Hello, it’s been a while since I last asked for your help on this forum—I’ve really missed it! I hope you’re all doing well, whether you're new or returning members.
I’m planning a trip from February 6 to 18, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies!). I’ve got my eye on a flight from Paris that lands in Bangkok on February 7 at 3 PM, with a return flight from Bangkok on February 18 at noon.
My sister has never been to this destination, and it’ll be her first time in Asia. Her priorities: beaches, sunshine, and cocktails by the shore. For me, I love that too, but I also enjoy exploring, nature, forests, and a bit of comfort (mixing guesthouses and higher-end hotels with pools). A little evening entertainment would be great, but not too much—good cocktails in a nice atmosphere rather than a rave party ;-). And I can’t help but dream of taking her on a little trek through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she might curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
I’ve been to Thailand before, but it was 15 years ago...
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, a few days on an island (but which one...?), a tropical forest excursion with 1 or 2 nights on-site (Khao Sok?), and then back to Bangkok.
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find a place that ticks all the boxes without feeling as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI certification, but I’m afraid she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I worry we’d be bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
Thank you if you’ve read this far! Feel free to share any advice—it’ll all be warmly welcomed.
Here’s a rough outline of the itinerary (I’d rather skip a night in Bangkok if needed):
· Saturday, February 6, 2027: departure (overnight flight)
· Sunday, February 7, 2027: arrival at 3 PM, probably at the hotel by 6 PM, evening in Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Monday, February 8, 2027: day in Bangkok (Wat Pho and a floating market?) (overnight in Bangkok)
· Tuesday, February 9, 2027: travel to Koh Lanta or another island (flight to Phuket or Krabi?) (overnight on island "x")
· Wednesday, February 10, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Thursday, February 11, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Friday, February 12, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Saturday, February 13, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Sunday, February 14, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Monday, February 15, 2027: travel to Khao Sok—nighttime excursion to Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Tuesday, February 16, 2027: exploration and hike in Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Wednesday, February 17, 2027: return trip to Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at noon
You're only visiting Wat Pho when the even more major site of Wat Phra Kheo/Royal Palace is right nearby—was that a deliberate choice to keep it limited?
floating market?
You don’t specify which one, but honestly, the chance of finding a *real* floating market these days is slim to none. I’d skip the idea and spend my time on the two wats mentioned above + Wat Arun (across the river) + a stroll (just one "l" for a leisurely walk) through the khlongs of Thonburi (you can rent boats on the river west of the main entrance to Wat Phra Kheo). That’ll easily take up most of the day without rushing.
(night in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at 12 PM
Get to the airport *at least* 3 hours before your flight, not 2, and keep in mind that traffic is brutal from 6:30 AM to 10 AM. Try to stay near an Airport Rail Link station or even right by the airport.
I’m planning a trip from February 6th to 18th, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies...). I’m eyeing a flight from Paris on February 6th that lands in Bangkok on February 7th at 3 PM, with a return from Bangkok on February 18th at noon.
That gives us 10 full days in Thailand. A bit short, but we’ll make it work.
Personally, I’d save Bangkok for the return trip.
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, then a few days on an island (but which one...),
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find one that isn’t as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI there, but I’m worried she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I’m afraid we’d get bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
February is peak season pretty much everywhere in the islands...
I’ve been to the Thai islands several times—both in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. I have a clear preference for the latter (from Phuket to Koh Lipe).
In February 2019, we visited the islands in Tarutao National Park in the Andaman Sea. It’s way down south, about an hour by boat from Malaysia (Langkawi).
The island with the most to offer for tourism in that area is Koh Lipe. It’s a fairly busy island but has several advantages:
- For divers and snorkelers, I think this island and the surrounding islets have the best underwater scenery.
- The beaches for relaxing and swimming are really beautiful. Some secluded coves (a 15-minute walk away) were very quiet, while the main beaches lined with bars and restaurants were livelier. For accommodation, you’ll find everything from simple rustic bungalows to luxury hotels tucked away in the greenery of a cove.
- If you like going out, bars, restaurants, and various activities, the island’s center is lively in the evenings.
- Different excursions, like diving trips (PADI courses) or picnics/hikes on nearby islets (Koh Adang, Koh Rawi, Koh Lek), are organized from every accommodation.
