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Jungles & Beaches - Family Holiday

Tripcode: FIT

Countries visited: Thailand

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 8 reviews.

Keith Scarfe

JUNGLES & BEACHES - FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written August 2012
A great way to see a true Thailand at a suitable family pace. 'Absolutely immense" - Bradley aged 9
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing our 9 year old son riding on the neck of an elephant and feeding her as we rode along.
What did you think of your group leader?
Knowledgeable and better to have a local leader who knows the culture and history of Thailand.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Great holiday if you have a real sense of adventure.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A fabulous holiday with the right content to suit families who are looking for adventure and something different from their holiday. Ideal for children as ours ( and the other children on our trip ) had a great time. The holiday is set to the needs of the group and nobody was pressured into doing or trying anything they were not happy with. The two beach days at the end are a great addition just to chill out and relax before the journey home.
Martin Brown
JUNGLES & BEACHES - FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written April 2012
A great introduction to/overview of Thailand, with many fun bits to keep the kids happy. We went from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to the jungles around Kanchanaburi, up to the northern capital of Chiang Mai and finishing off with a few relaxing days on the beach.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
So many including:

The elephant ride for the young children. Remember to take a couple of 20 Bahts to feed your elephant en-route.
Messing around on the beach at the end of the holiday and taking a speed boat around Koh Samet and swimming with the fish.
Making merit in several of the wats and especially during Songkran (Wat Pho was excellent).
Water fights during Songkran.
Sliding down the 4th waterfall at Erawan.
Contrast of jungles, mountains, cities and beaches.
A bit of free time to visit Chiang Mai zoo etc to see pandas, feed animals, ...
What did you think of your group leader?
Boom did an excellent job, keeping a smile on her face even when things had to be changed/re-arranged. She tried to let families get on with their own holidays as well as keeping the group together. She was particularly helpful in sorting out small, but important problems, like arranging the childrens' birthday cake, helping to find pictures at the hotel at the end of the holiday, ... During the hill tribe trek, she stopped at the back of the group and made sure we/our young kids kept going. The local restaurants she took us to were all excellent. Thoroughly recommended.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Thoroughly recommended. A few things which we found useful:

Try and arrive a day or so early for a bit of extra sightseeing in Bangkok and to get over jet lag. We went to the local Lat Mayom floating market, canal trip around Bangkok Noi and Khlong Om as well as up the Golden Mount, Wat Arun. We could have done many other things.
Songkran is great fun (13-15 April). Try and go at Easter time.
The trip notes mention that the hotel on Koh Samet is "Samed Grandview Resort" whereas it is in fact "Samed Cabana". Trip advsior rates the latter much higher, so perhaps the trip notes should be updated? It has free wifi access (useful for getting in touch with home as you have ~3 days beach/spare time here).
Our kids turned 6 on the holiday and are fairly active. On the hill tribe treks (4 hours on first day, 3 hours on second day) they had excellent support from the guides/tour leader, but it was right at the edge of what they could achieve. If you have children this young, have a think about if they will manage it.
Wear socks on the hill tribe trek, en-route the ants can bite!
Travel light and get washing done in laundries outside hotels (40 Baht/Kg).
Take a couple of pool toys for younger kids as they will spend much of their free time in the pools.
Hotels are of a good standard and good value. There is generally wifi access and all have pools (much needed). Don't expect the Ritz and enjoy.
sarah white
JUNGLES & BEACHES - FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written August 2011
We travelled extensively as a couple but for the last 10 years have done bucket and spade holidays in the UK due to the age of the children. Nothing wrong with that, but we felt we wanted to begin to share the excitement and exhilaration of experiencing a completely different culture and a real sense of adventure with the children. Thailand was an obvious choice. Having honeymooned there 17 years ago and both turning 40 this year, this trip seemed perfect. It lived up to, and exceeded, all our expectations. The best holiday we have ever had and we have a wealth of memories that will live with us all for years to come.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
With a very well planned itinerary, every day was inspirational. However, highlights for each of us included:
Imogen (aged 11):

jumping into the crystal clear water and snorkelling in the corals around the islands of Koh Samet

George (aged 9):

all elephant encounters, including ride through the jungle and visit to the elephant conservation centre...especially the dung paper! He even bought a hand(trunk)painted elephant masterpiece.

