April 23, 2025 – April 24, 2025
Experience the many aspects of beautiful Phuket, from its lush landscape and gorgeous beaches to its 19th century Chinese and Western architecture and stunning temples.
Begin your day with a drive to the island’s north end and then cross to the Thai mainland via the Thep Krasettree Causeway. Drive to Phang Nga National Park where you board a motorboat and begin your unforgettable cruise through the spectacular and seductive limestone scenery. Established in 1981, the park lies in the sheltered pale milky-green waters northeast of Phuket Island and is the location of more than 80 awe-inspiring islands. These unique karst formations were created when a collision of great magnitude occurred over 300 million years ago between the Indian subcontinent and mainland Asia. The force of the tectonic plates pushed and rotated what is now Thailand and Malaysia, forcing the limestone above the surface. The resulting karst formations appear like fairy castles out of the sea and they come in all different shapes and sizes. Vegetation on the karsts has evolved to withstand long periods of dryness and an almost complete lack of soil. See spectacular flora hanging off the vertical rock faces and cascading down the cliffs including palm trees, bamboo, ferns and wild orchids. During your cruise enjoy a photo opportunity at the small island of Kao Ping-Gan, where part of the James Bond adventure “The Man with the Golden Gun” was filmed.
Visit Koh Panyee, a picturesque village extending out across the water, resting precariously on small pilings. It is inhabited chiefly by Muslim fishermen who originally migrated from Indonesia. Cut off from the mainland and most modern amenities, their unique culture has existed for more than a hundred years.
Broaden your understanding of Thai culture through attractions that reflect various perspectives of daily life, beginning with a factory that processes cashews. Don’t be fooled by its misleading name, the Sri Bhurapa Orchid Company is devoted solely to the production of cashews, an important cash crop on the island. Products range from cashew juice said to have medicinal qualities to raw cashews flavored with butter and sweet chilis. The island’s devotion to Buddhist comes to light at Wat Chalong, the island’s largest temple. If you hear firecrackers going off, don’t be alarmed—that’s how worshippers traditionally express gratitude for answered prayers. Elephants are also synonymous with Thai culture, and they once roamed wild on Phuket. You will see these extraordinary creatures up close at an elephant camp, where you may watch them demonstrate their intelligence and ability to use tools.
Day 2
