Journeys: Thailand in Depth

Journeys: Thailand in Depth

• Trip code: 490X036
• Dauer: 15
• Stil: National Geographic Journeys

Step from the neon hum of Bangkok into the quiet green of Chiang Mai's northern hills, before flying south to the sun-drenched beaches of Krabi and the rainforests of Khao Sok. Gather around family tables for home-cooked meals, cook a feast in bamboo vessels over an open fire, and sit in quiet conversation with a monk beneath a hilltop temple. Explore Thailand through curiosity, shared moments, and quiet human connection.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels (14 nts)

Checklist

Conservative Dress:
• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
• Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Footwear (required) (Closed toe suggested)
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Smart Dress:
• Smart outfit (For evenings out)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader

Group Size Notes

Max 16, Avg 10

Highlights

Swim in the vibrant pools of Erawan Waterfall and hike through the lush jungle trails of Kanchanaburi, Share a Khantoke dinner with a local family in their rural home, Ride a cable car to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for an evening chanting ceremony and a conversation with a monk about Buddhist philosophy, Journey across Koh Samui by off-road vehicle to find shaded coconut plantations, jungle waterfalls, and scenic viewpoints, Hike deep into Khao Sok National Park, learning to craft bamboo cooking vessels to prepare a feast over an open fire

Introduction

Step from the neon hum of Bangkok into the quiet green of Chiang Mai's northern hills, before flying south to the sun-drenched beaches of Krabi and the rainforests of Khao Sok. Gather around family tables for home-cooked meals, cook a feast in bamboo vessels over an open fire, and sit in quiet conversation with a monk beneath a hilltop temple. Explore Thailand through curiosity, shared moments, and quiet human connection

Meal Budget

Plane USD180-235 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Chiang Mai
- Radtour durch Chiang Mai (1500THB pro Person)
- Night Market

Khao Sok
- Khao Sok Nationalparkwanderung
- Kanutour auf dem Sok River

Koh Samui
- Angthong National Marine Park Visit

Start / Finish

Bangkok nach Koh Samui

Transport

Private bus/minivan, train, boat, tricycle tuktuk, minivan, ferry, walking, plane

What's Included

Dein Journeys-Highlight-Moment: Traditionelles thailändisches Abendessen, Chiang Mai
Dein Journeys-Highlight-Moment: Treffen mit Mönchen, Chiang Mai
Dein Journeys-Highlight-Moment: Dorfausflug in Krabi, Krabi
Dein Journeys-Highlight-Moment: Naturspaziergang und Abendessen im Regenwald, Khao Sok
Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Island hopping by longtail, Krabi
Dein G-for-Good-Moment: Von der Kao Thep Pitak Gemeinde geführte Farm & Essen, Ban Ta Khun
Dein Welcome-Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group. Arrival transfer. Entrance to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre war museum and train ride. Visit to Erawan National Park. Tour at Ayutthaya Historical Park. Dinner on a converted rice barge. Sunset visit to Doi Suthep monastery. Chinatown walking tour. Visit to Wat Pho. Visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Authentic Khantoke dinner. Monk chat at Wat Suan Dok. Vannee Cooking School experience. Explore Bangkok and take a klong boat ride. Free time in Koh Samui & Khao Sok. Krabi Village Excursion. Bamboo cooking experience & riverside dinner in Khao Sok National Par. Khao Sok National Park Night Hike. Hong Island Traditional Longtail Boat Tour. Samui Premium Off-Road Journey. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Meals Included

14 Frühstück, 4 Mittagessen, 3 Abendessen

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Bangkok

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included

Day 2 Bangkok

Step onto a boat heading down the Chao Phraya River toward Tha Tien Pier to begin your morning. Walk to the grand grounds of Wat Pho to see the massive Reclining Buddha, then take time to wander the bustling food stalls nearby. In the afternoon, board a traditional longtail boat to navigate the historic waterways, slipping from the main river into the quiet, wooden-built canals of the Thonburi district. Here, daily life unfolds right along the water's edge: laundry dries in the sun, kids splash from docks, and vendors paddle past, showing you a grounded, local side of the city before you head back for a free evening

Day 3 Bangkok/Kanchanaburi

Leave the capital behind and head toward Kanchanaburi, where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers meet. Stop near the historic Death Railway for an optional lunch at Tham Krasae, then board a local train for a moving journey through World War II history. Continue to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum to deepen your understanding through local artifacts and exhibits, before checking into your hotel along the river for an evening at your leisure

Day 4 Kanchanaburi/Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Venture into the lush canopy of Erawan National Park to find the famous seven-tiered waterfall. Spend your morning swimming in the turquoise pools, taking photos from the upper limestone ledges, or hiking the quiet jungle trails. After a morning at the falls, travel across the green plains to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. As dusk falls over the old city, climb aboard a beautifully converted 1930s rice barge for a dinner cruise. Drift past ruins and riverside villages while sharing a traditional meal, watching the stars come out over the water before checking into your hotel

