Self-Launched Epic Southeast Asia: River Cruises & Karst Mountains

Fly into Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang airport. Take the Airport Rail Link (~£1.50) or a metered taxi (~£8) into the city. Check into a guesthouse in the Khao San Road or Silom area. Spend the evening exploring the neighbourhood, grabbing street food on Khao San Road, and meeting fellow travellers at your hostel.

🚌Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai ~£1.50, or metered taxi ~£8

🛏NapPark Hostel or similar Khao San Road hostel — dorm from ~£10/night

• →Explore Khao San Road area
• →Street food dinner
• →Meet fellow travellers at hostel bar

Take an early morning bus from Bangkok's Mo Chit or Ekkamai bus station to Siem Reap via the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border crossing. Several direct tourist buses run this route daily (~£12–16, 8–10 hrs). Arrive in Siem Reap by evening. Check in and rest. Optionally catch the Phare Circus (~£12–18 direct booking at pharecircus.org).

🚌Direct tourist bus Bangkok → Siem Reap via Poipet border, ~£12–16. Book with Giant Ibis or Nattakan Bus.

🛏Mad Monkey Siem Reap or Onederz Hostel Siem Reap — dorm from ~£8/night

• →Cross-border bus journey Bangkok to Siem Reap
• →Optional: Phare Circus evening show (~£12–18, book at pharecircus.org)

Rise early for sunrise at Angkor Wat — one of Southeast Asia's most iconic sights. Purchase a 1-day Angkor Pass (~£30) at the main ticket gate. Hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day (~£12–15) to cover the small circuit: Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm. Arrange a Khmer lunch at New Hope Cambodia Restaurant or Haven (Planeterra-linked). Evening on Pub Street.

🚌Tuk-tuk for the day ~£12–15 (negotiate directly with drivers at your hostel)

🛏Mad Monkey Siem Reap or Onederz Hostel Siem Reap — dorm from ~£8/night

• →Sunrise at Angkor Wat (1-day pass ~£30, buy at ticket gate)
• →Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm exploration
• →Khmer lunch at local restaurant
• →Evening on Pub Street

Take a Giant Ibis or Mekong Express bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (~£7–10, 6 hrs). Arrive mid-afternoon. Check in and do a self-guided orientation walk along the Riverside promenade. Visit the Central Market (Psar Thmei) for a snack. Pick up maps and plan the next day's historical sites.

🚌Giant Ibis or Mekong Express bus, ~£7–10. Book at giantibis.com or at the hostel.

🛏Mad Monkey Phnom Penh or The Eighty8 Hostel — dorm from ~£7/night

• →Bus journey Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
• →Riverside promenade orientation walk
• →Central Market exploration

A full day exploring Phnom Penh's sobering history and vibrant street life. Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison, ~£6) and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek (~£7) in the morning — take a tuk-tuk (~£4 return). Afternoon: Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda (~£9 combined) or National Museum (~£7). Evening: join a self-guided street food crawl around the Russian Market and Riverside area.

🚌Tuk-tuk for the day ~£8–12

🛏Mad Monkey Phnom Penh or The Eighty8 Hostel — dorm from ~£7/night

• →Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (~£6, book direct)
• →Killing Fields, Choeung Ek (~£7, tuk-tuk ~£4 return)
• →Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda (~£9)
• →Street food crawl — Russian Market and Riverside

Take a morning bus from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville (~£7–9, 4–5 hrs via Mekong Express or Capitol Tours). From Sihanoukville port, catch a GTVC or Speed Ferry Cambodia ferry to Koh Rong (~£8–10, 45 mins). Check into a beachfront bungalow or hostel. Spend the afternoon on the beach.

