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Essential Southern Thailand

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Fully Guided Adventure Small Group 18-30's

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US$636

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Trip Length

8 Days

Trip Starts

Bangkok

Trip Finishes

Phuket

8 Day Essential Southern Thailand Itinerary (Intrepid)

Countries Explored: Thailand

Trip Operator

Intrepid Travel

165 Reviews

Trip Styles

18 to 35s , Basix

Departures

Jan 2026 to Dec 2027

Budget

Affordable

Max. Group Size

Pace

Leisurely

Guide Level

Fully Guided

Trip Code

TTYC

Overview

Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Intrepid's 8 Day Essential Southern Thailand. Love beaches? Islands? Cocktails? Well, you’ll love this trip! Head from buzzing Bangkok to blissful Ko Samui and Phuket on this eight-day southern Thailand adventure. With loads of free time to go snorkelling, swimming and waterfall-chasing, you’ll also enjoy awesome included activities, like hiking, learning about turtles, blissing out on the beach and getting your safari fix in the jungle of Khao Sok National Park. Stay in a traditional raft house and be treated to some classic Thai hospitality, then end read more

Itinerary

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Bangkok – a huge, buzzing metropolis and the capital of Thailand. If you arrive early, make the most of the city's bustling markets, grab some spicy noodles from a street cart or relax with a Thai massage. After your meeting, get the gang together and head out for dinner with the group to get to know each other a little better or ask your leader for the best spots to soak in some local nightlife – cocktail, anyone?

Today, you’ll explore some of Bangkok's most famous sites. Head to the temple complex of Wat Pho, which houses the famous 46-m-long statue of the Reclining Buddha. Then soak in the gorgeous scenery at a nearby flower market. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to discover more of the city, like the Grand Palace or Jim Thompson House. Tonight, you’ll head south on an overnight train to Surat Thani.

Arrive in southern Surat Thani this morning and then board a bus and ferry to Ko Samui. From here, it's waterfalls, swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling all day, every day (for the next three days). When you arrive, you have free time to explore Ko Samui. Known for its palm-fringed beaches and coconut groves, maybe beach hop your way around the island or spend the afternoon relaxing. This evening, maybe get a group of your new friends together and find a place for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations of where to eat.

Today you’ll go on a half-day guided tour of the island with your group and local leader and see the iconic 15-m Big Buddha along the way (Wat Phra Yai). Due to the scenery and natural wonders, the island of Ko Samui has been a tourist hotspot for decades. This afternoon, maybe relax in the waterfalls at Na Muang. Tonight, feast on a curry and then join in the party atmosphere in Ko Samui's famous nightlife.

Spend a free day today however you’d like – swimming, lazing in the sun or actively exploring. You might like to take an optional day tour to Ang Thong Marine National Park by either slow boat or speedboat. The park is an archipelago of over 40 islands in the Gulf of Thailand, featuring pristine beaches, jungle, mangroves and limestone mountains rising out of the sea. Swim at popular Ko Mae Island and check out the saltwater lagoon of Thale Nai (Emerald Lake). For a quieter experience and some great snorkelling opportunities, head to the nearby islands of Ko Tao and Ko Nang Yuan. Ko Samui is also home to an elephant sanctuary, and you can come close to these gentle giants. Watch them bathe, roam the fields and socialise with other elephants, knowing they are in a caring and peaceful environment.

This morning, head from Ko Samui to Khao Sok National Park (don’t forget your camera today!). Transfer to an early ferry from Samui Pier to Don Sak Pier. Then, jump in a private vehicle to Chiew Larn Lake, where you’ll hop in a traditional longtail boat for a calm sail to your raft house. Keep your eyes out for wild bull elephants, gibbons and spectacled langur (dusky leaf monkeys). Khao Sok National Park is the wettest spot in Thailand with some of the oldest jungles in the world. See loads of amazing limestone rock faces and, if you're lucky, monkeys playing here and there. Later, take an evening safari with your group, where you’ll head by longtail boat deep into the jungle, looking (and listening) out for more animals. After, you’ll head to your raft house accommodation. Enjoy a homecooked traditional southern Thai meal with the locals and take the opportunity to get to know their lifestyles and stories before falling asleep to the relaxing sound of the jungle. (D)

