- -Overnight train to Surat Thani
- -Overnight experience in an eco treehouse lodge
- -Bamboo cooking experience in Khao Sok National Park
- -Longtail boat ride to floating raft accommodation
- -Overnight experience in a floating raft house
- -Wildlife boat cruise in Khao Sok National Park
- -Khao Sok National Park morning safari
- -Kayaking on Cheow Lan Lake
- -Jungle trek to Bottle Beach in Koh Phangan
- -Visit Railay Beach
- -Visit Samet Nangshee lookout
Your dream trip starts here
Delve Deep: Southern Thailand
Trip overview
TRIP VIBE = iconic sights and in-depth adventures with a local Trip Leader. There’s more to Southern Thailand than paradisical beaches, picturesque temples and droolworthy pad Thai. Wanna go beyond those bucket list attractions? We got you. Delve deeper into the ‘Land of Smiles’ – we’re talking heaps of culture, tonnes of hidden gems and endless *pinch me* moments. Ready for 12 days of action-packed tropical adventures, plus plenty of free time to do you? This is it.
Worth noting…
On day 3, you’ll be staying in an awesome eco treehouse. There’s no single supplement available, so you’ll be sharing a room with a few of your trip mates.
Tales from Topdeckers
Trip itinerary
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Bangkok – Surat Thani
2You’ve got a full day to make the most of Bangkok. Need recs? Pull on your history hat and explore the city on two wheels during an optional bike tour. Whizz up Khaosan Road (a former rice market turned backpacker haven) before stopping off at stunning temples, old-school steam train depots and the beaut Grand Palace. Want to delve a little deeper? Feast your eyes on the official royal residence and Wat Pho with its real big golden buddha during an optional guided tour. Tonight, stock up on snacks and change into a comfy ‘fit. Why? Cos we’re catching an overnight train to Surat Thani. Shotgun the top bunk!
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Activities
- Overnight train to Surat Thani
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Half-day historic Bangkok bike tour: from 49 USD
- Tour of Grand Palace and Wat Pho: from 53 USD
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Activities
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Surat Thani – Khao Sok National Park
3Rise and shine, folks! We’ll jump off the train in Surat Thani bright and early. Don’t worry – you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on some zzzs on the bus to Khao Sok National Park. After we’ve checked into our eco treehouse and soaked up some serious Jungle Book vibes, level up those chef skills with a local Thai bamboo cooking class. On the menu: Thai green curry, BBQ chicken, bamboo pancakes. Drooling yet? Gobble up your homemade goodies with a view of the stunning Sok River. This is what you came for.
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Activities
- Overnight experience in an eco treehouse lodge
- Bamboo cooking experience in Khao Sok National Park
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Meals
- Dinner
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Activities
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Khao Sok National Park
4After an included brekkie, we’ll take one last look at our treehouses (aka the hotel of 10-year-old you’s dreams) before diving deeper into Khao Sok National Park. Keep your face pressed to the window as we pass rugged limestone mountains, ancient caves and trees as tall as skyscrapers. Later we’ll hop on a local longtail boat and hightail it (see what we did there?) to tonight’s accommodation: a traditional raft house on the twinkling Cheow Lan Lake. Before you fall asleep to the sound of gently lapping waves, there’s time for an afternoon wildlife cruise. Prepare to switch off and completely immerse yourself in nature.
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Activities
- Longtail boat ride to floating raft accommodation
- Overnight experience in a floating raft house
- Wildlife boat cruise in Khao Sok National Park
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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Activities
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Khao Sok National Park – Koh Phangan
5Fuel up with another tropical fruit-laden breakfast before we activate explorer mode. First: soak up Khao Sok’s misty jungles, magical peaks and awesome wildlife (think sun bears, tapirs and even clouded leopards) on an early morning safari. Afterwards, jump in a canoe or kayak and weave around Cheow San Lake’s ultra-dramatic rock formations. We’ll then wave goodbye to the mainland and make a beeline for the INCREDible island of Koh Phangan. Think: lush rainforest, gleaming white beaches (sunnies essential) and turquoise water so dreamy even the Little Mermaid would want to stay there. AND you’ve got the afternoon to explore it all. Need some recs? Your Trip Leader’s got them by the bucketload.
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Activities
- Khao Sok National Park morning safari
- Kayaking on Cheow Lan Lake
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Koh Phangan
6Fact: Koh Phangan is an absolute mood. The best bit? You’ve got 48 more hours to experience it. Hell. Yes. Jump in another longtail boat (your new fave mode of transport) and get ready for an optional underwater adventure around three beaut snorkelling spots. Prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground? Channel your inner eco-warrior with an optional tour of a local sustainable farm. Stroll around lush gardens, learn about habitat restoration and make your own drink out of Mother Nature’s bounty. Or show off those chef skills during a Thai cooking class. Tonight, round up your trip mates and tuck into satay, spicy soup and shrimp salad. Sparkling convo = guaranteed.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Snorkelling and longtail boat trip from Koh Phangan: from 71 USD
- Visit an eco-friendly farm in Koh Phangan: from 30 USD
- Thai cooking class: from 79 USD
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Meals
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Koh Phangan
7You wanted time to delve deeper, so you’ve got it. We’ll kickstart today with an Indian Jones-style jungle hike to Bottle Beach. Spoiler: your jaw’s gonna DROP. The rest of the day is totally up to you. Stick around the north coast, where Hat Khuat and Hat Thian beaches are all about the chill scene. Go chasing waterfalls (and beaches and bars). Or crack into a coconut and relax poolside back at the hotel. This? This is what makes the memories.