Sarah:

visiting the food markets and Thai cookery school in Chiang Mai
bamboo rafting after challenge and sense of achievement of trek to Karin tribe in North of Thailand

Phil:
Erawan waterfalls - swimming in incredible natural setting and having fish nibble the feet after the moving museum remembering the construction of the so-called 'death railway' at Hellfire Pass
peace and tranquility of Koh Samet, contrasted by the energy and adrenaline of the beach fire jugglers
We all loved the company of the other families in our group of 17 - what an amazing experience to share with like-minded travellers!
What did you think of your group leader?
Outstanding in every respect, we couldn't imagine anyone more enthusiastic, kind and organised than our group leader, Beam. What an apt name - always happy and smily, she made the trip special for each of us. Especially good with the children with a great sense of humour and fun, but also happy to answer every question about her country's culture, we couldn't imagine a better ambassador for Thailand and its people or for Exodus. She really made our holiday.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Pack lightly as essential items such as rain ponchos if you get caught in a short, sharp downpour are readily available very cheaply. And items needed for the hill trek such as a torch can be bought at the market visited on the way.
Best market for authentic souvenirs was the 'Walking Street' market in Chiang Mai and the huge weekend market at the end of the skytrain line in Bangkok. Do buy cooking spices needed for Thai cooking before returning home as much cheaper than in the UK.
All optional activities offered (such as elephant conservation and Thai cookery course) were excellent value. However, two of us did one activity in the morning and the other two did the other later in the day, which gave some much needed time for R+R.
Make time for a Thai massage...what an experience and limbs will go places you never thought possible!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Hill Trek was more challenging than we were expecting but still achievable due to excellent 'porters' (guides) and camaraderie of the rest of the group. But do be prepared for the odd slip and slide, especially if you get one of those heavy downpours.
We found the pace about right (but see above re not overdoing it). You pack it in, yet it doesn't feel rushed or frenetic.
We all thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this wonderful holiday. Worth every penny to have everything organised impeccably. Can't imagine a better, kinder or more thoughtful tour leader than Beam.
Jo Jaeger

JUNGLES & BEACHES - FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written August 2011
This was the most spectacular experience that our family had ever experienced! Many times we would look at each other and say "Can you believe we are here?" or "Can you believe we are doing this?". We were very pleased to have chosen Exodus as a tour company as we are Canadian and took the tour as land only, as we flew from Canada separately.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It's really hard to just pick one! Spiritually, I'd have to say visiting the temple of the big white Buddha on Koh Samet and having the friendliest Monk "pho pho" come and wrap us such love and warmth and spend so much time with us was the most inspirational...but there are so many others. Our time with the elephants was so exquisite, the over night at the hill tribe was unforgettable. the children playing together was so touching, coming from two such different lives, yet it didn't matter, play was the universal language!
What did you think of your group leader?
Our tour leader "Beam" was incredible. She was so professional, so kind, so loving, so much fun. Her name was perfect, because her face just beamed with sunshine and love. I can't imagine what it would have been like if we had to have had anyone else but her. She went above and beyond the call of duty for our family on a personal note, when my husband was unable to do one of the excursions, she found a way that made it possible for him to do it, which made it so special for my family!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I wouldn't worry to much about forgetting anything because you can find anything you forgot from back home in Thailand and most likely you can find it very cheaply! Make sure you have an umbrella, a rain cape. don't bother bringing a towel as this is provided for you by all the hotels. Good trekking sandals (with covered toes) are your best bet for the trek & for the waterfalls and for most of the trip.
we rented bicycles on Koh Samet and loved it, we were really able to explore the island during the day and were able to eat at places other than the resort, which is really lovely, but short of out of in the middle of nowhere. try Ploy Thalay, which has a fire show on the beach at 8:30pm.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
don't be afraid to eat at the street vendors! you can eat a full meal from them for around 30 to 35 baht and they are excellent and very clean! we ate many many of our meals from street vendors, as well as our desserts (banana roti) and fresh fruit. we NEVER got sick. that is because it is made fresh and hot in front of you.
try and learn some key thai phrases. go on you tube and practice the pronunciation. the thai love it when you try and speak thai and you will be rewarded when you try and speak thai to them. wonderful and friendly people!
i recommend trying to spend extra time in Bangkok either before and/or after your tour. we did that and we are very happy that we had that extra time to do more exploring and see more sights than we got to see on the Exodus tour.
Catherine Lyons

