Journey to the Gulf of Thailand

Arrival in Bangkok by flight ___ to___ (flight managed by you). "We start our descent to Bangkok. Please return to your seat and fasten your seat belt", announces the chief cabin attendant. In less than 30 minutes, your plane will land in Bangkok, the "City of Angels" and capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. When you leave the plane, you will be greeted by a privileged welcome: assistance and a porter will be waiting for you with a personalized sign. At the exit of the airport, you will be directed to your private vehicle for a transfer to the hotel. As the urban landscape unfolds before your eyes, you will feel the first sensations of the "Land of smiles", as Thailand is nicknamed. Room available from 14:00. Dinner at leisure and night at the hotel.

• 9:30 am Departure from the hotel by cab to Saphan Taksin pier. • 10:00 am Taxi boat trip to Pra Athit district. • 11:00 am Electric scooter ride to visit hidden places and locals • 12:30 pm Lunch at Leisure • 1:30 pm Visit of Wat Phra Kaew, temple of the Emerald Buddha • 3:00 pm Visit of Wat pho and his Buddha lying 45 meters high. • 4:00 pm Visit of the flower market • 5:00 pm Walking tour in China Town • 6:30 pm Return to the hotel by minivan • Dinner at leisure For this first day of discovery of the City of Angels (the name of Bangkok in Thai), what better way to immerse yourself in the hectic life of the Angels City than to use public transportation as millions of Bangkokians do every morning? After a short cab ride, you will take the popular cab boats up the Chao Praya River to the Royal Palace, then a tuk-tuk will take you to the meeting place to discover by electric scooter the best kept secrets of the historic district. An original experience that will take you where few tourists can get to, closer to the communities that live in narrow and sometimes hidden streets. An easy ride accessible to all, with the liking of encounters and unusual places - here a small canal, there an improbable mural fresco, they’re again a retro café... Effect of surprise and smiles guaranteed, Bangkokians are not yet used to this new way of riding! Lunch at leisure in a small local restaurant in the neighborhood. After lunch, you will then take tuk-tuk to the the Grand Palace to visit the main temples, including the temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) and Wat Pho, which has an impressive 45 meters long reclining Buddha. You can (optional) try a traditional foot massage of 30 min. This vibrant capital city will continue to surprise you. After a stop at Pak Khlong Talad, the famous flower market, you will continue your stroll in Yaowarat, Bangkok's historic Chinatown, where you will get lost in its narrow shopping streets with small, well hidden Chinese temples.

7:30 am Departure from your hotel to Mahachai 9:00 am Visit of the fish market 9:30 am Crossing the small city of Thachalum by rickshaw 10:10 a.m. Local train to Mae Klong 11:10 am Visit of the railway market 12:15 pm Seafood lunch at leisure 2:00 pm Rest or activities on site (optional) 2:30 pm Activities at leisure 5:00 pm Departure by boat to discover the Amphawa market (from Fri to Sun only) 7:00 pm Dinner at leisure on site 8:30 pm Return to the hotel by minivan After exiting the Southern Highway, the minivan branches off to Mahachai before parking near the town hall. This fishing port is known for its large fish and shellfish market, very lively in the morning. The local specialty: squid and octopus. They are eaten in salad, grilled or even dried. You will take the ferry reserved for pedestrians and motorcycles to cross the Tachin River to Thachalum. A small village as we like it, so close to the big megalopolis and so close to the provincial life, where time passes more slowly. Rickshaws will take you directly to the small cultural center that traces the life of the community and the local legends and customs. A little further on, at the bend of an alley, stands a temple. Among many others? No! This one is unique. Entirely made of wood and gilding, it is quite simply a jewel of architecture of a well-hidden period. The rickshaw ride stops a few meters further, at the tiny station of Ban Laem. The train, a bit old-fashioned, open to the wind, is about to leave for an hour ride through the salt marshes landscapes where white egrets and other waders come to feed. Mae Klong is in sight, the convoy arrives at its terminus by crossing a market where the stalls are immediately arranged to let the locomotive pass before being unpacked again. Tourists are numerous to observe this unusual ballet! On the riverside, just a short distance away from the small trawlers glued together, you will be invited to taste the fish and seafood dishes.

