TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Escape to famous Kui Buri beach town
Just an additional one hour from Hua Hin, discover the lesser-seen sights of Kui Buri beach town.
- Tour Kui Buri community village
See how sustainable crafts and activities are carried out and partake in some of them such as making paper from pineapple.
- Discover Sam Roi Yot National Park
Explore the wetlands, limestone mountains, pristine beaches and coastal communities of Thailand’s first coastal national park.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - BANGKOK – KUI BURI / HUA HIN
Bangkok – WFFT (179 km): 2.38 hr WFFT – Kui Buri (114 km): 1.38 hr Bangkok – X2 Kui Buri (280 km): 3.46 hr Bangkok – Evason Hua Hin (231 km): 3.13 hr
Transfer from Bangkok Hotel to Kui Buri, one of the most famous summer beach towns in Thailand.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Kui Buri or Hua Hin.
OPTIONAL: Half Day Wildlife at WFFT
En-route at around 10:00, make a stop at the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) to experience a half day wildlife program. WFFT is a registered foundation under Thai law with the main objectives to rescue maltreated and/or neglected wild animals, provide sanctuary for sick and disabled animals, educate people, prevent hunting and promote conservation of all natural resources, etc. This half day program is a chance to learn about rescued creatures living at the center and the elephant refugee camp. Get up close and personal to elephants in a way which is cruelty-free and does not exploit them. Lunch at WFFT.
Time: 10.00-12.00
Departure: Daily
Price: THB 1,220.- per person
DAY 2 - KUI BURI / HUA HIN
X2 Kui Buri – Local Village in Kui Buri (49.9 km): 52 min Evason Hua Hin – Local Village in Kui Buri (76.5 km): 1.13 hr
After breakfast at the resort, head towards the Kui Buri community village to experience some local sustainable activities. See the makings of paper from pineapple, a rubber tapping demonstration, how fertilisers are made and how wooden products are handcrafted. There is an option to partake in some of these hand-on activities. Tour around the village either on foot or by a local farmer truck.
Enjoy a local lunch at the village.
Following lunch, around 14:00, set off to the Kui Buri National Park to observe wild animals in their natural habitat. Spot wild elephants and wild bull live together in nature. It would be quite an enjoyable experience seeing them out in the wild as a herd.
Overnight in Kui Buri or Hua Hin.
DAY 3 - KUI BURI / HUA HIN – SAM ROI YOT - BANGKOK
X2 Kui Buri – Phraya Nakhon Cave (49.5 km): 53 min Evason Hua Hin – Phraya Nakhon Cave (29 km): 31 min Phraya Nakhon Cave – Bangkok (240 km): 3.29 hr
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and drive towards the Sam Roi Yot National Park. Meaning ‘Mountain of Three Hundred Peaks’, Sam Roi Yot was Thailand’s first coastal national park and covers an expansive stretch of wetlands, limestone mountains and beaches.
Continue onwards to Bang Pu, a thriving fishing village for a glimpse into the lives of the fishermen. Then board a longtail boat and cast out to sea. Cruise away from the shoreline and enjoy fabulous views of the ocean and coast. (Please note: the boat trip may be cancelled if sea conditions are unfavourable.)
After a 10-15 min ride, the boat will dock at a beautiful stretch of beach. Walk to the nearby entrance of Phraya Nakhon Cave where a longer, 430-metre trek. Although called a ‘cave’. Phraya Nakhon is actually a sunlit cavern formed by two sinkholes. Travel deeper into the earth, enjoying the surreal landscapes before reaching the centre of the cavern. Be amazed at this enormous limestone cave. (Please note: It is recommended time to visit is before 11:00).
Return to the pier where a delicious lunch awaits. Then, drive back to Bangkok after lunch.
Arrive Bangkok in the evening.
(Please note: Flight departure from Bangkok is possible on this day, but a late night departure is recommended.)
