Welcome to Thailand!
The Land of Smiles is one place that never seems to disappoint, keeps travelers begging for more, and offers surprises at every corner. From idyllic beaches to serene temples and iconic street food stalls to vibrant flea markets–Thailand has everything that one can ask for.
Travel to three popular destinations of Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Krabi. Discover the capital city of Bangkok--visiting the Grand Palace and touring the alleyways that weave through the city. Explore the mountainous region of Chiang Mai–swimming in a waterfall and visiting an elephant sanctuary. Chill on the white sand beaches of Krabi, and kayak around limestone karsts of the Andaman Sea.
Read more about Thai Culture.
Duration: 10 days & 9 nights
Start: Please be ready to go at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) at 3:00 p.m.
Finish: The trip ends on Railay Beach. We suggest booking your flight for after 10:00 a.m to ensure included transportation. Any flight before this time may lead to challenges in securing a boat transfer off of Railay Beach.
Airfare booking details will be sent after registration – please wait to book your flight until you receive further instructions.
Travelers are responsible for international airfare to Bangkok and from Krabi.
Transportation and optional activities are not included.
Thai culture is deeply influenced by religion, with around 95% of the country being Theravada Buddhist. The most important values Thai people hold are respect, self-control, and a non-confrontational attitude.
We expect our travelers to adhere to and respect Thai culture. Remember, we are Thailand’s guests, and learning about new cultures is one of the greatest gifts of travel.
Thailand has a tropical, humid climate. Please advise that daytime temperatures can be hot – upper 80s to lower 90s Fahrenheit. This trip involves a lot of movement throughout the day, and you will sweat.
This trip mixes various modes of transportation: private vans, open-air local transportation, boat shuttles, and two domestic flights. These different modes of transportation can be challenging for some people. If you are vulnerable to motion sickness please bring medications or ask to sit in the front of the vehicle where you can receive fresh air.
Interested in supporting elephant conservation initiatives? On this trip, you will have the opportunity to visit an elephant care center.
-Age requirement: 30s and 40s
-Group size: 14 max, average 12
-Physical rating: Moderate. Some activities include physical activity like hiking and cycling.
Travel connects us. Community keeps us connected.
Before your trip, you'll have the opportunity to join a custom WhatsApp Group and connect with other members of your group. Many travelers meet in the airport, or for pre-trip drinks if they are from the same city. Others coordinate plans to stay in a country after their trip.
During your adventure, our Trip Leaders do their best to foster an open, supportive environment where people feel safe to truly be themselves.
After your trip, you'll be an official O30X Alumni and part of our larger online Travel Community where you'll have access to our network of thousands of past travelers. We are constantly hosting meetups that range from simple happy hours to hikes, to outdoor movie nights. More than 70% of our travelers come solo, but they all leave with friends.
Travel can be unpredictable. Our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience.
While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into it, and on occasion, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and are subject to vary due to local circumstances.
Breakfast will be served at your accommodations. Dinners are enjoyed at local restaurants and some are eaten family style where multiple dishes are ordered and everyone shares. Food vendors will range from modern restaurants to local style food stalls.
You will have a packed lunch on days 5 and 8, and lunch will be served at the elephant sanctuary.
Sample Breakfast Menu:
Sample Dinner Menu:
We do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions.
You will be traveling by private and public ground transportation throughout your trip.
You will be staying in shared boutique hotel rooms for the duration of your trip.
Laundry is available at some hotels for an additional fee. Ask your Trip Leader for details.
Accommodations may vary but will be the same quality.
Solo travelers are paired with someone of the same gender.
Private room options are available upon request, subject to hotel availability for an extra charge.
Travel insurance with at least 200,000 USD in medical coverage is required to participate on our trips. This must include coverage for repatriation.
Please note that travel insurance covers trip-related issues such as trip interruption, lost luggage, theft, etc. Travel medical insurance covers things like repatriation, medicine, ambulance rides, and hospital visits/stays.
We strongly suggest that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please ensure that all of the activities you plan on participating in are covered by your travel insurance.
