Starry nights on a junk

During this module, you will take a 4-day cruise aboard a charming twin-masted junk. You'll drift past spectacular limestone rocks, fabulous uninhabited islands, and the dense mangrove forests of Phang Nga Bay. The crystal waters of the Andaman Sea will invite you to take a plunge from the boat and discover the magical underwater world. There are also surfboards and fishing rods available for sporty passengers. If you're feeling less active, you can simply stretch out on the sun deck or under a palm tree on an abandoned beach. In other words- leave your worries behind. The captain will take care of the sailing and his crew will serve delicious Thai specialities. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price, as well as tea and coffee. You will sleep in a double cabin, sharing a well-appointed shower room with other passengers. The return transfer from your hotel in Phuket is also included in the quoted price. This trip is available between November and the end of April.

Today, you will be collected at 1pm from your hotel in Phuket and transferred to the pier. Here you will board the beautiful junk which you will call home for the next few days. Please note that it is advisable to book at least one night’s accommodation in Phuket prior to this module. Once aboard the junk you'll settle into your cabin and get to know your crew and fellow passengers. The boat will then set off towards Phang Nga Bay. This is one of the most spectacular areas of Thailand, with over 40 limestone columns rising vertically from the sea, reaching up to 300m in height. One of these rugged outcrops was famously used in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’- the 1973 James Bond film. As the sun begins to melt into the horizon, the boat will anchor in a lovely spot for a sundowner on deck. You'll then be served a delicious Thai dinner with lots of fresh fish under the starry night sky. After a couple of cold beers on deck you can retire to your cabin, where you'll be rocked to sleep by the gentle motion of the waves. Life really doesn't get much better than this...

Your breakfast will be served on deck this morning, waking you up to a refreshing sea breeze. Today, the captain will set sail for a sea nomad village. For generations, the Moken people, have led a very interesting life on the water, totally separate from the modern world. No other people live in such harmony with the sea, knowing all its mysteries. The Moken people are great free divers and can remain underwater for long periods of time. This also makes them excellent fisherman. It's rumoured the children here can swim before they walk.

In the afternoon there’s plenty of free time for lounging on deck and snoozing in the sun. Alternatively, you can take the rowing boat ashore to the fine white sandy beaches. If you’re feeling more energetic, there are surfboards, snorkel sets and fishing rods to keep you occupoed. After dinner you can linger over a few drinks and listen to the murmur of the sea.

After another delicious breakfast, the boat will set off towards the uninhabited islands lying off the coast of Ao Nang. Over millions of years, the effects of water have eroded caves into many of these islands. Some of these caves can only be seen during low tide, with long tunnels sometimes leading to large lagoons. While you sail around the islands, you’ll also see many sea birds and their cliff nests. There is plenty of time for sunbathing and swimming. If you’ve never snorkelled before this is the perfect moment to give it a go. Myriads of tiny coloured fishes dart around you and each time you dive underwater you’ll discover new fish, shells, sea cucumbers, or starfish. During the day the boat will anchor near idyllic Chicken Island, with its bizarre rock formation that resembles a chicken's head. As sunset approaches, the boat will anchor near the cliffs of Krabi, another perfect setting for dinner. After a wonderful meal, you can simply lean back and gaze at the star-filled sky with a fresh cocktail in hand.

After breakfast this morning, you will set sail back to the pier in Phuket, where you will say goodbye to your new friends and crew-mates.

We can arrange a hotel in Phuket to follow your junk cruise, or you could now choose the Raya Coral island or Relaxing on Railay modules.
We can also extend arrange for you to stay somewhere different, such as Ko Lanta or Ko Phi Phi. Feel free to ask our travel specialists for advice concerning your route.

If you are ending your Thailand trip here, you can travel back to Bangkok from Phuket cheaply by bus or by plane.