Phuket, Khao Lak & jungle adventure in Khao Sok

Today, you’ll depart from your selected airport and head for Thailand, with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You’ll arrive on Phuket, Thailand’s largest island and one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations.

Upon arrival, you’ll pass through immigration and collect your luggage. Your guide will be waiting outside the arrivals hall, dressed in a TourCompass uniform and holding a TourCompass sign, making it easy for you to spot him or her. From here, you’ll be driven to your hotel at Kata Beach on Phuket’s south-western coast.

Kata Beach is one of the island’s most popular beaches, made up of two distinct sections: Kata Yai, the ‘big’ beach, and Kata Noi, the ‘small’ beach. Both boast fine sand, swaying palms, and clear, calm waters. Along the beach, you’ll find a great selection of restaurants, bars, and shops.

After check-in, you’ll probably feel like relaxing after your long flight, so the rest of the day is free for you to spend as you please. Perhaps you’ll fancy a dip in the waves? Or maybe a leisurely stroll along the beach, soaking up the sun and the sound of the sea?

Today there will be a welcome meeting for those who wish to attend. The time of the meeting will be provided the day before. A representative from our local partner will meet you at the hotel to give you a warm welcome and share insider tips on good restaurants, attractions, and beaches. The representative will also be happy to answer any questions you may have.

In the afternoon, you will head out on an exciting half-day excursion. Phuket is famous for its stunning beaches, but the island also offers fascinating culture, history, and natural beauty.

You’ll be picked up at your hotel by your guide and driver. The first stop is Phuket’s most important temple, Wat Chalong, renowned for its impressive architecture and beautiful wall paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha.

Next, the tour will take you to the charming Phuket Old Town. The town was once a key trading hub between China, India, and Europe, and its many colourful Sino-Portuguese buildings still tell the story of this rich heritage. Explore cosy cafés, art galleries, and small boutique shops while soaking up the town’s unique atmosphere.

Continue to the popular Chillva night market, just a short drive away, where you can savour a variety of local delicacies while soaking up the lively atmosphere.

After a day filled with experiences, you’ll be driven back to your hotel.

No excursions are planned, so you are free to explore Phuket at your own pace.

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and offers a wealth of experiences both on land and at sea. Spend your days on the light sandy beaches, take a dip in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea, or explore the island’s many restaurants, markets, and vibrant coastal towns.

If you’re in the mood for adventure, you can go snorkelling among the beautiful coral reefs just off the coast or explore the breathtaking Phang Nga Bay, known for its dramatic limestone cliffs and small islands. This is also where you’ll find the famous James Bond Island, featured in the film ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’. You could also visit the idyllic Phi Phi Islands on a full-day excursion with time for snorkelling, swimming, and relaxing on the pristine white-sand beaches.

One evening, we recommend heading up to the Khao Rang Hill viewpoint, where you can savour the sunset and enjoy the stunning panorama over Phuket and the surrounding islands.

Below, you can see our selection of optional tours.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Phuket. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven north toward Khao Sok National Park, where a true jungle adventure awaits.

Khao Sok is one of Thailand’s largest and most beautiful national parks. It’s home to one of the country’s largest areas of original ancient rainforest – untouched for millions of years. The lush surroundings and life-giving rivers provide a habitat for rich wildlife, including gibbons, langurs, and macaques. The small mouse deer also lives here alongside muntjacs and serows. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the elegant long-tailed marbled cat. Bird enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to as well – hornbills and red-headed trogons are among the many species inhabiting this dense jungle.

The drive from Phuket to Khao Sok takes around 3 hours. Upon arrival at the hotel, a peaceful canoe trip awaits on the Sok River. Keep an eye out for life along the riverbanks and up in the tree canopies as your local guide paddles through the beautiful landscape. You might catch sight of an iguana basking on the bank or hear birds singing high up among the branches.

Back at the hotel, you can enjoy a delicious lunch and unwind while taking in the stunning natural surroundings right outside your door.

In the evening, there’s the opportunity to join a night safari, where you can experience the jungle after nightfall. Read more about this optional tour below.

Today, you’ll leave the jungle behind and head towards Cheow Lan Lake, part of Khao Sok National Park. The lake was formed in 1987 with the construction of the Rajjaprabha Dam, which flooded areas of the original rainforest. The towering limestone cliffs that once rose above the treetops became small rainforest islands now emerging from the emerald-green waters. It’s no wonder that Cheow Lan is often described as Thailand’s answer to Guilin, one of China’s most breathtaking natural landscapes.

