Andaman Community Explorer

Day 1 – Cultural Exchanges (-/L/D)

Pick up from Phuket or Surat Thani and transfer to the community of Ban Talae Nok. Meet your homestay family and take a walking tour of the village to learn about the history of the community and how it was affected by the 2004 tsunami. Learn about the art of Batik‐ dyeing fabrics by using designs drawn in wax. Try your hand yourself and create some souvenirs to take home.  Also try weaving the leaves of the Nypa palm to make traditional panelling. Enjoy a spectacular Andaman sunset while eating a delicious barbeque dinner on the beach.  Share stories with your   host family.  Overnight at the homestay.

Day 2 – Natural Wonders (B/L/D)

After breakfast take a journey by boat through the mangrove forest and learn how the villagers are actively protecting this precious ecosystem which is so important for their livelihood and about their fishing techniques.  Go snorkelling and after a picnic lunch on the beach join a handicraft workshop with the ladies of the village as they make soaps. Relax on the beach to watch the sunset or learn some of the basic techniques of Thai cooking.  Dinner and overnight at the homestay.

Day 3 Village Life (B/L/D)

After breakfast visit the local school, from where there is a panoramic view of the village. Afterwards, learn how to make some tradition local desserts. After lunch it is time to say goodbye to your host family and transfer to Kuraburi and check into a local resort. In the evening visit the local market and enjoy a very local dinner.

Day 4 – Ko Surin – Moken Village (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the market transfer by speedboat to Surin Island. Check in to the National Park bungalows. Take another boat to the Moken village and take a tour on foot around the community to learn about the peoples’ way of life and their relationship with their environment. See local handicrafts such as the making of bracelets with Pandanus leaves. Enjoy a picnic lunch and then take a walk through the forest and learn about the plants that grow locally which can be use as spices or as medicines and those that can be used for the construction of houses or boats. Afterwards go snorkeling to see the countless colorful fish found in these waters.  Dinner and then overnight at the park bungalows.

Day 5 – Natural Wonders (B/L/D)

After breakfast spend time in village or go out for some more snorkelling.  Exploring the area, you may be lucky as see some flying lemurs and macaques. Dinner and then overnight at the park bungalows.

Day 6 Eco Adventure (B/L/-)

After breakfast try your hand at rowing a traditional Moken boat and their traditional method of spear fishing.  Check out from the bungalows and after lunch, transfer to the mainland and back to Phuket, Surat Thani or the beach.

Services included:

• Accommodation in guesthouse and homestay as mentioned in the programme
• Activities as specified in the programme
• Local  English-speaking guide
• Meals as mentioned in the programme
• All entrance fees for visits included in the programme

Services excluded:

• Additional soft drinks/alcohol
• Personal expenses
• Tips for guide and driver
• Domestic and international flights
• Travel insurance

Please be advised:

In some villages you may not be allowed take pictures of people and some places may be out of bounds to visitors. If you wish to take photographs or are unsure whether an action is appropriate, please ask your local guide for advice.

Responsible mind:

The villagers’ income from tourists is to help support the community and preserve its way of life. We have designed our tours to provide them with job opportunities and a sustainable way of maintaining their cultural heritage and to offer an alternative to illegal activities like mineral exploration, deforestation and hunting wildlife.

Back to: South Thailand