We start the tour by crossing the Chao Phraya River to the capital's sister city of Thonburi. On the way we pass the salt farms which are being harvested from the nearby gulf. From there we go onto Damnern Saduak, home of the floating market where "streer' are klongs along which the village people ply their trade in long-tailed boats selling all sorts of fruit, cooked food and spices to the town folk. From here, we drive to Phetchaburi for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, a drive towards Cha Am. Along the way we stop to visit Phra Nakhon Kiri Palace on the hill, built in King Mongkut's era and Marukhathaywan Palace, built from golden teak wood. We then return to the hotel and enjoy a free afternoon. Dinner will be available at the hotel.

OPTIONAL: Visit to Hua Hin Night Market with a trishaw (pedicab) ride.

ACCOMMODATION: Springfield Beach Resort, Cha Am

From Cha Am, we drive to Hua Hin on to a fishing village of Pran Burl. We also drive through the Sam Roi Yod (Three Hundred Peaks) National Park, location of the famous war scenes in the film "The Killing Fields". The climb up the 395 steps to the top of the "Mirror Mountain" with its small monastery overlooks the small harbour and beach. We stop for lunch at a seaside restaurant. After lunch we continue southwards, and if desired, stop by the roadside to enjoy fresh pineapples, before proceeding to Chumphon. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

ACCOMMODATION: Chum phon Cabana Resort, Chum phon

After breakfast, we will leave for Surat Thanl and visit Phra Borommathat Chaiya, the Mahayanan style stupa of Phra Borommathat Chaiya built around 757 A.D. From here, we continue to the village of "Baan Phumriang", famous for its exquisite woven coloured cloth called "Phumriang Silk". After lunch, we head overland to Southwest National Park at Ao Luk - Krabi. At Tharn Bokkorani National Park, an underground stream emerging through lush vegetation at the base of a mountain, can be seen. In the late afternoon we reach the Krabi area and check in for two night's to a pre-booked hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

ACCOMMODATION: Ao Nang Villa, Krabi

Relax at the Hotel or join a boat trip (optional) to nearby islands. A Kayak trip to explore the mangroves is also available. Dinner will be served at the hotell.

ACCOMMODATION: Ao Nang Villa, Krabi

Breakfast is followed by a visit to the Shell Cemetery where petrified seashells dating as far back as 75 million years make up huge rock slabs. A morning cruise across the Phang Nga National Park takes you to spectacular Phang Nga with its awesome limestone karsts above the bay. Next you are taken to a small island, which, since its feature in the film "Man with the Golden Gun", has been nicknamed "James Bond Island". On the way we pass a Muslim village, complete with a mosque, built on stilts in the water. After a delicious lunch, enjoy the striking scenery from the terrace of Phang Nga Resort. We proceed to Phuket, one of Thailand's premier beach resorts and check in at the hotel.

(Remark: Accommodation in Phuket is NOT included in the package)

Pick up time from your hotel will be approximately 13h00. Transport to Suwan Macha pier will be in an air-conditioned vehicle. Set a course through the towering islands of Phang Nga Bay and a tour to the ever-popular James Bond Island. Back on board, you will anchor in time for a postcard sunset and sumptuous meal of Thai cuisine on the boats teak deck.

ACCOMMODATION: On board Suwan Macha

American breakfast on the deck. Visit the Sea Gypsy Village and go for a spectacular ride amongst the mangrove and hidden lagoons. Spend the afternoon in the clear blue waters of Krabi or take off to a deserted white sand beach and enjoy your own private sunbathing. Later in the afternoon spend cruising along the magical cliffs of Krabi, the sunset is yours to enjoy on deck with a succulent feast of Thai cuisine.

ACCOMMODATION: On board Suwan Macha

After breakfast, cruise around the Kho Dam group Island with more snorkelling, swimming and sun bathing before going ashore to explore Chicken Island. Late afternoon, cruise to Kho Rawa, arriving just before sunset. After a delicious barbecue, specially prepared by the Captain on board, you can sit back and enjoy the peacefulness of the night on Suwan Macha at anchor.

ACCOMMODATION: On board Suwan Macha

First an American breakfast, then cruise back to the embarkation pier on Phuket. After eating lunch ashore, return to your hotel mid-afternoon in an air-conditioned minibus.

* * Remark: Program is also operated in reverse from Krabi to Phuket. **

You can take a 3 hour guided trip in an air-conditioned public coach from the Phuket hotel to the Bus Station. There is no guide to Tree Tops. Supplement charge of THB 3150.00 per vehicle is required if you prefer private transport.. After refreshments and lunch, check into your Tree House. Take an easy walk through the surrounding area or float down the Klong Sok River on inner tubes, and pass beautiful jungle scenery, some dramatic cliffs and observe life along the stream. Travel back to Tree Tops for dinner surrounded by romantic oil lamps.

ACCOMMODATION: Tree House.

After breakfast, travel to Raja Phraba Lake for a boat trip, taking approximately 2 hours to the raft house. Check in to your raft house and relax over lunch. After lunch enjoy a short boat trip to a local fishing village, followed by a visit to a bat cave where you can swim with the “bats". Once back at the raft houses, relax before your evening meal. After eating, you can enjoy a short night safari and observe the natural nightlife to the rain forest.

