Top Things to do in Khao Lak
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6 Cultural Tours in Khao Lak That You Shouldn't Miss
Just 80 kilometers north of Phuket, Khao Lak was essentially erased by the 2004 tsunami. But the town, and the tourist industry it relies on, has rebounded. It remains quieter than other coastal destinations, offering secluded beaches, tranquil nights and family-oriented activities. You want full moon parties and besotted nights? You’re out of luck. But if you’re looking for unparalleled scuba diving in the Similan Islands, you’ve hit the jackpot.
Restaurants in Khao Lak
1. Local food tasting at Hidden Takua Pa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Come and discover the most interesting foods at Takua Pa from carefully selected foodstalls and restaurants. Experience the local way of life, food and culture by following our food expert to taste over 10 dishes.
Inclusions: All activities, Transport by private vehicle, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Hotel pickup, Hotel drop-off, Local guide, Dinner, Snacks, Coffee and/or Tea
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Reviewed By annie48Northants
Was collected from the hotel by WANDEE who took us to the local market and showed us around and purchased fresh produce for the meals we had chosen to make. It was great fun preparing the dishes and Wandee took us through step by step. When we actually tasted the food we had made we genuinely couldn’t believe how good the taste was. We had a lovely morning with her and can not recommend her highly enough. If we are lucky enough to go again next year we will definitely book again.
2. Khao Lak: Takua Pa Historical & Cultural Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Visit Wat Khongkha Phimuk Discover the temple's architecture and colorful ornamentation, before heading to Takuapa Old Town. Explore the old-town streets lined with beautiful examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture and visit the Takuapa Market to see locals selling and bargaining for their produce.The next stop will be the Tor Sor Cake Factory. Continue to Nam Kem Cultural Centre, a museum run by locals and interestingly made out of clay, to learn more about the area. before enjoying a delicious lunch at a local restaurant around noon. Finally, visit the Tsunami Memorial Park and Museum, a tranquil and peaceful place for reflection and remembrance. The tour will end with a drop off at your hotel in Khao Lak. Note: Program is subject to change due to availability and other reasons.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water, Food and drinks, Landing and facility fees, Lunch, Landing and facility fees
Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages
Reviewed By K C
Booked a tour through Green Andaman based on the reviews and claims on their website. I was totally disappointed and would not recommend them to anyone. They claim that they do tours for small groups of people and not over in crowded but it was completely the opposite. Communication was ok until I made the payment after that the communication was extremely disappointing. We booked through Green Andaman to avoid the bulk tour companies but to our surprise they have transferred our booking to a mass tour company called Sea Star. If we were informed that they do not operate their own tours at this time if the year we would have booked elsewhere. There was no communication about this even after the payment was made. We were waiting and waiting for the van pick up from the hotel in the morning and by accident discovered that our names were on another tour companies tour list. The van driver insisted that he was not from Green Andaman and we would be picked up by a different van but in the end, we figured out that Green Andaman has simply transferred us to another tour company without informing anyone. We wasted around 30 mins due to this and the other people in the van also wasted their time because of this. The tour with Sea Star is definitely not for small groups and it’s a bulk tourist operation. People are packed into 35 seats + boats with very limited space. The tour itinerary with Sea Star was completely different to what we booked with Green Anadaman tours. The registration, group briefings, issue of snorkel gear, taking photos, etc. took a long time and the boats did not actually leave the pier until around 10 AM! With a very large group getting people on and off the boat took for ever and only really spent about 30 mins snorkelling at 3 different locations. So, for a whole day you only spend 1.5 hours in the water. When we finally arrived back at the pier, we wanted to get back to our hotel quickly to view the sunset by the beach. We were informed this is not possible and we had to wait until all the people who went on the tour finished the dinner and then it was time for the vans to leave. The vas back to the hotels were very poorly organised as well. All the vans seem to go to all the hotels instead of being grouped by hotel. We had to tour many hotels before we finally arrived at our hotel around 7 PM. Overall, very disappointed with Green Anadaman and their lack of communication and honesty. If they simple informed us that they are not doing tour on their own we would have gone elsewhere. Sea Star tried their best but their tours are ok if you don’t mind massive group tours. We later talked to other people in the hotel later and found out that some of the others had a much better experience. The hotel recommended Tour was through Love Anadaman Tours and our only wish is we went with their recommendation. We noticed at the snorkelling spots they have their own speed boat and that boat was not overcrowded like ours. Highly recommend to avoid Green Andaman Tours at all costs!