Here’s a link with info on how to get there, what to do, etc.:
https://voyagesautenteo.com/thailande/conseils/plages-sud/koh-lipe/
And I can’t help but dream of making her trek a bit through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she’d curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
The largest island in the marine park is Koh Tarutao (20 times the size of Koh Lipe), about 30 minutes by speedboat from Lipe. It’s almost deserted—no inhabitants except the park rangers. Near the dock, there’s a complex of simple but spacious and comfortable bungalows nestled in a coconut grove where a troop of monkeys roams, and at night, wild boars come to scavenge the leftovers from the only restaurant. On this island, you can hike through the jungle, stroll along miles of completely deserted beaches, rent a kayak to explore on your own, or arrange a guided trip with the rangers to paddle up a river to the crocodile cave. You can also rent bikes, but it’s hilly and hot to cross the island and visit the old prison. Or you can hire the park’s jeep service.
When we went, out of about fifty tourists heading back to the mainland (Pak Bara), only three of us disembarked on Koh Tarutao.
The bungalow complex (there are only two on the whole island) was only 20% full!
Spending 2 nights on this island is definitely worth it. For longer, you’d need to love solitude.
More info here:
https://aurorevoyage.com/2018/01/14/thailande-pourquoi-se-rendre-a-koh-tarutao/
From Koh Lipe or Tarutao, you can reach Koh Lanta (for example) or Koh Muk (spend a night or two there) and many other islands, then take a speedboat to Phuket or Krabi and fly back to Bangkok...
Hi Djelma, and thanks for your reply—it’s really helping me think this through! I’m refining our itinerary, and since we’d be coming from Khao Sok, I’m thinking Koh Tarutao could be an idea for another trip.
We’d have 6 nights on the islands: 6 on one island or 3 nights/3 nights on two islands (or 4 nights/2 nights).
Basically, I’m looking for the impossible: postcard-perfect scenery, karst landscapes, great snorkeling, optional boat excursions, and evening pleasures (freshly caught grilled fish and good cocktails)—all while optimizing the route 🏴☠️ 😇!
Koh Lipe: It’s tempting, but the journey from Khao Sok is long—it’d take almost a full day to get there...
Koh Lanta: Seems more "central" with maybe not the most dreamy landscapes or snorkeling, but it ticks the boxes for some nightlife without being too much, and it’s easier to reach from Khao Sok (definitely quicker than Koh Lipe). Still, I worry Lanta might just end up being a base, and we’d spend our days on excursions...
Koh Muk: The Emerald Cave is dreamy, but is it worth staying there if it’s a 1.5-hour speedboat ride from Lanta?
Koh Phi Phi: Might be a victim of its own success—lots of crowds, Instagrammers... and according to the Routard, the bill can get pretty steep...
Koh Yao Noi: Not much to do there, really—best if you want peace and quiet (though I’m afraid we’d get bored).
So there you have it—if you could share your thoughts to help us decide 🙂 !
I really liked Koh Muk, but it's almost as far as Koh Lipe... Actually, from Phuket, all the islands are reachable by speedboats. Koh Muk is more "basic," though there's a rather luxurious hotel at the end of a cape, and the karst landscapes with cliffs are stunning! Most tourists who come to this island do so on organized day trips from other islands like Koh Lanta. Around 9 or 10 AM, boats full of tourists (mostly Asian) arrive at the Emerald Cave! It gets crowded, so go early in the morning or in the evening—but the water level isn’t the same! There are a few nice places to stay, including one set back from a beautiful beach. I’ll check to give you the name just in case...
If you're comfortable kayaking, you should go early. There’s a small stretch of longtail coast to explore. I rented a two-seater kayak, packed a picnic, and we went to the Emerald Cave early—there was no one there since you can only access it by sea. It’s really worth seeing! Afterward, we had our picnic on an equally deserted cove. There are also a few walks to do on trails that can be a bit slippery...
I’d recommend staying for one or two nights max, but avoid the organized excursions from Koh Lanta or Koh Lipe!
...
I can’t say anything about Koh Lanta—I’ve never been. Same for Koh Yao Noi and others in the area.
A long time ago, I loved Koh Pee Pee. You used to get there from Krabi: no roads, no electricity, just oil lamps and rustic palm-thatched bungalows. But based on recent photos, I’d avoid it now. That said, if you don’t mind crowds and noise, why not? The island is photogenic!
Otherwise, we also stopped by Koh Bulon—pleasant and very peaceful (not many people!), but nothing more.
PS: I don’t remember what I said about Tarutao above. It’s worth seeing, but if you want to stay more than two nights, you have to love solitude! There are only two restaurants with a few bungalows on two beaches about 4 or 5 km apart on an island that’s 30 km long or more. There’s no village, and the park rangers’ jeep isn’t always available. It’s really the "Robinson" island! If you like a bit of adventure, there are beautiful jungle hikes, and you can rent bikes and a kayak to go to the Crocodile Cave. You can also visit the old prison, but it’s just ruined shacks—nothing more. It’s mostly for the bike ride.
