above and below the surface. A longer snorkelling stop is made here that include Princess Bay. Abundance aplenty of underwater life and beauty to admire!

The captain and his crew will give you ample time to enjoy the beauty before the speed boat brings you back to the mainland of Khao Lak at Nam Kem Pier and your resort, where you will arrive at around 5.30 pm.