Thailand island hopping holiday through paradise

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Bangkok
• 4 nights Koh Yao Yoi
• 3 nights Koh Lanta
• 2 nights Koh Ngai
• 2 nights Koh Mook

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, 4* hotel        

Day 4: Fly to Phuket, boat to Koh Yao Yai

After breakfast, you will be met and driven back to the airport to take a short flight down to Phuket, where your island-hopping adventure will begin. Here you will be met at the airport and taken straight to the main pier in Phuket, before taking a short speedboat journey to your resort on Koh Yao Yai. Settle into your hotel, where you will check in for four nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, ferry, 4* hotel     

Days 5 - 7: Koh Yao Yoi      

Nestled in the stunning landscape of Phang Nha Bay, Koh Yao Yai is a large island that sits next to it’s sister island Koh Yao Noi (‘Noi’ means north and ‘Yai’ means south). If you’re looking for a relaxing escape, then this island is perfect for you – it is still relatively undeveloped, with quiet beaches, mangrove forests bursting with life and swaying coconut plantations.

While the many pretty beaches are a huge draw, we also really recommend spending a day exploring the local villages – many of the locals are Muslim, and the serene call to prayer sings through the air from mosques around the island. Laem Had Beach is one of our favourites – with a pure white sand bank jutting out into the clear water, this is the island that you’ve been dreaming about.

On Day 6, we’ve included a day tour of Phang Nha Bay. Spend the day in paradise, taking in the turquoise waters and karst peaks of Panak and Hong Islands, exploring the spectacular sea caves by canoe. Experienced guides paddle the canoe silently into the dark cave and enter a lagoon surrounded by tropical rainforest and limestone walls. You’ll find monkeys and hornbills in the lush mangrove forests. Sail past the famous James Bond Island, where ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ was filmed. You’ll stop for lunch at Panyee Island, a floating village built on the sea – learning about how this community survives in the middle of the bay while you eat.

Included: Breakfast, Phang Nha Bay tour on Day 6, 4* hotel       

Day 8: Boat to Koh Lanta

After breakfast, you’ll be taken back to the pier for the short boat journey to Koh Lanta. On arrival, you’ll be taken to your hotel and check in for three nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, ferry, 4* hotel   

Days 9 - 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.                   

Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel     

Day 10: Boat to Koh Ngai

This morning you will enjoy your breakfast before being taken by boat to Koh Ngai, where you will check in for two nights.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, ferry, 3* hotel     

Day 11: Koh Ngai

Koh Ngai is a low yet island, undiscovered compared to many of the more popular Thai islands. With a few beautiful beaches, a lush inland forest and no cars or motorbikes on the island, it will certainly lull you into a peaceful mood as soon as you arrive. Warm and calm seas surround the island making it perfect for kayaking and snorkelling – you can paddle out to the tiny islands of Ko Maa and Ko Waen just off shore. The pretty island of Koh Rok is also not far away, an easy longtail boat ride across the turquoise waters. Really your time here will be about relaxing in the serene atmosphere and lush beauty of the island.

Included: Breakfast, 3* hotel     

Day 12: Boat to Koh Mook

After breakfast, you’ll hop onto a speedboat for the short journey to Koh Mook, a neighbouring island. On arrival, you’ll check into your hotel for two nights.           

Included: Breakfast, transfers, ferry, 3* hotel     

Day 13: Koh Mook  

Koh is a relatively large island with a mountainous west coast and swathes of white sand beaches to the east. It has stayed under the tourist radar and still only holds a handful of resorts and guesthouses, so the beaches here are peaceful and relaxing. Spend your time simply relaxing on the spectacular beaches or exploring the island. A trip to Emerald Cave is a must – make sure you get there early before day-trippers arrive. Head to Charlie’s Beach to enjoy a drink on the sand while watching the sun sink into the ocean.

You’ll be staying at Sivalai Beach Resort, a lovely little hotel set on the perfect white sands of Koh Mook. Surrounded by palm trees, with pretty villas and fresh seafood – if you are looking for paradise then look no further.

Included: Breakfast, 4* hotel     

Day 14: Depart Thailand

After breakfast, you’ll take a speedboat back to Krabi, before being met at the pier and driven to Krabi Airport in time for your flight home.      

Included: Breakfast, speedboat transfers, transfers, international flights             

Day 15: Arrive UK