Tours of Phuket

If you would like to learn more about the environment and ecological side of Phuket, this trip is for you. The North East of Phuket is home to the Muslim community of Bang Rong, with 800 of the 1,000 inhabitants getting their lively-hood directly from the Mangrove forest. This area is also home to jungle and Phuket's highest waterfall. So this tour is designed to give you the opportunity to visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project where you can learn about the rehabilitation of the gibbon apes, the preservation of the Mangrove forest, experience the last of the remaining rainforest on Phuket and its highest waterfall all in one day. Additionally you also enjoy a long-tail boat ride to a quiet beach and visit the temple of the buried Buddha. A very different experience for those people wishing to appreciate the ecology of Phuket.

SATURDAYS or other weekdays if possible!

A minimum of 6 adults are required for this tour.

Itinerary: (Time varies depending on the tides.)

09:00: Pick up from The Villas.

10:30: Arrive at Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, Bang Pae.
Starting off with an introduction about The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project and details of the work carried out there, and an explanation of how captured gibbons are rehabilitated and released back into the rainforest where they belong. Following this you take a short walk into the last remaining untouched jungle on Phuket and have the opportunity to swim in the Bang Pae waterfall, the highest waterfall on the island.

12:00 - Bang Rong Agro-Tourism.
Taking a boat ride to Koh Naka for a relaxing swim and sightseeing, followed by a Muslim Halil lunch (fried fish, seafood soup) in the floating restaurant before, you then take a short kayak tour into the mangrove swamp. After lunch you learn more about the project and the importance of preserving the Mangrove forest and how it protects from tsunamis, plus find out more about the traditional Muslim lifestyle how people get their lively-hood from the forests.

16:00 - Wat Pra Thong.
The last stop for the day is a visit to the temple with the half buried Buddha. The legend says that who tries to dig up the Buddha will experience death and terrible things.

17:45 Return to The Villas (Time varies depending on Phuket traffic).

Includes minibus transfers, local guide, English-, Swedish- and Finnish speaking tour leader, lunch, 200 baht park fee, 50 baht donation to the Gibbon project, kayaking, Long-tail Boat trip, insurance and water. Bring along: swim-suite, towel, reliable footwear, mosquito spray, sun lotion, cap, sunglasses, camera, money.

This is a very popular and informative tour of the southernmost parts of Phuket, revealing everyday life and Thai culture in a memorable and interesting way offering stunning views and beauty. The south of Phuket, with its mountains, beaches and views over the Andaman Sea has a unique charm and beauty as you appreciate the wonderful mix of Buddhists living side by side with Muslims together with many long-stay foreign expats. Excellent food is served in high class restaurants with many different ethnic inheritances.

SUNDAYS or other weekdays if possible!

A minimum of 5 adults are required for this tour.

Itinerary:

14:30: Pick up from The Villas.

Wat Chalong.
This beautiful temple mixes both Thai and Chinese Buddhism, with an interesting history going back to the monk Luang Por Cham and the Chinese uprising in the 19th Century. Bone fragments of Lord Buddha are found here as well as fortune telling notes, however, don't be surprised by the loud fire crackers when they go off!

Elephant bar.
Feed the elephants, have a relaxing drink in the bar and enjoy the view.

View Point.
A wonderful view of Karon Beach, Kata Beach and Kata Noi Beach.

Fresh food market.
The opportunity to visit a local market, selling fresh seafood, meat, fruit, food and BBQ products, spices, snacks, drinks and clothes where bargains are easier to find than in the more common tourist places.

Sea gypsies.
Here you can find fresh fish from the Long-tail boats, decorations made of sea-shells, low-price real pearls, fruit and vegetables at the waterfront market by the poor shelters made of corrugated sheet metal. Mokeen or Chaolay people are the rest of what once was a wide population of nomad fishermen, who moved along with the movements of the fish and their catch.

The small view point.
Admire the giddying views of Nai Harn Beach and Yanui Beach from a quite unknown viewpoint on top of a steep hill.

Phromthep cape.
Here at the southernmost point of Phuket you can admire the sunset and a great view over the Andaman Sea. You visit the Light House and pass the Elephant shrine before the tour ends with a dinner at the marvelous garden restaurant with a relaxing atmosphere and a wonderful view.

20:30 Return to The Villas.

NOTE! In the temple it is required to wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees. A T-shirt and shorts that covers the knees are acceptable. Includes minibus, local guide, English-, Swedish- and Finnish speaking tour leader, dinner, insurance and water.

Private groups according to agreement! Do not hesitate to ask!