Expedition to Thailand to Bangkok, Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands

In Thailand, the markets are strange...

Markets being one of the most characteristic places in this city and in Thailand in general, we arrived this morning at the Railway Market, a market literally bisected by the railway tracks. When the train arrives, the vendors simply move their wares and the awnings that provide shade – the train passes and everything returns to normal!

After watching the train laden with all kinds of food pass by, if we have enough time, we'll head to the klongs, which are simply the canals once used for transporting goods and people, as well as for hosting veritable floating markets. Aboard the typical longtail boats, we'll discover another side of Bangkok, nicknamed the "Venice of Asia."

Caves and street food

After a quick lunch, it's time to hit the road again and say goodbye to Bangkok. If time allows, we'll head to Phetchaburi City.

The goal is clear: after the chaos of the capital, a little peace is well-deserved. And what better place than the Tham Khao Luang cave for that? Inside, a Buddhist sanctuary bathed in sunlight filtering through the ceiling makes the place even more magical. It's also an opportunity for a first encounter with the famous little monkeys often seen in these parts of Thailand. Are they friendly?

Last stop of the day: at dinnertime, head to Hua Hin, where the night market awaits with its local specialties. Will there be fried grasshoppers? But more importantly: will you dare to try them?

Beach or hiking?

Perhaps it wasn't obvious last night, but yes: the sea is here! This morning, we have two options: relax on the beach (and frankly, it's tempting) or put on sneakers and go hiking to discover a new cave – because apparently, it has become a passion.

Next stop: Sam Roi Yot Cave! Like yesterday's cave, it hides a fissure that lets in the sunlight, creating an absolutely magical natural spectacle. Photos are a must, then we'll head back the way we came. And if the timing is right, why not take a stroll along the coast before lunch?

And what about the elephants?

This day of total immersion in Thai nature continues with a visit to Kui Buri National Park, one of the main centers for the conservation of protected species in the country – including the Asian elephant.

Let the adventure begin: a safari in the heart of nature! In addition to elephants, we might be lucky enough to spot tigers, black panthers, Asiatic black bears, tapirs, or even deer. Our only mission: keep your eyes peeled and don't miss a thing.

Once the safari is over (with, we hope, plenty of incredible sightings), it's time to hit the road again. With a packed dinner in hand, we head towards Chumphon, where we'll spend the night.

Important info: between September and October, the park is closed, but don't panic, we already have some alternatives in stock!

Kui Buri National Park will be closed between September and October. Alternatively, each group can choose between two excursions (also shared): a visit to Sai Cave or a trek to Huai Yang. Elephants are the primary wildlife sightings in these areas.

We've arrived in paradise

Ready to go to paradise? This morning, we're heading to Khao Sok , an incredible national park where mysterious caves and lush rainforests intertwine with the Sok River and its tributaries.

Here we enter the largest nature reserve in Thailand , a true sanctuary for large mammals : Indian bison, wild boars, Asian bears, elephants… and of course, monkeys! It is also the kingdom of the very rare Rafflesia Kerrii , known as the largest flower in the world .

Once settled in, it's time to relax and fully immerse yourself in this unspoiled nature: plunge into the river for a refreshing moment or stroll along the bank … It's up to you to choose how to enjoy this corner of paradise!

Forest and elephants

Surrounded by lush greenery , today is the perfect opportunity to meet Thai elephants . An unforgettable moment: you can feed them, play in the mud with their babies, and even bathe with them in the river .

All this with total respect for their well-being , for an experience that will remain etched in their memory forever .

Included: accommodation with breakfast, minivan with driver, elephant bath, local English-speaking guide

Common fund: entries and activities

Not included: meals and drinks

We reach the lake

After waking up surrounded by nature, a delicious breakfast awaits us – surely featuring luscious tropical fruits. Then, a morning spent by the river: enjoying the peace and fresh air while drifting along with the current.

