21-day combined Thailand and Laos tour, between land and sea

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Bangkok - Visit of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun.

  We will be waiting for you at Bangkok airport. You have nothing to worry about, the airport is simple and, once you exit, you are automatically directed to gate 3 where everyone waits for the arrivals. We will have a sign with the indication "SIAM-HOLIDAYS.COM". In principle, most flights arrive early in the morning. When we have the whole group with us, we will take our van to go to our hotel. The hotel is located in one of the most popular districts of Bangkok. Very comfortable, it has the particularity of being quite close to all the visits planned in the program. Free morning to settle into the hotel. Around noon, we will go for lunch near the Grand Palace, which we will visit at the beginning of the afternoon, as well as Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. Probably the most visited monument in Thailand, the Grand Palace of Bangkok is the place where every visitor must go at least once in their life. The construction of the Grand Palace began in 1782 under the reign of King Rama I, founder of the Chakri dynasty, to become a royal residence. Since then, it has been the greatest architectural symbol of Thailand. The Grand Palace served as an important royal residence until 1925 and is now used only for ceremonial purposes. In the evening, dinner will be in a charming restaurant, the "secret garden". The colonial house is charming, delicious dishes are served in a pleasant and quiet garden. The restaurant is also a tea room and offers excellent desserts. After dinner and before returning to the hotel, we will go for a digestif at the "vertigo bar" of the Banyan Tree hotel (on the way back to the hotel). This bar is simply fantastic! Located in the open air on the 59th and top floor of the hotel, it offers a 360° night view of the city of Bangkok. The cozy atmosphere is pleasant, there is no entrance fee to pay.

• day 2

  Jim Thompson's house, the Temple of the Golden Buddha, and Chinatown.

  After breakfast, departure at 8:30 am for the Klongs (canals in Bangkok where the boat-buses allow you to travel outside of the land routes). These boat-buses are popular with the inhabitants of Bangkok because, depending on where you want to go, they obviously allow you to get there much faster than by land, as there are no traffic jams. From our pier, we will head to the station where Jim Thompson's house is located. You will be immersed in the daily life of Bangkok's very middle-class residents (the wealthiest take taxis) and will be impressed by the dexterity of the employees on board who are in charge of collecting tickets. Indeed, when passing under the many bridges, these employees, walking on the edge of the boat outside, must duck or risk being decapitated… The helmet they wear is not very useful, but it must be said that accidents are extremely rare as they are so used to it. In its green setting, sitting on the bank of the Saen Saeb canal, the house would no doubt have disappeared without a legacy left by an American named Jim Thompson. Its elegant residential enclave, composed of six traditional Thai teak houses, transported from Ayutthaya and the Ban Krua community of Bangkok, echoes Jim Thompson's 30-year love affair with the art and cultural heritage of Southeast Asia. An architect by training and an avid collector of Asian art objects, Jim Thompson's sharp eyes and flair for design brought life to everything he touched. After his release from military service in 1946, Jim Thompson decided to settle in Thailand, where he devoted more than 30 years to the revival of Thai silk and introduced it to the most respectable fashion houses in the world in Paris, New York, London, and Milan. The same goes for his Thai house, which was not an ordinary teak house but a complex filled with incongruous collections of antiques, almost a museum, but which embodies the life of Jim Thompson and his passions. One day, in 1967, while at the height of his success, he mysteriously disappeared in the Malaysian jungle, and thus began the legacy of Jim Thompson... At noon, we will have lunch in Chinatown, which we will visit, as well as the famous Golden Buddha. Chinatown is truly unique, with an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else. We will have lunch on site. The Wat Traïmit temple, located in the district, houses the largest solid gold statue in the world (5.5 tons) and its history is surprising. We will have dinner at Silom Village. This district is not very far from our hotel and is pleasant with its antique dealers and restaurants where some offer a Thai dance show.

