Immerse in the local culture at the Muslim village of Ban Talae Nok on the North Andaman Coast. Participate in handicraft demonstrations, enjoy a local barbeque dinner on the beach, and relax in the quaint atmosphere of this community. Explore the local nature with a trip to the undeveloped Gam Islands or a mangrove tour in the forest surrounding the village.
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 barbeque 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
Stay the night in your homestay with comfortable bedding and mosquito net
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
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.
Morning
Breakfast at the homestay house
Walk up to the school for a panoramic view of the Andaman coast
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 off the fire.
Noon
Have a personalized cooking class and help make your lunch with your homestay hosts – lunch with your host family
Pack and say goodbye to your friendly hosts
Transfer back to the Andaman Discoveries office in Kuraburi for debriefing. Travel on to your next destination!
Local/Foreign Owned Social Enterprise
Andaman Discoveries started as North Andaman Tsunami Relief - after completing many projects to help coastal communities recover from the 2004 tsunami, they decided to continue their work as a social enterprise helping communities develop sustainable tourism projects. Only a few hours away from the touristy areas of Phuket, Koh Samui, and Khao Lak, they now connect travelers to the friendly communities of the north Andaman region. They invite you to experience their traditional way of life and diverse eco-systems in an authentic and non-intrusive way. Volunteer, join a homestay tour, experience authentic ecotourism and enjoy the real Thailand!