Best of Thailand & Malaysia

22 days
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Small Group Tour
Visit South East Asia’s buzzing cities and pristine islands on a jam-packed journey through Thailand and Malaysia. Travel to Northern Thailand and experience the incredible hospitality of the Thai people on a rural homestay, and discover Chiang Mai – a treasure trove of glittering temples and mouth-watering cuisine. Relax in the laidback beachside bliss of Ao...
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$5,540
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Support an important animal welfare initiative and get close to incredible creatures at Chang Chill Elephant Park.
    • See how the locals live on a bicycle ride through your homestay village. Ride past the rice fields and breathe in the fresh country air, with beautiful mountains in the distance.
    • Dive into a nature lover’s paradise at Khao Sok National Park, exploring, hiking, relaxing, and cruising by longtail boat on a limestone cliff-circled lake.
    • Find a slice of paradise on an included sea kayaking trip through the stunning inlets, caves and hidden lagoons of mangrove forests.
    • Encounter the fusion of cultures that gives Penang a unique atmosphere; walk down the backstreets where historic buildings, tumble-down shops and hawker-filled alleyways meld with cool street art.

What's this trip about?

    Visit South East Asia’s buzzing cities and pristine islands on a jam-packed journey through Thailand and Malaysia. Travel to Northern Thailand and experience the incredible hospitality of the Thai people on a rural homestay, and discover Chiang Mai – a treasure trove of glittering temples and mouth-watering cuisine. Relax in the laidback beachside bliss of Ao Nang, see a different side to the modern metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, and find food heaven in Penang and Singapore. By visiting rural communities, animal welfare initiatives and local cooking schools along the way, you’ll gain a true sense of what this region is really about and discover why South East Asia shines bright as a diverse and delightful place of adventure.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 12 people
Age range15 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityBangkok
End CitySingapore

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • High Adventure
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

Attractions

  • Ao Nang
  • Bangkok
  • Chiang Mai
  • Georgetown
  • Khao Sok
  • Krabi
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • Sukhothai
  • Surat Thani
  • Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Activities

  • Culture
  • Historic sightseeing

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 12

Trip includes

    • Sukhothai - Night Market
    • Sukhothai - Historical Park bike tour
    • Sukhothai - Home-cooked picnic lunch
    • Village Homestay - Cultural performance
    • Village Homestay - Khantok dinner
    • Village Homestay - Home-Cooked Lunch
    • Village Homestay - Cycling tour
    • Chiang Mai - Fresh Produce Market Visit
    • Chiang Mai - ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary
    • Bangkok - Khlong boat canal tour
    • Bangkok - Wat Pho
    • Khao Sok - Cheow Lan Lake tour
    • Khao Sok - Rafthouse lunch
    • Ao Nang - Baan Bor Tor sea kayaking
    • Ao Nang - sea kayaking lunch
    • Trang - Mod Tanoy village walking tour
    • Trang - Mod Tanoy village community activities
    • Trang - Mod Tanoy village community lunch
    • Penang - Hawker food experience
    • Penang - Walking tour, including Clan Jetty & Kek Lok Si Temple
    • Kuala Lumpur – Leader-led orientation walk
    • Melaka - Trishaw sightseeing tour

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Bangkok

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand's bustling capital. Bangkok is famous for its tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. With no planned activities until your important welcome meeting at 6 pm, why not head out and explore. You ...

Day 2 Sukhothai

This morning, leave the current capital of Thailand and head north by train (approx 6 hours) and private mini van (approx 1 hour) to one of the first ancient capitals of Siam, Sukhothai. Located on a fertile plain, Sukhothai was established in the 13th century, and th...

Day 3 Sukhothai

Head out to the historical ruins of Old Sukhothai, set amid beautiful lakes and gardens. The religious art and architecture of the Sukhothai era are considered to be the most classic of Thai styles, and the Sukhothai Historical Park contains the remains of 21 historic...

Day 4 Village Homestay

Travel by private minivan from Sukothai (approx 4 hours) to the warm and welcoming home of Intrepid's long-time friends in a small Thai village where you’ll spend the night. Accommodation at the homestay is multishare and basic (there will be fold-out mattresses on th...

Day 5 Village Homestay - Chiang Mai

In the morning, jump on some bikes and cruise around the homestay village. This is a great opportunity to see how the locals live, and you’ll make a few stops along the way to see small country industries in the area. Cycling past the rice fields and breathing in the ...

Day 6 Chiang Mai

This morning, follow your leader to the largest fresh produce market in Chiang Mai for a visit. You'll be able to learn about these fresh ingredients and where the beautiful flavors of Thai cooking comes from. Then the rest of the day is free.Perhaps explore the famou...

Day 7 Chiang Mai

Today, you’ll have a pretty special time visiting the ChangChill elephant experience. Take a 1.5-hour drive out of Chiang Mai to ChangChill, where you’ll begin to learn how this organisation supports the protection, conservation and lifestyle of free roaming elephants...

Day 8 Bangkok

Today you will fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and then transfer to your hotel. Please note you will be unaccompanied on this flight. You will have the afternoon free to check out the fast-paced and fascinating Thai capital. Once checked in, why not take a riverboat to...

Day 9 Bangkok - Overnight train

Begin the day with a river cruise down the Chao Phraya River to explore the famous ‘khlongs’ (canals) (approximately 1 hour). Life along these canals seems a world away from the chaotic streets of the capital. Pay a visit to Wat Pho, one of the Bangkok temples, with a...

