DRY GRAD - THAILAND 2025

DAY 1

Welcome to Bangkok!

As soon as you disembark, an airport representative will meet you at the end of the jet bridge, holding a signboard with your names on it. Accompany the representative to the exclusive fast lane immigration counter where the airport representative will assist you with all immigration and customs documentation. After clearing immigration, our representative will escort you to the baggage claim to collect your luggage and lead you through arrivals hall to meet your guide followed by a transfer to the hotel.

***The regular check-in time is at 14:00; early check-in is NOT included and is subject to availability

DAY 2

08:30 Meet guide at the hotel lobby. Morning drive to Wat Pho - one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, Wat Pho houses the famous 45m (148ft) reclining Buddha as well as the original school of traditional Thai massage. From here, take a tuk-tuk ride via Pak Klong Taland Flower Market towards the spectacular Grand Palace, home to the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha (which is actually made of jade or jasper, rather than emerald). Continue with a walk to the pier for a long-tailed boat ride along the “klongs” (canals) of Thonburi to get a flavour of local life. Stop at Wat Arun, once the grand royal temple to King Rama II. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to Chinatown for a first-hand look at Old Bangkok. Walk along Yaowarat Road with shops selling everything from gold and garments to antiques and musical instruments. Explore the bustling Talad Kao Market where a variety of food, fresh and dry fruits, and Chinese herbs are on offer before returning to your hotel.

NOTES:
Approximate duration: 8.5 hours (1.5 hours of total land transfer; 7 hours of experience). Please note the traffic in Bangkok can be quite unpredictable, especially during rush hours.

For temple visits, it is recommended women wear short/long-sleeved tops with full-length trousers or knee-length skirts and men wear trousers and short/long-sleeved shirts. No sandals or flip-flops allowed
These following clothes are strictly not allowed in Grand Palace: Shorts, mini-skirts, short skirts, tight fitting trousers, and tights; See-through shirts and blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers; Sleeveless shirts or vests; Sandals (without ankle or heel straps); Rolled-up-sleeved shirts; Sweatshirts and sweatpants, wind-cheaters, pajamas and fisherman trousers

Please bring a copy of your passport for security check before entering the palace

DAY 3

06:15       Meet  guide at the hotel lobby. Transfer from your hotel to the airport with guide for flight to Krabi

NOTE:
Approximate duration: 30 – 60 minutes of transfer.

Sunday 20 Jul 2025: Bangkok – Krabi (PG 261 @ 0815-0940, economy class, TOI books)/Transfer to hotel

Upon arrival at Krabi Airport, please proceed to the meeting point in front of exit gate, a bit to the right-hand side (there is only 1 exit gate). Here you will find your guide waiting for your holding the Trails of Indochina signboard with your name on it. 

NOTE:
Pick up point: Meeting point in front of exit gate.

***The regular check-in time is at 14:00; early check-in is NOT included and subject to availability

DAY 4

08:00      Meet guide at the hotel lobby. Depart your hotel and drive to the pier. The journey by speedboat is approx. 45 minutes. The tour program is relying on the weather and tide condition, so we cannot confirm where to stop first or second. However, today we will visit Maya Bay, the most famous beach on Phi Phi Island, Pileh Cove, monkey beach, Viking Cave that was renamed by H.M. King Bhumibhol when he visited the cave in 1972, “Tam Phaya Nak”. ‘Tam Phaya Nak’ means the cave of Naga; the great serpent of Buddhist legend. It is a place much revered by the local people who came here to collect the swift’s nests that were used to make Bird Nest Soup; a Chinese delicacy. Phi Phi Lay Island composes of limestone and steep cliffs rising from the sea. This is a good place for sightseeing, snorkeling and swimming. There are many nice beaches with white sand to visit. Included lunch is served in the local restaurant on Phi Phi Don Island. You can also buy some drinks by yourself and pay direct to the restaurant. After lunch, we will take you to some other nice places for swimming or snorkeling such as Bamboo island, an island with nice white sandy beach. At about 15:30, we will depart from Phi Phi Island for Krabi and then we transfer you back to your hotel to relax.

NOTES:

Approximate duration: 8.5 hours. (30 minutes of transfer per way from hotel in Krabi mainland to Nopparat Thara Pier; 7.5 hours of experience.

Inclusion: Lunch at local restaurant included. Please note the standard of the meal is basic.

Price excludes National Park entrance fee of 400 Thai Baht per person.

