Bangkok, Khao Yai National Park & beach holiday on Koh Samet

Today is departure day, and you fly to Thailand with connecting flight(s) en route.

You’ll arrive in Thailand’s vibrant capital, Bangkok. After passing through immigration and collecting your luggage, you’ll meet your guide in the arrivals hall at Door B, Gate 6. Your guide will be wearing the TourCompass uniform and carrying a TourCompass sign, making it easy for you to spot them. From here, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the heart of Bangkok – and even on the way, you’ll get your first glimpse of the city’s grandeur and its bustling, energetic atmosphere.

Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Depending on when you land – and how much energy you have – you might simply want to relax at the hotel or perhaps take a short stroll in the local area. If you’re feeling adventurous, step out into the streets of Bangkok for a first taste of the city. You’ll discover an intoxicating maze of sights and sounds, with food options ranging from tiny street stalls to trendy fusion restaurants. If you fancy, you could visit neon-lit Chinatown, sample the delights of Soi 38 in Sukhumvit, experience the roadside kitchens at Victory Monument, or soak up the lively riverside vibe at Asiatique The Riverfront, where restaurants, shops, and a vibrant evening scene unfold along the water’s edge.

If you still have some energy left, why not round off your day with a drink at one of the city’s sky bars, taking in the stunning views over the illuminated metropolis before retreating for a well-deserved night’s rest.

You’ll wake up in Thailand’s bustling capital — a city of striking contrasts where futuristic skyscrapers rise beside ancient temples, and modern skytrains glide several metres above the streets while traditional river taxis ferry locals and visitors alike between Bangkok’s many attractions.

You’ll have the day at your leisure until late afternoon, when you’ll set off on a tuk-tuk street food tour. Until then, you could, for example, relax by the pool and soak up the sun, explore the city, or join one of our optional tours.

In the afternoon, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to MRT Hua Lamphong Station, where your local guide will meet you. From here, you’ll head off on foot into Bangkok’s oldest neighbourhoods, where narrow alleyways, traditional trading streets, and small roadside kitchens set the scene for an evening brimming with aromas, flavours, and vibrant local life.

Your first tasting is a bowl of “tom yum wonton”, where the classic Thai soup is served with stuffed dumplings — a delightful blend of spicy, tangy, and aromatic flavours. You’ll then follow the irresistible scent of the grill to the next stop, where satay skewers of grilled pork are cooked over charcoal and served with a creamy peanut sauce.

You’ll continue on foot through one of Bangkok’s most atmospheric old trading streets, where historic shophouses, street art, and a new wave of creative energy blend together. Along the way, you’ll taste traditional steamed buns – a classic snack rooted in the area’s Chinese culture and considered a symbol of luck and prosperity.

Next, you’ll hop back into a tuk-tuk and whizz through Chinatown, where neon lights and bustling streets create a truly unique atmosphere. A short stop is made at the 27-metre-high Giant Swing, a historic and cultural landmark by the Wat Suthat Thepwararam temple, beautifully illuminated at night and perfect for photos.

Dinner is served at a local restaurant that has been making Pad See Ew for more than 40 years. This popular noodle dish is a wonderful example of how Chinese culinary traditions have shaped Thailand’s vibrant street food culture.

The evening concludes with a scenic drive past the Grand Palace and the City Pillar before you arrive by the riverside opposite Wat Arun. The temple stands beautifully lit on the far side of the Chao Phraya River, providing a stunning backdrop for the final stop of the tour.

Here, you can unwind at a rooftop bar by the river with a drink in hand, soaking up the view and the vibrant atmosphere. Bangkok rarely feels more alive than it does right here.

Afterwards, you’ll be driven back to the hotel unless you choose to stay a little longer and explore on your own.

There are no excursions scheduled today, so you can set your own pace for the day.

Start with a cup of coffee and a good breakfast before you head out on an adventure, either on one of our exciting optional trips, which you can read more about below, or on your own.

When you are to move around in Bangkok, you do not have to worry about the infamous traffic, because the city has a good range of different means of transport. Many people use tuk tuks, but river taxis are also a hit, and they provide a significant part of the public transport services as they dock at many of the city’s major attractions. There is also the Sky Train, which winds its way between the city’s high-rise buildings and which is a good, fast and inexpensive transport option.

Bangkok is divided into east and west by the Chao Phraya River, which is 372 km long. The eastern part of the city is regarded as central Bangkok with popular areas such as Sukhumvit, Silom and China Town, which have a high concentration of shopping centres, good eateries and local markets. It is also on the eastern side that you will find the historic part of Bangkok, which is home to the famous royal palace, Grand Palace, and the Emerald Buddha’s temple, Wat Phra Kaew.

If you need quieter and greener surroundings, you can visit the Lumpini or Benjakitti park. You can also choose to cross over to the western side of the river, where you will experience a completely different world without skyscrapers and honking tuk tuks. Here you will encounter the more traditional Bangkok and a maze of canals where people live in houses on stilts.

In the evening, it is almost a must to visit one of the city’s sky bars, which is an obvious place to sip a cold drink while enjoying the sunset.

You can also visit the neon-lit China Town or the Asiatique The Riverfront shopping area, which, in addition to shops, also includes entertainment and restaurants.

Whatever you decide to do, we guarantee that you will not get bored.