This morning you’ll wake up in the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. Your raft house sits right inside the park, so you’ll have time this morning to catch the mist drifting along the lake as you search for wildlife in the jungle on a longtail boat. Before lunch, take a jungle hike around the park, and depending on the season, maybe see waterfalls or head up high to a panoramic viewpoint. If you're lucky there might be a glimpse of elephants, hornbills and langur monkeys. After, make your way to Phuket. Along the way, visit the Khao Lak Tsunami Memorial for some sobering history of the area’s past tsunamis and their victims. Then head to the Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Phang Nga. Learn about how the Navy rescues eggs from surrounding beaches and their environmental efforts to ensure the conservation of turtles and to preserve the environment with local communities, schools, universities, government organisations and other NGOs. Tonight is a free evening in Phuket to watch the sunset and maybe grab a couple of drinks and toast to a trip well-travelled. (B/L)

Your adventure comes to an end this morning and with no activities planned, you’re free to leave the accommodation at any time. If you’d like to stay in Thailand for longer (we wouldn’t blame you), just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. (B)

Trip Inclusions

Step into another world in Khao Sok National Park and go wildlife spotting and waterfall hiking through some of the oldest jungles in the world.
Eat your weight in pad Thai, mango sticky rice, roti bread, street snacks and home-cooked dinners (at your raft house stay), then try your hand at making some delicious local eats at a Thai cooking class.
Discover a real slice of paradise in Ko Samui. Cruise the island, chase waterfalls and use your free time to get a Thai massage or meet the elephants at Samui Elephant Sanctuary.
Visit the Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center and learn how they rescue leatherneck turtle eggs (and other local turtle species) while providing environmental training to the community.
Explore vibrant nightlife, beach bars and beach clubs in Bangkok, Ko Samui and Phuket with new like-minded friends and a local leader who knows all the best spots.

Hotel (2 nights)
Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
Resort (3 nights) Rafthouse (1 night)

2 Breakfasts included
1 Lunches included
1 Dinners included

Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Intrepid regularly update their itineraries throughout the year based on feedback and local conditions. Therefore the itinerary you see now may differ from when you booked. Global Journeys will provide you with detailed trip notes at the time of quoting, along with a finalised itinerary and trip notes before your trip departs.

Trip Style: Basix

Our Basix trips are designed for travelers of any age on a budget. Using simple, clean and centrally located accommodation (typically with a 2-to-2.5-star average rating), local transport where we can, along with plenty of free time. This means you can do the things that suit your budget and interests, rather than paying for inclusions you don’t want. Meals are generally not included, but your experienced local leader will have some great suggestions!

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Intrepid 18 to 35's (2025-26)

Travel with a small group of like-minded 18 to 35-year-olds who care about the world and want to experience it deeply. Intrepid’s youth adventures balance must-see highlights with plenty of free time, all led by passionate local leaders who know every hidden gem. With small groups, big energy, and a strong commitment to responsible travel, these trips more

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Sunday 18 Jan 2026 18 Jan 26 Bangkok

Sunday 25 Jan 2026 25 Jan 26 Phuket

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Sunday 25 Jan 2026 25 Jan 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 15 Feb 2026 15 Feb 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 22 Feb 2026 22 Feb 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 01 Mar 2026 01 Mar 26 Bangkok

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Thursday 05 Mar 2026 05 Mar 26 Bangkok

Thursday 12 Mar 2026 12 Mar 26 Phuket

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Sunday 22 Mar 2026 22 Mar 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 29 Mar 2026 29 Mar 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 05 Apr 2026 05 Apr 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 12 Apr 2026 12 Apr 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 19 Apr 2026 19 Apr 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 26 Apr 2026 26 Apr 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 03 May 2026 03 May 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 10 May 2026 10 May 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 17 May 2026 17 May 26 Bangkok

Sunday 24 May 2026 24 May 26 Phuket

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Sunday 24 May 2026 24 May 26 Bangkok

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Sunday 18 Jan 2026 18 Jan 26 Bangkok

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Note
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 Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.

Note
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 Intrepid. 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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Essential Southern Thailand

Overview

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: Bangkok

Day 2: Bangkok - Overnight Train

Day 3: Ko Samui

Day 4: Ko Samui

Day 5: Ko Samui

Day 6: Khao Sok National Park

Day 7: Khao Sok National Park - Phuket

Day 8: Phuket

Trip Inclusions Expand All

Sightseeing Highlights

Accommodation

Included Meals

Trip Notes

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Intrepid 18 to 35's (2025-26)

Dates & Pricing USD

Flexible Deposit

Definite Departures

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Itinerary

Trip Inclusions