🚌Bus to Sihanoukville ~£7–9 (Capitol Tours or Mekong Express), then GTVC ferry to Koh Rong ~£8–10

🛏Onederz Hostel Koh Rong (direct booking at onederzhotels.com) — dorm from ~£10/night, or Sea Garden Bungalows ~£15

• →Bus Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville
• →Ferry to Koh Rong
• →Beach afternoon and sunset

A free day on one of Cambodia's most beautiful islands. Rent a kayak from the beach (~£8/half day), try snorkelling off Long Set Beach, or hike the jungle trail to the far side of the island (free, ask your hostel for the trail map). Evening: bioluminescent plankton swim — just walk into the shallows after dark, no tour needed.

🚌On foot / kayak on island

🛏Onederz Hostel Koh Rong — dorm from ~£10/night

• →Kayak rental ~£8/half day
• →Snorkelling from the beach (gear hire ~£5)
• →Jungle trail hike to the far beach (free)
• →Bioluminescent plankton swimming at night (free)

Ferry back to Sihanoukville, then arrange a shared taxi or minibus to Chambok (~£10–14). Chambok is a community ecotourism project in Kampong Speu province. Book directly through the Chambok Community Ecotourism Centre (+855 012 788 909). Arrive for a home-cooked Cambodian dinner with your host family. Evening cultural experience with the community.

🚌Ferry Koh Rong → Sihanoukville ~£8–10, shared taxi Sihanoukville → Chambok ~£10–14

🛏Chambok Homestay — book directly with Chambok Community Ecotourism Centre, ~£12–15 including dinner

• →Ferry back to Sihanoukville
• →Shared taxi/minibus to Chambok village
• →Chambok community ecotourism experience
• →Home-cooked Cambodian dinner with host family

Head to the Moc Bai/Bavet Cambodia–Vietnam border crossing. Take a minibus from Phnom Penh (backtrack briefly if needed, ~£4) then a direct tourist bus Phnom Penh → Ho Chi Minh City (~£7–10 via Mekong Express, includes border crossing). Arrive in HCMC by afternoon. Check in to the backpacker district (Pham Ngu Lao). Evening: explore Ben Thanh Market and visit a rooftop bar such as Bui Vien Walking Street.

🚌Mekong Express or Kumho Samco bus Phnom Penh → HCMC ~£7–10, includes border crossing

🛏Long Hostel or Pham Ngu Lao area hostel — dorm from ~£8/night

• →Cross-border bus Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City (includes Cambodia–Vietnam border crossing, ~£7–10)
• →Ben Thanh Market exploration (free)
• →Bui Vien Walking Street and rooftop bar

Take the Reunification Express overnight or daytime train from Saigon station to Nha Trang (~£10–18, 7–9 hrs in a 4-berth sleeper). Alternatively, book a sleeper bus (~£8–10). Arrive and check in. Self-guided orientation walk along the beach promenade. Grab a banh mi and Vietnamese iced coffee.

🚌Reunification Express train Saigon → Nha Trang ~£10–18 (book at 12go.asia or dsvn.vn), or sleeper bus ~£8–10

🛏Mojzo Inn or Backpacker World Nha Trang — dorm from ~£8/night

• →Train or sleeper bus Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang
• →Beach promenade orientation walk
• →Street food: banh mi and Vietnamese coffee

Morning: self-guided street food crawl around the Cho Dam market area — try bun ca (fish noodle soup) and banh can. Afternoon: relax on Nha Trang beach (free), or book a boat tour and snorkelling trip (~£15–20 via GetYourGuide or local operators at the harbour). Optional: Thap Ba mud baths (~£12, book direct at thapbamudbathe.vn). Visit Po Nagar Cham towers (~£1.50).

🚌On foot / local xe om motorbike taxi ~£1–2

🛏Mojzo Inn or Backpacker World Nha Trang — dorm from ~£8/night

• →Street food crawl — Cho Dam Market area (free)
• →Nha Trang beach relaxation (free)
• →Optional: boat tour & snorkelling ~£15–20 (book via GetYourGuide or harbour operators)
• →Optional: Thap Ba mud baths ~£12

Take the Reunification Express train from Nha Trang to Da Nang (~£12–20, 11–12 hrs — book a sleeper berth for overnight comfort). This is one of Vietnam's most scenic rail journeys, passing lagoons and coastal cliffs. Arrive in Da Nang and check in, or continue directly to Hoi An by local bus (~£1.50, 1 hr).