Day 5 Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya/Chiang Mai

After breakfast, wander the towering stone prangs and weathered brick Buddhas of Ayutthaya Historical Park on a guided morning walk. From here, drive back to the Bangkok airport, for an afternoon flight to Chiang Mai. Arrive to a warm northern welcome, then travel to a nearby village. Step into the home of a local family for a Khantoke dinner, passing platters of sticky rice, rich hang-le curry, and crispy pork with chilli paste. After dinner, walk through the garden, sip tea, and learn more about rural Thai life before checking into your hotel

Day 6 Chiang Mai

Dive into the smells and colours of the neighbourhood market this morning, picking out fresh ginger, lemongrass, and chillies alongside local shoppers. Take your ingredients to a cooking class to learn the balance of Thai flavours, then sit down to devour the dishes you made for lunch. In the afternoon, meet with monks at Wat Suan Dok temple, before riding a cable car up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Listen to the monks' evening chanting, then join a talk at the International Meditation Center with a teaching monk about Buddhist life, the remainder of your evening at leisure

Day 7 Chiang Mai

Spend a free day exploring Chiang Mai on your own terms. Your National Geographic Expedition Leader can help you choose the right path, leaving you free to follow the community, culture, or quiet corners that call to you most. You might choose a scenic, flat cycling tour along the banks of the Mae Ping River, pedalling past fruit orchards in small riverside communities. As evening approaches, join an optional street food walk through the buzzing night market, browsing handmade crafts from local artists and sampling spicy northern snacks from sizzling woks

Day 8 Chiang Mai/Krabi

Gather your belongings and bid farewell to the northern hills as you travel as a group to the airport for your flight south to Krabi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. This evening, join your fellow travellers for an optional dinner by the sea

Day 9 Krabi

Step aboard a traditional longtail boat on an excursion with a community-run enterprise, supported by G Adventures. Cruise the waters of the Andaman Sea, heading for the Hong Island archipelago. Spend your day exploring four islands: Hong, Pakbia, Lahding, and Paradise. Sink your toes into white sand, share a quiet picnic lunch surrounded by limestone cliffs, and snorkel in clear waters teeming with colourful marine life. It is a day defined by the simple rhythms of the sun and sea, offering plenty of time to swim, relax, and absorb the natural beauty of the coast before heading back to Krabi for a free evening

Day 10 Krabi/Khao Sok

Begin the morning by crossing the Krabi River on a longtail boat to explore quiet rural communities. Hop on tuk-tuk to wind through farming villages, meeting residents and learning about daily agricultural life and the customs of the predominantly Muslim community. In the afternoon, travel to Khao Sok National Park, where you will join a local guide for a walk through the rainforest. Arrive at a secluded jungle clearing for a bamboo cooking experience, helping to prepare a feast of green curry, barbecued chicken, and rice inside freshly cut bamboo tubes, dining as the forest comes alive with evening sounds

Day 11 Khao Sok

Today is yours to shape as you wish, with optional excursions that let you dive deeper into this ancient rainforest. Choose to set out on a guided jungle trek to spot wild orchids, towering bamboo groves, and signs of native wildlife along the leafy trails. Alternatively, opt for a peaceful canoe tour down the gentle Sok River. Whatever you choose, spend a slow-paced day connecting with one of Thailand's most biodiverse wilderness areas

Day 12 Khao Sok/Koh Samui

Discover how delicious southern Thai dishes go from plot to plate at Kao Thep Pitak farm and restaurant, a G Adventures supported community-run project. Walk through organic orchards and a nearby rubber plantation, learning how this self-sustaining initiative supports more than 140 local families. Share lunch prepared by village members, then travel to Don Sak pier to board the afternoon ferry to the tropical island of Koh Samui. Arrive on the island and settle into your hotel for a relaxed evening

Day 13 Koh Samui

Set out on a day of discovery across Koh Samui, travelling beyond the beaches to see the island's interior. Wind past coconut plantations, wander jungle sanctuaries, and stand before waterfalls and island temples. Along the way, take in sweeping panoramic views from high mountain lookouts and stop to feel the soft sand of quiet Silver Beach. This journey offers a balance of culture, local life, and natural beauty, ending with a relaxed evening at your leisure

Day 14 Koh Samui

Spend a free day taking in Koh Samui at your own pace. Choose to spend the day relaxing on the sun-warmed beaches, dipping into the Gulf of Thailand, and browsing local seaside markets. Or, opt for an excursion to Angthong National Marine Park, an archipelago of hidden lagoons and limestone cliffs. Your National Geographic Expedition Leader is on hand to help you arrange your perfect final day, leaving you free to gather with your fellow travellers in the evening to swap stories and celebrate your shared journey

Day 15 Koh Samui

Depart at any time

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Bangkok

Day 2 Bangkok

Day 3 Bangkok/Kanchanaburi

Day 4 Kanchanaburi/Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Day 5 Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya/Chiang Mai

Day 6 Chiang Mai

Day 7 Chiang Mai

Day 8 Chiang Mai/Krabi

Day 9 Krabi

Day 10 Krabi/Khao Sok

Day 11 Khao Sok

Day 12 Khao Sok/Koh Samui

Day 13 Koh Samui

Day 14 Koh Samui

Day 15 Koh Samui