Day 10 Khao Sok

Arrive into Surat Thani in the morning and then travel by minivan to Khao Sok (approximately 2.5 hours). Set amid hectares of thick jungle, waterfalls, limestone cliffs and topped off with an island-studded lake, the national park of Khao Sok is a nature lover's parad...

Day 11 Khao Sok

Travel through pristine jungle, rubber and oil plantations before boarding a long tail boat for a ride across stunning Cheow Lan Lake, with one of its islands as your destination. With limestone karst hills rising almost 1000 metres into the air and surrounded by beau...

Day 12 Ao Nang

Head to Ao Nang in a private minivan (approximately 3 hours). On the way, stop at Baan Bor Tor and embarking on a sea kayaking journey. About halfway along the coast between Than Bok Khoranee and Krabi town is a bay of mangroves that might just be the most beautiful b...

Day 13 Ao Nang

Famous for the incredible limestone karst scenery of the headland, sun-seekers will fall in love with Krabi's unspoilt beaches, the spectacular cliffs will tempt avid rock climbers, while scuba fans can embark on a Krabi diving adventure. If you love getting out on th...

Day 14 Trang

This morning head onto a small village called Baan Mod Tanoy (approximately 2 hours drive). On arrival, enjoy a walk around the village and gain some insights into their day to day life.Then time to enjoy the great food and hospitality of the village. Get your hands d...

Day 15 Penang

The journey by private minibus sees you say goodbye to Thailand and wave hello to the cultural melting pot of Malaysia. The fascinating island of Penang was the first destination of the colonial British in 1786. They invited the Chinese, as well as others from all ove...

Day 16 Penang

This morning you’ll take a half-day sightseeing walking tour around Penang and Georgetown, soaking up the relaxed pace of life and the mix of cultures on show in this heritage area. See the original 19th century shophouses, the street markets, and the strong cultural ...

Day 17 Kuala Lumpur

Continue south on the local train to Kuala Lumpur (approximately 4 hours). This is a great opportunity to try and chat with the locals and maybe get some tips out of them for your next destination. Kuala Lumpur, the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia, is affectionately ...

Day 18 Kuala Lumpur

Enjoy a free day today for your own exploration! Perhaps visit the National Monument (commemorating those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom and based on the Iwo Jima Memorial in the USA), the vast National Mosque, featuring a bold and modern design, or the I...

Day 19 Melaka

Transfer by local bus to the old port town of Melaka (approximately 3 hours). Back when Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore left little impression on a map, the historic city of Melaka was the most important trading port in Malaysia, attracting Chinese, Indian, Dutch, ...

Day 20 Melaka

Today you’ll get to know this port city better with a quaint trishaw tour along the narrow winding streets. You’ll admire Chinatown's unique Peranakan architecture, get a taste of old Melaka, and learn about the ancient spice trade. Take in sites such as Harmony Stree...

Day 21 Singapore

Travel by local bus to the last stop on this incredible journey – Singapore (approximately 5 hours). Singapore has few areas untouched by modernisation, however wandering the streets of Little India and Chinatown is a great way to see the old parts of the city. To exp...

Day 22 Singapore

There are no activities planned for the final day and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,104
Price per day$187
Last Updated: 6/4/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
05 Jan 2025
26 Jan 2025
$4,830
19 Jan 2025
09 Feb 2025
$4,740
02 Feb 2025
23 Feb 2025
$4,605
09 Feb 2025
02 Mar 2025
$4,104
16 Feb 2025
09 Mar 2025
$4,870
02 Mar 2025
23 Mar 2025
$4,515
09 Mar 2025
30 Mar 2025
$4,515
23 Mar 2025
13 Apr 2025
$4,515
06 Apr 2025
27 Apr 2025
$4,340
20 Apr 2025
11 May 2025
$4,340

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Resort (5 nights),Hotel (14 nights),Multi-share Homestay (1 night),overnight sleeper train (1 night)

Transportation & Flights

Overnight sleeper train,Private minibus,Public bus,Songthaew,Taxi,Bicycle,Plane,

Transportation & flights

Overnight sleeper train,Private minibus,Public bus,Songthaew,Taxi,Bicycle,Plane
Guides
All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip. On this trip between Bangkok and Singapore your Group Leader will usually be a Thai national who is experienced in travelling in Malaysia and Singapore.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements BORDER CROSSINGS ON THIS TRIP: On Day 8 we cross the border from Thailand to Malaysia - The Thailand border is Wang Pra Jan - The Malaysia border is Wang Kelian On Day 14 we cross the border from Malaysia to Singapore - The Malaysia border is Johor Bahru - The Singapore border is Singapore To help calculate the exact dates of these crossings we have found the following website useful - http://www.timeanddate.com
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY: While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. MOTORBIKE BAG SNATCHING: Be particularly aware of motorbike bag snatching, especially in the bigger cities. BIKE HELMETS: Please note bike helmets are provided on the included bike activity on this trip but may not be of the same standard as from your home country, if you have any concerns about the quality of the helmets, we recommend you bring your own from home.
Age Requirements
15 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Ibis Hotel Bencoolen
  • 170 Bencoolen Street 189657
  • SINGAPORE
  • Singapore
  • SINGAPORE
  • Phone: +65 6593 2888
Trip ID
intrepid-TTSLC

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