🚌Reunification Express train Nha Trang → Da Nang ~£12–20 (book at 12go.asia). Local bus Da Nang → Hoi An ~£1.50.

🛏Memory Hostel Da Nang or similar — dorm from ~£8/night (or transit directly to Hoi An)

• →Scenic Reunification Express train Nha Trang to Da Nang
• →Optional: evening arrival walk around Da Nang beach or Han River Bridge

Take a local yellow bus or grab-bike from Da Nang to Hoi An (~£1.50–3, 45 mins). Check into a hostel in or near the Ancient Town. Self-guided orientation walk through the UNESCO-listed Old Town — free to wander, with a combined ticket (~£4) to enter select historic houses. Evening: lantern-lit walk along the Thu Bon Riverside.

🚌Yellow local bus #1 Da Nang → Hoi An ~£1.50, or Grab ~£3

🛏Hoi An Backpacker Hostel or similar — dorm from ~£8/night

• →Bus or Grab from Da Nang to Hoi An (~£1.50–3)
• →Self-guided Old Town orientation walk (free / ticket ~£4)
• →Thu Bon Riverside evening lantern walk
• →Optional: visit a tailor for custom clothing (budget ~£20–50)

Morning: take a Hoi An cooking class (~£28–35, book via GetYourGuide or Red Bridge Cooking School). Learn to make Cao Lau and White Rose dumplings — includes market visit and lunch. Afternoon: rent a bicycle (~£2/day) and cycle to An Bang Beach (~5km). Optional: Thu Bon River boat trip (~£8–10 via local boatwomen at the market pier). Evening: pick up your tailor order.

🚌Bicycle hire ~£2/day

🛏Hoi An Backpacker Hostel or similar — dorm from ~£8/night

• →Hoi An cooking class with market visit ~£28–35 (GetYourGuide or Red Bridge Cooking School)
• →Bicycle hire and ride to An Bang Beach ~£2
• →Optional: Thu Bon River boat trip ~£8–10 (book with boatwomen at market pier)
• →Optional: My Son Sanctuary half-day tour ~£25–30 (GetYourGuide)

Take a local bus or an open-tour minibus from Hoi An to Hue via the spectacular Hai Van Pass (~£5–8, 3–4 hrs). Check into a hostel near the Citadel. Afternoon: explore the Imperial Royal Citadel (~£5) on foot. Optional: rent a bicycle or scooter (~£5–8/day) to visit the Royal Tombs (Minh Mang, Khai Dinh, ~£3–5 each). Evening: boat cruise on the Perfume River (~£7–10, book at your hostel).

🚌Open-tour bus/minibus Hoi An → Hue ~£5–8

🛏DMZ Hostel Hue (same as original tour, book direct) — dorm from ~£7/night

• →Open-tour minibus Hoi An → Hue via Hai Van Pass ~£5–8
• →Imperial Royal Citadel ~£5
• →Optional: Royal Tombs by bicycle/scooter ~£3–5 each
• →Optional: Perfume River sunset cruise ~£7–10
• →Optional: Hue motorbike street food tour (~£15, GetYourGuide)

Catch a local bus or book a direct minibus transfer from Hue to Phong Nha (~£8–12, 3.5–4 hrs). Check in and explore the charming small village. The area is the gateway to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park — one of the world's greatest cave systems. Rent a bicycle (~£2) and explore the local trails. Evening: dinner at a riverside restaurant.

🚌Direct minibus Hue → Phong Nha ~£8–12 (book via hostel or Jungle Boss tours)

🛏Easy Tiger Hostel or Phong Nha Farmstay-style guesthouse — dorm from ~£8, private from ~£18

• →Minibus Hue to Phong Nha ~£8–12
• →Explore Phong Nha village by bicycle ~£2
• →Evening riverside dinner
• →Plan cave excursion for tomorrow morning

Early start: join a full-day caving tour of Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave (~£25–35 including boat, book via Jungle Boss or Oxalis at oxalis.com.vn). Paradise Cave is the world's longest dry cave — truly unmissable. Return to the village by mid-afternoon, then board a sleeper bus or train to Hanoi (~£10–14, overnight or 10 hrs). Book ahead — this route fills fast.

