Prachuap Khiri Khan

Day Trips

Touch down at Prachuap Khiri Khan airport and transfer to a beachfront hotel with views of the Gulf of Thailand. Unpack and unwind on the soft sands of Ao Manao as the gentle waves lap at your feet. Breathe in the salty sea air and feel the stress melt away beneath the clear morning light.

Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore the calm waters and hidden coves nearby. Pause for a picnic lunch under a shaded palm grove while listening to seabirds calling overhead. Swim in crystalline shallows before lounging on a sunbed with an iced drink in hand.

Stroll along the beach path as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Sample freshly grilled seafood at a local shophouse, choosing from prawns, squid, and fish sourced that morning. Cap the night with a cocktail by the sea under twinkling fairy lights.

Set out early for the trailhead of Khao Lom Muak, greeted by forest birdsong and the scent of damp earth. Ascend through lush vegetation to reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking coral-fringed islands. Pause at the summit pavilion to snap photos and savor coconut water while savoring the 360-degree vista.

Descend to Ao Noi Beach for snorkeling among vibrant coral gardens and tropical fish. Enjoy a light seafood lunch at a beachside shack before exploring tide pools rich with starfish and hermit crabs. Take a leisurely stroll along the shore collecting polished shells as mementos.

Return to town for a traditional Thai massage at a riverside spa, easing any muscle tension from the day’s adventure. Dine at a riverside restaurant serving som tum papaya salad and tom yum soup. Finish the evening with a leisurely walk through the night market, sampling sweet mango sticky rice.

Depart before dawn for Kui Buri National Park, renowned for its wild elephant herds roaming open grasslands. Climb into a safari truck and venture deep into the park as the morning mist lifts. Watch giants forage at watering holes while sunbeams pierce through acacia trees.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on a shaded riverbank, where kingfishers dart overhead and monkeys chatter in the canopy. Continue the safari to spot gaurs, deer, and hornbills in their natural habitat. Return via a scenic forest trail, pausing to photograph vibrant orchids and butterflies.

Relax at your lodge with a cold drink as the surroundings grow quiet at dusk. Savor a homemade Thai curry prepared with local herbs and vegetables. Drift off to the sounds of cicadas and tree frogs in the night.

Head to Thale Waek, known as the Separated Sea, where low tide reveals a sandy causeway linking two bays. Walk across the crystalline channel and marvel at the shifting tides that part the ocean. Photograph the phenomenon from a hilltop viewpoint framed by coconut palms.

Board a longtail boat to Ko Lao Liang for world-class snorkeling over untouched reefs. Glide through turquoise waters teeming with clownfish, parrotfish, and delicate anemones. Picnic under the shade of pandan trees on the tiny island before returning to the mainland.

Return to your beachside bungalow for a seafood barbecue prepared over an open wood fire. Sample spicy papaya salad and freshly caught grilled squid as night falls. Lie on a hammock watching bioluminescent plankton shimmer along the shoreline.

Drive north to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and embark on a guided trek to Phraya Nakhon Cave. Wander through lush mangroves and limestone karsts until you reach a cavern illuminated by a natural skylight. Stand beneath the iconic Kuha Karuhas pavilion inside the cave for a magical sunrise moment.

Descend to Sam Phan Bok, the ‘Grand Canyon of Thailand,’ and wander among thousands of water-filled potholes carved into red sandstone. Stop for a rustic lunch at a park café serving grilled chicken and sticky rice. Cool off with a swim at Hat Laem Sala Beach, framed by towering cliffs.

Visit a nearby fishing village to glimpse local life as fishermen haul in their evening catch. Choose fresh snapper or shrimp and have them expertly prepared in a sea salt crust or coconut milk stew. Enjoy dinner on a porch overlooking the rippling sea under a canopy of stars.

Embark on a cave expedition to Tham Kong Koi, famous for its twisting passages and spiritual stalactites. Navigate by torchlight through chambers echoing with dripping water and ancient limestone formations. Reach the inner sanctuary where local monks leave offerings at a small shrine.

Visit Wat Thammikaram perched atop a hill for sweeping views of the Gulf and nearby islands. Explore ornate murals depicting Buddhist tales and ascend to the chedi for panoramic photo opportunities. Refuel with a lunch of khao kluk kapi (shrimp paste rice) at a temple café.

Return to your resort for a sunset yoga session on the beachfront lawn. Follow with a healthy dinner of grilled tilapia and stir-fried local greens. Sip herbal tea while listening to traditional Thai flute music drifting in the night air.

Travel inland to Wat Huay Mongkol, home to Thailand’s largest bronze statue of Luang Phor Thuad. Circumnavigate the vast temple grounds decorated with porcelain elephants and lotus ponds. Receive a blessing from a monk and learn about Thai Buddhist traditions.

Head to a nearby hillside park where troops of macaques play among banyan roots and giant boulders. Observe their social antics from a safe distance and photograph them against dramatic limestone backdrops. Enjoy a picnic lunch under shaded pavilions watching monkeys scamper overhead.

Dine at a hillside restaurant offering panoramic vistas of fruit orchards and distant mountains. Sample tamarind-glazed chicken and fresh rambutan salad as the sun sets. Return to your hotel for a relaxing soak in a traditional outdoor tub.

Make your way to Hua Hin town and start with breakfast at a beachfront café serving eggs benedict with a Thai twist. Wander through the historic Hua Hin Railway Station, admiring its royal architecture and vintage carriages. Browse boutiques selling silk scarves, teakwood carvings, and artisanal soaps.

Spend the afternoon lounging on Hua Hin Beach or trying kiteboarding lessons in the gentle sea breeze. Refuel with som tam and grilled pork skewers at a street-food stall. Visit the Klai Kangwon Palace grounds for a glimpse of royal vacation gardens and manicured lawns.

Explore the bustling Cicada Night Market under fairy-lit tents offering handmade crafts and live performances. Sample coconut ice cream, mango sticky rice, and freshly squeezed sugarcane juice as local musicians serenade the crowd. End the night with a beachside foot massage at a shophouse table.

Join a small-group cooking class in a traditional Thai home to learn regional Prachuap Khiri Khan recipes. Shop for fresh ingredients at a local market before preparing tom kha gai, green curry, and coconut pandan desserts under expert guidance. Celebrate your creations with a communal tasting feast.

Drive to a boutique vineyard nestled in the nearby hills for a wine-tasting session overlooking emerald rice fields. Tour the vineyards and wine cellar, learning about tropical viticulture and fermentation techniques. Sip on locally produced Shiraz and Rosé while enjoying cheese and fruit pairings.

Return to Hua Hin for a sunset dinner cruise along the coast, complete with seafood tapas and a live acoustic band. Watch the shoreline lights emerge as you drift gently over calm waters. Toast the day’s adventures with a glass of chilled white wine under a starlit sky.

Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast buffet featuring tropical fruits, freshly baked pastries, and Thai congee. Stroll through the hotel’s lush gardens or take a final dip in the infinity pool overlooking the sea. Pack souvenirs and savor one last view of the Gulf of Thailand from your balcony.

Indulge in a relaxing spa treatment incorporating local herbs and oils to rejuvenate body and mind before travel. Enjoy a light lunch of chicken basil stir-fried rice and jasmine tea at the spa café. Complete check-out formalities with plenty of time to spare.

Transfer to the airport or train station for your onward journey, reminiscing about sunlit beaches, hidden caves, and cultural treasures. Grab a final Thai iced coffee or coconut smoothie for the road. Depart with a heart full of memories and a promise to return to Prachuap Khiri Khan.