16 day Group Tour of Thailand

Welcome to Bangkok, the hustling, diverse and vibrant capital of Thailand

Thailand’s bustling capital, Bangkok is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Bangkok has so much to offer those with time to explore, so perhaps arrive a day or so early and take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, uncover the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Today you meet at the hostel lobby at 5pm for welcome meeting with your U.Guide and amazing travelling companions. Bring all your queries and questions and come with an open heart and open mind as you meet everyone. You will then head out to wander the busy streets of Bangkok making our way for a wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road with varieties of street food that you can choose for dinner with your guide and group. Maybe you can start your amazing 16 day experience with a daring show of faith in the local cuisine by eating a deep fried scorpion from a local street vendor or perhaps just enjoy an ice cold Chang beer from a local bar. Tonight you have the option to indulge in the nearby riverside bars or even spend your first night in one of the crazy Khao San road clubs.

Markets & temples by tuk tuk

Today we will begin your extra-ordinary Thailand adventure exploring Bangkok. Bangkok (Thai Krung Thep) is Thailand’s only cosmopolitan city and represents its commercial and cultural centre. It’s a hive of activity where the past and present collide in social tradition and historic vs modern architecture and religious monuments – and a city we’re going to explore today like a crazy local. You start your tour on a long tail boat down the Chao Phraya River, also known as the River of Kings. We will explore the vibrant floating markets.

Then as a group you will continue by heading over to Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen (Big Buddha). When you visit the temple, you will see a huge white pagoda next to the seated Buddha image. First opened in 2012, Phra Maha Chedi Maha Ratchamongkol is the name of the 80m-tall multi-tier stupa. The temple invested about 300 million baht and took about nine years to complete.

This evening we sample our first interaction with rural Thailand as we make our way to Surat Thani on the overnight train.

(Breakfast included)

Welcome to paradise

You arrive off the train in the morning at Surat Thani train station where we will transfer to Don Sak pier and board a join ferry to the beautiful island of Koh Samui. Let the beauty of the Thai Islands work their magic on you as we arrive at Koh Samui, an island famous for its tropical coral reefs full of tropical fish, whale sharks and rays – perfect for snorkelling & scuba diving. The towering rock formations which rise from the relaxed warm waters are perfect for hiking, rock climbing, and bouldering.

Spend your leisure time on the beach and in the aſternoon we will tackle a free yoga class together with The Free Yoga Community. These incredible locals offer yoga classes to everyone including local people who would like to practice yoga but can’t afford the classes. For us the yoga classes are free also but we will leave a donation to support their amazing work.

Tonight we will explore Koh Samui with your U.Guide who knows the best places for a fantastic cheap authentic Thai meal.

Spectacular underwater world

It’s a day of active recovery – ‘active’ because we will explore by boat the beautiful island and coral reefs that Koh Samui is famous for, and ‘Recovery’ because, Koh Samui represents a slower more respectful way of life with a closer connection to nature which lends to a stress free day of sublime experiences. This morning, you’ll be picked up to join a boat tour to Angthong National Marine Park.

We start our trip with a kayaking experience on the southern end of Koh Mae Island. Huge rock overhang the sea creating that famous Thailand Gulf scenery. On the boat is a scrumptious buffet lunch which we enjoy while cruising to koh Mae Koh.

Here you head ashore to explore the astonishing “Green Lagoon or Emerald lake, a hidden saltwater lake inside of Koh Mae Koh. Further on continue cruising to Koh Wua Ta Lap, with the option for more kayaking or you can climb up to the viewpoint or visit the Spectacular Bua Bok Cave, or of course just relax on the beach. Tonight we will explore Koh Samui with your U.Guide who knows the best places for a fantastic cheap authentic Thai meal.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Classic Thailand – island paradise, nature, beach BBQ’s and beach parties

This morning, you’ll board ferry further into the Gulf to Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Phangan is Thailand’s 5th biggest island and one of the most beautiful and wild. Most widely known for the full moon parties, the island has much more to offer such as swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, trekking, yoga, meditation, and sailing – all delivered with crystal clear oceans lapping long idyllic white-sand beaches surrounded by dense tropical jungle as a backdrop.

You’ll be based at the beautiful beachside bungalows on the island of Koh Phangan for the next 2 nights as you relax into Island mode.

Tonight, we let our hair down a bit with a beach BBQ and a few drinks.