🚌Sleeper bus Phong Nha → Hanoi ~£10–14 (book via hostel or 12go.asia)

🛏En route (overnight sleeper bus) or arrival Hanoi hostel — dorm from ~£8

• →Full-day Paradise Cave and Phong Nha Cave boat tour ~£25–35 (Jungle Boss or Oxalis)
• →Sleeper bus or train to Hanoi overnight

Join a 1-night budget cruise on Ha Long Bay — one of the best-value experiences in Southeast Asia. Book independently through operators like Indochina Junk or Dragon Legend (~£55–80/person for 1-night shared cabin, includes seafood lunch, kayaking, and cave tour). Depart Hanoi by coach (~3 hrs each way, usually included). Sail among the iconic karst limestone islands.

🚌Return coach Hanoi ↔ Ha Long Bay usually included in cruise price (~3 hrs each way)

🛏Shared cabin on budget junk boat cruise ~£55–80 total including accommodation

• →Ha Long Bay 1-night budget cruise ~£55–80 (book via halongjunkcruise.com or GetYourGuide)
• →Seafood lunch on board (usually included)
• →Kayaking through karst caves ~£8–10 if not included
• →Sunset on deck

Return by coach from Ha Long Bay to Hanoi (~3 hrs). Check into a hostel in the Old Quarter. Afternoon: self-guided Old Quarter orientation walk — wander the 36 ancient guilds' streets, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple (~£0.50). Evening: join a Hanoi food tour on foot (~£15–20, GetYourGuide) sampling bun cha, egg coffee, and banh cuon.

🚌Coach included in cruise return. Local walking in Old Quarter.

🛏Hanoi Backpackers Downtown or similar Old Quarter hostel — dorm from ~£8/night

• →Coach return Ha Long Bay to Hanoi (included in cruise)
• →Old Quarter self-guided walk — 36 streets, Hoan Kiem Lake (free)
• →Ngoc Son Temple ~£0.50
• →Optional: Hanoi foodie culture walking tour ~£15–20 (GetYourGuide)

Take the Laos-China Railway from Hanoi to Vientiane — the most exciting new rail route in the region. Take a bus or train to the border at Dong Dang/Na Meo, cross into Laos, and board the Laos-China High Speed Rail to Vientiane (~£15–25 total, book via 12go.asia). Alternatively, several budget airlines (Lao Airlines, Vietnam Airlines) fly Hanoi → Vientiane (~£40–70). Check in and explore Vientiane's relaxed Mekong riverside at sunset.

🚌Bus/train to Lao border + Laos-China HSR ~£15–25 total, or budget flight ~£40–70

🛏Vientiane Backpackers Hostel or Mixay Paradise Guesthouse — dorm from ~£7/night

• →Hanoi to Vientiane via Laos-China Railway or budget flight (~£40–70)
• →Phat That Luang golden stupa (~£1, walk/tuk-tuk)
• →Mekong riverside sunset viewing (free)
• →Morning market exploration

Take a public bus or shared minibus from Vientiane's Northern Bus Terminal to Vang Vieng (~£4–6, 4 hrs). Alternatively, take the Laos-China HSR (~£8, 1.5 hrs — faster and highly recommended). Check in near the Song River. Afternoon: visit Kaeng Nyui Waterfall by tuk-tuk or bicycle (~£5 entry + transport). Evening: explore Vang Vieng's riverside restaurants and bars.

