Private tour for your family in Thailand. Suitable all year around and fantastic for the UK summer months, the beach part is on the eastern side of Thailand on the beautiful island of Ko Samed which has a micro-climate. This itinerary is 'Tell Tale Travel light', less immersive than our other trips and accommodation in hotels only (this particular itinerary does not include any stays in private homes), but still with richer experiences than a typical holiday to Thailand. There are no internal flights on this tour.
This two-week family holiday starts with a few days in Bangkok where you can explore the main sights at a leisurely pace and have a private boat trip along the Chao Praya river to see life along the water and the spectacular royal barges. Then it's off west to Kanachanaburi where you will visit the famous Erawan waterfalls and relax by the famous river Kwae as well as spend a day getting up close and personal to elephants. Chop chop, you'll see what we mean when you're there! Then you'll be driven east to Khao Yai, the UNESCO protected wildlife reserve and you'll round off your trip relaxing on the island of Ko Samed in a boutique beach resort.
Day 1 (usually Saturday) Direct overnight flight from London Heathrow to Bangkok by Eva Air or Thai Airways. It is also possible to fly from UK regional airports, please ask us about flight options. It is also possible to book this holiday without flights.
Day 2 Afternoon arrival at Bangkok airport where you will be met and driven in a private car/minivan (depending on the size of your family) to the charming and intimate Aurum inn. It is right on the riverside and you can settle into your rooms and enjoy a sunset view of Wat Arun from the riverbank. This evening, we will arrange for you to be taken across the river on an antique wooden boat so you can have dinner at Supatra River House.
Day 3 B (breakfast included)
A leisurely start. One of our expert guides will pick you up and take you on a private boat trip along the Chao Praya River and the klongs (canals). This offers a fascinating insight into lives of a section of Bangkok's diverse society and you'll also be taken to see the glittering royal barges, an unusual favourite with children. This day can be taken at your own pace and if you have any particular interests, let us know in advance or tell our guide on the day (look at your Tell Tale pack for ideas) and he/she will customise it to suit your family.
Day 4 B Your guide will pick you up and take you to see the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Again, this day can be paced/customised for your family. You'll have time to relax in the late afternoon. In the evening, your driver will take you around Bangkok (choose where you want to go from the maps and tips in your Tell Tale pack).
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Day 5 B L Time to pack up. You'll be taken on the three-hour drive to Kanchanaburi to the west. On your way, you'll have a bit of family fun. An informal cookery lesson with one of our friends, always a highlight for children of all ages. You'll learn how to make that famous Thai fast food, Pad Thai, a noodle-based dish which will be easy to recreate when you get home. It's not very spicy and is a great way for fussy eaters to become more experimental! After enjoying your efforts for lunch, you'll head off to the famous Bridge of the River Khwae (known internationally as 'Kwai') and the Allied Prisoners of War cemetery. Both stops are optional. Arrival at a small charming boutique inn, settle into your rooms and enjoy the pool!
Day 6 B L A day your family will be talking about for years. You'll get up close and personal to elephants at a sanctuary, Elephant World. This is a very special place and a world apart from touristy elephant rides. This is a join-in day.This evening you'll have time to shower and change before you're driven to Kanchanaburi town to have dinner at a restaurant of your choice.
Day 7 B Today, you are visiting Erawan Waterfalls with a private guide. There are 7 tiers, home to emerald-green ponds and wildlife including monkeys and birds. If you're active, start by trekking to the higher levels and making your way down. Or if you have younger children, you can take your time to walk up a couple of tiers for a swim.
On the way (when possible), you'll visit a special martial arts school, a small family run initiative to keep ancient traditions such as sword fighting alive for local children. This is often possible, but not always, the school sometimes closes and/or travels to other parts of Thailand to give demonstrations.
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Day 8 B It's time to pack up and leave Kanchanaburi. You'll be driven east to near Khao Yai, (which means big mountain) and is home to a vast nature reserve, a UNESCO heritage site. A bit of time to settle in at a nature resort before an evening visit to a local night market in nearby Pak Chong. You're in the southern part of Isan (Thailand's rural north east) which has some interesting local delicacies..
Day 9 B Morning to relax by the pool or enjoy the gardens. In the late afternoon, one of our guides will take you to visit the area near Khao Yai's 'bat cave' to watch millions of bats swarm out into the night sky. We recommend eating dinner at a local restaurant tonight, but you can have dinner at your accommodation if you prefer.
Day 10 B Our guide will take you for a trek and 'safari' around the nature trails of Khao Yai national park and wildlife safari. Chattering monkeys, colourful birds, wild elephants and more, including famous waterfalls which were a backdrop in The Beach. You will also drive to the top of the mountain for spectacular views.
Day 11 B You will be driven south to the coast where you will take a boat to Ko Samed, a beautiful island, fringed with palm trees. The island is on the eastern side of Thailand (a particularly good choice in the UK summer months when the western side can be rainy) and this tiny island has a micro-climate which makes the weather even better than on the larger eastern islands. Arrival at Mooban Talay, at the north of the island, in the quietest area, on the beach, with the jungly national park behind.
This resort is for nature lovers and laidback in style and suits most Tell Tale travellers. On this trip, it is also possible for you to stay elsewhere on Ko Samet, on a busier beach/more conventionally-luxurious resorts, if that suits you more at this point of your trip. |
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Day 12 B Day at leisure to enjoy the beautiful beach at Mooban Talay or have a dip in the small pool.
Day 13 B Day at leisure. If you'd like to go snorkelling, you can arrange a private boat trip at the resort when you arrive or you can ask us to book it in advance.
Day 14 B Day at leisure.
Day 15 (will be Saturday if Day 1 was Saturday) B This morning, you'll take a short boat ride to the mainland then have a car/minivan transfer to Bangkok airport for your international flight back at lunchtime, arriving at London Heathrow at approximately 7pm UK time (same day, will be a Saturday if you start your tour on a Saturday).
This 15 day private family holiday in Thailand costs from £1,840 per person, discounted to £1,768 for 12-15 year olds and £1,380 for under 12s. Prices include scheduled flights from the UK, accommodation, activities/excursions, private transport and some meals. Prices apply most of the year including Easter and half terms, subject to flight seat availability, early booking is advised. Summer travel will be subject to extra costs (the trip would cost from £2,000 per adult, £1,922 for 12-15 year olds and £1,500 per child under 12) and Christmas is peak, please contact us for a quote and note early booking is advised (for Christmas, 11 months or more beforehand).
Excluding flights, this family holiday costs £1,240 per person and £930 per child under 12 except at Christmas (please contact us with details of your family for a quote). Please allow approximately £50 per person for entrance fees payable on the ground.