Hidden Islands of Thailand Tour: 14 Days Off the Beaten Path

Small tropical island with sand beach near Koh Yao Noi, Thailand

What to expect on this itinerary

On this exclusive 2-week island-hopping journey, you will travel to exquisite resorts located on castaway shores and cherish the impeccable spotlights of natural wonder and culture that abound from this island paradise. Thailand’s islands are adored for their powdery sands, crystalline seas, and limestone cliffs. Among the garden of coveted, tropical destinations are a collection of rarely visited isles that make for a fabulous off-the-beaten-path escape.

Countries Visited

Thailand

Places Visited

Phuket, Koh Racha Yai, Koh Jum, Ko Mook, Trang, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Similan Islands

Suggested Duration

14 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1 - 2

Phuket – Cruise on a Royal Ship

Upon your arrival, Phuket’s beaches will reveal their beauty, and after you have been provided with time to check-in to your accommodation, you will be transferred to Freedom Beach. Freedom Beach does not often have many visitors, so you should have most of the beach to yourself to relax under the palm trees. On day two, you will rise to the sweltering Thai sun, which will glisten through the tiny gaps in your blinds and invite you on an adventure. Today, you will transfer to a nearby pier, where you will board a Thai junk boat and transfer to Phang Nga Bay. Your exemplary tour of Phang Nga Bay will conclude with a visit of Wat Suwan Khuha, which is a temple within a majestic cave that features dimly-lit chambers and a golden statue of Buddha.

What's Included:

Tour
Accommodation
Transfer
Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast
Day 3

Phuket – Tour the Similan Islands

Day 4

Koh Racha Yai – Snorkel in Coral Reefs

Day 5

Koh Racha Yai – The Island’s Fishing Culture

Day 6

Koh Racha Yai – Scuba Dive with Marine Life

Day 7

Koh Jum – Attune to the Island Lifestyle

Day 8

Koh Jum – Speedboat Tour of Secluded Shores

Day 9

Ko Mook – Premier Thai Spa Therapy

Day 10

Ko Mook – Hat Chao Mai National Park

Day 11 - 12

Koh Tao – Slow-Paced Living

Day 13 - 14

Koh Samui – Architecture and Beaches

Trip Highlights

  • Relax on Phuket’s finest beaches and cruise on a traditional junk boat to the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay
  • Breeze across the Andaman Sea on an exclusive speedboat tour of the fabled Similan Islands
  • Witness marine life that lives among the coral reefs of Koh Racha Yai on a privately guided snorkeling tour
  • Immerse yourself in Thailand’s humble fishing culture with a guided tour of Koh Racha Yai’s most coveted fishing spots
  • Dive into the depths of the Andaman Sea on an expertly led scuba diving tour of reefs that are teeming with marine life
  • Traverse the staggering island of Koh Jum to reveal its whimsical wildlife before gliding across canals that weave through mangroves on kayaks
  • Explore the tropical charm of Koh Jum’s neighboring islands and pristine beaches during an island-hopping excursion
  • Discover the alluring countryside and luscious jungle backdrops that fringe Hat Chao Mai National Park on a guided tour
  • Luxuriate on the pearl-white beaches of Koh Tao and immerse yourself in the exotic culinary culture and talented performance scene
  • Uncover the age-old charm of Koh Samui’s endearing districts as you tour the dynamic streets and their venerated architectural highlights

Detailed Description

Situated on the crest of Panwa stands an esteemed 5-star resort, which will mark the beginning of your off-the-beaten-path island-hopping vacation in Thailand. Although Phuket is a popular destination that many flock to year-round, it will serve as an idyllic starting point for you to settle in to the local culture before continuing to less frequented isles across Thailand. Your stay in Phuket will lead you to the pristine shores of Freedom Beach for an afternoon of tranquility under the tropical sun, and the following day, you will explore the dramatic limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay and the incredible cave-dwelling Buddhist sculptures that can be found among this garden of islands. One final cruise near Phuket will reveal the unspoiled beauty of the Similan archipelago, and you will glide across the glassy water to fabled beaches that flank its greenery.

On the immaculate stretches of sand that circle the coastline of Koh Racha Yai, you will delight in tropical bliss and a peaceful ambiance that blankets the landscape. A few days on Koh Racha Yai will provide you with boundless sightseeing spoils from snorkeling and diving encounters with marine life to immersive tours through the luscious foliage to witness the region’s flora and fauna. Each evening, you will indulge in the succulent flavors of Koh Racha Yai’s famous seafood cuisine in addition to embracing the authentic culinary scene of the market, which will be bursting with cultural character. Your tour will continue to Koh Jum after you have had a few moments of leisure amid the boundless beaches and seascapes in Koh Racha Yai. Koh Jum is a far-flung island that few have the pleasure to visit, and you will luxuriate on its sunny shoreline in the repose of an elite resort. You will have the afternoon to discover the wilderness, and you will be led to the narrow canals that connect the intricate mangroves before partaking in a guided speedboat tour to Koh Jum’s fascinating islands. Today will aim to spotlight the incredible charm that emanates from each unique ecosystem and their reverberating cultural highlights.