• day 3

  Ayutthaya and lunch cruise on the Chao Phraya River - Bang Pa-In Summer Palace

  We will be picked up at our hotel at 6 a.m. to go to the departure point of the collective bus (bus departs at 7:30 a.m.) to visit Ayutthaya. Less than a hundred kilometers from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is nowadays a small, peaceful "prefecture" of 80,000 inhabitants. But at its peak, this former royal capital had 1 million souls... It was the flagship city of all Southeast Asia at its height in the 17th century. European kings sent ambassadors there, and the city attracted merchants from Japan to Western Europe. Founded in 1351, it was completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. What remains from that era are the ruins of temples, scattered throughout the modern city, and the accounts left by foreign visitors who described it as of unforgettable splendor, or compared it to Venice because of its many canals at the time. The kingdom of Siam then extended beyond the current borders of Thailand. For more than four centuries, Ayutthaya was the royal capital. Thirty-three sovereigns from various dynasties ruled over this vast territory, before the fall of Ayutthaya during one of the many wars against the Burmese, and the move of the capital to Thonburi. You will first visit Bang Pa-In, the royal summer palace, on the way. Then the bus will take you to Ayutthaya, where you will visit the three main temples (the Temple of Victory, the Mahathat Temple, and the Srisanphet Temple), as a group. On the way back, you can enjoy the countryside scenery on a comfortable boat (not a private visit but in a group), cruise from 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lunch on the boat is included. At the end of the day, you will be taken back to your hotel in Bangkok, where we will have dinner at the hotel or nearby.

• day 4

  Damnoen Saduak Floating Market - Kanchanaburi

  We will leave in the morning at 7:30 am from the hotel to go to the floating market. It is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away by road and it is best to arrive there quite early. This market is impressive, as it is located in a marshy area where many families live in houses often on stilts. To access the market, we will take a long-tail boat. These boats are quite narrow, equipped with 2-seat benches to sit on and propelled by means of a long "tail" ending in a propeller, powered by a car engine (often Toyota). The ride is interesting, as through the canals, you can see the houses and many stalls of all kinds. When we arrive at the market, the crowd is indescribable in the canals and it takes all the dexterity of the pilots to get through it. We will have lunch on site, then leave at 1 pm to go to Kanchanaburi where we will arrive around 3:30 pm. Free late afternoon. Our hotel is very pleasant, quiet, well equipped, with a beautiful pool and is one of the most appreciated by visitors to the region. The on-site restaurant, with its terrace on the river, offers a menu of very good Thai and Western dishes.

• day 5

  Visit of Kanchanaburi - Bridge over the River Kwai and Death Railway

  At 9 a.m., we will go visit the bridge over the River Kwai, made famous by the film based on real events. We will take the famous Death Railway train at 10:45 a.m. to go to Nam Tok, where we will have lunch on site before returning to Kanchanaburi. The bridge over the River Kwai was only a small part of one of the most ambitious plans of the Japanese invader in Thailand during World War II: the construction of a railway line linking Nong Pladuk (Thailand) to Thanbyuzayat in Burma (415 km). This is what is called the "Death Railway". The Allies were then enforcing a maritime blockade, so a land connection was the only way to access the resources of the Burmese territory and to head towards India. If the construction of the line took place much faster than expected, it is because thousands of prisoners of war (POWs in English) were used as forced labor. Among them, thirty thousand British, the same number of Dutch, Australians, Americans... but also – and this is too often forgotten – very many Asians: Burmese, Malays, Thais, Indonesians, Chinese... Very few survived the ordeal of construction on lands as malarial as possible. A first wooden bridge was built in 1942, and a second – similar to the current bridge over the River Kwai – replaced it in 1943. At 3 p.m., we will leave the hotel to visit the military cemetery, which is a must-see when coming to Kanchanaburi. The military cemetery is in the center of the city of Kanchanaburi. It contains the remains of 6,982 Allied prisoners of war who perished during the construction of the "Death Railway". It is estimated that 16,000 prisoners of war and 49,000 forced laborers lost their lives during the construction of the "Death Railway" and the bridge over the River Kwai. Next, we will visit the "Thailand Burma Railway Centre" museum which is next to the cemetery. This museum is very interesting and well done. It traces the dark history of this period of World War II, which is quite unknown to us Westerners. The purpose of this museum is to teach, but also to conduct research to discover and better understand the sometimes instructive details through archaeological excavations. Return to the hotel around 5:30 p.m. Dinner at the hotel or in town.

• day 6

  Erawan Waterfalls

  We will leave the hotel at 7:30 am to go to Erawan Park, located 1h30 north of Pechaburi. It is a magical place, with wonderful waterfalls of purity and beauty. You can swim there and it is recommended to do so for an unforgettable memory. We will take our luggage, as we will then head directly to Bangkok around 2 pm, for an expected arrival around 4:30-5 pm. Lunch on site. In Bangkok, our hotel will be close to Don Mueang airport, which is convenient as we will leave early the next morning from this airport. We will end this day with a buffet dinner at the Baiyoke Tower II restaurant. It is the tallest skyscraper in Thailand, overlooking the city of Bangkok with its 84 floors, at a height of 343.34 meters (the Eiffel Tower peaks at 324 m). Its construction was completed in 1997, but in 1999, an antenna was added to its top. The skyscraper is located in the heart of Bangkok, right in the middle of shopping streets and attractions. It is just a few minutes' walk from several major shopping centers. After dinner, we will finish at the top, on the 360° rotating platform, where the view is breathtaking!