DAY 5

09:00 Meet guide at the hotel lobby.  Railay is worldwide famous for a rock- climbing location in Thailand, attracting climbers around the world to it superb towering limestone karst. There are almost 1,000 climbing routes in the area offer climbing adventure for beginner and intermediate. Good point is also that Railay is surrounded by the warm Andaman Sea so the view from the height will be remarkable. The half day climbing course is ideal for beginners as an introduction to rock climbing, who want to get a taste of what rock climbing is. They will learn the basics for top rope climbing, such as how to tie knots, rope security and safety, and climbing techniques to get them started with their climb. These instructions are briefly provided at the beginning of the course and then throughout as needed, as rock climbing is best learned by first-hand experience. Also is good for experienced climbers who are happy to do some fun climbing.

NOTE:

Tour Duration: 3.5 – 4 hours approximate.

DAY 6

Thai Cooking Lesson

Rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 7

07:00 Meet guide at the hotel lobby. Transfer from Krabi to Koh Tao via Lombrayah boat – arrive to Koh Tao at 14:15 pm.

Transfer to hotel -arranged by hotel

DAY 8

08:00    Meet guide at the hotel lobby. You will be picked up from your hotel to Mae Haad pier and get ready before taking boat at the meeting point. Later, heading to Koh Nang Yuan, 1 of 10 most beautiful islands in the world that consists of 3 small islands covered in jungle and connected in the middle by a thin strip of white sandbar. This topography provides a unique beach during low tide and becomes completely submerged at high tide. Koh Nang Yuan is surrounded by gorgeous corals and lots of sea life where you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling.

Relax on the island and hike up the mountain to the viewpoint on the South of the island. Absolutely, you will get very nice photo shoots with the blue sea and the blue sky as the fabulous background together with the unique strip of white sandbar in between the 3 islands.

After lunch, we head to Mango Bay or Light House bay or Hin Wong Bay, one of the most popular bays on Koh Tao to experience the best part of this wonderful island for snorkeling with several underwear pinnacles covered in fertile coral, anemones and great schools of sardines being chased by hungry trevally in water. We make the last stop at your stunning through the “Shark point” where it be able to see the blacktip sharks swimming around (depends on your luck), then cruise back to Koh Tao and transfer back to your hotel. 

Note: The snorkeling spots can be changed without prior notice, depending on weather and sea conditions

Tour approx 5 hours.

DAY 9

14:00 Transfer from hotel in Koh Tao to pier and transfer from pier to resort in Koh Samui (private car, join-in catamaran)

Time Schedule of ferry: 17:00, arrive pier Koh Samui at 19:30

Transfer to hotel in Koh Samui

DAY 10

07:00 Meet guide at the hotel lobby and transfer to the airport for flight to Chiang Mai.

Koh Samui – Chiang Mai  - PG 241 @ 0855-1040, economy class

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai Airport, either Domestic arrival or International arrival, please proceed to the Information Booth (AOT). Here you will find your guide waiting for your holding the Trails of Indochina signboard with your name on it.

We will explore Chiang Mai by e-bike in the afternoon with a night kayak Tour on the Ping River to City Center where we will see Chiang Mai illuminated by night!  Beautiful 

***The regular check-in time is at 14:00; early check-in is NOT included and subject to availability

DAY 11

The Elephant Sanctuary is 60 km from Chaing Mai and they will pick up the kids at 9 am from our hotel.

Any parents that have joined on the journey will make their own way to the Chiang Mai airport for their flight home.

DAY 12

After breakfast at 7am, you will prepare the elephants food before giving it to the animals. Volunteers can witness the herd bathe together in the river amid the surrounds of their natural habitat. You will participate in any number of activities, from assisting with the bathing site to cutting food and plantations to general maintenance tasks. No two days will be the same as volunteers gain an appreciation and a greater understanding of the animals and the challenges they face in Thailand. Dinner is served at 6pm as the day ends.

Free time is provided before and after lunch and dinner. This personal time can be spent socialising, getting a Thai massage, walking dogs, river tubing, etc. Or more simply, watching elephants wander freely on the property. A village with a small convenience store and a food market is located just outside the front gate. 

DAY 13

We home you are posting pictures of this amazing experience!

DAY 14

Have you decided which one to adopt yet?

DAY 15

Keep on making a difference!

DAY 16

Last day with the elephants

DAY 17

The Sanctuary will drop the kids off at the Chaing Mai airport for their flight home.  They will ensure the kids are checked in and see them to security where they will navigate their own way to the gate for their international flight home.  100% independent!