🚌Minibus Vientiane → Vang Vieng ~£4–6, or Laos-China HSR ~£8

🛏Vang Vieng Backpackers or Central Backpackers — dorm from ~£6/night

• →Bus or HSR train Vientiane to Vang Vieng ~£4–8
• →Kaeng Nyui Waterfall visit (~£5 including tuk-tuk)
• →Vang Vieng riverside evening exploration
• →Optional: Blue Lagoon swim (~£2 entry + bicycle hire ~£3)

A full adventure day in one of Laos' most active backpacker towns. Rent a bicycle (~£3/day) and explore cave temples (Tham Chang, Tham Poukham) and the Blue Lagoons. Book the Vang Vieng Adrenaline Bundle — includes kayaking through Tham None cave and Blue Lagoon visit (~£20–25, book through local operators on the main strip or GetYourGuide). Evening: rooftop bar sunset.

🚌Bicycle hire ~£3/day for local exploration

🛏Vang Vieng Backpackers or Central Backpackers — dorm from ~£6/night

• →Bicycle hire ~£3/day
• →Tham Chang Cave ~£2 entry
• →Blue Lagoon swim ~£2
• →Kayaking through Tham None cave and Blue Lagoon tour ~£20–25 (book locally or GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: countryside trek (free/self-guided)

Take the Laos-China High Speed Railway from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang (~£10–14, 1 hr — a spectacular journey through karst mountains and tunnels). Arrive by midday. Self-guided orientation walk along the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Climb Wat Phousi hill at sunset for panoramic views over the temples and mountains (entry ~£2). Evening: street food stalls on the Night Market.

🚌Laos-China HSR Vang Vieng → Luang Prabang ~£10–14 (book at 12go.asia)

🛏Nicky's Guesthouse or Spicy Laos Hostel — dorm from ~£7/night

• →Laos-China HSR Vang Vieng → Luang Prabang ~£10–14
• →Self-guided riverside orientation walk (free)
• →Wat Phousi sunset climb ~£2
• →Night Market street food crawl (free to browse, budget ~£5 for food)

Early morning: observe the alms-giving ceremony (tak bat) on the main street — stand respectfully to the side, no flash photography. Morning: join a shared songthaew to Kuang Si Waterfalls (~£2.50 each way, 30 mins), entry ~£2.50 — swim in the turquoise tiered pools under jungle waterfalls. Afternoon: visit the Bear Rescue Centre at the falls (free, included in entry). Evening: Luang Prabang Night Market for handmade crafts.

🚌Shared songthaew to Kuang Si ~£2.50 each way (departs from the main market area)

🛏Nicky's Guesthouse or Spicy Laos Hostel — dorm from ~£7/night

• →Alms-giving ceremony observation at dawn (free — observe respectfully)
• →Shared songthaew to Kuang Si Waterfalls ~£2.50 each way
• →Kuang Si Waterfalls swim and Bear Rescue Centre ~£2.50 entry
• →Night Market browsing and dinner

One of the great Southeast Asia travel experiences: the 2-day Mekong slow boat to the Thai border. Buy your ticket at the Luang Prabang slow boat pier or through your guesthouse (~£18–25 per person per day, includes the wooden boat passage but not food). Pack snacks and drinks. The boat departs ~8–9am and arrives in Pak Beng by 5–6pm. Homestay or basic guesthouse overnight. Evening: dinner with local hosts.

🚌Mekong slow boat Luang Prabang → Pak Beng ~£18–25 (buy at pier or guesthouse)

🛏Pakbeng Lodge or Mekong Riverside Lodge guesthouse — ~£8–12/night (book on arrival)

• →Mekong River slow boat Luang Prabang → Pak Beng (~7–8 hrs)
• →River scenery: karst cliffs, jungle, riverside villages
• →Pak Beng village evening walk
• →Dinner with local hosts at guesthouse

Day 2 of the slow boat: Pak Beng to Huay Xai (~£18–25, 6–7 hrs). Cross the Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by tuk-tuk and on foot into Chiang Khong, Thailand. Collect your Thai visa-on-arrival or use your existing visa stamp. Check in at a guesthouse in Chiang Khong for one night. Relax and enjoy a riverside dinner.