• 9:00 Departure from the hotel • 10:15 am Visit of the Tham Khao Luang Cave • 11:00 am Departure for Hua Hin • 12:30 pm Lunch at leisure in Hua Hin • 2:00 pm Check-in to your hotel • Dinner at leisure Departure from the hotel to Petchaburi. Stop for a visit of the Tham Khao Luang cave. It consists of several caverns filled with beautifully illuminated golden Buddha images, several chedis and a large number of stalactites hanging from the ceiling. Hua Hin, the chic destination of the Gulf of Thailand at 2h30 from the capital, hosts the summer palace of the royal family, where Rama IX, the father of the current king, appreciated to come and rest. Its a long beach lined with hotels and houses with direct access to the sea, its charming downtown and its pedestrian night market make it a popular destination for Bangkokians and tourists. Lunch break on the seafront at the stilt-restaurant "La Terrasse". After lunch transfer to your hotel for check-in. Rest of afternoon and meals at leisure. Night at the hotel.

8:30 am Departure from the hotel 9.00 am Visit to the Pranburi Forest Park 10:00 am Excursion to the cave of Phraya Nakorn 12:00 pm Lunch at leisure 1:00 pm Departure to Bang Saphan (148 km, 2h drive) 3:00 pm Check-in to your hotel Dinner at leisure. Departure for the visit of Pranburi Forest Park, a nice walk on a wooden bridge of 1km which goes into the mangrove forest and allows to observe the wildlife more closely. Some 30 km further south, the Sam Roi Yot Marine National Park ("park of the 300 summits"), is made up of numerous limestone formations, mangrove swamps and beaches. The program includes a boat trip to a typical fishing village located on the beach of Laem Sala. An ascent on foot (average difficulty, 30 min) from the beach allows to reach the Cave of Phraya Nakorn where stands an impressive pavilion bathed by a halo of almost supernatural light. Descent to the beach (30 min) to have your lunch (at leisure) at the restaurant run by the National Park. Return to your vehicle by boat and departure for Bang Saphan. Upon arrival check-in to your hotel. Rest of afternoon and evening at leisure. Dinner on your own. Night at the hotel.

• 9:00 am Departure by speedboat to Koh Talu Island • 12:00 pm Lunch at leisure • 1:00 pm Departure for Chumpon • 3:30 pm Check-into your hotel • Dinner at leisure Koh Talu is a magnificent case delicately placed off the coast of Bang Saphan. This private island is bathed in crystal clear waters where coral reefs outcrop at the surface, inviting for snorkeling. Return to the mainland, lunch at leisure and road to Chumpon. Upon arrival, check-into your hotel. Rest of afternoon and evening at leisure. Dinner on your own. Night at the hotel.

- 1:00 pm Boat transfer to Koh Tao Island (1h45 crossing) - 3:00 pm Check-into your hotel - Meals at leisure Morning at leisure. Departure from the hotel after lunch (at leisure) to Chumpon to board the catamaran-ferry to Koh Tao, the “turtle island”, famous for its crazy charm, its animation, its small paradisiacal creeks and its shallow seabed, ideal to learn how to dive. Disembarkation and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day and meals at leisure. Night at the hotel.

Day and meals at leisure. Night at the hotel.

According to the schedule, transfer from your hotel to the pier for a catamaran-ferry crossing to Koh Samui (2h). Rarely a Thai island will have concentrated so many assets: white sandy beaches, coconut trees as far as the eye can see, lively seaside resorts and nightlife, hotels verging on excellence, many sea excursions (including the Anthong Marine National Park) and inland hiking (jungle, elephants, waterfalls ...). Disembarkation and transfer to your hotel.

Day and meals at leisure. Night at the hotel.

Day and meals at leisure Night at the hotel.

According to the flight schedule, private transfer to Samui airport.