On the first day you arrive in the big chaotic city of Bangkok. A city with as much history as traffic, more character than "characters", more ambience than ambulances... you get the idea. I think. At the hotel you get to meet the rest of the group, freshen up or even start exploring the neighbourhood, with our dedicated Travel Ninja (tour guide, but much cooler) to point you in the right direction or show you some places. The evening is the real start of the trip, and we have plenty of tricks up our sleeves to make sure it starts with a bang in Bangkok. First, we'll head to the famous Khao San Road area where you'll get to know your group over delicious food and maybe a few drinks. After our stomachs are satisfied, we'll wander around the city, street bar style.

After a leisurely morning catching some rays by the pool, sleeping a little Zzzzzzz in bed or grabbing some bargains at the market, we hop on a traditional longtail boat for a ride through Bangkok's back canals and main river, the Chao Phraya. Our boat driver takes us straight to our first temple, Wat Arun (or the Temple of Dawn - cool name, right?), where we climb some steps to get a view of the city. We then head to one of Bangkok's largest and most prestigious temples, which was also the first university in Thailand, Wat Pho. After we've done the cultural and educational part, we'll grab a traditional Bangkok tuk tuk and take a new kind of ride back to our hotel where you can cool off (literally in the AC). Time for our second night in Bangkok as a TruFamily. We'd tell you what we're up to, but what happens in Bangkok, stays in Bangkok. Let's hope so.

Bangkok river cruise, Wat Arun & Wat Pho temple visits, tuk tuk ride

Breakfast

The introductions are over, you've soaked up some culture and experienced the nightlife. Now it's time to head south to the wonders we talked about earlier (tip: floating bungalows in Khao Sok National Park. Dreamy, right?) Feeling a little down? We feel the same way. Luckily, an overnight train journey awaits you to recharge your batteries, catch up on some sleep and enjoy the views of the Thai countryside. Before we board the train, however, we have a lovely surprise for you in the form of a traditional Thai massage. A great way to relax after an eventful few days and warm up for the train journey. Great.

Overnight train

Massage

Breakfast

If we had a list of the 7 Tru Wonders of the World, Khao Sok would be on it. After arriving early at Surat Thani train station and taking a short drive to the national park, we board a longtail boat on the lake and glide through breathtaking landscapes. Imagine low clouds hovering over the limestone mountains surrounding the emerald green lake. The temperature is perfect for a refreshing dip, so that's exactly what we'll be doing on the way to the floating bungalows. Yes, you heard that right, floating bungalows. Tonight we're staying in a real floating resort on this amazing lake that looks like something out of Jurassic Park. We told you we weren't average. The afternoon is free to relax by the lake, float on an inflatable boat with a beer, read a book or explore the lake in kayaks. After sunset, we are treated to a delicious Thai buffet dinner at the floating restaurant and bar. It could hardly get any better than this. Or could it?

Khao Sok National Park

Kayaks, floating bungalows, tubing

Lunch & Dinner

What's better than a floating resort on a crystal-clear freshwater lake surrounded by mountains and jungle? I don't know, but our next destination comes pretty close. One of our favourite beaches in the world, Bottle Beach. It's a stunningly beautiful little beach that's only accessible by boat (or jungle track if you have a cool 4x4). Therefore, we have the place almost to ourselves and again, a room with a view! Did we mention that this is a TruExclusive? Very few people actually stay here and experience it the way you should. And even fewer experience it Tru-style. It's almost impossible to describe how cool this place is. So here are some of the things you can do there in paradise with your new friends (apart from lazing on the beach): You can play volleyball, swim or kayak, hike to the viewpoint or frolic on the beach with one of the resort's friendly dogs. In the evening, we'll have dinner on the beach (of course), followed by a few cocktails next to a beach bonfire with our own private fire show. Luckily, the bar here will stay open as long as we stay awake, so we can take it slow and enjoy a night by the ocean or let the private beach party rock until the early hours. Could it get any better than that? No, probably not.

Beach activities, fire show, viewpoint hike

Breakfast

Bottle Beach stay

The sounds of the waves crashing on the beach will probably be the first thing you hear when you wake up (unless you have a noisy flatmate). We've got a nice lazy morning planned, so as always, you don't have to worry. Sleep in, enjoy the beach, take a hike through the jungle or up to that viewpoint and generally take advantage of your idyllic surroundings to unwind and re-energise. In the afternoon, we'll head to a local gym for an introductory lesson in the ancient art of Muay Thai (Thai boxing), Thailand's national sport. Once the trainers have turned us all into future champions and we've worked up a bit of a sweat, we check into our new home, where we can freshen up and relax. Of course, the resort we're staying at is a fantastic little place right on the beach with the perfect island vibe of Koh Phangan. Good thing we're here for the next two nights. With a great choice of restaurants, bars, parties and beaches, we can spend the next few evenings eating, drinking and doing as we please. Have fun!

