Start the tour in Kuraburi at Andaman Discoveries’ office for a pre-trip briefing  and cultural orientation. Transfer, together with one of Andaman Discoveries’ bilingual Thai/English translator, to Ban Talae Nok village to meet your hosts, and be welcomed into their way of life.

Take a walking tour of the community with your local guide to learn about the history and lives of these villagers. See first-hand an area of the village that was destroyed by the 2004 tsunami and learn from survivors how they have recovered.

For lunch, enjoy authentic Southern Thai food with your host family.

Learn a new skill at the handicraft workshop. The women’s group, established after the tsunami, makes beautifully hand-crafted soap, using only the finest natural ingredients. Watch an informative demonstration and then make soap for yourself with the expert guidance of the soap ladies, and keep a souvenir

Return to your homestay to make a local specialty dessert.  Try your hand at grating the coconut and filling the palm leaf with the batter. Then grill and enjoy the delicious snack hot of the fire

After a full day of activities, relax on the beach as time allows before heading back to Andaman Discoveries’ office for debriefing and end of the program.

Day 1 – Cultural Exchange

Morning

Start the tour in Kuraburi at the Andaman Discoveries office for a pre-trip briefing and cultural orientation. Transfer to Ban Talae Nok village to meet your host family, and be welcomed into their way of life. Take a walking tour of the community with your local guide to learn about the history and lives of these villagers. See an area of the village that was destroyed by the 2004 tsunami  and learn how this event affected the community
Noon          

Lunch – enjoy authentic southern Thai food with your homestay family

Take part in a handicraft workshop and learn the art of Batik, a technique of hand-dyeing fabrics by using designs drawn in wax. You can create your own design or have your hosts draw one for you, then color in the beautiful designs, and keep your creation as a souvenir. Learn to weave leaves of the nypa palm with the villagers and help make traditional roofing from a local mangrove plant

Take a short walk to the beach where you can relax and bask in the spectacular colors of an Andaman Sea sunset
Evening         

Dinner – enjoy a barbecue dinner on the beach with your hosts and feast on freshly-caught seafood, garden-fresh vegetables, and Thai curries (weather permitting, alternative is dinner in the homestay) Participate in a cultural activity where you can share stories and experiences with the family and local villagers. Pictures from home are always appreciated!

Overnight: Ban Talae Nok Homestay, comfortable bedding and mosquito net provided

Day 2 Natural Wonders

Morning      Breakfast at the homestay house Head into nature, and explore the mangrove forest in a long-tail boat, where you have the chance to spot various birds, monitor lizards and monkeys. Take a fascinating journey through the tidal canals and learn how the villagers are active in protecting this amazing ecosystem

Continue your journey out to the hidden paradise of the undeveloped Gam Islands, only 10 km from the coast of the village. Arrive to the white sand bays and explore the surrounding nature, then go for a swim and snorkel in the clear blue waters**

Noon           Have a picnic lunch on the beach with your hosts**

Depart the island and take part in a local fishing activity with your hosts,if you get a good catch, your hosts will create a tasty net to table meal . Handicraft workshop – the women’s group, established after the tsunami, makes beautifully hand-crafted soap, using only the finest natural ingredients. Watch an informative demonstration and then make soap for yourself with the expert guidance of the soap ladies, and keep your creation as a souvenir

Evening       Learn to cook local Thai food with your host family, or spend your time before dinner relaxing on the beach. After dinner, enjoy more cultural exchange by trying on traditional Muslim clothing to learn more about your hosts’ religion and how it is connected to their culture and daily lives

Overnight: Ban Talae Nok Homestay, comfortable bedding and mosquito net provided

Please Note** Gam Islands only available during dry season, November – April.  During rainy season, have an extended mangrove tour and go fishing with your homestay family. Depending on tides and expertise, fish in the canals with nets or poles, spearing shrimp or catch crabs with traps.

** Lunch in the rainy season is held at the homestay.

Day 3 Local Life

Morning

Breakfast at the homestay house. Participate in a livelihood activity by weaving leaves of the nypa- palm with the villagers to help make traditional roofing from a local mangrove plant. Return to your homestay to make a local specialty dessert.

Try your hand at grating the coconut and filling the palm leaf with the batter. Then grill and enjoy the delicious snack hot of the fire

Noon   

Have a last lunch with your homestay family.

Walk up to the school for a beautiful view of the islands facing the village and the surrounding sea.  Pack and say goodbye to your friendly hosts.

Transfer back to Kuraburi then end your program at the Andaman Discoveries office with a debriefing and transfer onto your next destination.