(Dinner included)

Exploring Ko Phangan

Island life doesn’t mean lazy life! This morning we’ll head off for an epic nature trek in the National Park. On the way, we’ll be learning about plants and herbs and enjoy the lush tropical jungle. Our destination is the Hidden Waterfall where we take lunch in the Jungle.

In the aſternoon we hit the beach and show with actions why we have the best travellers in the world – with a beach clean up. A little bit of your time makes a huge difference in the environments we interact with – so let’s get together, make an effort, be responsible travellers, reduce our footprint and add a little ‘more’. Here we are working with the Eco Thailand foundation – a not-for-profit NGO. They have a strong Environmental and Community focus and are active on Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, including Surat Thani, Nakhon si Thammarat and Phuket.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Live sustainably in jungle riverside cottages

Aſter the ferry ride back to the mainland at Surat Thani, you have approximately a two hour transfer to the incredible Khao Sok National Park. We have a unique U. experience for you today. You will travel deep into the dense virgin jungle, overflowing with a diverse number of mammal species. In fact, the Khao Sok National Park is a remnant of an ancient rain forest which is older and more diverse than the Amazon rainforest basin! This aſternoon is free to explore Khao Sok and possibly take part in three amazing local experiences (pre-book with the U.Team).

Tonight we will overnight in incredible riverside cottage project focussed on sustainably and their impact on the environment.

(Breakfast included)

Optional activities: Night Safari, Khao Sok Canoe Trip, Jungle Style Thai Cooking.

Exploring the crystal clear waters of Cheow Lan Lake

This morning aſter breakfast we will head deeper into Khao Sok National Park for an all-day trip to the stunning Cheow Lan Lake. Accompanied by a local guide, you take a boat ride through the immense scenery to a floating bungalow where you will have lunch (included). In the aſternoon, swim in the clear waters, venture out for a jungle hike or just relax and swim at the raſt.

We return to our amazing sustainable cottages in time for hopefully an epic Thailand sunset.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

‘Sawasdee’ Phi Phi

Aſter two amazing active days in Khao Sok we start today a bit later and nice and leisurely. Start the day with breakfast spend your leisure time a bit longer. Today we move overland down the coast before taking a ferry into the Phi Phi Island archipelago – perhaps the most iconic recognised area in Thailand. The islands are renowned for their pristine beaches, stunning rock formations, and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life.

Phi Phi has pristine beaches, stunning rock formations, and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life. There’s quite a selection of things to do in Phi Phi, even on the archipelago’s tiniest islands. Look forward to luxury and beach when you party all day and night on the white sandy beaches while day becomes night and then morning. Grab a drink and enjoy the company of your fellow travellers on these stunning islands! The beaches are phenomenal, chalk white and absolutely incredible!

(Breakfast included)

Endless exploring & memorable vistas

Hopefully you did not party too much of the night away as today we plan to get out and really explore then incredible Phi Phi Islands. This morning, you hop on a private longtail boat for a short trip to the Phi Phi Leh island. Phi Phi Leh is an uninhabited island that lies 1.5 km off the southernmost tip of Phi Phi Don. The island features towering vertical cliffs capped with green bushland over small sandy beaches and tropical coral seas.

You’ll visit Losama bay, Maya bay (where the movie The Beach was filmed), Pileh Lagoon, Viking cave and Monkey bay. Snorkelling gear is available on the boat for you to jump in and explore the amazing fringing reefs teeming with tropical fish. In the aſternoon you can relax back on Koh Phi Phi getting yourself ready for more cocktails in the beautiful setting sun.

(Breakfast included)

Northern Thailand here we come

Aſter 10 memorable days amongst the the island of Southern Thailand, today we head up to the cultural and adventure capital of Thailand, Chiang Mai. Today the journey north takes us to Chiang Mai by ferry, bus and airplane. It’s a serious travel day that will have you earning that beer at the end of the day.

You’ll be staying in a traditional guesthouse in the old city, and aſter you’ve settled in we recommend heading into town to investigate the local street food options for snacks and drinks and the incredibly vibrant night markets.

(Breakfast included)

Action day – mountain biking, trekking and white water raſting

Get ready for an action-packed day exploring the hill tribe area around Mae Tang north of the Chiang Mai. We start on two wheels as we mountain bike through scenic landscapes along local roads (approximately 8 kilometres) to the starting point of a wonderful jungle trek. You will make your way through typical northern Thai forest scenery to the Huay Sathan Waterfall – perfect dip into the cooling waters and some respite from the tropical heat.