• day 7

  Ancient city of Sukhothai

  We will leave the hotel at 6:45 am (only take what is necessary for the day, as we will return to the same hotel in the evening) to catch our flight to Pitsanulok at 8:10 am. After a 50-minute flight, we will take a van to take us to Sukhotai, where we will arrive around 10:15 am. Sukhotai is a must-see in Thailand. It was the 1st capital of the Kingdom of Siam and the historical park is a marvel. The best way is to rent bikes at the entrance of the park and visit at your own pace, stopping wherever you want. For those who are not fans of cycling, you can also do it on foot or with the van, as you prefer. Sukhothai (or Sukothai) is the first capital of Siam (Thailand), founded in 1238 and ending the Khmer rule of Angkor Wat. Sukhothai was inscribed in 1991 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located about 450 kilometers north of Bangkok, the vast city of Sukhothai is now in ruins. The wooden palace of its kings has disappeared. However, the city still has many remains of temples, built of laterite and brick. Most of the buildings that have been discovered, and partially restored, are inside a wall reinforced with moats. But many other buildings, scattered in the surrounding rice fields, are waiting to be uncovered from the layer of earth that covers them. A large part of the objects found in Sukhothai are in the National Museum in Bangkok. We will leave around 4:00 pm to go to the airport, where we will take our flight at 6:55 pm for an arrival at 7:50 pm. We will have dinner at the hotel restaurant.

• day 8

  Visit of Chiang Mai

  We will leave the hotel at 7am to take our flight at 8:30am to Chiang Mai, where we will arrive at 9:30am. Our hotel is very comfortable and very well located, in the center of the old city, close to all the sights and activities. We will leave at 11am to visit Wat Phra Lat. This temple is located about 20 minutes from the city and is unique in that it is in a very beautiful forest environment and is totally peaceful, as it is little known. It is quite a surprising place and a visit you really must do when in Chiang Mai. After visiting this temple, and continuing on, we will visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a temple located above the mountain overlooking Chiang Mai, 16 km northwest of the city. The temple is high up in the mountain, at 1676 m altitude, not far from the summit which peaks at 2500 m. It is the highest peak in Thailand. Among the sacred temples of all Thailand, it is undoubtedly one of the most revered, most popular, and most admired by local and foreign tourists. Every day, thousands of Thais go there to pray or for their pilgrimage. To reach it by the main road, the bravest visitors will have to climb the 309 steps that start from the parking lot. It is a great opportunity to discover the beauty of the nagas (dragon-headed serpents) along the entire length of the stairs, as well as the surrounding forest. And for those who do not want to take on this heavy task, a funicular has recently been installed for a more direct journey to the temple gates. At 2:30pm, back in Chiang Mai, we will leave by TUK TUK (it is essential to ride a tuk tuk when in Thailand...) to visit the Wat Chedi Luang temple, which is one of the most beautiful temples in Chiang Mai. The majesty of the place and the calm are also pleasant. Easily accessible, the temple is located in the city center. The visit lasts between 1 and 2 hours depending on how much time you want to spend there. We will then go to visit the Wat Phra Singh temple, which is a must-see in Chiang Mai. A very beautiful temple gilded with fine gold, where the monks like to chat if you wish; some visitors can try meditation. We will finish this afternoon with a visit to Wat Chiang Man, which is a small temple but very beautiful with its elephant sculptures. We will return to the hotel around 5:30-6pm before going to dinner at the hotel or nearby.

• day 9

  Elephant Day

  We will be picked up at the hotel by the elephant reserve's van. We will go to a reserve where the elephants do not work, do not participate in games or shows, but are simply well treated. We will be picked up at 8am at our hotel to go to the reserve, located about 1h30 away by road. On the way, we will be able to admire very beautiful landscapes. Upon arrival, we will dress in mahout outfits to take care of the elephants throughout the afternoon, and finish with a bath with them in the river. During this afternoon, in addition to taking care of the elephants, we will also take a mud bath with them before ending up in the river. So you will need to bring a change of clothes for after the bath, as well as a swimsuit, of course… Here, we do not ride the elephants because it causes them suffering; we simply take care of them and play with them. Note that we will have a traditional meal for lunch. It is truly a magical moment and you should know that the funds collected from the payment of the packages are entirely used for the preservation and care of the elephants. We will be back at the hotel around 5:30pm and will have dinner at the hotel or nearby.

