How better to start your holiday than with four nights by the beach in tropical Koh Samui? A world away from the 9 to 5.

You have a choice of hotels in Koh Samui, including some wonderful options for both couples and families by the stretching, tranquil sands of Bo Phut Beach to the north of the island. If you can tear yourself away, a day tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park comes highly recommended, a collection of 42 jungle clad islets, with deserted beaches and azure lagoons to discover.

Your chosen Koh Samui hotel

Breakfast

A scenic ferry crossing takes you to the Thai mainland, from where you’ll head to Aava Resort in Khanom for the next three nights. The long white sand beach here is a true escape away from the crowds, whilst the area’s mountains, rainforest, waterfalls and rivers provide ample opportunity to enjoy mother nature.

During your stay, you’ll enjoy a boat tour to seek out the unique pink dolphin that inhabits the region. Other activities available to book onsite include a tour to the ancient temple at Nakhon Si Thammarat, and to Silver Street, where you can browse the local handicrafts.

A 4 km trek from the visitors centre in Khao Luang National Park takes you to the impressive Krung Ching Waterfall, whilst the coastal mangrove forests can be explored by kayak. Tan and Raab Islands are great for snorkelling, a chance to meet the brightly coloured marine life that inhabits these warm seas!

Aava Resort

Breakfast

This morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel or the airport for the scenic drive to Elephant Hills, giving you a glimpse of life in rural Thailand.

Your experience starts with a sumptuous buffet lunch, setting the bar for the delicious food you will enjoy throughout your stay.

Your first activity is a guided canoe trip on the picturesque Sok River, soaking in the majestic mountain scenery whilst looking out for hornbills and other birdlife, as well as reptiles sunning themselves by the water’s edge.

After tying up the canoes, it is time to meet the Elephant Hill’s star residents! As well as watch them bath in their large mud-pool, you’ll get the chance to prepare a fruit-based meal to feed to an elephant yourself and take photos with these most gracious land mammals. You will also witness the unique bond the mahouts who work on site share with the elephants.

This evening you can head to the jungle bar, enjoy a cooking demonstration or local dance performance, or simply relax in your tropical surroundings.

Elephant Hills Camp

Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Awake to watch the mist rise from the rainforest canopy, then enjoy breakfast at your leisure.

Today, you head out of Khao Sok National Park to explore the mangrove forests on Thailand’s West Coast. You’ll first board a speedboat to travel to a traditional Burmese junk, moored deep within the wetlands, with your guide pointing our wildlife and birdlife en route.

After lunch on board, the afternoon is spent exploring a mangrove creek by self-paddled canoe, enjoying the pure tranquillity of nature, in an area almost untouched by humankind.

Your journey back to Elephant Hills includes a short stop at a local market. Dinner is included.

Elephant Hills Camp

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, pack your swimwear for a day at Cheow Lan Lake.

Stretching almost the entire length of Khao Sok National Park, the lake’s northern shoreline forms the border with the Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary.

You’ll ride in a traditional Thai longtail boat across Cheow Lan Lake to the floating Lake Camp, where lunch will be served. In the afternoon you can swim in the lake or borrow a kayak to explore a little further. The scenery is simply stunning, with steep-sided, limestone cliffs rising from the water. Look out for primates in the trees by the banks of the lake.

After more delicious Thai food back at Elephant Hills Camp, you can enjoy the evening entertainment or just find a hammock in a quiet corner of the camp.

Elephant Hills Camp

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Leave the jungle behind as you head south to the coast and a four night stay at your chosen Krabi hotel. Famous for its stunning beach scenery of jutting limestone cliffs rising out of the sea, Krabi offers the perfect post-rainforest relaxation.

If you wish to explore the area further, there are numerous idyllic islands nearby, including the Hong group which encircle an emerald lagoon. On land, Tiger Cave Temple rewards those who climb the steep steps to its hilltop Buddha with an impressive panoramic view, whilst the even more adventurous can go kayaking, white water rafting or rock climbing.

Your chosen Krabi hotel

Breakfast

Transfer to Krabi Airport for your flight home, on which you can start planning your next South East Asian adventure…

Breakfast