Ban Talae Nok Village Three Day Tour
Dive deeper into the way of life at the Muslim village of Ban Talae Nok. This 3-day, 2-night tour of Ban Talae Nok village lets you experience local village life in more detail. Ban Talae Nok is home to a community which is a model for responsible tourism and sustainability. A visit here is a wonderful way to culturally enrich your travels in Ranong.
You will find a warm Southern Thai welcome. The main way that villagers make their living is from fishing and farming. The community takes only what they need from nature while also carefully conserving the mangroves and ecosystem.
Participate in handicraft and livelihood demonstrations with your hosts. Fish from the beach with local fishermen and enjoy a local barbecue dinner on the beach. Feast on Southern Thai specialty dishes and learn how to make a local snack.
Tour Experiences:
Places we visit:
Itinerary
Meals included: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Day 1 Cultural Exchange (L,D)
- 10.00 Start the tour in Kuraburi at the Andaman Discoveries office for a pre-trip briefing and cultural orientation.
- 10.45 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 the community was affected.
- 12.00 Lunch – enjoy authentic southern Thai food with your homestay family.
- 13.00 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.
- 16.00 Learn to weave leaves of the nypa palm with the villagers and help make traditional roofing from a local mangrove plant.
- 17.00 Take a short walk to the beach where you can relax and bask in the spectacular colors of an Andaman Sea sunset.
- 17.00 For 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)
Overnight: Ban Talae Nok Homestay, comfortable bedding and mosquito net provided
Day 2 Natural Wonder (B,L,D)
- 08.00 Breakfast at the homestay house
- 09.00 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**
- 12.00 Have a picnic lunch on the beach with your hosts***
- 14.30 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.
- 15.30 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.
- 17.00 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 Village Life (B,L)
- 08.00 Breakfast at the homestay house.
- 09.00 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.
- 10.00 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.
- 12.00 Have a last lunch with your homestay family.
- 13.00 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.
- 13.30 Transfer back to Kuraburi then end your program at the Andaman Discoveries office with a debriefing and transfer onto your next destination.
What's Included?
- Transfer to/from Kuraburi (additional Khaolak)
- Accommodation at local homestay
- Meals as mentioned in the program
- National Park fee
- English Speaking Guide
- Activities as mentioned in the program
- Travel Insurance
- TAX 7%
Why we care
After the tsunami, we helped Ban Talae Nok with over 20 long-term projects including a community center and a new school. Over the last decade, we have also sponsored waste management, mangrove protection, scholarships, and Children Day celebrations. By taking a Ranong tour you help in many ways. Firstly, by directly adding money to their local economy. Secondly, through money raised by the North Andaman Network foundation.