Ko Mook is another rarely visited island poised in the Andaman Sea. Sadly, it will be the last island on this side of Thailand that you visit during your island-hopping excursion. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to absorb the slow-paced lifestyle and learn more about the history of the island’s diverse habitats. Here, you will be able to wallow in the serenity of celebrated crescent bays in addition to touring a few venerated heritage sites that are littered across the mainland city of Trang. The following day, you will transfer to an airport on the mainland, where you will board a private jet bound for Koh Tao, which is an idyllic island situated near the renowned Koh Samui. The final stretch of your trip will be dedicated to unwinding in style with first-class amenities and mesmerizing sights. The islands will reveal subtle cultural traditions that may not have been present elsewhere, such as the unique performances showcased by talented local individuals and the unique flavors of the local dishes. By the end of your vacation, your island-hopping adventure will have presented you with a wealth of cherishable moments within an environment that beckons to be explored once again.

Starting Price

$4,200 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

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Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia Vacation Review: Ninh Binh, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Canoe Ride, Food Tour, Vespa Trip, 2 Weeks

Zicasso’s travel specialist and the team were very responsive and helpful throughout the planning process and while on our trip. They made everything easy for us by arranging all transfers, filling out all paperwork for us, and selecting beautiful and high-end choices for every aspect of our travel, from hotel choices to drivers to guides. Everyone was exceptional and professional, and we had no issues. Our trip was stress-free and we felt very supported along the way. We would highly recommend this group for your family trip!

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Thailand Trip Review: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Elephant Sanctuary, Cooking Class, Muay Thai Fight, Food Tour, 12 Days

Zicasso’s travel specialist was a great resource in assisting us plan a trip to Thailand. We decided "last minute" (February) to plan a trip to Thailand in March and although it was a very short timeline, the travel specialist jumped into action and created several possible itineraries. We had a call so he could better understand our goals and with only a few tweaks, we signed off on a 12-day plan and off we went.

He is very personable and has experience living and traveling in the region, so he could speak first-hand on some of the recommendations. He was very thorough in helping us think through all the details; ie., packing, transportation, guides, drivers, money exchange, battery packs, passports, etc., etc. We did have a few questions while we were in Thailand and he was responsive to our queries.

The local guides and drivers in Thailand were all very good and we totally appreciated having that level of support, which was a first for us. It set a new level of travel for my husband and me. We would definitely work with Zicasso and the travel company for future travel. Thanks for the opportunity.

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Thailand, Vietnam Travel Review: Bangkok, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ho Chi Minh City, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Cruise, Elephant Sanctuary, Canoe Ride, 10 Nights

To our travel specialist,

We would like to thank you for putting such an amazing trip together for us.

Your hotel choices were spot-on! We were happy to be by the river in Bangkok.

In Hanoi, our guide was a walking Wikipedia. He adjusted our schedule to a perfect spot to see the train upon my request. The signature cruise on a lovely boat was a highlight of the trip.

Our guide in Ho Chi Minh City was great in communication. She reached out on WhatsApp before our arrival. We enjoyed the Happy Buddha and canoe experience.

The tunnel tour was very disappointing. We seemed very rushed and we listened to other tour guides for information. Lunch was at 10.45am and we arrived at the airport five hours before departure.

Our guide in Bangkok was so compassionate. She taught us about offerings and the lotus. The river location was perfect for us.

Our guide in Chiang Mai was very soft-spoken and gave us a fabulous tour. She wanted us to experience the “northern food!"

The elephant sanctuary you chose was perfect, with just the right amount of time.

In Phuket, we were not picked up by our assigned driver. Our guide was there with a driver. She was helpful in the airport upon our return to Hong Kong.

This was an amazing trip for both of us!

Thank you so much!

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Thailand Tour Review: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Elephant Sanctuary, Local Cuisine, 10-Day Trip

We are beyond pleased with our experience using Zicasso! While planning our trip to Thailand, we provided our dates, interests, and budget, and were presented with two tailored itineraries. We chose this tour operator and are so glad we did!

Our travel specialist was instrumental in perfecting our trip, helping us fine-tune the logistics, from hotels and transportation to excursions, while offering excellent suggestions.

Our journey began in Bangkok with our guide, who was friendly, informative, and a joy to spend time with. We then moved on to Chiang Mai with our guide, who was incredibly sweet and welcoming. It was clear that both guides truly love what they do and were dedicated to ensuring we had a wonderful time!

We finished our trip with a relaxing stay in Krabi. What we appreciated most was the seamless logistics; our guides met us at every airport, handled all transportation, and recommended fantastic local spots to eat. Not having to worry about the details allowed us to truly enjoy the experience. We highly recommend Zicasso and will definitely be using them for our future travels!

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Thailand, Cambodia Travel Review: Krabi, Chiang Mai, Elephant Encounter, 2-Week Trip

Zicasso’s travel specialist and his team were amazing. The guides in four locations were all top-notch, the drivers were all fantastic, and his team was great with communication. The hotels were always top-notch and we loved every minute of the trip. Each time we had a flight, the travel specialist and his team had us checked in and would text me the boarding passes. I will definitely book with them the next time I vacation in Thailand or Cambodia.

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Thailand Tour Review: 10 Nights

I loved the whole experience! Every step of the planning and actual vacation was perfect! Zicasso’s travel company made the whole experience fun. All guides were excellent. I had tons of fun and am looking forward to another vacation with the travel company!

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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