Thailand Experience - 8 Day Trip
The OG tour! This is the ideal introduction to the best temples, parties, adventures and beaches that Thailand has to offer.
UP TO 30% OFF! The best 8-day Thailand itinerary - Discover Bangkok, Khao Sok and Koh Phangan
You’ve landed in Bangkok and into the hands of the TruCrew. Over the next 8 days, we’re going to take you around the wonders of Thailand, introduce you to the country's best-kept secrets and have a seriously good time whilst we’re at it. So sit back, relax, grab a Chang and leave the rest to us. This is the perfect tour for those of you who want a taste of Thailand. We'll take you for a traditional massage, show you the ultimate place for kayaking and even give you the chance to have a go at Muay Thai! It's going to be an epic 8 days and you'll fall in love with Thailand - just like Joe and Mark did 10 years ago (they're our founders btw!) This isn’t just an average tour, but a TruThailand Experience. After these 8 days you'll have memories, photos, friendships and an addiction to mango sticky rice that will last a lifetime!
Travel Style
We’ve perfected the balance between culture, adventure, beaches and parties. A high level of inclusions at a low cost. Think of a Ferrari for the price of a Ford. Highlights, hotspots & hidden gems are crafted into each itinerary with our own TruExclusives. We stay in a variety of different accommodations such as hotels, hostels, homestays, beach huts & even boats. Maximum adventure, minimum hassle.
What's Included
Your Trip Planner
Thailand Experience
8 Days
bangkok - koh phangan
Map
Bucket List
Itinerary
hello bangkok
So you made it! How was your flight? How much free wine have you drunk? Fear not, we’re already at the airport in Bangkok, ready and waiting to scoot you off to your new home. Get settled, meet the rest of your group and find your tribe. As the evening arrives with the last of our group, we’re heading to the bustling Khao San Road for a true Thai dining experience!
temples & river cruise
YOU’RE ON A BOAT. That’s right, we’re not scrimping here. We’re off with a bang and after last night’s boozing, we thought a river cruise was a far more appealing way to take in the sights of Thailand’s capital. We’ll make our way along the Chao Phraya River, where you’ll explore Bangkok & experience some of Thailand’s heritage. We’re keeping things cultural today and will visit two prestigious temples – Wat Arun and Wat Pho, to see the very impressive giant & gold reclining Buddha statue. Make sure you have your shoulders covered! The rest of the day is free for exploring, you may want to try some of the famous shopping in Bangkok as it's known for being notoriously cheap. Remember to always try and barter with the street vendors, you can sometimes get as much as 50% off the original price! The same applies to your taxis! Post-shopping trip, we’ll reconvene for more food, drinks and some wild antics for the evening.
massage & overnight train
Feeling a little fragile? Us too. Ease off the hangover with a massage, we would recommend an oil massage (bare in mind that a traditional Thai massage may not be as relaxing as you may think), before jumping aboard on the sleeping train for the night. Which is an experience as authentic as it comes! You’ll get your very own bed on the train, and it’s a great place to get to know the rest of your group. Watch as the bustle of Bangkok melts away and in its place, striking scenes of the tranquil lake of Khao Sok National Park – situated in the Surat Thani province of Thailand.
khao sok national park
Now we’ve got another treat for you. We’re not only staying on floating bungalows tonight, but you’re also on a freshwater lake, surrounded by a chirping tropical rainforest. You wanted a great adventure and we’ve given it to you. There are plenty of things to do in Khao Sok. Throw on your swimmers, as we make our way there via longtail boats, stopping on the way for a quick dip! Try your hand at some kayaking or sit back with a beer in front of the stunning backdrop of the surrounding limestone mountain range. It’s pretty spectacular if we do say so ourselves and we hope you’re having the time of your life. We know we are.
