Product Description
Highlights
On this cruise, the ocean is your swimming pool. The warm waters of the Andaman Sea are a dream to wake up to each day.. Meet the Moken people, a seafaring ethnic group of Austronesian origin who still mostly live a semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer life, despite Thai and Burmese attempts to assimilate them into wider culture.. Get unrivalled access to snorkelling spots around the Andaman islands from your comfortable small ship, perfect for accessing small coves and beaches.. Enjoy the laidback nightlife of Khao Lak. This area has not adopted the seedier side of Thai tourism, so it’s great chance to spend a night out without hassle.
Overview
The beauty of Southern Thailand is no secret, but this 9-day tour proves there is always more to discover. Find out for yourself on a nine-day Adventure Cruise that takes in some of the most spectacular little islands off the west coast. Ko Phayam, Surin Tai and Khao Lak offer all the hallmarks of Thailand’s idyllic south – the aqua Andaman Sea, white sands and limestone oddities – without the hustle of mainland Phuket. Eat with locals in small villages, explore jungle and boulder-studded shorelines and swim and snorkel the afternoons away.
Breakfast Included: 8 Lunches Included: 5 Dinner Included: 7
Phuket
Welcome to Phuket! On arrival at the airport, enjoy an included transfer to your accommodation for tonight. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on day 1. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. After the meeting, perhaps share a cocktail with your group or taking a dip at the ocean. Enjoy the night life of this lively beach area or enjoy a quiet meal under the tropical stars. The choice is yours.
Embarkation in Phuket
In the morning you will check out of your hotel and travel in a private mini van to Phuket Old Town. On the way you will stop at Khao Rang mountain peak for a view of Phuket. This is a great spot to try a local coffee and take a few photos. Arrive in Phuket Old town and spend some time walking through the streets to experience the Chino-Portuguese Architecture. Lunch will be at your own expense and your tour leader can suggest some authentic Southern Thai Food restaurants for you. After lunch you will travel in the private mini van to Panwa Deep Sea port to start your cruise. A welcome meeting and safety briefing will be provided on board, setting sail at approximately 5pm. Enjoy dinner enroute to Khao Lai, taking in one of your first sunsets for the week.
Khao Lak
Disembark in the morning for a day on the island. Choose whether to join in an optional excursion to the Sai Rung (rainbow) Waterfall for a swim in the freshwater pool that forms under the cascade. If you’d prefer, of course, you can always stretch out and relax on one of the island’s beaches. Later, make a poignant trip to the Ban Nam Khem memorial, which remembers those who lost their lives in the 2004 tsunami. The rest of the day will be spent on Bangsak Beach, a beautiful stretch of sandy shoreline.
Mu Koh Kam
Travel by longtail boat to Baan Talay Nok village. Enjoy a locally-guided tour around the village, which was actually destroyed by 2004 tsunami and subsequently rebuilt. You'll hear some eye-opening stories of survival and how the village has recovered. For lunch, sit down with some local families and dine on tasty dishes. Try your hand not only at soap-making but also at some cooking, preparing a local dish of grilled coconut wrapped in banana leaf. Tonight, enjoy dinner under the stars at anchor near Mu Koh Kam.
Mu Koh Kam
Enjoy a day of activities on and around the rarely visited Ka Islands, so untouched they bring to mind Castaway or the adventures of the Swiss Family Robinson. Enjoy an indulgent beach barbecue for lunch. Tonight, sail to Koh Phayam. Overnight at sea.
Ko Phayam
Arrive nice and early in Ko Phayam, the second-largest Thai island in the Andaman Sea. Enjoy a day of swimming, snorkelling and another beach barbecue. Overnight at anchor.
Ko Surin Tai
Sail to Ko Surin Tai in the morning for a Moken village tour. Spend some time learning about the traditions and culture of the Moken people, a seafaring ethnic group of Austronesian origin who still mostly live a seminomadic hunter-gatherer life (despite Thai and Burmese attempts to assimilate them into the wider culture). Notice their colourful poles, known as labong, which represent their ancestors. Lunch is included so you can enjoy some local cuisine in a fascinating setting. In the afternoon, enjoy some snorkelling and relax on the beach. Spend the night at anchor.
Ko Surin Tai
Enjoy another day basking in the beauty of Surin Tai. This is one of the best spots for snorkelling on this trip. Choose to explore this beautiful underwater ecosystem on an optional snorkelling day trip, or simply enjoy the beautiful beaches and make use of all the equipment on-board the vessel. Lunch today will be a beach picnic. As the sun goes down, return to the vessel for a captain’s dinner, where you can toast to the journey. Sail south towards Phuket.
Disembark in Phuket
Arrive in Phuket early in the morning and disembark after breakfast as the adventure comes to an end.
