Independent trip to Phang Nga and Surat Thani for 2 days with an overnight stay
A place where nature speaks louder than words. There is none of Phuket’s usual hustle here, but instead the silence of mangrove forests, emerald lagoons where boats seem to float above the water, and turquoise lakes hidden among the cliffs. This is the mysterious province of Phang Nga. If you’re ready for unconventional routes – this Phang Nga guide is for you. It will take you 2 days – the perfect option for a weekend!
If you’re short on time, check out our itinerary Independent trip to Phang Nga for 1 day without an overnight stay. Some locations overlap with this route, so choose what suits you best. And let’s note right away: the road to Phang Nga is not the shortest, so you’ll need a reliable car. To find exactly that, we recommend using our form below.
We took Karon Beach as our starting point. Departure is at 7 a.m. You should check how long it will take you to reach the first stop on the route from your location and adjust your departure time accordingly.
1. Sai Kaew Beach
Travel time to the location: 1 hour 15 minutes
Stop duration: 10 minutes
Our first stop is a deserted beach. How many beaches like this have you seen in Phuket? Exactly! That’s why Sai Kaew Beach is the place where you can (finally!) take a photo with the sea in the background without any people.
2. Beyond Skywalk Nangshi
Travel time to the location: 30 minutes
Stop duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
The next stop is a glass bridge built at an impressive height. From Beyond Skywalk Nangshi, you get an incredible 360-degree view of the whimsical islands and bays of Phang Nga Province. Photos from this spot will 100% blow up your social media!
Entrance to the area costs 500 baht for adults and 300 baht for children. The ticket price includes the ascent, a walk along the bridge, and a 200-baht deposit that can be spent at the local buffet café or restaurant.
3. Suwan Khuha Temple
Travel time to the location: 30 minutes
Stop duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
This temple is also known as the “Cave Temple” or “Monkey Temple” – a truly unique place! It is located right inside a limestone cave, and it also houses a 15-meter golden reclining Buddha statue, symbolizing enlightenment and peace.
Можно исследовать дополнительные залы пещеры, украшенные сталактитами и сталагмитами, другие изображения Будды и останки правящей семьи. А еще на территории храма обитают длиннохвостые макаки, которые чувствуют себя там хозяевами. И хотя они добавляют колорита визиту, лучше соблюдать осторожность и не кормить животных, иначе можно поплатиться за свою сердобольность. У нас есть материал на эту тему – Обезьяны на Пхукете.
Не забывайте, что это храм, хоть он и находится в пещере, поэтому соблюдайте дресс-код: одежда должна покрывать плечи и колени, а обувь необходимо снимать перед входом.
4. Wat Tham Ta Pan
Travel time to the location: 50 minutes
Stop duration: 30 minutes
Perhaps one of the most unusual temples in the area. The atmosphere here could easily serve as the set for a horror film.
Wat Tham Ta Pan is more than just a temple — it’s a philosophical journey through Thai cultural concepts of the afterlife. The visual allegory of the afterlife is split into two parts: Hell – the dark side, where you’ll see eerie sculptures embodying sinners: people boiling in oil, with tongues torn out, surrounded by demons. Heaven – the light side, featuring a cave with Buddha images, filled with light and silence. It’s so peaceful that you might even want to meditate.
Вход на территорию бесплатный, но пожертвование приветствуется. И не забывайте, что для тайцев этот храм – не “прикольный арт-объект”, а место духовного смысла.
5. Lunch stop – two cafes to choose from
KUBKHAOMAE PHANGNGA
A charming cafe in a palm grove with a pond: beautiful surroundings, lots of greenery, and authentic atmosphere. The menu features Thai classics, and the presentation is stunning — even the flowers are edible! A perfect place to take a break from the road and relax, especially after visiting the slightly eerie temple.
hun·gry
Travel time to the location: 10 minutes
Stop duration: 40 minutes
There’s also another cafe along the way with a lovely little courtyard, but note that it’s closed on Mondays. The menu offers both Thai and European dishes. We recommend the shrimp rice and teriyaki chicken. Important: the service here is quite fast, so this stop won’t take up much of your time.
6. Tham Thonglang Quarry
Travel time to the location: 20 minutes
Stop duration: 20 minutes
One more short stop won’t hurt — this time by a serene turquoise lake. This isn’t a place for deep reflections — just enjoy the natural beauty and take a few shots. The color of the water will amaze you!
The lake is not of natural origin — it appeared in the place of a former quarry. Note that swimming here is strictly prohibited, as is going down to the water.
7. Suspension Bridge over the Gorge
Travel time to the location: 70 minutes
Stop duration: 20 minutes
A long wooden bridge with a steel cable, stretched over a small river between a temple and a heart-shaped mountain. If you’re afraid of heights, you might feel dizzy. The bridge is quite old, which adds an extra thrill when you step onto it.