3. Amazing 3 Temples
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 24 reviews
Visit three of the most amazing temples in Phang Nga province and find out more about Thai Culture and Buddhism. Famous breathtaking views and massive statues. Expecting a delicious lunch with a fantastic view over the fantasic limestone rocks of Phang Nga Bay and mangrove forest.
Inclusions: TripAdvisor Experiences brokerage fee, Lunch, Bottled water and soft drinks, Local multilingual guide, Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By daniellT8302PS
Went on two day-long tours, and loved them both! The James Bond Island / cave tour was our favorite, but the Elephant / rafting was a very close second!
4. Phang Nga Discovery and James Bond Island
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 8 reviews
START LATE TO AVOID CROWDS! The James Bond Island is perhaps one of the most famous sights in Southern Thailand. Ever since Roger Moore filmed on the island in the early 1970s, tourists have flocked to witness first-hand impressive rock formations and to re-live some of their favorite scenes amongst the beautiful back drop of Phang Nga Bay. - Leave from your hotel in a comfortable minibus and take a scenic drive into Phang Nga valley. - Follow our guide on a short walk through the history of Phang Nga Province Exhibition. - Leave Phang Nga town with a traditional longtail boat and out through one of the largest native mangrove forests in Thailand. - Cruise through the caves and beautiful limestone mountains that make up Phang Nga Bay. - Stop for a walk and a swim at the famous James Bond Island. - Take a stroll around the stilted fishing village and enjoy a delicious dinner overlooking the bay. - Cruise back to the pier as the sun sets over the bay and return to your hotel.
Inclusions: Dinner, Bottled water, Soda/Pop, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions:
Reviewed By macroscopes
I think it is a great educational experience for all ages to go kayaking in mangroves. I love trekking and I am always into learning and experiencing different ecosystems. All of a sudden I felt I was in this secret, strange and magical floating forest. We were super lucky to see wild monkeys, a snake and fish, but even without them the environment was gorgeous enough. The kayak fits 1 person which is great to maneuver through the crazy environment. The guide was super nice and I felt super comfortable (I was the only one in the tour). The other guide who was looking for places for us to go to was also really kind. I had a very generous "light" meal that there was no way I could finish as it was plentiful. I also had a swim in a sort of lake that was super refreshing. I think this is one experience to recommend to everyone!
5. A hidden fisherman trail
Explore the mangrove habitat with a local fisherman. Hop in the “Rua Peed” (a traditional small motorboat) cruise along the narrow river from the village to the sea, spending some time to collect mudcrabs, clams and fish. The mangroves are home to many different species such as monkeys, birds, bats and insects. If you are lucky you might even encounter a hairy-nosed otter, a currently endangered species. After our trip we will bring all the fresh collected food ashore and cook it at the fisherman’s hut.
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Dinner, Food tasting, Light refreshments, All activities, Local guide, Hotel drop-off, Hotel pickup, Private tour, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Transport by private vehicle
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Reviewed By annie48Northants
Was collected from the hotel by WANDEE who took us to the local market and showed us around and purchased fresh produce for the meals we had chosen to make. It was great fun preparing the dishes and Wandee took us through step by step. When we actually tasted the food we had made we genuinely couldn’t believe how good the taste was. We had a lovely morning with her and can not recommend her highly enough. If we are lucky enough to go again next year we will definitely book again.
6. Local Temples and Traditional Market
Situated north of Khao Lak, Takuapa has been welcoming visitors for centuries. Experience a bit of local culture and discover more about the lives of the people who live here. Buddhism has always been a big part of the Thai culture. On this trip we take you to visit some of the most beautiful local temples and give you an insight into the lives local people have lived for generations. Join us to gain an insight into the importance of Buddhism by visiting a selection of local temples. Learn about the history of Khao Lak and Takuapa in the local sustainable farming project before going for a walk around the streets of the old town and the traditional street market. Here you can try some of the traditional local foods and discover the local handicrafts that have been passed down throughout the generations.
Inclusions: Lunch, Bottled water, Soda/Pop, Coffee and/or Tea
Exclusions:
Reviewed By macroscopes
I think it is a great educational experience for all ages to go kayaking in mangroves. I love trekking and I am always into learning and experiencing different ecosystems. All of a sudden I felt I was in this secret, strange and magical floating forest. We were super lucky to see wild monkeys, a snake and fish, but even without them the environment was gorgeous enough. The kayak fits 1 person which is great to maneuver through the crazy environment. The guide was super nice and I felt super comfortable (I was the only one in the tour). The other guide who was looking for places for us to go to was also really kind. I had a very generous "light" meal that there was no way I could finish as it was plentiful. I also had a swim in a sort of lake that was super refreshing. I think this is one experience to recommend to everyone!