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Ther Things to See and Do in Thailand
1. Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Pho
Thailand’s royal palace was built at the end of the 18th century by King Rama I and is the official residence of the current monarch (though he doesn’t live there anymore; now it’s just used for ceremonies). It’s a striking place filled with numerous temples, including Wat Pra Kaeo, which houses the 15th-century Emerald Buddha. Nearby Wat Pho is famous for two things: a larger-than-life golden reclining Buddha statue and a very relaxing massage school.
2. Visit Khao Sok National Park
Located in the south of Thailand, Khao Sok National Park is constantly rated as one of the best in Thailand, with incredible trekking, camping, limestone karsts, cooling rivers, and a glistening lake. You’ll find semi-challenging hikes, tons of wildlife, walking paths, and incredible sunsets. Park entrance costs 200 THB (6 USD).
3. Hop around the ancient capitals
Between Chiang Mai and Bangkok are Thailand’s three ancient capitals – Sukhothai, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya. Visiting them on your way north is a unique way to head from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. You’ll get to learn about ancient Thailand and see rural life at its best. My favorite is Ayutthaya.
4. Relax on tropical islands
Thailand has a million and one beautiful tropical islands. Some are overdeveloped, while others only have a single bungalow on them. You’ll find everything here. Some of the best islands here are – Ko Samet, Ko Taruato, Ko Lanta, Ko Chang, Ko Tao, Ko Jum, Ko Lipe, Ko Phi Phi, Phuket, the Similan Islands, and Ko Samui.
5. Partake in the Full Moon Party
If you like partying, there’s no better party in the world than the famous Full Moon Party. The Full Moon Party is a giant festival-like party with a lot of drinking, dancing, and drugs. Each bar has its own sound system, so you’ll hear different music loudly blasting onto the beach every few feet. The beach itself is lined with people selling alcohol, fire dancers putting on shows, and little booths selling glow-in-the-dark face paint. Sure, it is super touristy but that doesn’t mean it’s not a lot of fun and it’s as much a part of Thailand as anything else.
6. Go jungle trekking
There are some great jungle trekking opportunities in northern Thailand. Be sure to go on a multi-day hike. The shorter hikes aren’t as good and the hill tribes you visit are like visiting a rural impoverished Disney World. The biggest departure points are Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Don’t book any tours ahead of time, you can book these sorts of outings through the hostel or hostel you’re staying in closeby. If you book online ahead of time, you will pay more.
7. Go scuba diving in the Similan Islands
Scuba diving here is a popular activity because of the crystal clear waters and majestic sea life. The cheapest place to learn is on the island of Ko Tao, which caters specifically for dive trips. Most people don’t go unless they’re planning on diving. While you can dive all over the country, the Similan Islands offer the best diving. If you dive the Similan Islands, be sure to see Elephant Head Rock, and the reef houses plenty of fish, snappers, rays, and turtles. Day trips start at 3,700 THB (110 USD).
8. Learn to cook
Thai food is delicious and it’s relatively easy to cook. All over the country, you’ll find places to teach you, though the best are in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Even if you don’t plan to cook back home, at least you get to spend a day making and eating scrumptious food.
9. Explore the Khmer temples in Isaan
There are many temples built throughout the region, all along the ancient roads connecting Angkor to the other villages. The largest of these is Phimai, located at the end of the ancient highway. In the Buriram province are two other magnificent Khmer temples only a few kilometers apart. Phanom Rung built on top of a hill and Muang Tum which is at the base of the hill.
10. Get off the trail in Isaan
One of the most under-visited areas of the country, Isaan is mostly a land of farms and villages. This is a great place to escape the frantic tourist atmosphere of the rest of the country. It is not overrun by tourists, and you get a chance to experience Thai culture in a different, more personal way. I think it’s one of the most interesting places in the country.
11. Take the day train
Taking the day train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is not only cheaper but a much better way to see the countryside than the night train. Sure, you waste a day but you see the countryside, you experience how Thais take the train, and you’re treated to vendors coming off and on every stop selling meals for 15 THB (0.45 USD). The day trip remains one of my favorite experiences in Thailand. Just make sure you have a good book!
