Enjoy a relaxing holiday in Thailand, combining the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, canoe and elephant adventures in the beautiful and scerene Khao Sok National Park and stunning Thai beaches.
Tailor-made Classic 1 - 1 hour
'From Price' is the average price per person for ground arrangements for a family of four (two adults + two children under 12).
Flights are typically an additional $1,046 per person economy class from London
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This itinerary is perfect for someone looking for a relaxing Thai holiday with a little more than just beach.
DAY 1: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT TO THAILAND
Accommodation:
Meals Included:
DAY 2: ARRIVE BANGKOK
You'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to relax, enjoy the pool and come down from your flight.
Accommodation: Riva Surya
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 3: BANGKOK - CYCLE RIDE
Enjoy a lazy morning by the pool recovering from your flight. In the afternoon take a short boat trip across the Chao Phraya River to Bang Kra Jao, an area nicknamed the ‘Bangkok Jungle’. Although located not far from the city’s bustling business district, sleepy Bang Kra Jao feels worlds away and is the perfect place for a bike ride. Set off on two-wheels and ride through the network of peaceful roads that criss-cross Bang Kra Jao. Tropical plants and lush trees surround the roads, creating an urban jungle in the city centre. Cross over canals and cycle past the mangrove forests that line the waterways. See traditional Thai houses and golden temples rarely visited by tourists. During the two-hour ride, refuel with snacks at one of the many street stalls. Enjoy the delicious Thai dishes while learning about local life in this traditional community. Cycling is for over 10s. For those with younger children we will suggest an alternative tour or you can take the day at leisure to recover from your flight.
Accommodation: Riva Surya
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 4: BANGKOK - CITY SAFARI
Discover the local side of Bangkok on a privately guided tour taking advantage of the city’s network of public transportation including the main sites but also getting a closer look at Thai traditions and lifestyles. For the early riser, start the Bangkok full day tour with an (optional) early morning walk through Lumpini Park. This green oasis in the heart of the city is filled with locals taking their morning tai chi, yoga and aerobics classes. After a stroll through the park, return to the hotel for breakfast. Then the day’s adventure begins with a ride on the city’s Skytrain. This elevated train line is busy in the morning with business people and school kids who avoid the traffic of the streets for a faster, air-conditioned commute. Disembark near the Chao Phraya River and board a public boat, another popular commuter option. Enjoy the views of the city’s skyline as it passes by and see houses precariously balanced on stilts along the river’s edge. The boat stops near the iconic Wat Pho and Grand Palace. Spend the remainder of the morning exploring these two remarkable sites, learning about the country’s regal history and of the deep-rooted spiritual traditions of its people. Then hop aboard a tuk tuk, Thailand’s famous three-wheeled vehicles used by locals throughout the country. Zip through quieter city streets to Soi Ban Batra. Visit a family-run workshop that produces monks’ alms bowls. Witness the artisans at work and learn about the daily lives of the Buddhist monks, who wake early to collect alms offerings from the city’s residents. The last leg of today’s Bangkok full day tour is on a ‘bus boat’ through the city’s canals. Rarely used by tourists, this ride provides an up-close look at the ways of life of the local people who live alongside the canals. Then it’s a short walk to the Jim Thompson House. Take an insightful tour of the compound’s tranquil gardens and traditional buildings, which showcases the history of the famous and mysterious American silk merchant. Afterwards stroll to the nearby modern shopping malls for some retail therapy then return to the hotel via Skytrain.
Accommodation: Riva Surya
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 5: FLY TO PHUKET. TRANSFER TO ELEPHANT HILLS RAINFOREST CAMP. ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE AND CANOEING
After a short flight to Phuket you will be transferred (2.5hrs drive) to Elephant Hills Camp in Khao Sok. After lunch you can relax during a jungle river canoe trip down the Sok River. The canoes are very stable and safe; life jackets are provided as well as a local river guide to paddle the canoe. Drift along the jungle river passing Limestone Mountains and cliffs covered with exotic tropical vegetation. Sometimes hornbill birds can be seen flying high overhead or reptiles basking in the sun on the riverbanks. From the canoe you can experience some of the last areas of primary rainforest, a world that has changed little in thousands of years. After the canoeing you will head over to the elephant park. Here you can see, touch and learn about the life of Thai elephants and about the Elephant Hills elephant conservation project. Your guide will also teach you about the mahout, the elephant caretaker. You will get very close to and even get your hands on these magnificent animals, you will have the chance to interact with them and learn the secrets of their mahouts. You will prepare and feed them one of their daily meals, including their dietary supplements that help with their digestion and their overall well-being, then watch them bathe before you scrub and wash them clean.
Accommodation: Elelphant Hills Rainforest Camp
Meals Included: All Meals Included
DAY 6: ELEPHANT HILLS: CHEOW LARN LAKE
Wake up to the sounds of nature and birds calling from the bushes next to the tent. By the time the sun comes up and the mist over the rainforest-covered mountains to the south of Elephant Hills clears, gibbons’ territorial morning calls echo down the valley. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in your tent for early risers; breakfast is at your leisure. Today you will explore Cheow-Lan-Lake by local long-tail boat. The man-made lake is surrounded by Limestone Mountains and cliffs covered in tropical rainforest that rise up from the shore of the lake and disappear somewhere in the far distance. The scenery has been compared to Guilin in China and Halong Bay in Vietnam. Few people know of the lake and even less have visited it. There are more than one hundred islands in the lake and it stretches over 60 km from North to South. In the 70’s the area was a hide-out for communists and students opposing the military dictatorship, which well preserved the area’s unique environment as it was spared from urbanization. You can enjoy the spectacular scenery from the boat and will have time to dip into the lake’s emerald water. Please bring your swimwear; towels are provided at the local raft house, where you will stop over for lunch and relaxation.
