Across the Peninsula
- A Secret Retreats journey -
Olivier & Kiet built Le Passe Temps boutique “maison d’hôte” some 15 years ago - a hidden place by the sea in Krabi, away from the crowd but easy to tour from, a blend of authenticity and comfort. With this program, they share their best secrets off the beaten tracks from the beach of Khanom to the island of Koh Phra Thong.
All our itineraries have generally been constructed on the basis of the rooms that have the most charm or best view, and not necessarily the first prices, nor the most expensive suites.
We can of course adjust according to your request.
Highlights of the Journey:
- Pink Dolphins
- Khao Sok National Park
- Koh Phra Thong and its savannah
This 500 kilometers tour over 7 days will take you from the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea, a world famous area known as the Devil’s Neck, and more accurately as the Kra Isthmus. The itinerary will cross a bit south of the peninsula narrowest point, from the low lands on east side through the mountainous national parks of Klong Phanom and Khao Sok, down to the islands on west side. Cheow Lane Lake, in Khao Sok, is a 185 km2 dam reservoir floaded in 1987, surrounded by the oldest evergreen rainforest. Staying overnight on the lake floating bungalows is a true privilege and the opportunity to observe the most pristine flora and fauna.
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Your Journey Day by Day
from 1,300 USD /person for 7 days / 6 nights
based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room
Day 1 : Surathanni Airport – Khanom Beach (-/-/-)
Welcome upon arrival at the airport where your driver will be waiting for you and transfer you to Aava Resort (90mn).
Check-in and settle in your room for 2 nights. After check-in and a visit of the property, enjoy time to relax on the beach or by the pool.
No arrangement for dinner.
HOTEL: Aava Resort & Spa (Superior Bungalow)
Day 2 : Khanom Beach (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we depart around 8am to the Dolphin Pier in search of Pink Dolphins. Board a long tail boat for about 3 hrs. Khanom is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to spot the rare pink dolphins (souse Chinensis). The best way to try your luck is to hop on a long tail or fishing boat driven by a local expert, who knows exactly where to find them. In addition to the dolphins, the trip takes you to the sacred island of Koh Nui Nok where you can hear the amazing story of Luang Por Tuad, a Buddhist monk born in Perak, Malaysia, who lived in Siam in the 17th century. The monk came on a boat trip with his companions around Khanom, and as they were thirsty but had no water on board, they moored on the island in search of water. By knocking on the ground with a stick the monk made water spring. Until today you can taste the water from the spring at low tide. A shrine with a statue of the monk are built on top of the island overlooking the turbulent sea.
You will enjoy lunch on a deserted beach and get back to the hotel for the afternoon. You can enjoy the beach, the pool or the spa.
A 3-course dinner will be served at the resort.
HOTEL: Aava Resort & Spa (Superior Bungalow)
Day 3 : Khanom Beach – Khao Sok (B/L/D)
After breakfast, the driver will pick you up at Aava at 9.00am and drive across the peninsula to the majestic Cheow Lane Lake. By 11am, you will reach Ban Khao Sok, the village just outside the National Park, is still very much the same as when the first adventurers discovered the wonders created by the artificial lake. Your hotel is a stunning place, a truly eco resort where traditional buildings and modern necessities blend perfectly. The bungalows are crafted with natural materials like earth, wood, and thatch. The owner and founder of the place, a distinguished Englishman, created some of the most highly regarded design resorts in Thailand.
Lunch at the eco-lodge.
Your guide will come and greet you there at 2pm and will take you on a private visit to meet the elephants. Back at the resort to relax.
At 7pm, the staff will prepare for you a fun and delicious Bamboo Dinner.
After dinner, you surely will love the calm of the nature under the moon light.
HOTEL: Our Jungle Camp (Paddy Bungalow)
Day 4 : Khao Sok (B/L/D)
Today will most probably be the highlight of your trip. at 8.30am, after breakfast, you and your guide will hit the road toward Cheow Lane Lake. Your private boat will be waiting for you at the pier. The program of the day includes the visit to the Diamond Cave and a trek in the jungle – the oldest rain forest on Earth, remember? Scientists estimate it to have been here for... 160 million years! No wonder it is home to an amazing endemic flora and fauna. Wild boars and deers come to drink, hornbills fly by pairs from hill to hill...
Lunch around noon in a floating restaurant, then you will have time to relax and swim, or to explore the surroundings by kayak.
In the afternoon, more exploration on the lake, visit of the great diamond cave, and easy jungle trek.
We shall get back to the pier by 5pm, then back to the hotel.
Dinner served at the hotel (3-course set menu) and a well deserved sleep.
HOTEL: Our Jungle Camp (Paddy Bungalow)
Day 5 : Khao Sok - Koh Phra Thong (B/L/-)
Once again, no rush this morning. Your meeting time with the shuttle boat from the next hotel is at noon and it is not a very long journey to reach the other side of the Peninsula. So the program will be a check out around 10am, drive to Kuraburi pier. At noon, from the pier, you will enjoy the smooth cruise between the island of Koh Phra Thong. You may well see dugongs (sea cows) in this area. Be prepared: the place that is awaiting you is heaven on Earth: A 12 kilometer stretch of white powdery sand bordered by the blue rolls of the Andaman waves...
HOTEL: Baba Ecolodge (Private Jungle Villa)
Day 6 : Koh Phra Thong (B/-/-)
No program for most of the day. Relax.
Around 5pm, you will leave the resort to wine and nibbles at sunset by a pond in the tall savannah grass. For this trip we use the resort’s jeep. Ko Phra Thong’s savannah interior is a very interesting habitat – more reminiscent of Kenya than Thailand. As we head south keep an eye out for deer, birds and carnivorous plants. This unusual landscape mesmerizes our visitors with its mix of white sand, water brooks, clutches of Melaleuca trees and the long grass everywhere, leading one to expect giraffes or elephants to spring into sight at every corner. There is also a very good chance of spotting a lesser adjutant crane in the south of the island (one of only two colonies in Thailand).
Back to the lodge. No arrangement for dinner.
HOTEL: Baba Ecolodge (Private Jungle Villa)
Day 7 : Kho Phra Thong – Phuket Airport (B/-/-)
After breakfast and depending on the time of your flight, you will check out, take the boat back to Kuraburi Pier and a car will drive you to Phuket Airport (4h30 in total), to catch your flight for your next destination
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End of our services.
Your Accommodation on this Asia Travel Itinerary
Our Jungle Camp
Across the Peninsula
7 days / 6 nights
from 1,300 USD /person
based on 2 people traveling together and sharing the same room
The total price includes:
Accommodation for 6 nights
Daily Breakfasts at every property
Meals as indicated in the program
Airport transfers and transfer between the properties (car and boat)
All activities and excursions listed in the program:
All Taxes
International and Domestic flights to Surat Thanni/from Phuket
Visa to Thailand (if required)
Extra activities and meals not mentioned in the program
Travel insurance
This Secret Journey was designed in cooperation with Kiet & Olivier and Koh Largo (Licence N°34/0194)
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