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THAILAND ADVENTURE TOUR - FAQS
HOW MUCH IS FOOD IN THAILAND?
You can buy fantastic quality Thai food for very reasonable prices but it does depend what type of place you are in. For a main meal such as a stir fry, noodles, curry or salad dish you can expect to pay around 100 Thai Baht (around £2) in most local restaurants, up to maybe 400 Thai Baht (around £4) in a restaurant at a five star hotel. Obviously if you opt for lobster this is going to be more! Street food is even cheaper and one of my faves are the delicious Thai pancakes with your choice of fillings you can get for 60 Thai Baht - less than £1!
WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE IN THAILAND?
The food is one of the main reasons lots of people love Thailand! Dishes are mainly made up of stir fries, curries, rice, noodles, salads, soups, seafood (a lot cheaper than at home), and snacks such as prawn or vegetable tempura, chicken satay, fish cakes, spring rolls, crab cakes and chicken wings just to mention a few. And no, it isn't all spicy, in fact I often have to ask for it extra spicy as they are more likely to make it milder unless you request the extra kick! Western food such as pizza, pasta, burgers and steaks are also readily available.
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?
Thailand is hot all year round but does have a wet and dry season, that changes slightly in different parts of the country. In the South Andaman part that we visit on this tour, the best and driest time to visit is from November to April when temperatures average around high 20s to mid 30s degrees celsius. It is a tropical place though, which can receive rainfall at any time of the year, so while I can make sure we have an amazing time in lots of other ways... the weather is one thing I can't control! Even if it does rain it stays nice and hot and doesn't usually last long.
HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE FOR THIS TOUR?
The tour doesn't involve any particularly challenging exercise but you will need to be of a reasonable fitness to carry and walk with your own bag when needed, climb in and out of speedboats and longtail boats into the sea, onto the pier or another boat, and to do the short hikes mentioned in the itinerary. The hike to Coral Cave as part of the day trip in Khao Sok National Park is about an hour and a half with some hills and steps but is mostly fairly flat, and the hike to the viewpoint on Koh Phi Phi is about 30 mins but up a lot of steep steps. Both hikes are optional but the speedboat travel and carrying your bag is essential!
WHAT IF I WANT TO SPEND LONGER IN THAILAND BEFORE OR AFTER THE TOUR?
That is absolutely fine and we can arrange pick up or drop off to somewhere else in Phuket, or travel to or from anywhere else in Thailand, whether you just want an extra night or so before or after the trip or to travel to another part of the country, or another country!
WHO WILL BE OUR TOUR LEADER?
I'm the owner of Travel Queen (Mel) and have personally put the complete tour together, based on the best of my extensive travels in Thailand and testing everything out in person to make sure you have an amazing time! I'll be leading this tour myself so you can rest assured that you're in experienced hands. To learn a bit more about me, see Why is Travel Queen Different?
WHAT KIND OF CLOTHES WILL I NEED?
Think casual and comfortable. At home I couldn't live without my heels but never take a pair to Thailand - whether on the beach or a night out it's flip flops all the way! Thailand is very relaxed, both during the day and at night and people generally wear shorts, vest tops, skirts or loose fitting, thin trousers or maxi dresses. It's usually still very warm in the evening to not need any kind of jacket. I recommend bringing a pair of light trainers or pumps with a decent sole for the couple of short hikes that we do, just so you don't slip on the steps or slightly rocky bits, but you don't need big heavy hiking boots or anything. And of course don't forget your swimwear, towel and sunglasses for all the beach time!
HOW LONG ARE THE FLIGHTS TO THAILAND?
Flights to Thailand from the UK usually take about 15 hours, with a break inbetween, stopping at somewhere like Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi, depending on who you fly with, for about an extra hour or two. Be wary of very cheap flights as this usually means a long wait before your connecting flight so always check this.
WHAT KIND OF AGE GROUP IS THE TOUR AIMED AT?
One of the main reasons I set up Travel Queen was because I discovered there are lots of companies targeting 18 - 30s, but in reality it is mainly the younger end of the scale that go with those companies, and there is a big gap in any tours for people in their later 20s to 40s. So that was the age group I initially planned to target but then I realised that it isn't about age but who you are and your spirit of adventure! I certainly won't be changing my mind about how I like to travel as I get older so it feels wrong to label exactly what age group should be able to come on any of our tours. So, the only requirements are that you possess a spirit of adventure, thirst for fun and are prepared to maybe get a little out of your comfort zone...but I promise it'll be worth it!
HOW MUCH ARE DRINKS IN THAILAND?
The average cost of a soft drink or bottle of Thai Chang or Singha beer varies from 60 to 100 Thai Baht (just over £1 to £2) depending where you are. Cocktails and wine will be more expensive but still a lot cheaper than at home.
WILL I BE SHARING A ROOM?
Yes, everybody on the tour will share a room with at least one other person. Sometimes it will be more than one person, for example, some of the bungalows sleep 3 people and one of the treehouses sleeps 6 people. The beds will be a mixture of single beds and double beds. We stay in some very luxurious hotels and villas that don't provide twin beds but large double beds, that are ample for two people without getting too close and cosy!
In my experience, women are usually quite happy to share a double and by doing so this brings the cost down and makes it possible to stay in some beautiful places without it costing too much. If you feel strongly about not sharing a double bed with someone, then in some places there is a single bed option on a first come first served basis, and you can of course upgrade to your own room, but this will be more expensive.
WHAT KIND OF LUGGAGE SHOULD I BRING?
I strongly recommend that you pack light and make sure you can comfortably carry your own bag! As we move about a lot from island to island this involves getting on and off speedboats and some walking with your bag along beaches, where your suitcase on wheels just won't be practical! I always take a rucksack.
HOW MUCH ARE FLIGHTS TO THAILAND?
Flights are not included in the tour price. Return flights from the UK to Phuket International Airport are around £500 - £700 and the earlier you book the better deals there are to be had. If you would like a quote for a flight please get in touch.
WHERE DO I NEED TO FLY TO AND FROM AND WHEN FOR THIS TOUR?
The tour starts on 8 November 2018 and I would recommend getting one of the flights that land at Phuket International Airport in the morning on that date, in order to make the most of your first day at our amazing five star hotel in Phuket, and to get lots of chill out time before we head off the next morning. This would mean flying on the morning of Thursday 7 November to allow time for the flight and the time difference, but obviously depends on who you fly with and the stop over time.
The last night of the tour is the 21 November 2018, and included in the price is a transfer from Koh Yao Yai island back to Phuket International Airport on the 22 November. You will need to allow time for the transfer by speedboat and taxi before your flight so please check this before booking your flight. If you would like a quote for a flight and to check options and times please get in touch.