JUNGLES & BEACHES - FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written August 2011
This was a brilliant holiday! The best we've ever had. The perfect mix of culture, adventure and relaxation. Beautiful countryside, welcoming people, gorgeous food, millions of temples, billions of Buddhas... Marvellous!!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
My most inspiring part of the holiday was the first sight of the inside of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok because it surpassed all expectations as regards beauty, atmosphere, size and detail. It was also the first day of the holiday and everything was completely different and new. (Mick)
Having gone to sleep on the night train feeling that our adventure was really about to begin, I found waking up in the middle of the jungle absolutely amazing; I looked out of the window in my cosy cabin to see jungle vines, paddy fields, rivers, swamps and fantastic views across the countrside. (Kate)
My most memorable moment was playing games with the hill-tribe children. (Tom)
My favourite moment was riding in the speed-boat and snorkelling at Koh Samet. (Olivia)
What did you think of your group leader?
Beam was brilliant! On arrival in Bangkok, Beam greeted us wih her "beam"ing smile and warm welcome. She displayed enthusiasm throughout and thought of everything; planning all our little extra excursions with efficiency. As well as a keen guide and leader, she was also extremely patient and considerate. Beam had a wonderful rapport with the children and we all loved her! Without a guide, we wouldn't have seen and done a third of what we did; having never been on this type of holiday before, and generally enjoying our own independence, I didn't realise the importance of a good local guide to getting the most out of an adventure holiday.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Remember your sleeping bag liners when doing the hill-tribe trek (the bedding will not be what you're used to!).
Don't worry about going in the rainy season (unless you're after sun-bathing); we enjoyed the mixture of weather and didn't find the occasional down-pours inconveient (in fact we quite enjoyed them!); also, because of the heat, the cloud cover was welcome at times.
Everything when you get there is really cheap from a Western viewpoint, so you don't need lots of spending money.
We were surprised at how few flying insects there were- we used repellant but often it wasn't needed.
Being reasonably experienced walkers, we were worried that his type of led-experience may be a little tame and too child-centred but we all had an amazing holiday with plenty of adventure and interest for all.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Our holiday experience was enhanced by meeting the other families as well as Beam, Mr Tong (our jungle guide) and other people along the way (porters, taxi drivers, restaurant owners etc.). We made good friends and it definitely helped our children to get the most out of the holiday as well as having others to share in our excitement.
Our children (Thomas aged 13 and Olivia aged 10) absolutely loved this holiday as much as we did.
We have never been on an Exodus holiday before and our usual holiday involves camping or a gite/villa; we didn't know what to expect (none of our friends knowing the company either). We would definitely book with Exodus again. We have been recommending Exodus to all our friends, many of whom were so excited by our 800 photos that they are talking about booking one of these holidays themselves!!
We feel that this has been a real trip of a life-time and we will never forget it! Thank you.
Jane Johnson

JUNGLES & BEACHES - FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written May 2011
Stimulating physically, culturally and emotionally this was by far one of the best holidays I've been on with my son, having already been on quite physically active holidays many times in Morocco (five long desert treks and we climed the High Atlas one year), Turkey (kyaking) and Spain (white water rafting and canyoning) with other family oriented companies. By comparison this was very good value for money and the flight times suitable for travelling with young ones. There was also a lot of variety.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
My most inspirational moment would probably be curious to many people reading this — it was at Kanchanoburi where we visited the Bridge on the River Kwai and then walked a little of the Hellfire Pass. It was an incredibly hot day and we were already wet with swet. There were hardly any visitors. It was very still at the Pass. I thought about the men who had died here in such extreme conditions, trying to hew rock in this heat and humidity. By comparison, the museum was cool and quiet and the descriptions of life working on the railway very moving. I know I should probably have been inspired by the royal palaces and temples in Thailand, they are indeed magnificent, either in their bejewelled splendour or artistic ruin. But for me, visiting Kanchanoburi was more inspiring because it pays homage to the courage and comraderie of so many brave men. On return to London I immediately bought a copy of The Railway Man by POW survivor Eric Lomax.
We swam in four of the seven wateralls at Erawan Falls as huge black-winged butterflies skimmed the water and light-coloured ones played together in clouds of colour on the wet rocks beside us. We were entombed by massive vines and big leaves a la Jurassic Park. My son could have spent his entire holiday here.
I was terrified of the activity we booked on one of our free days - a 100m, 22 station zip wire experience in deepest jungle (think Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger). My 12 year old son loved it. I don't drink alcohol but had there been some available it might have been helpful that day.
I feel the way about riding elephants as my son feels about zip wires. I was close to ecstacy when we were allowed to ride these beasts, sitting high up behind their ears as they lopped slowly down from where they were resting to take a bath in the river, rolling onto their sides and thrusting their entire heads and trunks under the water. They came out clean and shiny, we came out soaked and smelling of elephant poo. Brilliant.

