Real Thailand

16 Days | From the hills to the beaches, experience authentic Thailand on this 16-day trip.

5 out of 5 based on 6 reviews submitted.
18 to 29s
From
USD $1,205
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This trip is for the 18 to 29 year olds

Leave behind bustling Bangkok streets and go deeper into the parts of Thailand that most travellers never see in Doi Inthanont National Park. Here, you'll find Hilltribe villages, waterfalls and jungle. And from there, it just keeps getting better. Sure, you’ll see the vaunted beaches of Koh Samui and Ao Nang, but you’ll also spend a night in a rafthouse in Khao Sok National Park and partake in a Muay Thai Class in Chiang Mai. Now THIS is Thailand.

Trip overview

Map of Real Thailand including Thailand
Start
Bangkok, Thailand
Finish
Ao Nang, Thailand
Theme
18 to 29s
Destinations
Thailand
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 29
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
TTYDC
This trip generates 39.89 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.
Bucket list destinations

Tick off all the popular spots and enjoy unique local experiences

Great value

Affordable trips with the freedom to choose how you spend your time

Responsible travel

You book, we donate to help support local communities


Why you'll love this trip
  • Feel like one of the locals on overnight train journeys throughout this trip. Grab some snacks from the on-board vendors, utilise your phrase book, rub shoulders with the locals and embrace this unique journey.
  • Taste the best of Thailand. Obsessed with the Tom Yam Goong at your local Thai joint? Imagine how much better it would be in Thailand, on a beach, with a cocktail, at sunset. Nice, eh?
  • Koh Samui is a slice of paradise. Cruise the island, go chasing waterfalls and feel peachy on the beach before carving up the dance floor in one of Koh Samui's famous bars.
  • Kick back for a few days in Ao Nang with plenty of free time to take up optional activities! Cook some food in a Thai cooking class, cook yourself in some hot springs or paddle to a hidden lagoon on Koh Hong island.
  • Get your street food fix in bustling Bangkok and tuck into some of the tastiest eats in all of Asia. Did someone say 'mango sticky rice'? Yes, please!

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip includes a two-day hillside trek, and can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have a good level of fitness.
  • Accommodation can be basic, especially in the hillside village, but, don't worry, it's always comfortable.
  • We use hostels on this trip in Chiang Mai, so think dorm beds and shared bathrooms. It’s modern, comfortable and has some great communal spaces to hang out with your new mates.
  • We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.
  • This trip involves some long journeys on the road, lots of public transport (songthaews, public buses) and overnight trains, which can be tiresome. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a true local experience and the best way to travel long distances, meet locals and maximise time at your destinations. Occasionally passengers of different genders will be required to share a compartment and/or you'll be sharing with locals or travellers from other groups. For your own security, take a lock for your luggage.
  • As this is a Basix trip, the majority of activities are optional and you'll have lots of free time. This means you're able to do your own thing at your own pace.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Real Thailand including Thailand

Inclusions

Meals

10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Public bus, Private vehicle, Taxi, Overnight sleeper train, Songthaew, Tuk-tuk, Boat, Ferry

Accommodation

Guesthouse (6 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights), Resort (2 nights), Rafthouse (1 night), Hilltribe Village House (1 night)

Activities
  • Bangkok - Orientation Walk
  • Ayutthaya - Historical Park
  • Chiang Mai - Night Bazaar & Anusarn Market
  • Huey Nam Dang - Hilltribe Trek – 2 Days
  • Hilltribe Trek - Mae Malai Market Visit
  • Hilltribe Village - Home-cooked Dinner
  • Hilltribe Trek – Mok Fah Waterfall
  • Chiang Mai - Orientation Walk
  • Chiang Mai - Muay Thai Class (Thai boxing)
  • Bangkok - Wat Pho
  • Ko Samui - half day guided tour
  • Khao Sok National Park – Longtail Boat Wildlife Safari
  • Khao Sok National Park – Waterfall Hike
  • Ao Nang - Transport to Railay Beach (round trip)
Add on activities
  • Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB250
  • Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500
  • Bangkok - Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure - THB2900
  • Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure - THB2500
  • Chiang Mai - Thai massage - THB200
  • Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour - THB990
  • Chaing Mai - Cooking at Home Cookery School - THB1400
  • Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep temple complex - THB50
  • Chiang Mai - Wat Chedi Luang Temple - THB40
  • Chiang Mai - Chuan Chom Vocational Training Centre - Massage (from) - THB250
  • Chiang Mai - Wat Prasingh Temple - THB40
  • Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB200
  • Bangkok - Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) - THB50
  • Ko Samui - Thai Massage - THB300
  • Ko Samui - Thai Cooking Class - THB1850
  • Ko Samui - Day trip to Koh Tao - THB2400
  • Ko Samui - Ang Thong Marine Park tour - THB2500
  • Ko Samui - Samui Elephant Sanctuary - THB3500
  • Ao Nang - Rock Climbing - THB1800
  • Krabi - Half day cycling trip with waterfalls - THB2500
  • Ao Nang - Hot springs & Emerald lagoon tour - THB1600
  • Ao Nang - Phi Phi Island Day Tour - THB1600
  • Ao Nang - Scuba Diving (3 dives) - THB4000
  • Ao Nang - Cooking class - THB1200
  • Ao Nang - Thai Massage - THB300
  • Ao Nang - Ko Hong Day Tour - THB1500

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2,7,9 (Overnight sleeper train), Days 3,5,6 (Hostel), Day 4 (Hilltribe Village House), Day 12 (Rafthouse) and Day 13,14,15 (Guesthouse) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. Please note that some room configurations have two single beds, although a double bed will always be requested.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 6 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Holly · Traveled September 2023
I had the best time on this trip, met the best people and had some incredible experiences. Doing the hike in the north and staying at the raft-house in the south was an experience i will never forget. This was my first solo trip and it couldnt have gone any better.
Review submitted 27 Sep 2023

Ellie · Traveled June 2023
I had do much fun on this trip and really made friends for life. As everyone is a similar age we all got on so well and had a great time all round
Review submitted 22 Jun 2023

Isabelle · Traveled January 2023
Overall the whole trip was great, it was a great experience for me during my first solo trip. I was nervous at the start but my trip leader was very comforting and taught me so much. I think that intrepid is a great travel agency for people of all ages and I think that everyone should at least once travel with this agency as you make so many friends, have many memories and your trip can take you out of your comfort zone. I definitely would recommend.
Review submitted 24 Jan 2023

Olivia · Traveled November 2022
An amazing trip with great variety. I felt like I really got to experience Thailand in an authentic, fun way.
Review submitted 08 Dec 2022

Craig · Traveled November 2022
I had the time of my life on this trip! It was my first group trip, and my expectations were absolutely exceeded. I learned so much about Thailand, saw some of the most beautiful places on Earth and made new friends on a seamlessly organised tour, led by an incredible guide.
Review submitted 12 Dec 2022
Real Thailand
From
USD $1,205