Thailand Nature & Wildlife Tour - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Transfer to Kaeng Krachan National Park

Your Thailand nature and wildlife exploration starts in Bangkok. After touching down at the airport, you'll take an hour's overland journey out of the city to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of the most popular floating markets in the country and the perfect place to learn about the local culture. See the canals bustling with merchant boats selling fruits and fresh produce, feel the traditional vibe, and grab some traditional snacks.

You'll then transfer to your accommodations in the UNESCO-listed Kaeng Krachan National Park, about two hours southwest. Thailand's largest national park is full of unspoiled nature, sweeping views of lush forests, deep valleys, running rivers, and abundant opportunities to spot colorful wildlife. 

This afternoon, explore the park by 4WD and look out for gibbons, langurs, and elephants along the way. The park is also home to macaques, jackals, martens, and mongooses. Keep your eyes peeled for leopards prowling through the grassland and forest. Before the day ends, you'll visit a saltlick at sunset to see gaurs, elephants, deer, and other animals drawn to the water's edge.

Day 2: Enjoy a Night Safari in Kaeng Krachan National Park

Tuck into a hearty breakfast this morning before heading for an exciting full-day safari in Kaeng Krachan National Park. You'll get to pick your favorite activities from various join-in experiences offered at the park, including Jeep safaris, hikes, and tracking tours. A guide will take you deep into the lush jungles for each activity to encounter more wildlife. Animals that can be frequently spotted include langurs, white-handed gibbons, sambar deer, mouse deer, and porcupines. Keep your camera ready for the park's impressive scenery, including its famous "Sea of Mist."

In the evening, you'll head out on an atmospheric night safari to seek out nocturnal animals such as jackals and civet cats. Explore the jungle with a flashlight in your hands, experience the thrill of walking in the pitch dark, and if you're lucky, you may even encounter a rare black leopard.

Day 3: Transfer to Kui Buri National Park & Spot Herds of Elephants

It's on to another national park this morning as you take a three-hour transfer to Kui Buri National Park, located in Thailand's western Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Upon arrival, you'll hop in an open-air vehicle to explore the park's 374 square miles ( 969 sq km) slowly while scanning the forest edges in search of big and small wildlife roaming the grasslands or warbling in branches. You'll likely encounter wild elephant herds since the park is home to around 320 elephants.

Kui Buri National Park also hosts one of the most significant populations of gaurs (wild cattle) in Thailand, and there's plenty more to keep a lookout for—golden jackals, deer, langurs, white-handed gibbons, Burmese hares, Malayan porcupines, and wild boars are also commonly sighted in the park. 

Day 4: Transfer to Ko Thalu Island & Unwind on its Tranquil Beaches

Head for the beach this morning as you transfer around two hours south to Bang Saphan and take a shuttle yacht to the island of Ko Thalu. Located off the Gulf of Thailand, east of Ko Kudi in the Rayong province, Ko Thalu is known for its endless white-sand beaches and verdant cliffs. 

Ko Thalu's shallow water coral reefs and crystal-clear waters make it a paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving. Spend the afternoon soaking up the sun on one of its unspoiled beaches, or for something more active, take a world-class diving course at the island's dive center, where you can experience getting close to the incredible wildlife, from hawksbill turtles to stingrays and giant clams. 

Day 5: Relax, Snorkel & Scuba Dive on Ko Thalu

Take a long, relaxed breakfast this morning, as today is yours to enjoy the tranquility of Ko Thalu at your own pace. Kicking back on the beach is always an option, or you could snorkel or dive to discover the beauty of the surrounding coral reefs. Hike along the mountain trails for an active afternoon to feel the gentle breeze, trek to the "Love Cliff'' to capture stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand, or relax your muscles with a Thai massage.

Foodies can join a cooking class to uncover the secrets of typical Thai flavors, while the romantics may want a private dinner on the harbor bridge or a barbecue on a raft on a full moon night. If you want to help out on the island, there's also the chance to participate in an environmental conservation project. 

Day 6: Transfer to the Mangroves & Caves of Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park

Bid Ko Thalu farewell this morning as you hop on a shuttle yacht to Bang Saphan before taking a two-hour transfer to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in a private car. Located on the coast of the Prachuap Khiri Khan province, this is Thailand's first marine national park and measures up as one of the country's largest wetland areas. Khao Sam Roi Yot translates literally as "mountain with three hundred peaks," with some of the park's summits reaching a towering 1,968 feet (600 m) in height. 

Home to various birds and vegetation, sandy beaches, mangrove forests, karst caves, and Thailand's largest freshwater marsh, Khao Sam Roi Yot is a haven for nature lovers. Upon arrival, you'll take a boat or hike across Tian Mountain to reach the Praya Nakorn Cave. Here you'll find an exquisite Buddhist pavilion built for King Chulalongkorn's visit in 1890. At the right time of day, sunshine pours in through the roof of the cave, and the pavilion is bathed in a sublime golden glow. Afterward, you'll drive to your hotel for check-in and relax for the evening amid the sounds of nature.

Day 7: Transfer to Bangkok & Depart

Today your nature and wildlife exploration will come to a close, and after breakfast, you'll take a four-hour transfer back to Bangkok Airport for your onward journey. Safe travels!