🚌Mekong slow boat to Huay Xai ~£18–25. Tuk-tuk to Friendship Bridge ~£2. Walk/tuk-tuk across bridge.

🛏Baan Rimtaling Guesthouse or Namkhong Guesthouse Chiang Khong — ~£8–12/night

• →Mekong slow boat Pak Beng → Huay Xai (~6–7 hrs)
• →Laos–Thailand border crossing at Huay Xai/Chiang Khong (visa on arrival if needed)
• →Chiang Khong riverside evening and dinner

Take a local bus or shared minibus from Chiang Khong to Chiang Rai (~£4–6, 2 hrs), then onward to Chiang Mai by bus or minivan (~£6–10, 3–4 hrs). Alternatively, a direct Chiang Khong → Chiang Mai minibus is available (~£10–14, 5–6 hrs). Check in near the Old City moat. Evening: explore the Sunday Night Market (if applicable) or Chang Klan Road Night Bazaar. Optional: Doi Suthep Temple (~£2 by songthaew ~£1.50).

🚌Direct minivan Chiang Khong → Chiang Mai ~£10–14 (book via guesthouse in Chiang Khong)

🛏Spicy Thai Backpackers or Eagle House Chiang Mai — dorm from ~£7/night

• →Bus/minivan Chiang Khong to Chiang Mai ~£10–14
• →Chiang Mai Old City moat walk (free)
• →Night Bazaar / Sunday Night Market
• →Optional: Doi Suthep Temple ~£2 entry + songthaew ~£1.50 each way

A free day in Chiang Mai to explore at your own pace. Rent a bicycle (~£3/day) and cycle around the Old City moat, visiting Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh (both ~£2 each). Optional: book a Northern Thai cooking class (~£25–35, book via Spice Roads or GetYourGuide — highly recommended). Afternoon: browse Warorot Market for local snacks. Evening: try a Thai massage (~£8/hr on Tha Phae Road).

🚌Bicycle hire ~£3/day

🛏Spicy Thai Backpackers or Eagle House Chiang Mai — dorm from ~£7/night

• →Bicycle hire ~£3/day around the Old City moat
• →Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh ~£2 each
• →Optional: Northern Thai cooking class ~£25–35 (GetYourGuide)
• →Warorot Market browsing
• →Thai massage ~£8/hr

Join a 3-day hilltribe trek departing from Chiang Mai. Book through a responsible local operator such as Pooh Eco-Trekking or Eagle House (~£50–70 for 3-day/2-night trek, all meals included). Day 1: transfer by songthaew to the trailhead, trek through hill forest to a Karen or Akha hilltribe village. Overnight in a village homestay. All meals included in trek price.

🚌Songthaew to trailhead (included in trek)

🛏Village homestay (included in trek package)

• →3-day hilltribe trek Day 1 (book via Pooh Eco-Trekking or Eagle House, ~£50–70 for full 3 days)
• →Jungle trekking through northern Thailand hills
• →Karen/Akha village arrival and cultural exchange
• →Home-cooked village dinner included

Day 2 of the hilltribe trek: wake up in a hilltribe village. Trek deeper into the hills, visiting Lahu and Shan villages. Optional: learn traditional fishing with local tools on the Mae Tang River, or help build a bamboo raft with villagers. All meals included. Sleep in another village homestay.

🚌On foot through jungle trails

🛏Village homestay (included in trek package)

• →Day 2 hilltribe trekking between villages
• →Optional: Mae Tang River fishing with traditional tools
• →Optional: bamboo raft building with villagers
• →Cultural exchange with Lahu/Shan communities

Final day of the trek: bamboo rafting down the river to a Lahu village (~1–2 hrs), then another Shan village visit. Return by songthaew to Chiang Mai by mid-afternoon. Celebrate with the rest of the travellers from your trek group at a local restaurant. Evening: free time in Chiang Mai — Night Bazaar or Nimman Road bars.