In the aſternoon, get prepared for a thrilling white water raſting adventure. Aſter our morning trek we kit-up with helmets and life jackets, get a run-down on some paddling commands before hitting the rapids of the Mae Taeng River and its 14 gorges. The Mae Taeng River ranges from grade 3 to 5 and is highly regarded as some of the best white water raſting in Asia.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Get a massage from an elephant (seriously??)

We have saved one of the very best Thai experiences for today – a visit to a carefully selected and vetted Elephant sanctuary. These beautiful creatures have been saved from exploitation and hard manual labour and U. supports the efforts of the incredible people who spend countless hours and energy to protect these elephants.

This morning we visit one of Thailand’s most respected elephant sanctuaries – it’s past, present and future as a place for elephants. With our local guide we head into the forest to observe from a safe distance the elephants grazing and socialising with each other. There is plenty of opportunity to see the elephants bathe and play. We have a Thai vegetarian lunch (included) overlooking a mud pit watching these mighty creatures bathe and play. You learn about the six resident elephants and learn why it’s so important to respect and protect these beautiful creatures and the cultural importance they have to the local Thai people. Aſter lunch you will learn about the local community’s history and the traditional method of weaving clothing and bags at the Karen Cultural Centre. You will get an opportunity to try this method of weaving with the guidance of local community members.

The day ends with a short discourse about what we have learned about the elephants and how we can continue to help elephants even aſter leaving Thailand. This evening, back in Chiang Mai, we have another special Thai experience lined up for you – a one hour Thai massage. The masseuses you will experience are all certified massage instructors, but perhaps more importantly they are all ex-inmates. It is our hope that working with local charities to retrain and provide employment your efforts will continue to reduce conviction rates of women in Chiang Mai and help to solve the societal problems that perpetuate the situation, bringing about our long-cherished dream for a better community.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Authentic Thai cooking class

Those staying on at our Thai Elephant Impact! Experience will leave the group this morning and transfer to our U. Elephant Sanctuary

By now we hope you love Thai food as much as we do! We can’t leave with Thailand without discovering the secrets to creating purely spectacular traditional Thai meals ourselves. Today we learn the importance of spices in Thai cuisine while teaching you how to master the intensity of flavours synonymous with Thai food. Local chefs will guide you through an immersive day in a Lanna style school located in a local country-side village. Pad Thai, Spring Rolls, Tom Yum Soup, Thai Green Curry, Massaman Curry or any of your favourite delicious Thai foods – just ask our hand picked chefs, get creative, and better still get to eat them!

Before leaving, and time allowing, we will also visit our beloved Free Bird Café at its new location, proudly calling itself “Chiang Mai’s first zero waste living store”. This “cafe with a cause” serves delicious, fresh, organic vegan food along with smoothies, juices, coffees and desserts all while supporting a community language and arts program for refugees! Late in the aſternoon you will board on an overnight train in the direction of Bangkok.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Heading south to Bangkok

Although our train is heading to Bangkok we jump off early morning in Ayutthaya, the second capital of Siam aſter Sukhothai. We will transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast and refreshments before we explore what was once one of the most powerful cities in Asia. You will check out a demonstration and tasting at a local street food stall of roti sai mai, a thin pancake wrapped around delicious fine strands of thin-spun cotton candy, a dish synonymous with the Kingdom of Ayutthaya.

You will return to Bangkok in the aſternoon in time to spend a last night with farewell dinner with your fellows and guide. Tonight we have booked a table at Cabbages & Condoms – an amazing restaurant “Business for Social Progress”. Here all profits support theThe Population & Community Development Association (PDA) and its programs in primary health, education, HIV/AIDS, rural development, environment and water etc. It is a great way to celebrate what has been an awesome trip and to get us all in the mood for one final night in never-sleep Bangkok.

Time to say goodbye

For those leaving Bangkok this morning the U.Team can help organise airport transfers. Some of you might be heading to Vietnam and Cambodia as part of full Asia trips, or perhaps you are flying on to a U.Bali trip or further afield to Australia and New Zealand. Alternatively, extra nights can be arranged for those wanting to explore Bangkok more.