PS: The beautiful beach on Koh Muk: Charlie Beach and the name of the bungalows 300 m inland: Mookies Bungalows.
Kayak rental to go to the Emerald Cave. Check the tide times because you need to go at low tide to pass through the tunnel.
The "classy" hotel: Silvalai Beach Resort (we went for a walk there but didn’t stay!).
We went to Koh Muk and Libong from Tarutao, but on closer inspection, it’s actually closer to Koh Lanta.
To be honest, during our last trip to Thailand, we only traveled to the islands in the far south, coming from Langkawi. Our goal was the sea: diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and hikes in Tarutao’s jungle.
PS: If your goal was the same, you should’ve taken a ticket to Kuala Lumpur, then a cheap AirAsia flight to Langkawi, and from there, a direct speedboat to Koh Lipe and all the surrounding islands...
Hi everyone, We re planning our 2-week trip to Thailand for December 2024 with our two teens! We d like to visit Bangkok and Ayutthaya, Khao Sok National Park,…
I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of markets. No matter where I go, in every country or city I visit, I won’t leave without having seen one. I’m mostly talking about food markets. I love the smells, the colors, and watching people from all walks of life stroll around. It’s like a mirror of a country’s culture, and I love soaking it all in.
Thai markets are particularly appealing to me. In my province, there are so many. Maybe more than elsewhere—I’m not sure—but every day, you can find a "Talat Nat." These are traveling markets that set up in specific places on specific days. They only stay open for a few hours. Some attract more shoppers than others because they have more stalls and a wider variety of products. Sometimes, they’re set up in pretty unusual spots: temples, roadside, even on train tracks...
On top of these, there are also markets in the city that stay open all day.
I’d love for you to share your photos of markets, local product stalls, and why not, let’s talk about gastronomy and cuisine too!
I’ll start with my favorite market—it’s 8 kilometers from my place and happens every Tuesday from 2 PM to 5 PM. I never miss a Tuesday unless there’s a downpour... 😉 It’s located in the countryside, in a village famous for its coffee (ThamSing), and inside the grounds of a slightly unusual temple. It’s easy to get to—over the past 10 years, the roads have been paved, which wasn’t the case before and made the trip a bit risky when it rained...
In the first two photos, you’ll see the temple courtyard on a normal day, without the market.
Hi there,
We're planning a little trip along the west side, visiting KL, Malacca, then heading up to Penang and ending with a few days at the beach.
The most common option would be to finish the stay in Langkawi. My question: are there other spots with beautiful beaches on this coast where we could spend 4 to 5 days?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
I’d like to know if it’s possible (and reasonable) to travel directly between Battambang and Kampot?
From what I’ve gathered, all the buses between these two destinations go back through Phnom Penh, which means we’d have to spend an extra night there in the middle of our trip. That’s not ideal for us.
Hello.
We’re joining our daughter in Ho Chi Minh City for Christmas—she’s studying there. There’ll be five of us adults, and we couldn’t choose our travel dates, so some flights are fixed. I’ve sketched out the following route, but I’m not sure if it all makes sense. This is our fourth trip to Asia (Thailand twice, Lombok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore). We often travel on a budget, love authentic spots, and enjoy meeting locals (we’ve done volunteer work and homestays).
18/12: Two of us arrive in HCMC
20/12: Head to Hanoi, where the boys land
20/12 to 23 or 24: Hanoi and day trips around—still deciding
23 or 24 to 26: Phu Quoc, so we can head south and spend Christmas by the beach (one son is crazy about the sea and fishing)
27 to 30: Mekong Delta, stopping in Ha Tien, Chau Doc, and another spot to get back to Ho Chi Minh City
1/1: Return flight to France.
What do you think of this plan—is it doable or totally unrealistic? Any recommendations for a one- or two-day trip from Hanoi (Phu Long, Mai Chau), or is it better to stick around the city?
Thanks in advance for your insights.
Hello, South Sulawesi loop: Makassar-Ramang Ramang-Rantepao-Sengkang-Lake Tempe-Bira. Which direction should I take for this loop, starting and ending in Makassar?
Public transport preferred, and about 3 weeks in total.
Any nice homestays? And tips for solo travel?
Thanks, Françoise
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi there,
After a stay in Hua Hin and before another in Chiang Mai, I’d like to break up the trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai into several stops. I’ve found bus and train routes on Maps, but I’m stuck on the connection between Ban Rai / Uthai Thani and then Nakhon Sawan (bus for the latter).