🚌Songthaew return to Chiang Mai (included in trek)

🛏Spicy Thai Backpackers or Eagle House Chiang Mai — dorm from ~£7/night

• →Bamboo rafting down Mae Tang River to villages (included in trek)
• →Lahu and Shan village visits (included)
• →Return songthaew to Chiang Mai (included)
• →Celebration dinner and Night Bazaar

Take the overnight train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (~£12–20, 12–13 hrs in a sleeper berth — one of Thailand's classic rail journeys, book at thairailwayticket.com). Alternatively, a Thai Lion Air or Air Asia flight takes just 1.5 hrs (~£20–40). Spend the morning in Chiang Mai: last-minute market shopping, temple visit, or a traditional Thai massage before departure.

🚌Overnight train Chiang Mai → Bangkok ~£12–20 (departs ~6pm, arrives ~7am), or budget flight ~£20–40

🛏En route on overnight train sleeper, or Bangkok hostel on arrival

• →Morning: market shopping, Thai massage (~£8/hr), or final temple visit
• →Overnight train Chiang Mai → Bangkok ~£12–20 (book at thairailwayticket.com)
• →Optional: morning Thai massage before departure

Arrive Bangkok by train or flight. Drop bags at your hostel in the Khao San Road or Silom area. Spend the day exploring Bangkok's highlights: Wat Pho reclining Buddha (~£3.50), Grand Palace (~£14), and a Klong (canal) riverboat tour (~£1–2 on public express boat). Evening: street food crawl on Yaowarat (Chinatown Road) — pad thai, mango sticky rice, and Thai BBQ skewers.

🚌BTS Skytrain or MRT ~£0.80–2 per journey. Public Chao Phraya Express Boat ~£1–2.

🛏NapPark or Lub d Bangkok Silom — dorm from ~£10/night

• →Wat Pho Reclining Buddha ~£3.50
• →Grand Palace ~£14 (book at palaces.thai.net)
• →Public Chao Phraya Express Boat ~£1–2
• →Yaowarat Chinatown street food evening

Take an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok Hua Lamphong to Surat Thani (~£12–18, 10–11 hrs — book at thairailwayticket.com). Alternatively, a Nok Air or Thai Lion Air flight (~£20–35). Spend the day in Bangkok doing any remaining sightseeing: Klong riverboat tour on the public express (~£1–2), Thai massage on Th Silom (~£8/hr). Board evening train.

🚌Overnight train Bangkok → Surat Thani ~£12–18 (departs ~7pm, arrives ~5am), or budget flight ~£20–35

🛏En route on overnight train sleeper

• →Day: Khlong riverboat tour on public express boat ~£1–2
• →Optional: Thai massage ~£8/hr
• →Optional: Wat Arun visit ~£1.50
• →Evening overnight train or flight to Surat Thani

Arrive Surat Thani early. Take a shared songthaew or minibus to Khao Sok (~£5–8, 1.5 hrs). Check in at a jungle bungalow or treehouse lodge near the park entrance. Book a Cheow Lan Lake raft house overnight tour (~£35–50, includes boat, jungle guide, swimming, and a night in a floating raft house on the lake — book via khaosoklakehouse.com or GetYourGuide). This is the highlight of southern Thailand's interior.

🚌Shared songthaew/minibus Surat Thani → Khao Sok ~£5–8

🛏Jungle treehouse bungalow near park entrance or floating raft house on Cheow Lan Lake (included in lake tour)

• →Minibus Surat Thani → Khao Sok ~£5–8
• →Cheow Lan Lake raft house tour ~£35–50 (book via khaosoklakehouse.com or GetYourGuide)
• →Jungle trek in Khao Sok NP (~£10 with guide)
• →Optional: visit Khao Thep Pitak community farm for breakfast (~£5)

Return from Khao Sok to Surat Thani by songthaew (~£5–8). Take the Seatran or Lomprayah ferry from Donsak pier to Koh Pha Ngan (~£12–16, 2.5 hrs — combined bus+ferry tickets available at the pier or via 12go.asia). Check into a beach bungalow on the quieter north or east coast (Thong Nai Pan, Bottle Beach, or Haad Salad). Afternoon: beach and pool relaxation.