Today, you leave Bangkok and are driven to Khao Yai National Park, located 140 km northeast of Bangkok. Sit back and enjoy the many impressions outside the window.

Khao Yai National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was named Thailand’s first national park in 1962. The park covers an area of 2,168 km2 and comprises evergreen forest, deciduous forest, grassy plains, rainforest and a mountainous terrain, all of which has created great biodiversity among both plant and animal species. One of the park’s big draws is the many waterfalls, such as Haew Suwat and Haew Narok, which are located as small spaces for contemplation in the green surroundings. In other words, Khao Yai is consequently one of Thailand’s most impressive and versatile natural gems.

Well arrived at your place of overnight accommodation, you check in, and the rest of the day is at your own disposal. You can sit out on your balcony with a good book, enjoy the stunning surroundings or take a refreshing dip in the pool.

In the evening, you can watch the sun disappearing behind the green-clad mountains, which is an incredibly beautiful sight, and perhaps grab a drink in the hotel bar before it is time for bed.

You wake up to absolutely fantastic peace and quiet. Sit out on your balcony and enjoy the silence before, in the late morning, you are picked up by your guide, who will drive you towards the national park itself, which is located about a 25-minute drive away. There will be a lunch stop at a local restaurant along the way.

For today’s excursion, we recommend that you wear good hiking shoes and wear clothes that cover both arms and legs and that dry quickly. You can also bring a small backpack for beverages, snacks and other personal belongings.

You will be driven into the national park itself, where you and your guide will meet an experienced ranger who knows the park like the back of his hand. A hike along one of the park’s most beautiful trails awaits you. The hike is between 1.2-2 km long and lasts between 45-60 minutes, depending on the exact route that the ranger chooses. The route is one of the shortest and easiest in the national park, and it is suitable for guests of all ages. The trail winds through rainforest and dry forest to the small waterfall Kong Kaew, which is located at the end of the trail. Along the way, there is a good chance of seeing gibbon monkeys swinging from tree to tree. If you love birds, you are in for a treat because the park has 440 different bird species, including the largest population of hornbills in Thailand.

You hike back to the starting point and are driven to the Haew Narok waterfall, which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the national park. It consists of three levels and has a total drop height of about 150 metres, making it Khao Yai’s tallest waterfall. From the parking lot down to the waterfall, it is a walk of about 1 km via a nature trail and down steps through the lush forest. Be aware that it can be very slippery during the rainy season, and the route is not for walking-impaired persons.

The view of the waterfall is amazing, especially during the rainy season when the water flow is at its highest. From the viewpoint, you can see the cascades tumble down the cliffs, creating a landscape that is both dramatic and picturesque. The area is also a popular spot for wildlife observation, including wild elephants, which are often seen near the waterfall or on their way to the salt cliffs along the trails.

Back in the car, you will be driven to the Pha Trom Chai viewpoint, which is located about 1,300 metres above sea level. From here, you can enjoy the view of the national park, which stretches as far as the eye can see.

In the late afternoon or early evening, you will be driven to the Khao Yai Visitor Center, from where you will go on an evening safari. You will ride with a ranger in a high-seat pickup truck, where you will experience the park’s wildlife after the sun has set. The trip is 10 km long and lasts just over an hour.

You will then be driven back to the hotel.

Today marks the start of your long-awaited beach holiday on the island of Koh Samet.

You will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the Ao Prao pier in Ban Phe, which is around a 4.5-hour drive from Khao Yai. From here, you will take a speedboat to the hotel on Koh Samet, which takes 30 minutes.

After arrival, there is check-in, and you can then enjoy the rest of the day on your own.

Koh Samet is a small island located in the Gulf of Thailand about 200 kilometres southeast of Bangkok and near the coast in the Rayong Province.

Koh Samet is known for its beautiful beaches with white sand and crystal-clear waters. One of the best beaches is the secluded and quiet beach of Ao Prao in the west.

A large part of Koh Samet is also designated as a national park, which means that the island has a well-preserved nature, and where the lovely beaches end, a rich and colourful marine life starts. This means that Koh Samet is also an obvious destination if you are into snorkelling and diving.

There are also good opportunities for enjoying the local cuisine at the island’s good beach restaurants.

There are no excursions scheduled, and you can therefore enjoy the days on your own and at your own pace.

Ao Prao is a relatively small and intimate beach, which contributes to its peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. It is also one of the most scenic and peaceful beaches on Koh Samet, and the beach is known for its soft, white sand and calm, clear waters, making it the ideal place for swimming and snorkelling for both adults and children. There are also opportunities for paddle boarding and kayaking.

In addition, Ao Prao is one of the few beaches on the island that faces west, making it a perfect place to enjoy beautiful sunsets.

If you want a livelier atmosphere, you can head over to Sai Kaew, where you will find a wider selection of restaurants as well as beach bars, entertainment etc. It takes about 35-40 minutes on foot and about 10 minutes in a songthaew, that is a traditional taxi.

Today, unfortunately, your Thailand adventure comes to an end for now. You will be transported back to the Ban Phe pier on the mainland, and from there, you will be driven to Bangkok Airport, which takes approximately 3 hours. From there, you will fly to Europe with connecting flight(s) en route.

You land in your chosen airport after a wonderful tour.