Difficulty Information
This holiday is classified as Category A
The difficulty of our travels varies greatly. Added to this is the fact that difficulty is a very personal perception. To give an impression of the difficulty of a particular holiday we have developed a classification system.
Category A: Light travel, possible for anyone. Short distances, good hotels, low travelling speed.
Category B: Feasible for anyone who prepares for the trip. Sometimes longer distances, good hotels or camping facilities, some adventure nights, average travelling speed.
Category C: Feasible for anyone who prepares well and is flexible, but some parts of the journey are difficult, distances may be long or require a day’s walk, there may be some basic facilities.
Category D: Reasonably difficult trip because of long travel distances, often primitive facilities or tents, long walks.
Category E: Difficult trip. The traveller knows him/herself and is well prepared, he or she realises that the holiday can be demanding.
This trip through Thailand falls under category A, so it is suitable for just about anybody regardless of fitness level. Remember that we will be travelling through a developing country with a lower standard of living than we are used to in Europe. Hotel rooms can be less comfortable, the electricity supply has a tendency to fail and there is not always hot water available. Some of the journeys are long, and it may be that bad weather and/or poor road maintenance makes some routes inaccessible. This will result in detours from the described routes. For this reason, a flexible and positive attitude is more important than physical fitness.
Nature of the Trip
This tour combines bustling Bangkok, a stay in the oldest rain forests of Asia, and quality time at some of Thailand’s most exotic beaches. Explore Bangkok by boat, bicycle or tuk-tuk. Fly South to Krabi, famous for its snow-white beaches. Go kayaking, exploring white limestone outcrops amidst turquoise sea. Hike or ride an elephant through Khao Sok National Park’s rain-forest. Relax on the original ‘coconut island’ of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, and enjoy a Thai massage before or after you dance the night away!
Day-to-day schedule
Day 1 -
2: Bangkok
We meet in the lively metropolis of Bangkok, the ‘City of Angels’.
The city, with a population of over 10 million, has much to offer. First you will have the opportunity to explore the city. Bangkok is an amazing city, everything is here, everything happens and everything is possible. It is a city of contrast, contributing to the attraction of the city. For example, you will see small-time chicken stalls outside huge, hyper-modern shopping centres. You will have two days here to visit as many of the attractions as possible. You can visit the busy evening market, or one of the many wats (temples), such as Wat Po, Wat Arun or Wat Saket. Immerse yourself in the bustling Chinese district or go by longtail boat along the klongs (canals). Our expert tour operators will be standing by with good tips and advice. We will stay the night near Khao San Road, in the Banglumpoo market district where there are many interesting local temples and the Chao Praya River with many trendy bars on its banks.
Day 3 -
4: Bangkok - Krabi - Ao Nang
Today you will leave Bangkok to fly to Krabi (flight price included in tour), where you will stay near the beautiful Ao Nang beach.
Relax in this beautiful Southern Thailand province. Krabi is well known for its stunning limestone cliffs and rock formations which make it a haven for rock climbers. There is a National Park located approximately 40 kilometres outside of the town with lakes, caves and spectacular natural scenery.
It also boasts two world class beaches, Ao Nang and Hat Rai Le, which offer numerous diving trips, plenty of restaurants and many shops.Day 5 -
6: Ao Nang - Khao Sok
We then leave Ao Nang in our fully air conditioned minibus and drive North to Khao Sok.
Get busy exploring Khao Sok’s national park, which covers an area of over 700 square kilometres. Its limestone mountains and lush evergreen rainforest are home to incredible flora and fauna. There are almost 50 species of mammals including bears, leopards and gibbons and over 180 species of birds including hornbills. We may be lucky enough to see the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower, in bloom. This rare plant is a parasite with a diameter of up to 80 centimetres. It grows directly on the forest floor. You can take a hike into the jungle before meeting up at the bar of our jungle lodge in the evening.Day 7 -
8: Khao Sok - Koh Samui
Today we drive from Khao Sok to meet a ferry to take us across to the beautiful island of Koh Samui.
Koh Samui offers a wealth of attractions as well as being famous for its sweeping beaches. You’ll be able to join safaris and indulge in all sorts of watersports and fishing expeditions and during the evenings you can let your hair down in the bustling town of Chaweng which has many lively bars and clubs.
Day 9: Koh Samui - Koh Phangan
Staying with the beach theme, today we will make the short boat trip north to the idyllic island of Koh Phangan.Day 10: Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is truly an incredible tropical paradise. Backpackers and other travellers cannot help but become addicted to the serenity and simple island life during the day and the vibrant, exciting nightlife that follows it. Indeed, if you are fortunate enough to be here at the right time, the full moon parties are internationally famous and are quite a sight. The black moon and half moon parties are also growing in popularity.Day 11: Koh Phangan - Bangkok
Today we will drive back to Bangkok after taking the ferry back to the mainland.Day 12: Bangkok
Explore those parts of Bangkok that you didn’t see the first time round and stock up on any last minute shopping bargains.
Day 13: Bangkok
Today is the last day of your tour but rather than being about ‘Goodbye’ your thought should be ‘Go further’!
Visit your personal ‘my.shoestring’ page on our website. ‘my.shoestring’ is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today.
When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 13) is not included.