ACCOMMODATION: Raft House.

An early morning wake-up call will get you up for a canoe trip, to look at the local wildlife. Breakfast will be available on return to the raft houses. Journey back by boat and private transport will be available at the pick up point, for public coach transport to Phuket. Appreciate a guided tour, while driving from Phuket bus station to your Phuket hotel.

Remarks:
Note: If the trip starts at the lake, the itinerary at the raft houses may be adopted to include a highland viewing point, giving you a dramatic and panoramic view of the lake and its limestone mountains. Total time approximately 3 hours touring..

The Tree Tops houses are situated high in the jungle canopy (room with double bed, mosquito net, private toilet and very basic shower). The raft houses are situated on the superb lake, deep in the isolated jungle (the six bungalows are equipped with double mattress, mosquito net and shared toilets but no shower). Both accommodations are very basic and without electricity. Travelling time to and from Khao Sok National Park is approximately 3 hours.

Under certain weather conditions, the itinerary may be changed but intensions are the same.

Drive to the elephant camp through tropical, rural areas. Arrive at the elephant camp, where you will learn about the life-style of Thai elephants, the role of the mahout and the elephant breeding conservation project. Take an elephant ride in the rain forest on your return from the jungle a Thai buffet lunch is served. After lunch take a jungle river canoe trip down the Sok River, pass the limestone mountains and cliffs which are covered with tropical vegetation. Sometimes the hornbill can be seen flying high overhead, and try spotting other wildlife. After all this activity, return to your luxury safari tent, relax and have a hot shower. You can have a pre dinner drink at the U Jungle Explorers club bar.
Safari tents include comfortable beds with blankets, reading lights, hot water and western style toilets. The tent doors and windows have mosquito netting as well as canvas flaps, for keeping insect and reptile out.

Wake up to the sounds of nature and the chirping of birds. Gibbons may start their morning territorial calls which echo down the valley. Early morning risers, can enjoy tea and coffee available in the tent. Eat breakfast at your leisure. The activity planned is to explore a jungle lake, by local boat. The lake is surrounded by limestone karst mountains and cliffs covered in tropical rain forest that rise up from the shore of the lake and disappear into the far distance. The scenery has been compared to Guilin in China or Halong Bay in Vietnam. There are over one hundred islands in this huge lake. In the 70's the area was a hide out for students opposing the military dictatorship. Spectacular scenery can be seen from the boat, there is time for a swim and depending on the weather, explore some caves. Please bring swimwear and a towel. A packed lunch will be provided. In the late afternoon return to Elephant Hills for dinner and accommodation in your luxury tent A good nights sleep is assured after all your jungle exploring activities. The jungle bar will be open for people wanting to exchange stories of their day's experiences on the lake.

After a good nights rest, and eating a scrumptious breakfast, the jungle can be explored on foot. It is an opportunity to explore the ecology of the rain forest, seeing great variety of plants, tropical hardwood trees, orchids, palms, ferns, bamboo and mosses. The variety is limitless. Birds such as the hornbill live high up above, the call of the gibbon can often be heard, and a macaque or leaf monkey may be heard swinging through the branches. Every day is different, but it is truly wonderful to discover the great variety of life forms that co-exists together. Weather permitting lunch, which is cooked in a bamboo, will be served in the rain forest. This has been the tradition of jungle explorers for centuries past. In the afternoon, its back to Elephant Hills. From here you will be transported back to your hotel or the airport, with memories of being close to nature in the jungle.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transported to Phang Nga, passing small rural villages, rubber and oil palm plantations. Explore the rivers that cut through the mangrove forest by dinghy with outboard motor (speed cat). There is a maze of channels between the island and along the coast. Emerging further along the coast meet up with our classical Burmese junk where lunch will be served. Drinks are available at the bar as well as bathroom facilities on board. Spend the afternoon cruising amongst the islands and along the coast. Late afternoon, take the road over the mountain pass to Khao Sok National Park. Overnight rest is to be at Elephant Hills Tented camp. You can have a pre dinner drink at the "Jungle Explorers Club" bar. Blissful sleep can be had to the sound of the jungle orchestra.
Safari tents include comfortable beds with blankets, reading lights, hot water and western style toilets. The tent doors and windows have mosquito netting as well as canvas flaps to keep insect and reptile out.

Wake up to the sound of nature. Birds and gibbons often make early morning calls. For the early morning riser, available in the tent are facilities for making tea and coffee. Breakfast is at your leisure. Transfer to elephant camp, where you can see, touch and learn about the habits of Thai elephants. The guide will explain about the life of the mahout, the man who takes care of the elephant. Elephant trekking is a unique experience in the rain forest. On return from the jungle, a buffet lunch will be served and thereafter a jungle river canoe trip (with guide to paddle) down the Sok River, can be taken. While drifting down the jungle river, you pass by the limestone mountains and cliffs, which are covered with exotic tropical vegetation. Sometimes hornbill can be seen flying high overhead or reptiles basking in the sun on the riverbanks. In the afternoon, you will return to your hotel or the airport and reflect on how it feels to be close to nature, in the jungles of Thailand.