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Activities
- Jungle trek to Bottle Beach in Koh Phangan
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Koh Phangan – Krabi
8No lie, today’s a bit of a travel day. We’ll be making tracks for Krabi via sea and land, so stock up on local snacks, soak up the tropical views, and put the lingo skills of your travel buds to the test. When we arrive, you’ll have the afternoon to get your bearings. Powder-soft sand coves. Swaying coconut palms. Islands surrounded by emerald waters. Mother Nature sure as hell wasn’t messing about when she made Krabi.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
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Krabi
9Need a lie-in after yesterday’s journey? You got it. Later, we’ll round up the group for an awesome AF activity: a day trip to Railay Beach. This cove is RIDICULOUSLY breathtaking. We’ll approach it by longtail boat too, giving you the best views of its limestone karsts and palm-flecked shoreline. Don’t say we never spoil you.
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Activities
- Visit Railay Beach
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Activities
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Krabi – Samet Nangshe – Phuket
10Today, we’re swapping one paradise for another as we head for Phuket. On the way, we’ll make a pit stop at Samet Nangshe. Clear your camera rolls ‘cos this viewpoint is the definition of photogenic. We’re talking 180-degree scenes of majestic mangrove forests and the sparkling ocean. Next up: Phuket. Eye-popping architecture. Lip-smacking eats – try ’em out on a local food tour that includes a cheeky visit to a traditional barber shop. And a fascinating fusion of cultures and traditions. We can’t think of a better place to spend the last few days of your trip.
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Activities
- Visit Samet Nangshe lookout
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Your Options
- Local food tour with barber visit in Phuket: from 68 USD
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Activities
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Phuket
11This immense island sure packs a punch – and today it’s 100% yours to delve deeper. Opt for a day trip speedboating around the Phi Phi Islands for more emerald waters, crazy-gorgeous beaches and mind-blowing scenery. Ready for Muay Thai (the boxing, not the drink)? There’s a chance to brush up on your skills at one of the country’s best training camps. Or prepare to get sweaty practising your downward dog with a hot yoga class. Tonight, settle in for our final group dinner. WHAT an adventure it’s been.
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Your Options
- Full-day Phi Phi Islands tour: from 108 USD
- Kata hot yoga class in Phuket: from 73 USD
- Muay Thai boxing class in Phuket: from 78 USD
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Meals
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Phuket
12You came. You saw. You cultured. And just like that, it’s over. Get down to breakfast and swap those socials – you’re gonna need them for next year’s reunion trip. Not ready for the fun to end? Hop back up to Bangkok to join our Delve Deep trip around Northern Thailand. A few travel dates also match up perfectly with our Play & Pause: Great Southeast Asia trip. Just sayin’.
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
Your Inclusions
Activities
Accommodation
-7 nights in hotel-style accommodation (twin or double), 2 nights in hostel-style accommodation (twin or double), 1 night in a treehouse (multi-share), 1 night on an overnight train (multi-share)
Transport
Overnight train, local boat and private vehicle
Your Options
FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.
-Half-day historic Bangkok bike tour: from 49 USD
-Tour of Grand Palace and Wat Pho: from 53 USD
-Snorkelling and longtail boat trip from Koh Phangan: from 71 USD
-Visit an eco-friendly farm in Koh Phangan: from 30 USD
-Thai cooking class: from 79 USD
-Local food tour with barber visit in Phuket: from 68 USD
-Full-day Phi Phi Islands tour: from 108 USD
-Kata hot yoga class in Phuket: from 73 USD
-Muay Thai boxing class in Phuket: from 78 USD
Views & reviews
Latest reviews
Average rating based on 29 reviews-
Tania De October 2024
Our tour guide, Paty, was the most amazing guide we could've had. She taught us so much about the culture and ensured we had the best time. Overall, the experience was great, as the tour included different activities, and there was no boring day. The only thing I didn't like was the first hotel we stayed in. No hot water, and no curtain in the bathroom, the included breakfast was not good at all...
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Laura Ko October 2024
Overall the tour was great we were just missing some vital pieces of information that would’ve helped the trip go smoother. Like how much cash we would need as most places wouldn’t have card. Or how most of our hotels didn’t have any hot water. It’s the little things that really make a difference. Other than those things the trip route was great and our tour guide was absolutely fantastic!
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Anonymous August 2024
The tour was great and our tour leader Peak was also great always making sure the group was going well and taking us to great local markets and restaurants.
All the hotels we stayed at were nice having said that maybe would have been nice to stay at some hostels along the way that had a bit more atmosphere.
Going to Khao Sok and Koh Phangan were definitely my highlights.
Overall great 2 trips...
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