The "balanced Island" - Koh Lanta Or Koh Yai/noi?

[borgy]

Hi everybody,

I'd like some advice about a planned trip a friend of mine and I have in Thailand in a 4 weeks time. Our holiday will consist in total of 5 weeks. Just to let you know we will be backpacking throughout the whole holiday but we're more after a mixture of both adventure and leisure at the same time; and although we love history we're not fanatics about it as we love more culture and relaxation rather than history.

First we will be going in Chiang Mai as soon as we arrive in Bangkok by means of a flight. Definitely we need to spend a whole week (7nights)in Chiang Mai, of which 3 days trekking over there. In this regard, any tips you might have about Trekking in general organised from Chiang Mai will be greatly appreciated.

Then we plan to fly to the South either in Phuket or Samui and explore some islands which can be found in the South and spend the remaining 4 weeks in the South.

Here is the question: which islands in your opinion we might consider that you have been to in the South which you consider as interesting? Ideally, this new "balanced" island would also serves us as a good base to discover any smaller islands which are nearby. We still are in a big doubt whether we spend some days in Koh Yao Yai/Noi or in Koh Lanta considering what we're after. Considering both is quite difficult becasue we're a bit tight as regards schedule and they are a bit distant from each other.We plan to spend maybe 3-5days on this "suggested" island. Just to remind you we are after a beautiful island which is more relaxed than Phuket but at the same time not too quite. Maybe similar to KoPhangan(not in the full moon party!)or Samui: where both islands are rich in natural beauty but at the same time have many things to offer as regards entertainment. Both islands have a good balance of what we're after but we already planned anyway to visit Koh Phangan and Samui and even Phuket so we want to discover something and somewhere else.

Thanks in advance for your help and see you in Thailand!!!!

Regards,

Kevin

[keeniau96]

Koh Lanta is very popular with backpackers for good reason: scenery, diversity, access, reasonable cost. Koh Yao has more limited facilities and not nearly so much in way of beaches.

[Hardback]

I've always loved Koh Lanta. There's a nice atmosphere to the place (the further away you get from Ban Saladan the better) Klong Nin beach was always a nice place with some good eats and a nice long beach to walk along. It's also nice to get a bike and explore the island, there are caves and waterfalls. Lanta is also a good hub with ferries going all over the place.

[borgy]

Hello Hardback & Keeniau96,

Thanks a lot for your replies first of all...

One more question of you don't mind: in Koh Lanta, are there any places to chill out in the evenings maybe with a beer in hand in a pub with some tourists or Thai around to have a word with.

...most prob we will visit Koh Lanta...we can also go to Koh Yao by taking a day tour from Phuket.

take care and best regards from borgy

[Hardback]

Hello Hardback & Keeniau96,

Thanks a lot for your replies first of all...

One more question of you don't mind: in Koh Lanta, are there any places to chill out in the evenings maybe with a beer in hand in a pub with some tourists or Thai around to have a word with.

...most prob we will visit Koh Lanta...we can also go to Koh Yao by taking a day tour from Phuket.

take care and best regards from borgy

Lots and Lots of places

I always loved "Blue Moon" and "Atcha Hut" on Klong Nin beach