Thailand for families: Elephants & island escape

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Bangkok.

Day 2 : Bangkok

On arrival in Bangkok you will be met by your guide who will accompany you and your family on your private transfer to your hotel located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

Day 3 : Bangkok

Today you have a private guided tour of Bangkok visiting the capital's key attractions: the Grand Palace, Wat Po (home to the reclining Buddha) and Jim Thompson's house. You will get to experience Bangkok's different forms of public transport - the Skytrain which winds its way through the skyscrapers and shopping malls, the public taxi boat, a long-tail boat and of course the infamous Thai tuk tuk.This is a fun excursion that gives you a fantastic insight into the capital as well as the people that call Bangkok home.

Day 4 : Bangkok

Today is at leisure to explore the bustling city of Bangkok by yourselves. The Skytrain is a great way to get around the city for families, with an easy to follow route and comfortable seating. The Children's Discovery Museum has plenty of hands-on exhibits with a focus on science and natural history. If you are visiting on a weekend, you might like to visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market, full of brightly hued fabrics, handicrafts and souvenirs.

Day 5 : Khao Sok National Park

An early start today for your private transfer to the airport to catch your internal flight to Phuket, a journey of about one and a half hours. Upon arrival at Phuket airport you will be met by staff from Elephant Hills to take you and other guests to the Khao Sok National Park. The Elephant Hills Camp is a fantastic rainforest and elephants experience. The welfare of the elephants is at the heart of this camp and it has received numerous awards for this. This is one of the few places where you can see elephants without chains. Your experiences at the camp will be with other guests in small groups. During your stay all meals are included.Upon arrival at the camp, meet the elephants and learn more about these magnificent creatures. You will have the opportunity to help feed and bathe them.After a traditional Thai lunch you have the chance to enjoy the local scenery - being paddled in a canoe through the jungle past stunning limestone karsts.

Day 6 : Khao Sok National Park

Today leave the tented camp with other guests and head inland by road and then by boat for your scenic journey to the relatively untouched and stunning Cheow Larn Lake. This is a great place to be amongst nature and experience a unique accommodation experience - a floating tent. Children aged under 7 are not allowed to stay at this camp.Your afternoon includes a guided canoe safari.

Day 7 : Koh Samui

After breakfast, join your guide on a walk through the jungle listening to the chorus of the many primates, reptiles and birds that inhabit the national park.After lunch the lodge staff will transfer you and other guests to the pier at Surat Thani in time for the ferry to Koh Samui. The ferry crossing should take just over an hour. A driver will be waiting for you at Koh Samui to take you and your family to your hotel.The Mai Samui resort is on the quieter side of the island, offering a more exclusive and intimate feel.

Day 8 : Koh Samui

Today is free to relax or explore independently. Your beachfront hotel has great facilities with a spa, three pools and a dedicated Fun Zone and Kids' Club to give parents some free time. Other facilities include cooking classes, mountain bikes, sea kayaks, fishing and yoga.

Day 9 : Koh Samui

Day free to relax. A popular tour that you might like to consider is a speedboat ride to the nearby Angthong National Marine Park. This beautiful park consists of 42 islands and provided the inspiration for Alex Garland's book "The Beach".

Day 10 : Koh Samui

Day at leisure. You may like to relax on the beach or visit some of the attractions on the island. Your hotel can arrange private guided trips to the Na Muang Waterfalls or Bophut which has a charming fisherman's village.

Day 11 : Koh Samui

Day at leisure on Koh Samui. You might like to test out some of the more unusual experiences available at your hotel including classes in napkin folding or fruit and vegetable carving.

Day 12 : Koh Samui

Today is your last day by the beach before heading home. You might like to book a table at the Fine Dining Sala for a special last night's meal - fresh lobster is often on the menu.

Day 13 : International return flight

Your hotel will arrange your transfer to the local airport in time for your flight to Bangkok where you will catch your international flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.