select your preferred tour date
DAY 1 (WED): Arrival - Chiang Mai
It's finally here! The day you've been excitedly anticipating for months has arrived!
The earlier you can arrive in Chiang Mai airport, the better, as this gives you plenty of time to check-in, kick back, relax and prepare for a fantastic tour of Thailand!
Once at your accommodation, you'll be free to relax or explore while our guides collect everyone else that will be arriving throughout the day.
DAY 1 (WED): Arrival - Chiang Mai
It's finally here! The day you've been excitedly anticipating for months has arrived!
The earlier you can arrive in Chiang Mai airport, the better, as this gives you plenty of time to check-in, kick back, relax and prepare for a fantastic tour of Thailand!
Once at your accommodation, you'll be free to relax or explore while our guides collect everyone else that will be arriving throughout the day.
DAY 2 (THU): Chiang Mai to Elephant Project
After breakfast, your guide will gather you all for a Bamboo orientation. This is necessary to make sure that each of you gets the most out of your time with us, understands what to expect together with some cultural and political norms that you may be unfamiliar with.
Once that's out of the way, we'll gather our belongings and get ready for a road-trip 'Thai-style' to meet the majestic elephants who, let's face it, are who you're looking forward to meeting the most!
On arrival at the project, you'll be greeted by the 'mahouts' (the human guardians of these amazing animals) - who themselves are great, fun people to be around. You'll be shown to your camp, enjoy some lunch and have a look around the project before we reconvene for another orientation about these elephants. We will learn where they came from and how the sanctuary is recognized as being one of the true champions of elephant welfare within Thailand - a strict zero riding policy is adhered to at all times.
You can expect loads of elephant hugs and kisses, and you'll have the opportunity to feed them. As mind-blowing as that sounds, it pales in comparison to giving them a mud bath and scrub in the cool river that flows through the sanctuary. Be sure to bring your camera - an instantaneous memory of biblical proportions awaits! Once all that's over, you'll have dinner and a chance to kick back with the mahouts and your fellow travelers.
You've not laughed and cried until you've seen a baby elephant splashing around in a river, and even more so when you've witnessed mum try to encourage it out of the water!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 3 (FRI): Elephant Project
Having witnessed the enormity of food that they can eat, all that produce needs to be harvested on a 24/7 basis.
As a group, and with the assistance of the Mahouts, we'll get our hands in the mud, planting heaps of sugar cane and bamboo to keep the stock of food required for the nutritional sustenance of the animals.
When that much-needed work is complete, we'll head off to a stunning location for lunch by a shallow river where we'll be able to go for a dip and cool-off under the golden Thai sun.
Later in the afternoon, we'll head back to our accommodation for a chance to relax and reminisce about the day's events. Why not pop along to the refreshing waterfall for a quick dip?!
Tonight we'll have dinner and a few drinks to celebrate this epic experience. It truly is an extraordinary place!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 4 (SAT): Elephant Project to Bangkok
It's our last morning with our new elephant friends, so get your final goodbyes in and feed them one last time!
After a morning with the gentle giants, we will head back to Chiang Mai! Here we will give you a tour of the city, where we’ll leisurely wander through the backstreets, markets, and temples that deem this town “The Rose of the North.” Prepare for a beautiful view across the mountains, where the locals farm vegetables and grow wildflowers. You will get the chance to do a little shopping and get some unique souvenirs from the local hill tribe.
We will stop at Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park. There you will see the process of how elephant dung can be transformed into paper. After that, it's back to the hotel to give you a chance to freshen up before we depart on the night train towards the capital - Bangkok
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 5 (SUN): Bangkok
Arriving into Bangkok early morning, it's time for a group chat and a chance to run through the schedule. We'll then take you off on a guided tour of the 'City That Never Sleeps' - it's Bangkok, baby! This city has to be experienced to be believed, and no, it's not a cliche - trust us! Temples, markets, and mayhem await those both cool and confident enough to try it on for size. Our experienced guides will show you the real Bangkok, open your senses to new sights, sounds, and smells that will linger with you forever…. The evening is yours to explore!
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 6 (MON): Bangkok to Koh Samui
Who’s ready for some island life? I hope you are because today we will make our way down to the stunning island of Koh Samui.
In the early morning, we'll hop on a bus down to Surat Thani from where we'll take the ferry, which will arrive in the afternoon. After checking into the hotel, the evening is up to you to explore the island, maybe even head down to the beach and dip your toes into the water.
Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 7 (TUE): Koh Samui
Let’s explore this incredible island!
We’ll hop in a local truck and see all there is to see on sunny Samui. From the eclectic assortment of beaches to the stunning landscape, the ride across Samui is a treat for the eyes.
By late afternoon, we’ll head back home, where you can spend the evening however you please. Head to the party-filled beach bars at Chaweng or Lamai for a more “hippy” experience. Just embrace the Saturday sun and sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 8 (WED): Koh Samui
Our day together begins with a private boat to the mostly unknown island of Koh Tan for a taste of Koh Samui forty-years-ago. The laid-back life features a bit of exploring, some swimming, sunbathing, and simply lounging on the beach. It’s just more paradise on top of the previous heaven.
*This activity is subject to change due to weather conditions. If the weather is not permitting, we will have additional events scheduled
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 9 (THU): Koh Samui
Today's adventure is a trip to Ang Thong Marine Park, home to over 42 different islands in the Gulf of Thailand. From breathtaking limestone mountains to beautiful tropical waters, this park will have many jaw-dropping moments. Bring your waterproof camera, swimsuit, and most adventurous self for this all-day excursion!