Please note that it’s not possible to bring all your luggage onto the lake, but you can safely leave it at the hotel. We recommend packing a small backpack with the essentials you’ll need during the next few days on the lake. When you meet your driver again on day 8, he’ll have your luggage with him.

Your first stop will be the small town of Ban Ta Khun, where you’ll visit the local market. Here, traders sell everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to regional delicacies.

The tour will then continue to Ratchaprapha Pier by the dam, where you’ll board a traditional longtail boat and head out onto Cheow Lan Lake. Even from the boat, you’ll enjoy your first breathtaking views of the dramatic limestone cliffs rising vertically from the water.

Around lunchtime, you’ll arrive at your floating hotel. After checking in, the staff will serve a traditional Thai lunch, which you can enjoy while admiring the spectacular scenery.

You can then choose to join an exciting jungle trek to the stalactite-filled Coral Cave at no extra cost. Remember to bring water and sturdy, closed shoes, and be aware that the trails can be slippery during the rainy season.

Together with your guide, you’ll be taken by longtail boat to the starting point of the tour. From here, you’ll continue on foot through the jungle, surrounded by lush vegetation – and if you’re lucky, you may spot some of the area’s tropical birds and insects along the way.

After around 45 minutes of walking, you’ll arrive at a lagoon where a bamboo raft awaits to take you the final stretch to Coral Cave. Inside the cave, you can marvel at the fascinating stalagmites and stalactites, which over time have formed shapes resembling elephants, witches and snakes. You’ll then follow the same route back again.

Once back at the hotel, you can unwind with a good book, explore the area by kayak, or take a refreshing dip in the lake straight from your veranda.

Later in the afternoon, a delightful boat safari awaits you. Keep an eye out for local birdlife and wildlife as you glide through the dramatic landscape. With a bit of luck, you might catch sight of hornbills, sambar deer, or other lake-dwelling creatures. On rare occasions, you may even spot wild elephants along the shore. As you return to the hotel, the sunset bathes the dramatic cliffs in a golden glow, creating an almost magical sight – a truly enchanting way to end the day.

In the evening, a Thai dinner awaits you, and as darkness falls, you can sit back and enjoy the tranquillity beneath a clear, starry sky, far away from the artificial lights of the cities.

It’s simply magical to wake up on Cheow Lan Lake. Draw back the curtains and open the door to your veranda. Watch as the mist slowly lifts from the glassy surface of the lake, and enjoy the tranquillity broken only by the jungle’s sounds and the distinctive call of the Asian koel.

Early in the morning, you’ll head out on another exciting boat safari in the soft light of dawn. Keep an eye out for spectacled langurs, gibbons, and macaques along the lake’s shores.

After the boat trip, breakfast is served, and you’ll then have time for a refreshing dip in the lake, a gentle canoe trip, or simply a quiet moment on your veranda.

Late in the morning, it’s time to check out, and you’ll be taken back to the mainland by boat. On the way, take in your last view of the enchanting limestone cliffs rising straight out of the emerald-green water.

Back at the pier, your driver will be waiting to take you back into the jungle, where a delicious Thai lunch will be served.

Next, you’ll be driven to the beach paradise of Khao Lak, just over an hour away. Here, a tranquil atmosphere, golden honey-coloured beaches, and the stunning Andaman Sea set the perfect scene for the coming days of your beach holiday.

Upon arrival, you’ll check in, and the rest of the day will be at your leisure.

The days are yours to spend as you wish.

Khao Lak is all about tranquillity and adventure. This beach paradise lies around 100 km north of Phuket, yet the vibe here is completely different. The pace is slower, the surroundings are more peaceful, and you still have everything you could possibly need – from beautiful nature to cosy local restaurants.

The area consists of several interconnected beaches forming a relaxing holiday haven, with the Andaman Sea on one side and lush rainforest on the other.

Spend your days unwinding on the beach or find a spot by the pool with a good book. You might also like to explore the area independently and soak up the unique atmosphere that makes Khao Lak a firm favourite among travellers.

If you’re craving more adventure, we can highly recommend a snorkelling trip to the Surin or Similan Islands – considered among Thailand’s finest snorkelling and diving spots. Here, you can look forward to colourful fish, sea turtles, pristine white beaches, and crystal-clear waters.

In the evening, you can head into Khao Lak town centre, where charming restaurants, small shops, and laid-back bars line the streets side by side.

It’s time to say goodbye to this lovely corner of Thailand. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to Phuket airport, where you’ll board your flight to Europe with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You’ll land at your selected airport after a wonderful holiday filled with relaxation and unforgettable natural experiences.