• day 10

  Chiang Mai - Multiethnic village, orchid farm and Bo Sang, the umbrella capital.

  We will leave at 8am to go to a village where different ethnic groups live together in a community. It should be noted that in Thailand, these ethnic groups are tolerated because they originate from different countries, notably China and Myanmar. By the will of the King, these ethnic groups can live in Thailand, but many are actually stateless. Some families have been offered to settle in this village to perpetuate their traditions and live according to their customs. This is not a museum-village, but a community of multiple ethnic groups. There are few tourists and this allows you to see how these different tribes live. It is also interesting to talk with them: they are open to dialogue and are happy to show the fruits of their craftsmanship. After visiting the village, we will go visit a very beautiful orchid farm. Here you will see all kinds of orchids found in Thailand, with also a butterfly reserve where butterflies pollinate the orchids. It is truly a beautiful sight. We can have lunch on site, where the restaurant offers a very good buffet. We will end this day of visits by going to Bo Sang. This small town has always been the place where umbrellas are handcrafted. You will see the artisans and the entire manufacturing process. If you feel like bringing one back, there are all sizes and the prices are negligible compared to the work involved… Return around 6pm and dinner in the old town.

• day 11

  Departure for Chiang Khong - organic coffee farm and Lahu tribe village.

  We will leave by private van for Chiang Khong at 7am (to the north, at the border with Laos). We will make a first stop to visit an organic coffee farm in the mountains, 90 km northeast of Chiang Mai. There, we will be able to visit the coffee plantation and have the particularities of this crop explained to us. We will be expected and will be the only visitors (lunch included). After the visit, we will discover an ethnic village of the Mu Seu tribe (better known as Lahu), which is very close by and where the inhabitants are charming. On the way back down, when we rejoin the main road, we will make a stop at the "hot spring". This area is volcanic and hot springs emerge from the bowels of the earth. You will see egg vendors who offer to cook eggs in the spring... original... We will arrive at our hotel in Chiang Khong around 6pm. Dinner at the hotel.

• day 12

  1st day of cruising on the Mekong to reach Luang Prabang, in Laos.

  We will leave the hotel at 7am to go to the customs office to obtain our visa. We will then join the boat that will take us on a 2-day cruise to Luang Prabang. During the day, we will make a stop to visit an authentic village, an opportunity to see how the many ethnic minorities in Laos live. The boat is specially equipped to guarantee all the comfort and safety of a cruise on the Mekong. The average duration of a cruise day is about 8 to 9 hours. Measuring 34 meters long, the boat is equipped with an engine of at least 200 hp. The reinforced steel hull guarantees strength and safety. It accommodates up to 40 passengers spread over a maximum of 10 tables. A sunroof area with benches is located at the front of the boat. At the back is the bar area. Two Western-style toilets are also available at the back of the boat. Electricity is guaranteed throughout the journey. Voltage: 220V. Newspapers, magazines, and board games are also available on board. Meals on board: An introduction to Lao gastronomy and its authentic flavors is offered. Mekong fish is served at every meal. Water, tea, and coffee are served at will throughout the journey. Our bar offers a selection of beers, spirits, and soft drinks. From October to February, remember to bring a jacket and warm clothes during the cruise, as it can be very cool on the Mekong. You can leave your luggage on board for your night in Pakbeng and only take what you need for your stopover. Avoid leaving any valuables or money there, the company declines all responsibility in case of loss.

• day 13

  2nd day of cruise on the Mekong - Arrival in Luang Prabang

  Departure from Pakbeng at 8:00 for the second day of the cruise. During the journey, a short stop in a village of an ethnic minority where the local rice alcohol, lao-lao, is prepared. This will be an opportunity for you to taste it if you wish, and to enjoy the charm of this village, its temple, and its local artisans. Lunch, consisting of traditional Lao dishes, is served on board. Stop at the famous Pak Ou caves and their thousands of Buddha relics. A local snack accompanied by a Lao drink will be served on board during the afternoon. Arrival in Luang Prabang before sunset. The hotel is comfortable (WC, bathroom with shower, air conditioning, TV, Wifi) and has the particularity of being extremely well located for visiting the whole city and its main sites on foot. Not far from the Mekong and the night market, it is close to all the good restaurants in the city.

