Southern Thailand Sojourn: Nightlife & National Parks
Overview
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. This evening, the famous Khao San Road is on the itinerary for your first night out. Explore this buzzing traveller hub with your CEO and check out the lively bars and dance parties that line the street. Grab a Thai beer or tea and connect with your fellow travellers. Don't forget to sample local delicacies, and try a deep fried scorpion if you dare!
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
- Connect With New Friends: Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Get on first-name basis with Thailand's capital city. Start off the day with a street food crawl, then opt to check out Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, relax with a Thai massage, or explore the klongs (canals) by boat. Later, hop on board the overnight train.
- Free Time: Relax with a Thai massage or work on those haggling skills at one of the city’s markets.
- Basic Overnight Train (beds): Experience overnight travel like a local. Sit back and get some well-earned (and likely much-needed) rest en route to your next stop.
- Street Food Crawl: Bring your appetite and your wallet. The CEO will bring the group to the best spots to eat and teach everyone about the local street food. Yum!
- Wat Po Visit: This temple is known for its reclining Buddha, its feet covered with mother-of-pearl engravings of Buddhist symbols. Explore the large grounds and other compounds to see other Buddha figures, murals and the chedis that contain the ashes of Buddha. This is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
- Klong Riverboat Tour: Travel by longtail boat on the busy Chao Phraya River and through the small canals of western Bangkok's Thonburi district. Observe colourful scenes of everyday life along the river banks.
- Thai Massage: Lie back and soothe aching muscles with a wonderful Thai massage. Affordable and amazing—don't miss out! (15-30 USD per person)
- Entrance - Royal Barge Museum: Located along the Chao Phraya River, the museum is home to many ceremonial barges. The barges are only used for special occasions so this is a chance to catch a rare glimpse of their ornate decorations and symbolic features.
- Grand Palace Visit: Visit the King’s official residence (made up of many buildings, halls, lawns, gardens, and courtyards) on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Please note the cost of this optional activity does not include the entrance fee.
See southern Thai hospitality in action with breakfast at G Adventures-supported Khao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Restaurant, where you can also meet other international visitors. Later on, go to Lake Cheow Lan where you can take in the views while hiking or swimming in the national park. Spend tonight falling asleep to the sweet sounds of the jungle. This area is known for its natural beauty. You know what that means: lots of chances for photos.
- Kao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Meal: Indulge in traditional Southern Thai cuisine prepared by members of Kao Thep Pitak village. Your meal will be made with ingredients picked from local organic farms and a fruit orchard on the property. Over 140 families benefit from the community-owned and managed eatery through the Kao Thep Pitak Community Ecotourism Enterprise, supported by Planeterra and G Adventures.
- Lake Cheow Lan Excursion: Board a longtail boat for a tour of Cheow Lan Lake, taking in views of the limestone cliffs and lush jungle along the way. Stop in at a floating rafthouse for a delicious local lunch and opt to go for a swim, go tubing, or paddle out in a kayak.
- Free Time: Opt for a trek, a dip in the river, or kick back and chill by the pool.
- Hiking: Discover one of the oldest rainforests in the world on foot. Join a tour or hire a private guide and choose from a variety of treks throughout the national park. Keep an eye out for the area's diverse flora and fauna.
- Swimming: Take a dip in Cheow Larn Lake and the Kao Sok River.
- Khao Sok National Park Visit: Explore the valleys, lakes, caves, and mountains of this national park, all nestled within the lush rainforest. Spot wildlife like monkeys, elephants and hornbills on a jungle trek or paddle through Lake Cheow Larn to marvel at limestone cliffs and see the floating bungalows.
- Tubing: Grab a tube and enjoy how the locals like to beat the heat - by floating down the river!
Head across southern Thailand to find yourself in Koh Pha Ngan. Take the free afternoon to relax on the beach or by the pool — which will be easy since tonight, you'll be staying beachside or poolside in cozy bungalows. This area is known for its epic nightlife, whether or not there's a Full Moon Party. Make sure you don't miss the sunset. It'll be unforgettable.
- Ferry: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
- Songthaew: Grab a seat on the bench aboard this uniquely Southeast Asian commuter bus.
- Free Time: Explore this island paradise and the surrounding sea.
- Swimming: Jump in and enjoy the turquoise waters around Koh Pha Ngan.
