Thailand & Philippines Escape

This trip is a combo of two of our most popular trips –  18 day Thai Intro and 17 day Pure Philippines.

Thai Intro

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok!  Meet one of the local team members at the airportand transfer to our central guesthouse accommodation in Bangkok. Get to know your group over a few beers and get excited together about your whirlwind Thai tour!

Days 2 - 3: Bangkok & overnight train.  Take a relaxing boat ride down the river, visit the city’s most majestic temples, take a tuktuk ride back through the buzz of Bangkok, whip up some tasty treats at a Thai cooking class and party on the city’s neon lit streets after dark! On day 3, board an overnight train south to Khao Sok.

Day 4: Khao Sok National Park. Take a long-tail boat ride through stunning Khao Sok National Park and enjoy adventure activities such as tubing, sea kayaking and monkey-spotting. We’ll spend tonight in unique floating bungalows on an idyllic lake.

Days 5 - 8: Koh Phangan. Travel to the infamous party island of Koh Phangan where you’ll relax on sugar-white beaches, get pampered with a traditional Thai massage, take a boat trip round the islands with swimming and snorkelling, join a Muay Thai lesson or yoga session, and enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner under the stars.

Days 9 - 12: Koh Phi Phi and Phuket. You’ve been great Phangan but we’re off to Phi Phi for more island fun! Take two magical boat rides around the remote paradise islands off Phi Phi, including Phi Phi Le (AKA Leo’s beach), hike to an epic viewpoint, and party under the stars. On the afternoon of day day 12, you will travel by boat to our amazing hotel in Phuket. Spend the evening sipping cocktails at the poolside bar. 

There is a possibility we may not be able to enter right into Maya Bay at certain times of the year due to government closures.

Days 13 - 14: Chiang Mai. Say goodbye to Thailand’s beautiful islands and head north to Chiang Mai. On day 14, discover the breathtaking Doi Suthep Temple before we enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at a local fish farm. After our feast, get ready for the incredible ‘sticky’ waterfalls!

Day 15: Jungle trek & hill tribe. We’ll spend today trekking through the most incredible landscapes, to a hill tribe village where we’ll experience the customs and traditional ways of life lived by people in the area.

Day 16: Bamboo rafting & Chiang Mai. Wake up with the sounds of the jungle in your ears. We’ll journey back to Chiang Mai with some more trekking and some traditional bamboo river rafting. This evening, enjoy Chiang Mai’s lively nightlife.

Day 17: Elephant sanctuary. Pay a visit to an ethical elephant sanctuary today where we’ll learn all about the animals, the history of elephants in Thailand, and their connection to rural communities, as well as getting up close with the eles themselves – just amazing.

Day 18: Trip end. Your unforgettable Thai adventure comes to an end today. Head back to Bangkok ready to travel on to the beautiful Philippines!

Moon Parties in Koh Phangan

Visit Koh Phangan at the right time and you can experience the legendary moon parties, like the Full Moon Party. Check out our guides and make sure they line up with your travel dates or speak to one of our expert travel advisors for help:

Full Moon Party Dates & Guide

Half Moon/Jungle Party Dates & Guide

Pure Philippines

Day 1: Arrive in Manila. Mabuhay! Once your flight has landed, you’ll be transferred over to the centrally located accommodation. You’ll be meeting your trip leader and travel companions at 7pm tonight for a welcome dinner, so use this time to get settled or go out and explore the Philippines’ cool capital. 

Day 2: Move to Moalboal. After a brief internal flight and ferry combo to Cebu, we’ll be moving through the island with cameras in hand. There’s over 1000 waterfalls on this island alone and we’ll be visiting a few of these today, so make sure you bring a swimsuit and a waterproof phone case.

Day 3: Kawasan Falls. Ever tried canyoneering? Today we’ll be climbing over rocks, wading through unusually bright turquoise water and exploring all three levels of the awe-inspiring Kawasan Falls. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, take a leap of faith and jump in!

Day 4: Moalboal Sardine Run. This morning you’ll be taking part in one of the biggest events nature has to offer. We’ll have a million sardines to keep us company, so put on some snorkelling gear and start swimming! After that adventure, take the afternoon to explore Moalboal at your own leisure, whether that means checking out the beach bars at Panagsama Beach or going back into the water for a second time today.