12. The Elephant Nature Park
Sure you can come to Thailand and ride an elephant, but so many of them in this country suffer from abuse. An even better way to get up-close-and-personal to the animals is to volunteer at the Elephant Conservation Center near Chiang Mai. It’s a phenomenal place, allows you to give back to the community, and lets you help and play with these magnificent animals all a once. After coming here, you will know why you should NEVER ride an elephant in Thailand. A one-day visit costs 2,500 THB (75 USD) for adults.
13. Admire Wat Doi Suthep
This stunning Buddhist temple lies in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, 10 miles out of Chiang Mai. A tram or a trek up 300 steps will take you to the summit of Doi Suthep, where the glittering gold temple spire awaits you. The temple dates back to the 14th century and holds rare relics of Buddha. It’s really is too beautiful of a view to miss, so don’t leave Chiang Mai without visiting Wat Doi Suthep. Admission is 30 THB (0.90 USD). It’s open from 6am-6pm.
14. Visit the Golden Triangle
The point where the Mekong River meets the Ruak River is known as the Golden Triangle. You can take a boat and head to the Golden Triangle Park, or check out some of the many Buddha statues and markets.
15. Ko Phi Phi
This is one of the most popular tourist islands in Thailand. From the famous of Maya Bay (made famous in The Beach) to the monkeys on the aptly named Monkey Beach to the diving and nightlife, there are reasons people flock here. Destroyed by the tsunami in 2004, the island has been rebuilt and developed to an even greater extent than before.
16. Ko Lipe
Located in southern Thailand, this semi-off the map island is one of my favorite places in the world. Here on Ko Lipe, the super friendly locals bring in the daily catch for amazing seafood. The beaches are beautiful, the water warm, and the island cheap. I came for three days and then lived here for a month. In the last few years, it has become very developed and it’s not the sleepy little island it used to be but it’s still way less developed than many other destinations in Thailand. Moreover, you’re near a pristine and undeveloped national marine park where you can snorkel and enjoy some beaches to yourself!
17. Shop at the floating markets
Thailand is full of markets. Perhaps the most whimsical of these are the floating markets, which can be found throughout the country. Some of the best are Damnoen Saduak, in Ratchaburi, and the Taling Chan Weekend Floating Market in Bangkok. You’ll find rickety boats piled high with colorful goods and eats. You’ll get plenty of great photos! (Although it’s become majorly touristy to go to the floating markets, you’ll not want to miss a morning shopping from boat to boat.)
18. Backpack in Kanchanaburi Province
Here you’ll find a lush forest perfect for trekking, though the history of this area is rather dark. The infamous Death Railway is located here, linking Burma and Myanmar, which were constructed during WWII by prisoners of war. This is also where you will find the Bridge on the River Kwai, built using POW labor and the subject of a both a film and a book. While it is a haunting reminder, it is an essential part of Thailand’s history.
19. Motorbike through Northern Thailand
Around the Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai areas, there are lots of great routes. Many people rent bikes and tour the scenery. You can take a day trip, or you can take a couple of days – whatever suits your schedule. The Mai Hong Son Province offers a great loop that you can do starting in Chiang Mai and ending in Pai. Note: Make sure if you’re renting a motorbike, you’re comfortable with driving it and never (ever) drink and drive.
20. Relax in Pai
Pai has grown as a tourist destination in more recent years, but it is still a great place to escape some of the craziness of your larger cities. It is a true backpackers town, located in Northern Thailand. It is nestled in rolling green mountains and surrounded by waterfalls and incredible hiking trails. Be sure to take a day trip to the Tham Lot Caves, where you can take a stop off to swim in waterfalls and hot springs on your way there. Stay on the outskirts town in a lovely little bungalow, rent a bike, traverse the hills, and bathe in the cool waterfalls.