Here are a few options for travel insurance that meet our minimum medical coverage requirements: Wanderwell, SafetyWing, and World Nomads. Some plans do not cover certain “high-risk” activities. Please make sure to read your plan’s coverage and make a selection based on your planned trip.
Wanderwell donates at least one percent of your insurance purchase to Explore Austin, a sustainable youth outdoor education program, via 1% for the Planet, selected by Over30Experiences.
We receive a fee if you purchase products through links on this page at no extra cost to you.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Give us at least 30 days notice and you can switch your trip for free, or we'll hold your Experience Credits for future use.
If you have an emergency cancellation that is less than 30 days before your trip, please refer to your travel insurance company as they may cover you for some expenses. We are not able to transfer trips or hold experience credits within 30 days of the trip because we have already secured reservations on your behalf.
All Over30Experiences trips are accompanied by experienced Trip Leaders.
The goal of the Trip Leader is to facilitate an awesome experience and help our travelers have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends.
You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.
Gratuities for Trip Leaders aren’t required on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you are happy with the services provided, a tip is an appropriate way to thank them. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations. We suggest around 3-5 USD per person per day for Trip Leaders.
Sunscreens containing Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, 4-Methylbenzylid Camphor, and Butylparaben are banned from Thailand's National Marine Parks due to their harmful effects on the coral.
We recommend using a travel backpack for your convenience or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.
Important: The two included domestic flights: Bangkok to Chiang Mai on Day 3 and Chiang Mai (CNX) to Krabi (KBV) on Day 7, have a check luggage allowance of 20kg (44lbs) and one carry-on of 7kg (15lbs). Please pack accordingly.
Do not forget: a water bottle, sunscreen, sandals, quick-dry travel towel, waterproof rain jacket, insect repellent, sunglasses, & a hat.
Below includes our staff picks of the best items on the market that we travel with! All products selected are 3 ounces or less to comply with TSA carry-on size and are organically inspired when possible.
Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, Over30Experiences will earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
Guidelines for U.S. Passport Holders
Make sure you have an updated passport with you. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the last date of your trip. Please consult the U.S. Department of State with any more questions.
Make sure there is no damage to your passport. Conditions that may constitute damage requiring you to replace your passport include water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing or torn-out visa pages, a hole punch, or other injuries.
The VISA EXEMPTION RULE allows tourists from 55 countries to enter Thailand without a visa. They are granted a maximum of 30 days if they are entering Thailand via an international airport or entering through a land border checkpoint from neighboring countries.
If you have a passport different than the USA, please check the visa requirements to enter Thailand.
Check out our Travel Alerts Page for up-to-date COVID requirements.
The tap water in Thailand is not safe to drink. Please bring a reusable water bottle to refill from filtered water stations and join us in our efforts to be environmentally friendly and keep Thailand beautiful.
Our suggested travel insurance vendor is World Nomads and has a minimum of 200,000 USD coverage.
Please consult with your doctor before traveling regarding physical activity and vaccinations.
No inoculations are required to enter Thailand from the United States but the Center for Disease Control suggests vaccinating for Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Required vaccines should go through CDC, recommended vaccines should be through your doctor.
Mosquito born viruses exist in most of Southeast Asia. Please cover exposed skin and use mosquito repellent.
We suggest bringing 400 USD in local currency to be used at establishments that do not accept credit cards.
This is not the total cash amount that you should expect to spend on your trip. Please consider your own spending habits for additional expenses such as snacks, souvenirs, & optional activities.
The official currency in Thailand is the Thai baht (THB).
You will have to exchange your money for Thai baht (THB), vendors do not accept USD. If you’d like a better exchange rate, call your bank and order baht before your trip. However, there are exchange booths at every location we visit.
Remember to call your bank and credit card company and let them know you will be traveling overseas.
For an up-to-date exchange rate, download the XE Currency Exchange App.
Please be advised that US dollar notes that are slightly torn, heavily marked, or faded may be difficult to exchange. It is best to bring notes in fairly good condition, in denominations lower than 100 USD.
Always carry a copy of your travel insurance, health insurance, vaccination card, and passport with you. A photo of these items on your phone is also a good backup.
Keep your passport and any valuables locked in the safe at the accommodations.