bottle beach experience
It’s time for an early start, not bad for your fifth day in. Fear not, we’ve made breakfast anyway. We’ll be aboard a ferry & heading East to Koh Phangan once the coffee and eggs are down. When we arrive, BRACE. Oh, because we’re about to introduce you to our best-kept secret and our favourite beach in the world. YEAH, NO BIGGIE. It’s quiet, amazingly beautiful, only accessible by boat, and to make it better, we pretty much get the whole place to ourselves, staying in beach huts overlooking the ocean. Yes, we’re showing off. We hope you love it. Once you’re acquainted with the secluded paradise of Bottle Beach in Koh Phangan; relax here for the rest of the afternoon, enjoy a bit of volleyball, sunbathing or swimming. In the evening we can enjoy dinner & some cocktails on the beach next to a campfire with our own private fire show. It doesn’t get much better than this!
morning chill & muay thai lesson
The sun is beaming, the waves are crashing around you as you crack your eyes open. TruFam snoozing in nearby beds. Are you in Heaven? Maybe. Take it easy and don’t rush yourself anywhere today. Make the most of your surroundings. Your options are limitless; go kayaking, play volleyball, top up the tan, trek to viewpoints or enjoy a lie-in. We’ll be collected early-afternoon and taken to a local gym, where you can try your hand at a bit of Muay Thai boxing, Thailand’s national sport. Afterwards, we’re off to our new home, where we will spend the final nights of the trip. Naturally, it’s got a great bar and the vibes are unrivalled. What did you expect from us?!
island boat trip
Today is the day to scope out the underwater world of Koh Phangan, snorkelling at the coolest hot spots around the tropical island. Naturally, we’ll stop off at some of the best beaches around Koh Phangan, where again, this is a chance to take the island as you like. You might think it couldn’t get any better, but it does; you’ll receive a drink on us on arrival onto the boat & a spot of lunch on us whilst listening to (excellently selected) music throughout the day. Drawing the evening and our trip to an end, it's time for a farewell dinner with your TruFam. Finally, as the moon pools over the beaches, we’ll hit the beach bars for one final big night to send the adventure off together.
chilled checkout
Today is, unfortunately, check out day (we’re not crying, you’re crying). But that doesn’t mean this is goodbye forever. We’re on hand to plan the next legs of your Thailand adventure, whether you want to continue the party in Koh Phangan or need help getting home safe. Wherever you’re off to, let’s wallow together and reminisce on the horrible things we all did last night for a bucket of free booze. TruFam forever.
WHERE WE STAY
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FAQs
Where does the trip start & Finish?
The trip begins in Bangkok and finishes in Koh Phangan.
Which airport do I need to fly into?
You will need to fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) which is the main international airport or alternatively we can also collect you from Don Muang (DMK).
What is the closest airport to the end destination?
The closest airport is Koh Samui (USM) which is a 45 minute ferry ride away from Koh Phangan. The ferries run regularly. There are also other means of travel that our group leaders will be able to help you arrange.
How do I get back to the start destination and is this included in the price? If not, how much is it?
No it is not included but we can assist you with booking it all. You will need to get a joint ticket which consists of a ferry from Koh Phangan to the mainland and then a bus to Bangkok. The cost is around £37/USD $47. Please be aware this can be quite a long journey of around 12 hours door to door. Alternatively, you can fly from Koh Samui which is a 45 minute ferry ride away from Koh Phangan however this option is more expensive and would cost in the region of £100/USD $130 but saves time.
What kind of accommodation is included on this trip?
The accommodation for this trip is all twin share private rooms. Doubles can be provided upon request for couples.
How much is a pre night’s accommodation?
If you would like to arrange a pre-night please email info@trutravels.com
Is my money protected?
Yep! You will never lose your money. You’re protected. TruTravels is both ABTA and ATOL registered meaning your money is safe. We also offer 1 free date change before 60 days of your departure date.
Most of the people that join us on tour are 18-thirtysomethings! We have no strict upper age limit on our tours but all of our tours are specifically designed for those of this age group which is worth noting when browsing through our website.
Yes! Let us know when you are booking your trip about any requirements you might have we can plan ahead and make sure this doesn’t affect your trip!
Yes, the majority of our travellers will be travelling on their own! Roughly 65% of our TruTravellers come solo! We have designed our trips specifically with solo travellers in mind, so you can be assured you’ll meet lots of others travelling alone like yourself along the way. This of course doesn’t mean our trips are only for solo travellers, but it does mean that you don’t need to worry you’ll be surrounded by a group that already knows each other.