Accommodation: Elelphant Hills Rainforest Camp
Meals Included: All Meals Included
DAY 7: ELEPHANT HILLS: KHAO SOK RAINFOREST TREK AND TRANSFER TO THE COAST
Start the day with a wholesome breakfast before you will come face to face with the jungle by exploring it on foot. It is not an army survival exercise, there are no prizes for the fastest, snakes and spiders do not jump out at you – it is just an excellent opportunity to explore the ecology of one of the world’s oldest rainforests, to see a great variety of exotic plants, tropical hardwood trees with huge roots, orchids, palms, ferns, bamboos, mosses… the variety is huge. Birds such as the hornbill live high up above, gibbons can often be heard calling to their mates, a macaque or a leaf monkey may be swinging through the branches, beautiful butterflies buzz around – every day is different, but it is always truly wonderful to discover the great variety of life-forms that co-exists here together. Walk slowly. Look, learn and listen. Then you too will start to discover some of the secrets of the rainforest. Weather-dependent lunch can be served in the rainforest, cooked in bamboo, an old tradition of jungle explorers from past centuries. Around noon, transfer to your hotel on the Coast.
Accommodation: Pimalai Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 8: THAI BEACHES
The rest of your holiday is at leisure, relaxing on an idyllic Thai beach. For this sample itinerary we recommend the Pimalai Resort on Koh Lanta, a fantastic resort set on a stunning beach with superb facilities on Koh Lanta. If you are travelling during the Western summer months (July, August), then we would instead recommend a resort on Koh Samui on the Eastern Coast of Thailand for better weather.
Accommodation: Pimalai Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 9: THAI BEACHES
Accommodation: Pimalai Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 10: THAI BEACHES
Accommodation: Pimalai Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 11: THAI BEACHES
Accommodation: Pimalai Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 12: THAI BEACHES
Accommodation: Pimalai Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 13: THAI BEACHES
Accommodation: Pimalai Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast Only Included
DAY 14: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT HOME
Transfer to the airport and fly home
DAY 15 : ARRIVE HOME
Guide price is based on recommended accommodations. Alternative accommodations and upgrades are available. Please get in touch for alternatives and upgrade options.
Most International flights land in Bangkok, but there are some good options for flying into Phuket instead. Flights tend to be most expensive between mid Nov to mid Feb and July / August.
From the UK: British Airways, Qantas, Thai Airways and Eva Airways all offer direct flights from London (approx 11 hours flight time). Fares typically vary from £600 (low season) - £900 (high season). You will often be able to save £100 - £200 flying indirect with Emirates or Qatar (via Dubai and Doha), and these can make a lot of sense if flying from a regional airport. We do find ourselves using Thai Airways more often than not simply because they can offer connecting flights directly out of Koh Samui, connecting in Bangkok to London, whilst other airlines invariably involve an overnight in Bangkok before returning home.
From the US: There are no direct flights from the US. Thai Airways flies semi-direct from LA to Bangkok with a quick refuel stop in Seoul (approx $1500pp). Alternatively there are a number of airlines flying from the West and East Coast via either Asia or Europe for around $1300pp.
This is a tailor-made itinerary and we will put together a customised itinerary and quote proposal for you. The quoted price here is given as guidance and includes accommodation in Bangkok and Koh Lanta on a Bed and Breakfast basis and at Elephant Hills on a full board and activity basis. The quote also includes transfers and guided services in Bangkok. Internal flights are not included and we would usually quote on these together with your International flights.
This three centre holiday is perfect for families looking for a relaxing and luxurious holiday in Thailand that offers something more than just flopping on a beach.
If you would prefer to skip Bangkok, it is possible to fly to Phuket via Dubai with Emirates and make this an even more relaxing two centre holiday.
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
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Hi Lisa, Just wanted to say thank you so much for organising our trip to Thailand. We had such a good time and all the arrangements were perfect. Our tour guide in Bangkok, Nathan, was fantastic. Super-knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Definitely 5 stars. We enjoyed Elephant Hills - think three days was a perfect amount of time there. The activities were wonderful and varied (elephant feeding such a highlight but also loved the canoeing and river trips), the food here was excellent too and guides great. It was so lovely after all the hustle and bustle to relax at the Bo Phut resort in Ko Samui. The Fisherman’s market was full of interesting things to buy and we enjoyed a good boat trip out to Pig Island. Thank you for all your advice along the way. All the best, The Murray family.
Prunella M reviewing Relaxing Thailand Family Holiday on 14 August 2023
Hi Lisa, Very successful thanks. Both hotels very nice. I think we went at a good time of year. Weather was good but not too hot and not too many tourists. Bophut hotel had a great location. Right on the end of fisherman's village with a great beach and easy pleasant walk to shops and restaurants. Guide in Bangkok was great. Booked a couple of trips in Kho Samui. Elephants were the highlight plus a very pleasant islands tour by speedboat. All parts of the journey ran smoothly. Happy to provide more specific information if it helps. Many thanks. Steve.
Stephen J reviewing Relaxing Thailand Family Holiday on 01 July 2023
I would like to say a massive thank you for organising our Vietnam trip. The itinerary and execution were superb, as was the attention to detail. I would also like to thank the agent who was on the end of my whats app chat (I have no idea who they were!) – always available, always quick to respond, and kept me updated regarding times etc. Also, the guides Dan (north) and Tien (mid) were just excellent, and we really enjoyed their company. The lady (whose name I have forgotten) who was our additional guide for the DMZ day was exceedingly good and made that day very special.
fiona g reviewing Complete Vietnam For Families on 15 April 2024
Our itineraries are carefully designed by our experienced travel designers based on years of experience and customer feedback. For a custom itinerary tailored to you, please enquire giving as much detail as possible on your brief.