• day 14

  Kuang Si Falls waterfalls, visit of the old town, Bamboo Bridge, night market

  The day begins (for those who wish) by attending (or participating in) the offering to the monks. 100 to 200 monks walk down the street in front of the hotel and receive offerings from generous donors. It should be noted that, for those who do not want to go down to the street at this early hour and who have a room with a view of the street, they will see the monks' procession from their terrace. Nevertheless, we recommend going down to witness this very special ceremony up close. The ceremony lasts about thirty minutes, after which everyone can have breakfast on the terrace by the street to start the day. Breakfasts are hearty and can be continental or local (or both). We will leave the hotel at 8 a.m. by van to visit the Kuang Si Falls. The Kuang Si Falls are very beautiful and are a highlight of the Luang Prabang region. For those who wish, it is possible to swim in the falls where the water is pure and crystal clear. Wooden changing rooms are available. On the way to the falls, we pass by the black bear sanctuary. They are protected here in a suitable environment. On the way back from the falls, we will stop at a butterfly farm. Opened only a few years ago, it is the work of a passionate Dutchman who will introduce you to the life of these wonderful insects, from their birth to their death after a short life of 3 weeks… After that, we will have lunch on site before returning to Luang Prabang where we will arrive around 2 p.m. In the afternoon, we will visit the colonial city. Luang Prabang has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which preserves it and allows us to see many traces of its colonial (French) past, from the time when Laos was part of French Indochina. You will notice that in Laos, many signs are still written in both languages (Lao and French). In addition to the architecture reminiscent of the French presence, two things still remind us of France: the bread that can be found everywhere and the national sport, pétanque, with a field present in even the smallest hamlet. While visiting the city, you will also have the opportunity to see many temples, more or less large, but all very beautiful. We will visit the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple, one of the most beautiful in Asia (the entire visit of Luang Prabang is done on foot as everything is close to our hotel). After visiting the temple, we will return to our hotel to rest a bit (for those who wish, others can continue to visit the city) before going around 5 p.m. to the bamboo bridge and crossing it to go to the other side of this branch of the Mekong. We will meet two weaver sisters who work in a small house to create, 100% by hand, silk creations. It should be noted that the bamboo bridge is dismantled every year during the monsoon to be completely rebuilt in the dry season. We will then go to dinner in a restaurant located near the night market before visiting it (a very good place to buy quality souvenirs at attractive prices). The market takes place every evening and stretches for about two km. Stalls are on each side of the street, which is of course pedestrian, with additional stands in the middle, enough to find what you are looking for in a very special atmosphere. The market is located about 400 m from our hotel, so everyone can return whenever they wish.

• day 15

  Nong Khai and visit to Sala Keoku park, meeting with a Thai family

  Departure in the morning at 9am for the airport, where we take our flight to Vientiane at 10:30am. Arrival at 11:20am and, around 2:30pm, at the hotel (time to reach Nongkhai, 25 km away + customs formalities). Lunch at the hotel and free afternoon. The hotel is very pleasant, with its small bungalows and its swimming pool. After the distillery, we will visit the Sala Keoku park. SALA KEOKU, located in Nong Khai, is a sculpture park. It is the work of the mystic Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat (1932-1996), who bought the land in 1978, when he was exiled from his native Laos. Some sculptures are over 20 m high... In a calm environment and never with many tourists, it is a place to see if you are in Nong Khai... We will then go for a refreshment at Teeda's parents' house, where you can discover the local life of the village people. At 5:30pm, we will visit the local market of the village of Changsawang. You will be immersed in authentic Thailand, in a market where there are no tourists (the village of Teeda and her parents). Then, we will have dinner in a restaurant on the banks of the Mekong, where the dishes are delicious and... surprising for some (you'll see, it's a surprise).