There's no rush to leave Koh Pha Ngan. Use your second day here to catch up on anything you missed yesterday, like exploring the island's waterfalls, swimming in lagoons, going for a hike, or, hey, taking another day to relax beachside.
- Free Time: Get out and explore— the day is yours.
- Koh Pha-Ngan Waterfalls Exploration: Hike to some local waterfalls and marvel at their beauty.
- Yoga and Meditation Courses: Get your inner Om on and take part in some of the more relaxing activities offered on the island.
- Swimming: Grab your bathing suit and go for a refreshing swim.
- Hiking : Head out on some trails to explore the island at your own pace.
Take the ferry to Koh Tao, a laid-back island known for snorkelling. This afternoon, put on your flippers to see a whole other world underwater. Going beneath the surface not your thing? Go the other way and climb up to the scenic view at Koh Nang Yuan View Point.
- Ferry: Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
- Koh Tao Snorkelling: Get your fins on! There's an embarrassment of choices—but the better-known spots are: Hin Wong Bay, Mango Bay, Nang Yuan Island, South Mae Haad and Janson Bay.
Make the most of your last full day in Koh Tao paradise. Spend the day soaking up the sun beachside and be sure to get your fresh seafood fix. For your big night out, venture into the bustling nightlife and cheers to life-changing adventures with newfound friends. If you want to keep the party going, participate in the massive Koh Tao Pub Crawl.
Want to discover the fascinating coral and marine life inhabiting the area? Pre-book the Try SCUBA Dive 1 Day Experience (2 dives) extra to take a dive guided by the experts.
- Free Time: Start exploring the island with a free day. There are endless activities to fill your time both on and off the water.
- Beach Bar: Follow your CEO to the best beach bar in town to celebrate all the wild and humbling adventures you've just experienced with new friends.
- Try SCUBA Dive 1 Day Experience (2 dives): This one day SCUBA dive experience is perfect for first-time divers or even those who want to experience one of the world's most famous diving locations. Join your professional instructor on board your boat as they share their knowledge on how to have a safe and unforgettable experience while also familiarizing yourself with the equipment. Once you're all set, take the plunge into the beautiful underwater world and discover the varied coral and marine life that inhabit the area. The program includes two dives, but if you're eager for more then the good news is that you can use the second dive as credit towards your Open Water Certification!
Today, it’s time to say goodbye to your group of newfound friends as the tour ends. Be sure to sneak in some last-minute photos and cheers before you head on your way. If booking a flight out of Koh Samui airport, make sure not to book one earlier than 11:00am. Want to take the hassle out of getting back to Bangkok? Book the Bangkok Express, a two-day post-tour Extra. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Add the “Bangkok Express: Koh Tao to Bangkok” to your adventure and make your way back to bustling Bangkok with the guidance of a CEO. This nifty post-tour Extra includes a ferry to the mainland where you’ll board an overnight train to Bangkok arriving in the city early the next morning. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
- Bangkok Express: Koh Tao to Bangkok: Want to take the hassle out of getting back to Bangkok? Book the “Bangkok Express: Koh Tao to Bangkok” post-tour Extra and make your way back to bustling Bangkok with the guidance of a CEO. On the final day of the tour, hop on a ferry back to the mainland and board an overnight train to Bangkok, arriving the next morning.
Trip Inclusions
- Explore bustling Bangkok.
- Enjoy the natural beauty of Khao Sok National Park.
- Relax on the white-sand beaches of Ko Tao and Ko Phangan.
- Spot coral and marine life while snorkelling.
- Your G for Good Moment: Kao Thep Pitak Community-Owned Farm & Meal, Ban Ta Khun
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
- Your Discover Moment: Bangkok
- Your Big Night Out Moment: Beach Bar, Koh Tao
- Street food crawl
- Lake Cheow Larn excursion
- Snorkelling trip (Ko Tao)
- Beach time on Thai islands
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Train, local bus, air-con bus, boat, tuk tuk, songthaew, taxi, ferry
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
- Simple Hotels (twin-share, 5 Nights), Sleeper Train (1 Night), Triple-share Accommodations With Same Sex (1 Night)
- 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Built for young travellers ready to break free from the everyday grind, these trips bring together a safe and supportive group of like-minded people in their twenties and early thirties.
Connect on the First Night Out, explore with a Chief Experience Officer (CEO), enjoy free time, and celebrate unforgettable moments with new friends - without breaking the bank. Travel confidently, respectfully, and affordably.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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