Day 5: Cebu sightseeing and Busuanga Island. If there’s one thing to know about the Philippines, it’s anything but ordinary. Today we’ll visit the extravagant Simala church castle which looks like a fairy-tale brought to life. Then it’s time to take a short internal flight to Busuanga Island, famous for its astonishing landscapes and world-class recreational diving. 

Day 6: Sulu Sea and a night out in Coron. Heard of the Coral Triangle before? When we say that the Philippines has some of the best snorkelling and deep-sea diving in the world, we’re not joking. This part of the world has marine biodiversity unlike any other, especially when it comes to green sea turtles. Speaking of exploration, this evening we’ll be discovering Coron’s electrifying nightlife!

Day 7: Hiking and hot springs. It’s a later start today, but we’ll leave in plenty of time to hike Mount Tapyas. The Coron sign at the top feels like Hollywood, but the emerald view is pure Philippines. Unwind this evening in the Maquinit Hot Springs, where we’ll admire the sunset while sinking into a steamy saltwater pool. 

Day 8: Sailing to seclusion. The next few days we’ll be seeing a different side to the Philippines, where there’s nothing in sight except for the endless cerulean-blue ocean and stretches of milky sand. There’s hardly any tourists on these islands, but a wealth of opportunities to experience the Philippines in a fresh light.

Day 9: Island paradise. If you’ve ever imagined what it’d be like to have your own private island, today is about as close as it gets. We’ll have entire beaches to ourselves, not to mention all the space you could ever need while swimming in the sea. The huts we stay in are simple, but this stripped-back style means we get to fully appreciate the untouched scenery. Between a clear night sky made for stargazing and the soothing sound of the ocean, expect some of the best sleep in your life.

Day 10: El Nido. Our next destination couldn’t be more different, yet El Nido leaves a life-long impression. From secret lagoons to beaches that stretch for miles, today’s all about kicking back and relaxing while taking in the one-of-a-kind landscape. Cocktails by the sea quickly turns into a full night out in the beachtown that never sleeps!

Day 11: Into the jungle. Recover from the night before with an included Filipino massage. Today’s itinerary is a little more laidback with a free evening, though you won’t want to miss out on our jungle canopy walk. It’s a short but adventurous route that takes you to Taraw Cliff, where you can catch panoramic views of El Nido. If you need a new profile picture, you’ll have the perfect backdrop right here!

Day 12: Nacpan beach. This morning we’ll explore every corner of El Nido from the comfort of a Jeepney. For lunch, we’ll be visiting an organic farm and dining on the beach. To make this meal extra memorable, we’ll be watching a traditional Filipino performance where the local children will take part. Then we’re travelling a little outside of El Nido to Nacpan beach, the embodiment of paradise. Despite its reputation as one of the most beautiful locations in the Philippines, Nacpan beach is surprisingly secluded. 

Day 13: El Nido to Port Barton. Our island adventure continues in Port Barton. Take the time this afternoon to soak up this fishing village’s raw beauty and down-to-earth vibe. Other than its beaches, Port Barton is most famous for its sunsets. Why not combine the two with a drink at one of the beach bars? 

Day 14: Port Barton. Before we leave the Philippines’ awe-inspiring beaches behind, we have one last beach day scheduled in. The day is yours to enjoy, whether you want to cat-nap all day or go snorkelling in the Coral Triangle one last time. The only activity we have planned for today is a boat trip, where you’ll get to experience even more of that island paradise feeling.

Day 15: Underground river cruise. Today we’ll be boarding a boat cruise through the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, an UNESCO Heritage Site declared as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This “mountain-to-sea” attraction features ancient limestone caves and a river that flows directly into the sea. As amazing as this sounds, nothing compares to the feeling of seeing the formations up-close. 

Day 16: Puerto Princesa & evening in Manila. We’ll start our penultimate day exploring Palawan’s vibrant capital, Puerto Princesa. Then we’ll travel on to the airport for a short internal flight back to Manila. Tonight we’ll enjoy one final evening as a group and celebrate our island getaway of a lifetime.

Day 17: End trip. Say goodbye to your trip buddies and make your way back to the airport, or stay a little longer in Manila and carry on travelling.