• day 16

  Nong Khai, the lotus lake, the market, the rum distillery

  We will leave the hotel at 8am to go see, a few kilometers into the countryside, a magnificent lotus lake (depending on the lotus season, from November to March). The lotuses close during the day, so it is best to arrive early. After the lotus lake, we will visit 2 temples. The 1st is a 100% Thai temple, highly revered in Nong Khai because it was initiated by the King. You can make various offerings or prayers there (even if you are not particularly Buddhist, Teeda will guide you). The 2nd temple is a Chinese temple where the ritual is completely different, and Teeda will also guide you there. For this temple, the offerings (not very expensive... 2.5 euros) are used to provide a decent burial for those who cannot afford one. Around 10:30am, we will visit the Thasadet market. This covered market, located on the banks of the Mekong, is the largest in Nong Khai. The narrowness of its street, with shops on either side, will immerse you in the unique atmosphere of Northern Thailand. You can find everything there: souvenirs, Marseille soap from the 1940s (from stocks in Laos when it was still French), clothes, bags, kitchen utensils, etc., not to mention food, sun-dried buffalo skin, and even real antiques. It is completely different from the big market in Bangkok and much calmer. We will have lunch in a barge restaurant on the Mekong. Very typical and relaxing after visiting the market. At 2pm, we will take our luggage as we will not return to the hotel. We will visit David and Lek's rum distillery. The welcome there is always wonderful and the owners are happy to see visitors (there are very few as this place is little known). The Isaan region has significant sugarcane production, especially west of Nong Khai. What is extraordinary is that this distillery won the 2015 gold medal at the rum fair in Paris, ahead of Caribbean productions. You will be able to taste and appreciate the quality of this agricultural rum. The place is also charming, in the middle of the countryside. After the visit, we will head to Udon Thani airport and, before that, we will visit a small craft market located in a temple. The products are of better quality than what can be found in other markets. We will arrive at the airport around 5:30pm to take our flight to Bangkok at 6:55pm (arrival 7:55pm, so around 9pm at the hotel). We will have dinner at Bangkok airport before going to the hotel, given the late hour.

• day 17

  Transfer to Koh Lanta island.

  We leave the hotel at 9am to take our flight at 11:45am to Krabi. Arrival at 1:05pm. We will then take a van + ferry to reach our hotel in Koh Lanta, where we will arrive around 6pm. We will have lunch at Krabi airport. Dinner at the hotel.

• day 18

  Free day in Koh Lanta

  Free day (beach). Lunch on the beach and free dinner. You are free to do the activities you wish, knowing that we are present at the hotel and can assist you with your excursion bookings, or even accompany you if you wish.

• day 19

  Koh Lanta - Visit of the surrounding islands, snorkeling excursion and discovery

  We are leaving for a tour of the surrounding paradise islands by boat. Departure from the hotel will be around 10am (lunch on the beach included). We will first stop at Railay Beach, one of the most popular beaches in Thailand. The Railay peninsula is surrounded by lush jungle and huge limestone formations, and is known worldwide as the "paradise" for climbers. You will also discover the spectacular Phranang Beach there. We will visit the beautiful and famous Poda Island, a large white sand beach surrounded by limestone rocks where you will enjoy a delicious Thai buffet lunch. Then, departure for Koh Tup, a fabulous white sand beach. This island is connected to Koh Kai (Chicken Island) by sandbanks surrounded by crystal clear water. Next, we will tour around Koh Kai, an incredible rock formation resembling a chicken. Afterwards, we will head to Koh Sii, one of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the region, where you can observe colorful corals and tropical fish. In the late afternoon, we will go to the spectacular and mythical Phranang Beach (with the famous Phranang Cave) for a snack in front of the fabulous sunset. Finally, on the way back, we invite you to share a unique experience: swimming at night in the bioluminescent plankton. Return to Ao Nang around 8pm. Dinner on your own.

• day 20

  Activities and free visits in Koh Lanta

  Activities are free. You can, if you wish, rent a scooter and visit the island (with us if you like), and among other things: See the orchid farm, which is located at Phra Ae Beach, also called Long Beach. It is easily accessible by motorbike or bicycle. Take a trip to the small village of Lanta Old Town, the old town (see on Google Maps "The Royal Old Town" to the east). It used to be the business center of Koh Lanta, as it was the island's only port. Note that, for those who do not want to ride a scooter, we can go there by taxi. Lunches and dinners are free. For diving or snorkeling enthusiasts, everything you need is in Koh Lanta… We will guide you to the best service. You can also visit the mangrove by kayak and the surrounding islands by private longtail boat. Services not included in the trip.

• day 21

  Transfer to Bangkok airport.

  Departure at noon from the hotel to go to Krabi airport. Our flight leaves at 3:30 pm to arrive in Bangkok at 4:55 pm. We will have lunch at the airport. We will accompany you to Bangkok airport, where we say goodbye and hope to see you again soon!