What did you think of your group leader?
Our tour leader was very knowledgeable about all of the historic sites we visited in the cities. Everything went to plan. He allowed us some flexibility in the schedule in terms of what we visited, when we stopped and when we ate etc. This was helpful, rather than having to set to a very strict timetable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It seems that there are different places to ride elephants. We were in a less well-used spot on a river where we also rafted the following day. You definitely need mosquito spray.

If you can, it is worth staying at Spicey Villa. It is iydyllic, overlooking a valey, lush mountains in the background, hot showers, hammocks. We stayed there one night. There's not much for kids to do but its great if you just want to R&R and to read and write for a day.

They tell you to wear a costume for washing the elephants as you get immersed (true). Better to have long thin trousers on as the elephants have quite dirty, prickly hair so you get sore thighs (but then we did ride them twice and wash them twice on two consecutive days, having opted to do this instead of visiting the hilltribes).

On Koh Samet island its really worth going into the main 'strip' at night because the restaurants are all set out on rugs on the beach and there are fire jugglers all night. Only problem is its dark so you can't see what you are eating so a bit tricky if eating fish with bones.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
In Bangkok I took my son walking an old railway line. Its just north of the Royal Benja Hotel and if you walk far enough (about 20 minutes) you come to what looks like an outdoor railway museum, with ancient railway buildings and steam engines and carriages set out in clean lines amidst clipped grass. You're not allowed access but can get close enough to take pictures. 'The slums' said our guide without looking up. Obviously off the tourist track. I know its not posible for a tour company to recommend doing something like this due to health and safety regulations, but for my mind this is just as important as any tourist attraction. Under the flyover a woman had set up a 'cafe', four tables covered in vinyl tablecloths at which a few peoplw were eating. As I stepped from one sleeper to another I felt immense gratitude that I lived a world away from this. 'Imagine that when you come home from school you come home to live here,' I said to my son, 'you sleep in a home made from cardboard boxes.' We never felt threatened as one might imagine in an area like this, people were washing themselves and hanging out washing, had pet dogs and were cooking and eating by the track. A group of elderly ladies were laughing as they played cards. We smiled and said 'hello' to everyone and most smiled back. My son said, 'I bet no other mums make their kids do this.'
Jeremy Grice

JUNGLE & BEACHES FAMILY HOLIDAY

Written September 2008
We were looking for something a bit special this year for us and our 2 10 yr old boys and your Thailand trip seemed just the thing. Our first holiday with Exodus but you came highly recommended. I can honestly say that we had the best family holiday ever.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Without doubt the trek. It took just over 4 hours as the rain came down for an hour and we all got drenched. Walking through the countryside against the backdrop of the hills was magical. The boys took it all in their stride. Arriving in the hill tribe was also magical. Cold drinks were available followed by a meal cooked by the guides. The local girls in costume danced and sang in front of the camp fire. The night in the hut went remarkably well notwithstanding the local men having a sing song well into the night. We never heard the elephants arriving after breakfast but there they were to take us through the jungle for an hour. The bamboo rafting that followed put the seal on it. The boys did all the hard work up front and were intrigued to say the least to see the local boatman catch a 4ft water snake - a delicacy we were told!
What did you think of your group leader?
Outstanding in a word. 34 years old, well educated and much travelled ( unusually for a Thai, over 6 ft tall). He was very efficient, unflappable,gentle, amusing and particularly good with the the boys. Over the 2 weeks he must have answered hundreds of questions thrown at him byAlex. My wife and I had trekked 12years ago in Borneo and our leader then very much made the holiday. I would say exactly the same about our leader "Tiger".
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
What it says in your excellent brochure is what you get. If you are looking to explore a really good chunk of an exciting and enchanting Asian country and in comfort -go for it!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The whole balance of the trip was perfect for both the parents and the boys. The cultural parts were stimulating and we learned a lot of history from our leader. The visit to the River Kwai and the war cemetary was very moving and we shall never forget our involvement with the elephants. We never did too much. The hotel accomodation was far better than expected (seperate rooms for the boys) and we all had fun in the pools late in the afternoons. The overnight train was particularly comfortable notwithstanding an open carriage (with curtains). The final days by the georgous beach were very restful with lovely massage available for a few pounds. A completely non-planning holiday for the parents - everything coped with by the group leader. Last but not least there was the fantastic Thai food. Our William had pork noodles for his breakfast but his more conservative brother was content to eat the european option available everywhere.