05 Days Self Drive Phuket - Khao Lak - Krabi Loop

This drive links Southern Thailand’s to premier island destinations, Phuket and Koh Samui. Your journey begins in Phuket and goes up north to Khao Lak. Cross Sarasin bridge, which connects Phuket and the mainland and continue towards Khok Kloi. Continue straight towards Khao Lak following the sign boards towards Thai Muang and Takua Pa. Along the way, you may visit Khao Lak – Lam Ru National Park and Lampi waterfall. Overnight at Palm Garden Khao Lak

Today you may experience the real nature of Thailand. A pleasant drive eastwards on route 401 takes you to the Rachaphrapha Dam (Kheuan Chiaw Lan) where you may enjoy a pretty view over the lake towards limestone ridges. Long-tail boat trips around the lake can be arranged. Continue to Surat Thani. Before arriving in Surat Thani, you may opt for a visit of the ancient city of Chaiya and the forest temple of Suan Mohk, a popular meditation retreat, 53 kilometers north of Surat Thani. Continue on road 401 in eastern direction for another 19 km to Kanchanadit, a small village well known for its Monkey Training School. Return to the main road and follow the signboards to Khanom and the Chada Racha Resort & Spa, your final destination for today (about 87 kms from Kanchanadit). The resort is located at the southern end of Nai Plao Beach. Overnight at Rachakhiri Beach Resort & Spa

Discover the beaches, waterfalls and caves in the area or take a boat trip to nearby Tan island – with some luck you will see dolphins along the route – or rent a boat through mangroves and visit the bustling fishing wharf and watch the fishermen bring in their daily catch (the hotel staff will be happy to assist arranging boat trips for you). Overnight at Rachakhiri Resort & Spa

Drive to Nakhon Sri Thammarat (85 km), the ancient Buddhist capital of the South. Along the way, take a few left turns towards the sea to observe the traditional life style in the fishing villages along the coast. Arriving in Nakhon Sri Thammarat, you may visit Wat Phra Mahathat Waramahaviharn, the National Museum (closed on Mon & Tue) and the Shadow puppet museum. Heading west from Nakhon Sri Thammarat you first pass Khiriwong Village and Khao Luang National Park, where impressive waterfalls highlight the influence of the 1835 m peak of the area. The drive then continues through rolling backcountry filled with rubber and oil-palm plantations to Krabi. Overnight at Maritime Park Resort & Spa

The route from Krabi to Phuket once again strikes the march of past formations which give Phang Nga it’s spectacular identity. At Phang Nga Bay National Park we recommend to take a long-tail boat to James Bond Island and visit the sea-gypsy village of Koh Panyi, built entirely on stilts. After passing Phang Nga itself, the drive turns south for the final run back to Phuket. En route you may visit Wat Tham Suwan Kuha before you get to your final destination. Arrive on Phuket Island and deliver the car to BUDGET before 18:30 hrs.