Luxury Phuket Beach Break - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Phuket, Fine Dining Experience

Welcome to Thailand! Touch down on Phuket, the country's largest island. Set on the Andaman Coast, Phuket is known for its powdery beaches, neon nightlife, and luxury resorts. The island is also home to diverse landscapes ranging from lush rainforest to palm-fringed beaches and craggy limestone cliffs.

Your driver will be waiting to take you to Banyan Tree Phuket, located on the exclusive west coast. Check into your private pool villa, surrounded by a sparkling lagoon and flower-filled gardens. Your elegant, Thai-style villa offers everything from an outdoor bathtub to floor-to-ceiling windows and a refreshing pool. Settle in and explore the resort's facilities, which include an award-winning spa and an 18-hole golf course.

This evening, your driver will take you to the Baan Rim Pa Royal Thai Restaurant for an evening of fine dining. The eatery's sophisticated teak and silk decor, live piano music, excellent Thai food, and cocktail bar make this one of Phuket's premier dining establishments. Dine on dishes such as tom yaam goan uan (spiced seafood soup), po pia sod (fresh spring rolls), and gaeng garee (yellow curry).

Day 2: Island Hopping on a Private Catamaran

Today you'll experience the remote beauty of Phuket's surrounding islands, Ko Hey (Coral Island) and Ko Khai Nok. Board a catamaran yacht to sail across the azure Andaman Sea, taking in tropical scenery from the deck. Hop between the two tiny islands, famed for their unspoiled sands, snorkel-worthy waters, and undeveloped vibe. Spend your time lazing on the palm-shaded beach, sipping a cocktail in one of the beachside cafés, or cooling off in the sea.

Both islands offer exceptional year-round snorkeling, with calm waters home to coral reefs teeming with marine life. When you've had your fill of sun, sea, and sand, sail back to Phuket for a relaxed evening at your resort. Try one of Banyan Tree's restaurants, including Thai cuisine at Saffron, healthy plant-focused poolside meals at Veya, or a romantic seafood dinner overlooking the lagoon at Watercourt.

Day 3: Private Elephant Care Program, Fine Dining at Blue Elephant Restaurant

Get to know Thailand's iconic national animal today with a private elephant care experience. After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from Banyan Tree for the hourlong journey to Phuket's elephant sanctuary. Meet experienced guides who'll introduce you to the elephants and teach you about their natural habitat, behavior, and place in Thai culture.

Learn about the elephants' diet and help mix up a banana, sugar cane, cucumber, and corn meal. You'll get to feed the elephants by hand and prepare their vitamin balls, then pamper these gentle giants with a herbal compress massage and mud sand spa. Head down to the water to bathe with the elephants and learn about the special relationship between the animals and their mahouts (elephant carers).

The trip ends with a cooking class, where you'll learn how to create some of Thailand's signature dishes, such as pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles), tom yum (hot and sour soup), and som tum (green papaya salad). Feast on your creations before returning to your villa for an afternoon by the pool.

This evening, you'll dine at the Blue Elephant Restaurant, set in a Sino-Portuguese-style palace in the historic center of Phuket. Established over 36 years ago, the restaurant serves southern Thai cuisine focusing on fresh, local ingredients. The founder and master chef, Ms. Nooror, is one of the country's top five chefs; taste her famous pat pong (crab curry) and traditional peranakan (Phuket-style) curry.

Day 4: Phuket Sightseeing, Dinner at Ba Ba Beach Club

Relish a free morning to enjoy Banyan Tree's excellent facilities. If you're feeling active, tee off at the on-site Laguna Golf Course, center yourself with a yoga class, or enjoy a game of tennis. Alternatively, visit Banyan Tree Spa for the ultimate pamper session, including a range of Thai-style massages, body scrubs, and facials.

In the afternoon, meet your guide for a private tour of Phuket. Start at the famed 147-foot tall (45 m) Big Buddha statue and the sacred Wat Chalong temple, which is the biggest in Phuket and dates back to the 19th century. Next, wander the streets of Phuket's Old Town, discovering Sino-Portuguese architecture, Thai temples, colorful Chinese shrines, museums, and stately mansions.

Pause for photos at Windmill Viewpoint and stroll along nearby beaches as the sun begins to set. Your final stop is the trendy Baba Beach Club, which lies just steps from pristine Natai Beach. Savor dinner and drinks accompanied by world-class DJs and take a dip in the club's pool before returning to your hotel.

Day 5: Free Day in Phuket

Soak up the sun today at one of Phuket's outstanding beaches, which offer everything from watersports to pure relaxation. Kata Beach is beloved for its pale sand and picture-perfect palm trees and has plenty of local food vendors and market stalls to peruse. Nai Harn is another popular option, with a lively shopping scene when you need a break from the sun.

If you're looking for something quieter, head to Freedom Beach, where you can find the best white sands in Phuket. Although it's more challenging to get to (you can either hike a steep path or take a long-tail boat there), you'll escape the motorized watersports and beach vendors for a truly peaceful experience. After a sun-drenched day by the sea, return to your resort for dinner and a restful evening ahead of tomorrow's adventure tour.

Day 6: Private Phi Phi Islands Swimming & Snorkeling Tour

Explore the Phi Phi Islands today, an archipelago 25 miles (40 km) east of Phuket, known for its film-worthy beaches and top snorkeling spots. The trip starts with a private speed boat ride to Phi Phi Ley, where you'll see Maya Bay from the water, the setting for the Leonardo DiCaprio movie, "The Beach." You'll also moor at Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave for swimming and snorkeling.

Sail on to Phi Phi Don, stopping at Monkey Beach along the way, known for its cheeky macaques. Before lunch, you'll have time to snorkel in the clear waters, spotting multicolored marine life. Spend the afternoon on idyllic Bamboo Island, chilling on pillow-soft beaches or swimming and snorkeling in the topaz waters. The trip ends with an exhilarating speedboat ride back to Phuket for one last evening on the island.

Day 7: Depart Phuket

Today your luxury Thailand getaway comes to an end. Spend a final few hours on the beach or shopping for souvenirs before your airport transfer. Safe travels!