Thailand beach holiday: Phuket, Krabi & Koh Lanta

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Bangkok
• 3 nights Phuket
• 4 nights Koh Lanta
• 3 nights Railay Bay, Krabi

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Bangkok

On arrival in Bangkok, you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel where you will check-in for two nights.

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel     

Day 3: Bangkok

After an early start, you’ll head to Bangkok’s most famous temple, Wat Pho, for a half-day tour. In the mornings the monks begin their ritual of chanting, an uplifting and private experience within the temple grounds before marvelling at the 45-metre-long Reclining Buddha, with intricate mother of pearl feet and stunning golden skin.

Next, you’ll explore the Grand Palace, where the majestic buildings are encrusted with golden tiles and ruby mosaics, with spiky roofs pointing into the sky. Here you’ll enter the holy sanctuary of the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in the country, where many local people come every day to worship.

The afternoon is yours to explore the city at your leisure. Why not take a stroll through Chinatown, where you can visit interesting fabric and homewares shops, or take the boat along the river and soak up the pace of local life? In the evening, why not head into Silom to explore the night market and enjoy a traditional Thai meal of garlic rice, som tam and the famous green curry.

Included: Breakfast, morning tour, 5* hotel        

Day 4: Fly to Phuket

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven back to the airport for the short flight south to Phuket. On arrival, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel, check in for three nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, 5* hotel                

Days 5 & 6: Phuket 

The next few days are free for you to spend as you choose. You’ll be staying at The Slate Hotel, right on the beach so you’ll be able to spend most of your time relaxing on the sands or snorkelling in the warm water. If you do fancy straying from the comfort of your hotel, why not hop in a taxi down to one of the busy beaches for a dinner of fresh seafood under the stars?

On Day 5, we’ve included a boat tour of the surrounding islands. You’ll be picked up at 8am and head off to discover the quiet and natural beauty of southern Thailand. Travel by speedboat across the Andaman Sea to the six scenic Phi Phi islands. The journey to Phi Phi takes around 45 minutes, jetting past spectacular limestone karsts that jut from the blue seas. Sit back and relax while you sail past Maya Bay, famous for the setting of the Hollywood film ‘The Beach’.

Continuing around the islands, you’ll visit Phi Phi Lay Cove and Monkey Beach, with wide stretches of sand with swaying palm trees and colourful fish filling the water. During the day you’ll enjoy lunch at Tonsei Bay before spending the afternoon cruising around Bamboo Island, leaping from the boat to snorkel in the Andaman Sea.

Included: Breakfast, Phi Phi Islands day tour, 5* hotel                   

Day 7: Boat to Koh Lanta

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the pier to catch a ferry to Koh Lanta. On arrival, you’ll be driven to your hotel and check in for four nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, ferry, 5* hotel     

Days 8 - 10: Koh Lanta

Spend your days enjoying one of Thailand’s unspoilt and laid-back islands. Whilst the nightlife here is quiet, the days are endlessly filled with delight. Taste delicious fresh seafood and spicy southern Thai cuisine at one of the many rustic beachfront bars located along the beach, or simply lie in a hammock with a book and smoothie in hand. You could hire a moped to get between the beaches and explore the old town, not to mention the island’s fantastic diving and snorkelling opportunities.

You’ll be staying at Pimilai Resort, a spectacular hotel with nearly a kilometre of beachfront, set amongst a lush forest with wonderful views over the bay. Looking west, the hotel is blessed with vibrant sunsets, particularly beautiful from the Seven Seas restaurant looking over the water. Spend your time relaxing by the infinity pool, enjoying yoga classes or paddleboarding on the calm waters. We can even book a private dinner on the beach under the stars.                              

Included: Breakfast, 5* hotel     

Day 11: Boat to Krabi

Today, you’ll enjoy your final breakfast in Koh Lanta before being driven north to Krabi and hopping on a private longtail boat to the Rayavadee Hotel in Railay Bay. Here, you’ll check-in for three nights.                

Included: Breakfast, transfers, 5* hotel                 

Days 12 - 13: Railay Bay

The huge karst cliffs and turquoise waters of Railay Bay have been tempting visitors to these shores for years. It’s such a beautiful place to spend time – the tall mountains that surround three sides of the bay bring a secret, hidden cove feel to the beach, which is technically part of the mainland but can only be reached by boat. There is plenty to do without leaving the bay – you could rock climb up the sheer cliffs in Tonsai Beach, watch the monkeys playing on the sand at Phra Nang Beach or simply stroll along the golden sands in front of the hotel.

You’ll be staying at the Rayavadee, a fabulously luxurious hotel right on the sand. The beachfront swimming pool is a thing of beauty, reflecting the lush peaks that surround the hotel in the shimmering water. The rooms are actually whole pavilions, with a breezy upstairs bedroom and a peaceful living area downstairs, some with private pools in the surrounding gardens. Spend each night dining in one of the four excellent restaurants – our favourite is the Grotto, which is tucked into a cliffside cave with views out to the ocean.

Included: Breakfast, 5* hotel     

Day 14: Depart Thailand

After breakfast, you’ll be met and taken by longtails boat back to Krabi Pier, before being driven to the airport in time for your flight home.      

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights        

Day 15: Arrive UK