🚌Minibus Khao Sok → Surat Thani ~£5–8, combined bus+ferry to Koh Pha Ngan ~£12–16 (12go.asia)

🛏Beam Bungalows or Cookies Salad Beach — beachfront bungalow from ~£18/night

• →Songthaew return to Surat Thani ~£5–8
• →Seatran/Lomprayah ferry to Koh Pha Ngan ~£12–16
• →Settle into beach bungalow
• →Afternoon beach and lagoon relaxation

Full free day on Koh Pha Ngan. Rent a scooter (~£6/day) and explore the island: visit Than Sadet Waterfall (free), Bottle Beach (25-min boat from Chalok Lam ~£4 return), or hidden lagoon at Haad Son. Hike to Khao Ra peak (highest on the island, ~2 hrs return, free). Evening: beach bonfire and bars at Haad Rin or quieter beachside restaurants.

🚌Scooter hire ~£6/day

🛏Beam Bungalows or Cookies Salad Beach — beachfront bungalow from ~£18/night

• →Scooter hire ~£6/day for island exploration
• →Than Sadet Waterfall hike (free)
• →Optional: longtail boat to Bottle Beach ~£4 return
• →Optional: Khao Ra peak hike (free)
• →Evening beach bar at Haad Rin

Take the Lomprayah or Seatran catamaran from Koh Pha Ngan to Koh Tao (~£8–10, 1 hr). Check in near Mae Haad or Sairee Beach. Afternoon: join a snorkelling day trip around the island (~£18–25, book via GetYourGuide or local dive shops on Sairee Beach — includes Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint, snorkel gear, and lunch). The waters around Koh Tao are among Thailand's best for snorkelling and diving.

🚌Lomprayah catamaran Koh Pha Ngan → Koh Tao ~£8–10 (book at 12go.asia)

🛏Spicytao Backpackers or Seashell Resort Koh Tao — dorm from ~£9, private from ~£25

• →Ferry Koh Pha Ngan → Koh Tao ~£8–10 (Lomprayah or Seatran)
• →Koh Tao snorkelling day trip ~£18–25 (GetYourGuide or dive shops on Sairee Beach)
• →Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint visit (access via tour or longtail ~£5 + £5 entry)

Koh Tao is one of the world's most affordable places to get PADI certified — or just try a taster dive. Optional: try a 2-dive PADI Open Water experience day (~£60–80 at Crystal Dive or Big Blue Diving — some of the cheapest certification in the world). Alternatively, relax on Sairee or Chalok Baan Kao beach, explore Freedom Beach by kayak (~£8/hr), or sip cocktails at a beach bar as the sun sets.

🚌On foot / kayak

🛏Spicytao Backpackers or Seashell Resort Koh Tao — dorm from ~£9, private from ~£25

• →Optional: 2-dive SCUBA try-dive experience ~£60–80 (Crystal Dive or Big Blue Diving)
• →Sairee Beach relaxation (free)
• →Optional: kayak hire ~£8/hr
• →Beach bar sunset cocktails

Final morning on Koh Tao — last swim, last coffee, last pad thai. To return to Bangkok: take the combined ferry + bus express from Koh Tao to Bangkok (~£30–45, Lomprayah or Seatran, ~10 hrs total via Chumphon pier and overnight bus). Alternatively, ferry to Surat Thani and fly Bangkok (~£20–35 flight + £12 ferry). Book departure transport the day before from any travel agency on the island.

🚌Lomprayah ferry + express bus Koh Tao → Bangkok ~£30–45, or ferry + flight ~£32–47

🛏En route or Bangkok arrival hostel

• →Final morning beach swim and breakfast
• →Depart Koh Tao: ferry + bus express to Bangkok ~£30–45 (Lomprayah, book via 12go.asia)
• →Alternative: ferry to Surat Thani + budget flight to Bangkok ~£32–47 total