Don’t leave valuables unattended and be aware of purses & backpacks, especially in crowded markets as pick-pocketing and bag snatching does occur.
US Citizens please consider registering with US State Department's “SMART Traveler Program” who can contact your family in case of emergency.
The weather can be described as tropical and humid for the majority of the country during most of the year. Average temperatures are in the mid to upper 80s Fahrenheit.
There are three seasons:
Hot season of March-May
Cooler season of November-February
Rainy season of June - October
Thai people do not shake hands. They greet one another with the wai, or pressing one’s palms together about chest level and bowing one’s head slightly.
When eating, using a fork and spoon is more common than chopsticks. The spoon is held with the dominant hand, and the fork is used to push the food onto the spoon.Touching someone’s head is highly offensive. So is raising or pointing your feet at a person or any religious object.
Smile regularly, just like Thai people. Raising your voice is unacceptable and considered an act of losing control. Avoid doing or saying anything that may embarrass another person, causing them to “lose face.”
Touching or showing affection in public is not common, so please avoid this as well.
Duck down when walking between two people or when walking past a person blocking their vision. This is a polite gesture of respect to acknowledge the interruption.
Note on politeness: Men always end their sentences with “krap” and women always end their sentences with “ka”. So a man would say “sa-wat-dee krap” as a greeting and a woman would say “sa-wat-dee ka.”
While tipping isn’t customary, it is certainly appreciated especially when you have received great service. Be sure to tip in the local currency (Thai Baht) to ensure the recipient does not have to pay additional fees when exchanging. Here are some common guidelines to follow:
Gratuities for Trip Leaders aren’t required on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you are happy with the services provided, a tip is an appropriate way to thank them. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations. We suggest around 3-5 USD per person per day for Trip Leaders.
The activities below will be paid in Thai Baht. All amounts are approximate prices in US dollars.
While your Trip Leader will assist you with optional activities available, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of the Over30Experiences itinerary. We offer no guarantees on the safety or standard of the activity.
Under30Experiences has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, harassment, and hate speech, and is grounds for immediate removal!
Respect the people around you and the environment in which you’re traveling. This includes, but is not limited to, fellow travelers, Trip Leaders, the local community, nature, wildlife, and yourself.
Do your best to keep yourself and fellow travelers out of harm’s way.
It’s important to obey local laws and customs while on our trips. This includes but is not limited to, wearing appropriate clothing while visiting certain communities, refraining from taking photos of people without asking, avoiding the use of illegal drugs, having weapons, and soliciting prostitution. If you’re not sure about something, take time to educate yourself or ask.
Travel involves contact with new cultures. When confronted with a different way of living than you’re used to, do your best to understand that neither way is better or worse. They’re simply different ways of life.
Know your limits! This applies to physical ability, emotional space, social situations, and alcohol consumption. If you can’t participate in something, be upfront about it. If you need a break from people, take it. Stop drinking before you get too drunk.
Trip Leaders are working in the travelers’ best interest. If they say something or ask you not to do something, it’s not because they’re tyrants, but because they want you to have a good time!
Lying or withholding information about any physical or mental condition that might affect your ability to participate in any of the activities may be grounds for removal from your trip with no refund.
Recommended Hotels & Hostels in Bangkok:
Recommended Hotels & Hostels in Krabi:
Helpful Thailand Links:
Learn more about Thai Culture, Elephant Conservation, and How to Extend Your Stay in Bangkok.
Advice for booking international flights! We recommend that you arrange for a roundtrip ticket to and from Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK).
For the final day (Day 10) of the trip, purchase a separate domestic flight from KBV (Krabi) - BKK (Bangkok). Bangkok Airways and Thai Smile are recommended carriers. This will provide less expensive international flights and will offer more flight time options.
Check out these popular posts on Travel Hacking from our Award Winning Blog!
To avoid missing out on special offers and community updates from Under30Experiences, get our newsletter here.
© 2022-2024 Shadow Concepts LLC.
All rights reserved.
"Over30Experiences", “Under30Experiences,” “O30X” & all associated proprietary marks are trademarks of Shadow Concepts LLC & its related entities.
Other third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