Does anyone have any idea where I could find info, maybe via Route 333?
I know my question isn’t super general or exciting, but if you can help, thanks!
We’re 49 years old, love beautiful landscapes, meeting locals, discovering local food and traditions, and we avoid overly touristy places.
We enjoy hiking, cycling, running, and diving.
This is our first time in Thailand (my husband knows Bangkok).
We arrive on Friday, November 13th in Bangkok (city visit) and return on Friday, November 27th.
We’re considering heading south (possibly toward Krabi) from the 14th to the 18th to enjoy the beautiful beaches, go diving, and see Khao Sok...
Then back to Bangkok and on to Kanchanaburi to see the Sai Yok Noi waterfalls, followed by a bike visit to Ayutthaya.
From there, we’d take an overnight train to the north: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and the Lantern Festival from November 21st to 25th.
On the 26th, we’d take a flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (city visit), and on the 27th, we have our flight back to France.
Does this itinerary seem too packed?
Should we remove some things to avoid feeling rushed and fully enjoy the trip?
Do you recommend anything other than Krabi?
Hi there,
We’re planning a backpacking trip to Northern Malaysia and northern Sumatra in February/March 2027. It’ll be our first time in these areas (we’re pretty familiar with the rest of Asia). Thanks in advance for your favorite spots and diving recommendations! It’s still very open-ended—we haven’t set anything in stone yet.
Thanks,
I’d like to do a kind of personal retreat this winter and I’m looking for a destination near the sea (preferably an island) that’s quiet. Is that possible in Thailand, or should I consider another destination?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Dayi
This September, my partner and I are heading to North Sulawesi for 3 weeks. Our international flight is with Malaysia Airlines, departing from Paris. We have a layover in KL, then fly to Denpasar, followed by a domestic flight from Denpasar to Manado. We land in Bali Denpasar on 05/09 around 12:00 PM, and our flight to Manado is on 07/09 at 1:30 AM. The plan was to have at least one night (from the 5th to the 6th of September) between our international flight and our flight to Manado, just to recharge a bit since we're not 20 anymore 😛. My question is, given the very short stop in Bali (a day and a half), is it better to stay in Denpasar rather than go to Ubud for the night? I’ve been to Bali before, and from what I remember, even though the distances are short, transfers take a long time because of the extremely heavy traffic—but I was there in July, not September. I’m not sure if that makes a big difference?
If the answer is "it’s better to stay in Denpasar," are there any nice places to visit? There’s very little feedback about the city since tourists usually don’t stick around.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Hello everyone! I’m heading off solo in February and wanted to share my rough itinerary with you. Does this sound doable?
PS: I’m not really into beaches.
D1 Departure on February 17, 2027
D2 Arrival in Kuala Lumpur – stroll through Chinatown and visit the Petronas Towers
D3: Kuala Lumpur – Chow Kit Market, Batu Caves, Little India, Bukit Bintang downtown area
D4: Early morning bus to Malacca. Explore Malacca in the afternoon and evening
D5: Another 2–3 hours in Malacca in the morning, then bus back to Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka Square area. Stay in Chinatown
D6: Bus trip to Kuala Tahan. Night tour
D7: Morning – canopy walk and Bukit Terisek hike. Afternoon – off to Lata Berkoh
D8 & D9: 2-day jungle trek in Taman Negara National Park
D10: Head to Cameron Highlands
D11: Morning hike through the plantations. Afternoon still to be decided
D12: Morning – excursion to Mossy Forest and Sungei Plantation. Afternoon bus to Ipoh
D13: Morning – Mirror Lake / Sam Poh Temple area. Afternoon – explore downtown Ipoh
D14: Morning train to Penang. Afternoon – wander around Georgetown
D15: Morning – Penang Hill and Keh Loh Temple. Afternoon – Georgetown
D16: Bus to Butterfly Garden and Spice Garden. Late afternoon – Burmese and Thai temples
D17: Morning flight to Singapore. Afternoon – Chinatown and Marina Bay tour
D18: Morning – Gardens by the Bay area. Afternoon – Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Kampong Glam
D19: Morning – The Ridges area and Botanical Garden. Afternoon – Little India, then back to Chinatown before 11:15 PM return flight
D20: Morning arrival
Hi everyone.
I’m heading to Malaysia for five weeks over the holiday season.
I just found out that tourists can pay by QR code like locals (street food, small shops) to avoid using cash.
This works with apps like Wise or TNG eWallet.
