Family trip to Thailand: Phuket to Koh Tao

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Khao Sok
• 3 nights Khanom
• 3 nights Koh Tao

Day 1: Phuket – Khao Sok

On arrival in Phuket, meet with your local guide for a private transfer to Khao Sok National Park, home to one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world. On route, catch glimpses of tropical rural life in southern Thailand. Enjoy a short coffee break at a picturesque viewpoint before trekking through the spectacular rainforest viewing the array of wildlife.

After lunch in a charming riverside restaurant, continue your journey with a gentle canoeing trip along the river of Khao Sok, spotting the abundant wildlife along the riverbanks and in the surrounding rainforest canopy. Expect to spot and learn about the variety of primates, birds and exotic flora and fauna that call this stunning nature reserve their home!

After canoeing, you’ll continue on to your scenic mountainside accommodation. Watch the sunset over the mountains as you eat dinner before settling in for the night. Your accommodation will be in a boutique tent, where you can listen to the sounds of the rainforest as you fall asleep.

Day 2: Khao Sok

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a jungle trek into the tropical forest. Next up, you’ll visit Chieow Laan Dam by long tail boat and sail through the clear, emerald-coloured waters. When you return to the resort, you’ll have some time at leisure to enjoy the activities here, like swimming or canoeing or simply relaxing amidst your beautiful natural setting.

After dinner, you have the opportunity to head out on a night safari by boat to gain a different perspective on the wildlife of this remarkable region.

Day 3: Khao Sok - Khanom

Today you’ll head out for some sightseeing by long tail boat and then take a jungle walk amongst the plants, flowers, butterflies, birds, squirrels and reptiles. You’ll also have a short bamboo raft ride on Ha Roi Rai Lake over to Coral Cave where you can explore the cave formations in detail, or walk the scenic trail for views over Chieow Laan Lake.

Return to the resort for lunch and afterwards, transfer to Khanom where you will check into your hotel.

Day 4: Khanom

After breakfast, take a short transfer to the pier where you will board a fishing boat to learn about the day to day lives of the local Khanom fishermen. Your trip will offer your views of the 11 islands nearby, and the area which is known as “Moo Koh Talay Tai” - the Southern Sea Island National Park.

The tour will lead you to Taled Bay, the home of the local Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, more commonly known as the pink dolphin by the locals.

Other highlights today include the Pancake Rock, Lak Sor Bay, Nui Nok Island and Tham Island. Here you can visit a watering hole known for its holistic properties and help plant sea grass for the local community.

Travel back to shore and return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Day 5: Khanom

Enjoy breakfast at the resort and the whole day free at leisure.

Day 6: Khanom to Koh Tao

After breakfast, meet your guide for a private transfer to Donsak Pier Surat Thani and a catamaran boat to Koh Tao.

The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Days 7 & 8: Koh Tao

You now have a couple of days to relax on the beach. If you’re looking for more action, there are some stunning viewpoints you can walk to and plenty of places to rent bikes to explore beyond the resort. Diving and snorkelling are big attractions on this island, so why not get yourself on a boat trip and head out to sea to see stingrays, turtles, reef sharks and tropical fish?

Day 9: Koh Tao to Koh Samui

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before taking the ferry back to Koh Samui to connect with your onward travel plans.