Viewpoint hike & Muay Thai lessons

Today you are a pirate. Arrrrrrrr. Well, you can pretend if you want, because we're going sailing and taking you on a tour around this magical island. There's a reason why so many of us TruCrew members live here on Koh Phangan. We sail along the coast of the island, stopping at one of the small islands off the coast of Phangan for some beach fun and at a snorkelling spot to explore the marine life and cool off. Sailing in Thailand is an absolute hit! Lunch is served on the boat, there's plenty of room to spread out and soak up some rays, while pleasant tunes play all day to top it all off. We get back ashore just before sunset, just in time to freshen up for dinner and drinks on our last night on Koh Phangan. The island is known for its party scene, so if the group feels like dancing, we can find something suitable. Alternatively, a quiet evening by the pool or at the beach bar can be arranged.

Koh Phangan island boat trip, snorkelling

Lunch

Say goodbye to the enchanting island of Koh Phangan and hello to its pretty little neighbour Koh Tao. Until recently, Koh Tao consisted mostly of coconut farms and fishing villages, so the island is still quite undeveloped and, like Koh Phangan, awash with nature. Things changed for Koh Tao when scuba diving became popular and people discovered a variety of amazing dive sites. Many people visit Koh Tao for the diving, the beautiful beaches and the relaxed lifestyle. When we arrive on the island, we check into our hotel near Sairee Beach, which is now lined with cool little restaurants and beach bars (and lots of diving schools, of course). Spend the afternoon by the pool, exploring the town or the beach. In the evening we'll visit some of the beach bars and see where the night takes us!

Ferry to Koh Tao

Beach day

Today we get to see what all the hype about snorkelling and diving on Koh Tao is about (after all, that's what the island is famous for). We also visit a beautiful island called Koh Nang Yuan. We provide snorkelling equipment, lunch and drinks on the boat. If you'd prefer to arrange a diving session instead, speak to your Travel Ninja (your elite, bad-ass tour guide) or another member of the Tru team in advance and we'll arrange it for you. If you prefer to work on deck and tan your complexion instead of exploring the wonders of the ocean below the boat, we can arrange that for you too. You can also hike to the viewpoint to take some insta-envy-inducing snaps, or tan your body on a beautiful beach. In the evening, you can join the group for dinner at one of the island's lovely restaurants and enjoy a few beers (or cocktails, or even water if you prefer) at one of the many small bars along Sairee Beach.

Day trip to Koh Nang Yuan, snorkelling

Lunch

Our last day in this little paradise, and luckily we have options. We head to Tanote Bay, for those who want to spend the day on this little gem of a beach. If you'd rather keep the adrenaline levels up, we can help you organise one of the extreme activities on Koh Tao. From rock climbing to the more common and much wetter activities such as scuba diving or water sports. Or you can stay in bed until you check out. We won't do it, but it's your trip after all ;-). In the evening we will travel to the west side of the Kingdom of Thailand, first by night boat. The next morning we will continue with our private minivan where you can listen to our great playlists, watch a film, look out the window or talk to your new travel family. The final leg is a short and scenic ferry ride to our next little island paradise. Koh Phi Phi Don. This is pretty damn cool. Trust me.

Overnight boat

Free day

After we arrive and check in, you'll have some free time to do whatever you like. We can hike to the viewpoint to take amazing photos that would make even The Rock wish he had your Instagram account.... Maybe. Or how about strolling around town and getting to know the island, relaxing on the beach or having a drink at a beach bar. After all, it's your holiday. The evenings are always interesting in Phi Phi, similar to Koh Tao there is a relaxed, "islandy" atmosphere here, but also lots of young backpackers and beach goers, so naturally there is a lively nightlife with beach parties often lasting into the early hours. So, what you do is entirely up to you and the TruFam.

Phi Phi Islands, hike

Who loves Leo? And we don't mean Thai beer. Although we love that too. We mean Leonardo DiCaprio, and you can admit it, you love him. Well, we do too, and today you'll get to walk in his marvellous footsteps for a day. After a relaxing morning, we'll hop on another boat to visit a stunningly beautiful place called Maya Bay, made famous by Leo's famous film "The Beach", which was filmed here many years ago. In addition, we'll snorkel, visit other cool places like the Viking Cave and Monkey Beach (yes, there are actually monkeys there), have lunch and watch the sunset from the boat. Another epic day, presented by TruTravels. You're welcome.

Maya Bay, monkey beach, snorkelling

Lunch

No, we didn't exactly swear. Phuket (pronounced Puket or Pooket) is another Thai island. The largest, to be exact. Well, this tour is called Island Hopper, so what did you expect? We end our trip on this crazy island for two main reasons. Firstly, because there's an airport and plenty of hotels and transport options, which makes your life easier. Secondly, because you have to experience it once when you come to Thailand. We stay near Patong Beach, a lively centre with lots of tourists and locals whizzing around on motorbikes and taxis. There are plenty of things to do and the last afternoon is free to relax, explore and prepare for the last night with the group. Who are now your best friends for life and probably longer, so be sure it's going to be a really, really good night.

Party in Phuket

Last day. Tears everywhere. Can't even type anymore... If you need to leave us after the trip to go home or anywhere else on your travels, then of course we will help you with everything, just tell us where you need to go and when. But of course we would prefer you to stay with your new TruFam.

Help with onward travel

Breakfast