18 to 35s Essential Southern Thailand

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Bangkok – a huge, buzzing metropolis and the capital of Thailand. If you arrive early, make the most of the city's bustling markets, grab some spicy noodles from a street cart or relax with a Thai massage. After your meeting, get the gang together and head out for dinner with the group to get to know each other a little better. Ask your leader for the best spots to soak in some local nightlife – cocktail, anyone?

Today, you’ll explore some of Bangkok's most famous sites. Head to the temple complex of Wat Pho, which houses the famous 46-m-long gilded statue of the Reclining Buddha. Then soak in the gorgeous scenery at a nearby flower market. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to discover more of the city – maybe head to the Grand Palace or check out the art collection at the Jim Thompson House. Tonight, you’ll head south on an overnight train to Surat Thani.

Arrive in southern Surat Thani this morning and then board a bus and ferry to Ko Samui. For the next three days, it's waterfalls, swimming and snorkelling all day, every day. When you arrive, you have free time to explore Ko Samui, known for its palm-fringed beaches and coconut groves. Maybe beach hop your way around the island or spend the afternoon relaxing. This evening, why not get a group of your new friends together and find a place for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations for where to eat.

Venture out on a half-day guided tour of the island with your group and local leader, stopping to see the iconic 12-m-tall Big Buddha statue at Wat Phra Yai along the way. Sun-bathed coastal scenery and natural wonders like marine-life-rich reefs have made the island of Ko Samui a beloved island getaway for decades. This afternoon, maybe use your free time to visit the waterfalls at Na Muang. Tonight, feast on a curry and then join in the party atmosphere that Ko Samui's nightlife is famous for.

Spend a free day today however you’d like – swimming, lazing in the sun or actively exploring. You might like to take an optional day trip to get out and explore Ang Thong Marine National Park by either slow boat or speedboat. The park is an archipelago of more than 40 islands (including Ko Samui) in the Gulf of Thailand, featuring photo-worthy beaches, jungle, mangroves and limestone mountains rising out of the sea. Swim at popular Ko Mae Island and check out the saltwater lagoon of Thale Nai (Emerald Lake). For a quieter experience and some great snorkelling opportunities, head to the nearby islands of Ko Tao and Ko Nang Yuan. Ko Samui is also home to an elephant sanctuary where you can observe these gentle giants. Watch them bathe, roam the fields and socialise with other elephants, knowing they are in a caring and peaceful environment.

This morning, head from Ko Samui to Khao Sok National Park (don’t forget your camera today!). Transfer to an early ferry from Samui Pier to Donsak Pier. Then, board a private vehicle to Cheow Lan Lake, where you’ll hop in a traditional longtail boat for a calm sail to your raft house. Keep an eye out for wild bull elephants, gibbons and spectacled langur (dusky leaf monkeys). Khao Sok National Park is the wettest spot in Thailand with some of the oldest jungles in the world. See loads of limestone karsts and, if you're lucky, monkeys playing here and there. Later, go on an evening safari with your group, where you’ll head deep into the jungle on a longtail boat, looking (and listening) out for more animals. After, head to your raft house accommodation. Enjoy a home-cooked southern Thai meal with the locals and take the opportunity to get to know their lifestyles and stories before falling asleep to the relaxing sound of the jungle.

Wake up in one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world. Your raft house sits right inside the park, so you’ll have time this morning to catch the mist drifting along the lake as you search for wildlife in the jungle on a longtail boat. Before lunch, take a jungle hike around the park. Depending on the season, you might see waterfalls or head up high to a panoramic viewpoint. If you're lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of elephants, hornbills and langur monkeys. After, make your way to Phuket. Along the way, visit the Khao Lak Tsunami Memorial to learn about the area’s sobering history. Then head to the Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Phang Nga. Learn about how the Navy rescues eggs from surrounding beaches and how they work with local communities, schools, universities, government organisations and other NGOs to ensure the conservation of turtles and preserve the environment. Tonight is a free evening in Phuket to watch the sunset and maybe grab a couple of drinks and toast to a trip well-travelled.