Has anyone tried this system before?
Hi everyone,
I’ll be in western Malaysia for 20 days in January and February.
I’m coming from southern Thailand to Ipoh for the Thaipusam festivities.
Then it’s off to Pangkor Island.
I’ll finish up in Malacca for the Chinese New Year celebrations before heading to Singapore.
I’ve got a 6-day gap.
I was thinking of going to K.Lipis for the jungle train and heading to Dabong, but the caves might not be open.
Any suggestions around K.L.?
Day treks?
A stopover between K.L. and Malacca?
Thanks
Hi, I’ve read that these two volcanoes are super popular and that there are *tons* of people for sunrise, especially in July. I’m looking for firsthand accounts from anyone who’s done it later, around 9–10 a.m.
Thanks for your help!
Laëtitia
I’m heading to Cambodia at the end of December 2026 – January 2027 for 3-4 weeks. Since I’ve already visited Cambodia twice, my itinerary is a bit different this time—I’d love to explore Botum Sakor Park, Chi Pat, the Tatai region, and the Cardamom Mountains. I’m traveling solo. If you have any tips on transportation, excursions, treks, sights, or accommodations in the area, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks for your feedback!
Has anyone traveled with the Laos travel agency ADV ?
I’m planning a trip to Laos and have received several quotes. Among them, this agency’s seem very reasonable, and so far, the interactions have been positive.
I’ve found a few positive reviews online, but I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve actually booked with them: how’s the organization, guide quality, accommodations, on-the-ground responsiveness, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
First stop on our discovery of the peninsula: Amphawa. It’s our first night in Thailand (we arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 8:50 AM).
Our initial plan was to explore the area before heading further south. The Mae Klong Railway Market is tempting... but what else is there to do????
We’ll be there on a Wednesday, and from what I’ve read on the forum, some say there’s absolutely nothing to do during the week—no floating market, barely any shops open, no restaurants, etc.
Others, though, say the place is actually more charming without the weekend crowds.
Could you share your thoughts? Missing the floating market is one thing, but if it’s really a ghost town on Wednesdays, I might just drop our bags somewhere else.
Amphawa seemed like a good first stop, just 1.5 hours from the airport, but I’d still like to settle somewhere a bit lively for our first evening.
We’ll be there at the end of October.
Thanks!
Hi,
I wanted to visit the plantations in the morning with GetYourGuide or by just showing up.
How much time should I really plan for?
I’d like to catch either the 3 PM or 5 PM bus back to KL.
Thanks
Hi,
I wanted to get some info about the cable car and the bridge—I see lots of different options...
How much time should we allow for these two activities? If we arrive around 4 PM, will we have enough time to visit without rushing?
Thanks
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Hi! I’d like to split my trip into two parts: 15 days in Phuket and 15 days in Krabi. Do you know if I can rent a car and drop it off in Krabi when I fly back to France?
Thanks for your feedback!
Have a great Sunday!
Martine
Hello,
After 1 night in Khao Sok, I’d like to find a 2 Days 1 Night package on the lake.
After reading a lot, I decided to "break the bank" and treat ourselves to a private tour—mainly to avoid the crowds.
But after contacting several operators, they offer "private tours" that are very expensive (around 700 €), yet in the details, the boats can only leave from the pier at 10 AM like everyone else. (I was hoping to leave much earlier.) The morning program is the same for everyone too (private or not). They drop us off at noon at our floating hotel (I’d chosen Phupha Waree). Free afternoon (swimming or kayaking in front of the hotel). We head back by boat for a 1-hour sunset ride. And the next morning, we leave the hotel at 8 AM to be at the pier by 9:30 AM at the latest—end of the trip.
So basically, we’re paying a lot for a private tour just to do the same thing as everyone else at the same time.
Or maybe I just had bad luck in my search.
I contacted Panida Ladi, who’s very popular on forums. We’d agreed on a private tour that matched my request (departure from the pier at 8 AM, very personalized itinerary). We settled on the itinerary and price, she asked for a Wise transfer for a 30% deposit, confirmed receipt of the deposit. Then 30 minutes later, she messaged me to say she was canceling everything because it was impossible to do the requested tour—and promised a quick refund of my deposit.
So here’s my question: Who’s done a *real* private tour on this lake? Who can recommend a reliable agency? Is it even really possible to do a private tour here?
I’m searching for a real gem for my 3rd stay in Koh Lanta: a lovely, high-quality hotel right by an easily accessible beach in a lively spot.
If you know of anything that fits what I’m looking for and want to share, don’t hesitate!
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