8. Cheow Lan Lake View Point
Travel time to the location: 10 minutes
Stop duration: 1 hour
Another beautiful spot for those who love taking photos and being in them! The viewing platform is well set up, offering stunning panoramic views of the local scenery.
Here you can stroll across green lawns, take in the view of Cheow Lan Lake from above, and even grab a bite at the local cafe — but keep in mind it’s open only until 6:00 p.m.
9. Heading to the hotel.
There aren’t many options for comfortable accommodation in this area. But we found some! We recommend two:
1. Magical Mountain View Resort
Travel time to the location: 45 minutes
A cozy mountain hotel with comfortable rooms, beautiful grounds, a swimming pool, a children’s playground, and delicious breakfasts. Don’t be lazy — wake up early and catch the sunrise here; it’s absolutely stunning in the mountains!
2. Tanoshi Glamping in Khao Sok
Travel time to the location: 50 minutes
An option for those who want the ultimate connection with nature — staying in tents at a glamping site. Don’t scroll past just yet! Everything here is well thought out: the large tent is equipped with a king-size pallet bed, air conditioning (!), and everything else you might need for a comfortable stay. And the views from the glamping site? A strong argument, wouldn’t you agree?
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel, enjoy the views, and depart at 9:00 a.m.
1. Pusol river canoe
Travel time to the location: 10 minutes
Stop duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (the rafting itself takes 1 hour)
Zen-rafting on bamboo rafts along the Pusol River. Why “zen”? Because it requires no physical training and is suitable even for families with children. You’ll quietly contemplate the beauty of nature, and along the way there’s a stop where you’ll be treated to tea and coffee brewed right over an open fire.
2. Bridge Hill Cafe
Travel time to the location: 2 minutes
Stop duration: 20 minutes
A café worth visiting not for the food, but for the atmosphere, the wonderful views, and the chance to take photos on the staircase that seems to lead straight into the sky. We don’t recommend having a full lunch here, but you can get light snacks, pastries, and drinks.
And definitely climb the staircase! Just be careful and don’t lose your balance — it has no railings!
3. Khao Sok Viewpoint
Travel time to the location: 20 minutes
Stop duration: 10 minutes
Another short stop: at this viewpoint, you’ll be treated to a magnificent view. It’s important that the weather is clear; otherwise, the panoramas won’t be particularly impressive. Take some beautiful shots and head on.
By the way, this spot is perfect for flying a drone. From above, the scale of the beauty becomes even more impressive.
4. Goat farm
Travel time to the location: 20 minutes
Stop duration: 20 minutes
If you’re traveling with children, they’ll definitely enjoy this stop. Although, it’s quite possible that adults will be just as delighted. This is a farm with goats and baby goats.
5. Hug Kapong Cafe
Travel time to the location: 35 minutes
Stop duration: 40 minutes
An Instagrammable cafe where you can stop for lunch. We especially recommend the delicious coffee, desserts, and bread, but there are also full meals available.
The interior here is very pleasant, with light wood, greenery all around, and plenty of charming details to catch the eye… By the way, this cafe is also a great place for a full-on photo shoot — if you’re not tired of them yet, of course.
6. Ton Phrai Waterfall
Travel time to the location: 50 minutes
Stop duration: 1 hour
An impressive waterfall and an entire labyrinth of ancient tree roots under your feet. To reach this spot, you’ll need to walk 600–800 meters through the jungle, but the path is easy, and you can get there in any type of footwear.
The waterfall is at its fullest by the end of May, and you can even take a swim — but be warned, the water is quite refreshing! Still, that might be exactly what you need after a long drive.
7. Wat Thettharamnawa (Wat Tha Sai)
Travel time to the location: 25 minutes
Stop duration: 20 minutes
Serenity, peace, and quiet — that’s what awaits you here. This spot features a beautiful wooden temple standing right on the seashore (you can swim at the beach!), and there are almost never any people around. It’s the perfect place to be alone with your thoughts or to meditate.
This temple has its own unique energy — something that can’t be described in words, only felt.
8. The Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa
Travel time to the location: 10 minutes
Stop duration: 2 hours
Relaxing in a spa with natural mineral springs — what could be better after a long drive? You can do just that at The Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa. By the way, you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy it: a separate entrance to the hot springs costs 500 baht for adults.
You’ll find a total of four pools: in two of them, the water reaches 40°C, and in one — just 10°C. This temperature contrast helps the body relax, improves blood circulation, tones you up, and triggers the body’s detox process — all benefits in one.
The grounds of The Hotspring Beach Resort and Spa are a pleasure to be in: lush greenery, a cafe, a children’s playground, and a wooden bridge that leads to a wild, deserted beach where you can watch the sunset by the sea. The perfect ending to an eventful trip!
We then head back to Phuket. The journey to Karon Beach will take about 2 hours.
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