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 10 (FRI): Koh Samui to Koh Tao
Today it's time to jump on the boat that will whisk us over to island number two: Koh Tao. Small but mighty, stunning and simple.
Once we reach land, we'll get checked-in to our hotel, and now you'll have some free time to rest up, explore, enjoy some cocktails, run along the beach, dance until your legs stop working, or chill by the pool with a cold one.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 11 (SAT): Koh Tao
From the elephants on the mainland to the coolest dudes in the water - it's the sea turtles, dude!
Bamboo loves protectors of animals, and so today, we'll introduce you to a fabulous initiative in operation to protect and restore the local marine life. These guys rock and they're ready and waiting to inform us about how they track, recognize, and protect the marine life and ecosystems of the sea to ensure the longevity of the island's vast number of marine species.
You will either be getting close to our turtles in the center, or you'll slip into your flippers, snorkel-up, and go for a swim for a game of spot-the-turtle.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 12 (SUN): Koh Tao
Today will be our last full day on Koh Tao, and the day is yours!
You are free to do whatever your heart desires whether that's chilling on the beach drinking a cocktail, swimming with the fishies or simply exploring more of this beautiful island, our guides will be there to help you arrange your last hurrah!
In the evening, we'll get our glad rags on and head out for a farewell meal and a final big night. Cocktails, beers, and buckets await!
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 13 (MON): Koh Tao to Bangkok
The end may be near, but there's enough time for one more memory-making night of fun!
You've not visited Thailand if you haven't experienced the infamous Khao San Road, and that's precisely where we're heading today.
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 14 (TUE): Departure - Bangkok
Tears may be shed, and there's no shame in that - this tour will leave a lifelong stamp in your heart, new friends for life, and memories to last a lifetime!
However, it's now time for you all to hug and wish each other well as you await your flights back to your homeland or on to wherever you're heading next.
Whatever your itinerary has planned for you, our guides will be there to assist you and point you in the right direction.
Meals included: Breakfast
select your preferred tour date
Accommodation throughout the tour is shared and you will be sharing rooms with other members of the group. If you would like to enquire about upgrading to a private room, please contact us to check availability and costs.
Chiang Mai: Bed and breakfast in a nicely appointed twin share rooms guesthouse. All meals included during the time at the elephant project.
Koh Samui: Self-catering house accommodation. One large 10 bed dorm room, two single rooms and one double room. All rooms have air-conditioning and bedding is provided. Western-style bathrooms, fully functional kitchen, large outdoor communal area and the house is a short walk from the centre of the lovely Mae Nam area of the island.
Koh Tao: Bed & breakfast accommodation in twin share rooms.
Bangkok: Twin share bed & breakfast accommodation in a guest house near Khao San Road. Includes a/c, TV, hot water and western bathroom.
Internet: WiFi is available in all accommodation but not available at the elephant project.
Laundry: Local laundry services are everywhere, offer a quick, reliable and cheap service.
In short – anything that's not on the "What's included?" list in the info pack and this guide! The main things you’ll absolutely need to get that aren't included are:
International flights – we have people join us from all over the world so we leave these flexible so you can choose the departure airport and airline that suits you best.
Travel insurance – you can choose your own travel insurance or we can organize this for you. You can find details on the travel insurance here and will be able to add this on to your booking.
Visas – depending on the passport you hold you may need to get a visa before you travel. Please see below for more info on visas.
Arrival
You need to book a flight that lands into Chiang Mai airport (airport CNX) on the Wednesday that your tour starts, between the hours of 6am and 8pm. Providing you arrive between these hours on this day, one of the team will be there to meet you on arrival and take you back to the hotel in the city. If you arrive later than 8pm on the Wednesday start date, we will organize for you to spend that first night at the airport hotel then, one of the team will pick you up from the airport hotel the following morning and take you to the hotel in the city to meet the rest of the group and have your orientation.If you arrive before your Wednesday start date, you will need additional accommodation. We can book this for you and you will just need to make your own way there from the airport and pay on arrival.
Departure
The tour ends 14 days later on Tuesday in Bangkok, Thailand, so you need to make your departure arrangements from there at any time that day. There are two international airports in Bangkok (airport code BKK or DMK) so you will be able to book a flight home from there.
When you are ready to secure your spot on a Bamboo tour, you can choose the best payment option to suit you:
1. Pay a deposit today and the remaining balance 120 days before your tour starts (you will also have the option to pay the rest of your balance in instalments).
2. Pay in full to get a discounted price and save money
3. Sign up to monthly instalment payments
If you know you want to travel but just need more time to decide on the destination or date, the best option is to get a Bamboo Travel Voucher. Not only will you be sure of a place on a tour, you'll make a saving as our vouchers match the amount you pay. Get a $50 voucher and we'll take $100 off; get a $250 voucher and we'll take $500 off; get a $500 voucher and we'll take $1000 off!! Vouchers are valid for 3 years so there's plenty of time to decide when and where you want to go. Click here to find out more and get your voucher.
You may also want to consider signing up to our Bamboo+ Membership. For $997, we'll not only reduce your tour balance by $1000 but you'll automatically get a 20% discount on each and every future tour with Bamboo! There's also loads of other benefits - click here to find out more and become a Bamboo+ member.