But there was no question of stopping there! After drying off and changing, we headed to the second structure that would welcome us in the park – and this time, it was magnificent. A van quickly whisked us away to a true natural gem: Cheow Lan Lake, which overlooks the entire Khao Sok National Park.

A special evening

Have you ever slept on a houseboat? Tonight, we're off to a floating village – a structure that sits directly on the water! Settle into your bungalows, then enjoy an unforgettable dinner in this unique setting. With a bit of luck, the sunset over the lake will be breathtaking!

And to make this evening even more special, we're off on a boat trip: gliding on calm waters under a starry sky promises a magical moment, undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. We'll make the most of it before returning to the floating bungalows for an unusual night on the water.

On the road to Krabi

After a night on the water, we unfortunately have to say goodbye to the paradise that has welcomed us for the past two days and return to land: we take a minivan from Khao Sok to Krabi. We enjoy the journey – perhaps even taking a nap, which certainly doesn't hurt – and arrive at lunchtime, definitely very hungry, so we find the small restaurant that appeals to us most after settling in.

In search of the most beautiful beach

Krabi is a seaside town overlooking the Andaman Sea, less well-known than chaotic Phuket but no less remarkable. In fact, we quickly realize that Krabi also has that little something of paradise so typical of Thailand that has already won us over: this afternoon and tomorrow, we have free time to start exploring the most beautiful beaches, beginning with Ao Nang Beach, the largest, and Hat Noppharat Thara, which is part of a marine nature park. In short, there's no shortage of places to put on our swimsuits and finally take our first official dip in the Thai sea!

Verso Phi Phi!

After two days in Krabi, we'd had our fill of beautiful places and dreamy beaches—but believe me, where we're going today is even better! We head to the port and board a ferry that whisks us to Phi Phi Island, which certainly needs no introduction, does it? Let's just say this archipelago of islands and islets is one of the most popular destinations for travelers, and for good reason: over the next two days, we'll discover why. For now, let's settle in, find a place to grab a bite, and then put on our swimsuits—that's all we'll need.

The most beautiful beaches

We spent the afternoon exploring some of Phi Phi's most beautiful beaches – the most famous being, of course, Maya Beach. We could lie in the sun under a palm tree on Laem Tong Beach or take a stroll along the long stretch of sand at Lo Bakao Beach. Either way, we ended the day with the usual cocktail and sunset combo, which, as we discovered last night, is definitely a winning one!

Maya Beach (Phi Phi Island) will be closed, for safety reasons, from August 1st to September 31st.

What do we choose?

This morning, we're taking the ferry to Krabi. It's true we already know the island, but we won't have much time to explore it further. We have a few hours to discover the coast, and things are going pretty well there too: we can reach Tub Kaek beach, but if we don't mind a few crowds, the most popular option is undoubtedly Ao Nang beach, the tourist center of Krabi. In short: the possibilities are endless, and we certainly can't go wrong either way, so let's enjoy the Thai sun and sea. With our group and our coordinator, we can choose the excursion we like best! No sunset on the beach tonight; we're ending the day on a train. Yes, because the night train is waiting to take us to Bangkok this evening. A truly local experience to be had with a spirit of adaptability: it will remain one of the most incredible memories of this trip!

The last day of our trip has arrived! Raise your hand if you're feeling sad! This morning we landed in Bangkok after a unique night of chatting, playing board games, and even getting a few hours of sleep. After so many days immersed in Thailand's natural landscapes, it won't be easy to readjust our senses to the chaos of the capital, but we'll give it a try! We can spend the whole day enjoying the city, exploring the markets, shopping, and trying something new from the street food vendors. In the evening, we'll return to the lodge for a quick shower and get ready for our last dinner together: it will be our final chance to eat delicious Thai food (which has won us over) and spend some quality time together. The trip has been intense, and we're heading home with our backpacks full of memories, raising a toast to all the emotions we've experienced and shared!

Included: Overnight stay

Common fund: transport, admissions and activities

Not included: meals and drinks

Departure and goodbye

It's time to say goodbye: goodbye Thailand!