Sawadee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins at Phuket Airport, where a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to drive you two hours north to the lovely laid-back beach town of Khao Lak. Known for its long runways of powdery white sand lapped by shallow turquoise waves, this stunning stretch of Andaman Coast remains relatively low-key – the perfect place to get a taste of rural local life. Passing through tropical forest, rubber plantations and picturesque villages, you’ll arrive at your palm-fringed beachside hotel. Settle in with a welcome cocktail and three-course Thai dinner as you get to know your fellow Flashpackers. 

Enjoy a relaxed start and dip a toe in the sea before getting ready for your first activity. You’re headed for a local cookery school to discover the secrets of authentic Thai cuisine. Under the guidance of an expert chef, you’ll learn about the fragrant herbs and spices that give the dishes their flavour. You’ll grind together lemongrass, chill, ginger and herbs to create a curry paste from scratch, and you’ll cook up a banquet of traditional dishes, so simple you can try them at home. Think: crisp spring rolls and fresh papaya salad, tangy pad Thai and aromatic green curry, sticky mango rice and bananas in coconut milk, and more. Sit down to enjoy this mouthwatering meal with your group, savouring the fruits of your labour.

Prepare to explore the unspoiled coastline on a traditional longtail boat. From your hotel, you’ll take a songthaew (local taxi) to the pier of a small fishing village, where you’ll set off on a cruise through the peaceful mangroves – keeping your eyes peeled for exotic wildlife, like birds, monkeys and snakes – and stopping off to relax on the golden sand of beautiful Khao Na Yak cape. The coast here is renowned as a green turtle nesting site and you’ll pay a visit to the Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Centre to learn how the endangered creatures are nurtured and protected. If you’re lucky, you might even get to help gather eggs or release the hatchlings, depending on the time of year. 

It’s time to say goodbye to Khao Lak as you travel onwards to Koh Yao Yai: a sleepy island in Phang Nha Bay, surrounded by sandy shores, secluded coves and uninhabited rocky islets that thrust up from the sea. Locals here make a simple living from fishing, farming and local crafts. Your first stop is a cloth dye and batik painting centre where you’ll learn how hot wax is used to create elaborate and colourful designs. Together with your group, you’ll embrace your inner artist as you create your own batik to take home. Masterpiece completed, you’ll explore a nearby rubber plantation to see how the trees are tapped for sap – a process done entirely by hand – with some free time before dinner at your boutique beach resort.

A day of island-hopping awaits through the beautiful karst landscapes and pristine islands of the Koh Hong archipelago. This is your chance to experience real desert island perfection, with water so clear, you only need to look down from your boat to spot fish and coral beneath you. Snorkel the shallow reefs off Pakbia Island, relax on Lao Ladong against a backdrop of huge jungle-covered cliffs and swim in the emerald water of Koh Hong’s hidden lagoon – one of the most Instagrammable spots in Thailand. Feeling energetic? Hike up to the viewpoint for a 360-degree panorama. After an incredible day, you’ll journey back to Koh Yao Yai, as the sun sinks slowly into the Andaman Sea.           

Leaving Koh Yao Yai behind, you’ll take a speedboat across the bay to Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, where you’ll be spending the next four nights. Famed for its world-class beaches, sparkling water, beautiful temples and vibrant nightlife, there’s plenty to explore here – and with 90 kilometres of coastline you don’t have to stray far from the main resorts to find a secluded spot. Settle into your hotel and spend a blissful afternoon swimming in the turquoise sea (it never gets boring, trust us) or check out the hipster cafes, colourful markets and Sino-Portuguese architecture of Phuket Old Town. For dinner tonight, you’ll find plenty of seafood restaurants and street food stalls dotted along the beach.    

Enjoy a free morning before a spiritual afternoon finding out about the country’s predominant religion: Buddhism. Starting at Wat Mai Luang Pu Supha, a famous meditation centre and one of Phuket’s most sacred sites, you’ll learn about the traditional practice with a local guide. Join the monks at Wat Chalong Monastery as they go about their daily rituals, gaining an insight into the life of Thai Buddhists and their deep-rooted beliefs. Finish at a hilltop temple where you can put your new knowledge into practice beside Southeast Asia’s largest Buddha statue. In this serene setting, find a quiet corner to practice your meditation, calming your mind and soothing your soul as the temple bells ring out above.

There’s more island-hopping in store today as you explore the Phi Phi Islands by speedboat. The six scenic islands boast breathtakingly beautiful arcs of pure white sand flanked by dramatic green-clad cliffs. You’ll stop off at stunning Ao Maya – arguably one of Thailand’s most beautiful locations, used as the setting for ‘The Beach’ – before continuing around Phi Phi Lay Cove and Monkey Beach (look out for the long-tailed macaques) for more swaying palm trees and picture-perfect bays. The water here is clear, calm and brimming with marine life and there’ll be time to soak up the underwater beauty before a lazy picnic lunch. Only the setting sun will be your cue to turn back towards Phuket. 

For your final full day, we’ve got something special in store. Phuket is home to over 200 Asian elephants, and you’ll be spending a magical morning mingling with these gentle giants at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. The rehabilitated pachyderms were formerly used for logging but are now free to roam, forage and bathe in the lagoons of the 30-acre forest, just as they would do in the wild – a privilege to experience. Gain an aerial view from the 600-metre canopy walkway (the longest in Thailand) before meeting them up close as you walk through the forest. Back at your hotel, you’ll gather for a farewell dinner. Raise a toast with your group – now firm friends – as you reflect on the experiences you’ve shared.  

All too soon, your trip has come to an end and it’s time to make your way to the airport. If 10 days just isn’t enough, why not extend your trip with another of our Southeast Asian adventures? You could find yourself trekking through the jungles of Borneo, seeing the sunrise over Cambodia’s Angkor Wat or camping on your own private island in the Philippines. All of these options are just a phone call away.