Begin your day with a drive to the island's north end and then cross to the Thai mainland via the Thep Krasettree Causeway. Drive to Phang Nga National Park where you board a motorboat and begin your unforgettable cruise through the spectacular and seductive limestone scenery.

Established in 1981, the park lies in the sheltered pale milky-green waters northeast of Phuket Island and is the location of more than 80 awe-inspiring islands. These unique karst formations were created when a collision of great magnitude occurred over 300 million years ago between the Indian subcontinent and mainland Asia. The force of the tectonic plates pushed and rotated what is now Thailand and Malaysia, forcing the limestone above the surface. The resulting karst formations appear like fairy castles out of the sea and they come in all different shapes and sizes. Vegetation on the karsts has evolved to withstand long periods of dryness and an almost complete lack of soil. See spectacular flora hanging off the vertical rock faces and cascading down the cliffs including palm trees, bamboo, ferns and wild orchids.

During your cruise enjoy a photo opportunity at the small island of Kao Ping-Gan, where part of the James Bond adventure “The Man with the Golden Gun” was filmed. Visit Koh Panyee, a small island with a picturesque village extending out across the water, resting precariously on small pilings. It is inhabited chiefly by Muslim fishermen who originally migrated from Indonesia. Cut off from the mainland and most modern amenities, their unique culture has existed for more than a hundred years. Enjoy with buffet lunch at local restaurant at the village. After cruising through magnificent mangrove forests and small grottoes, your will back to the pier you will drive back to the ship. A short stop at a recommended shopping venue will be made en route.

Georgetown’s rich heritage comes to life as you explore its landmark temples and historical residences, which include an ornate mansion, clan house and Chinese immigrant community.

After departing from the pier, you will drive through Georgetown, a former trading post that was under British colonial rule until 1957. So many reminders of its illustrious past have been restored that Georgetown has become a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

For an enlightening look into its religious heritage, you will visit the Reclining Buddha Temple, known locally as the Sleeping Buddha Temple. Built in 1845, the temple houses an enormous, gold-plated statue of Buddha in a reclining position that symbolizes complete peace. A short walk across the street brings you to an even older Burmese Buddhist temple, the only one outside of Myanmar. Small statues of serene-faced Buddha left by devotees and beautiful murals depicting Buddha’s journey adorn the inside.

Then, it’s on to Chung Keng Kooi Mansion, also known as Baba Nyonya Mansion. Beautifully ornate and full of antiques, it was once the home of a Chinese Kapitan that was the head of the Hai San secret society. You will see Khoo Kongsi, a beautiful Chinese Clan House, the intricate wood and granite carvings, together with 24 stone-carved classic examples of filial piety.

Finally, on the way back to the pier, you will stop at Chew Jetty, a settlement of wooden houses on stilts that Chinese immigrants built in the 19th century.

Journey to the seaside district of Teluk Bahang to visit to a Butterfly Farm and a Tropical Spice Garden; a nature tour that features the flora and fauna of Penang. Depart the pier for a leisurely drive towards the northern tip of the island, enjoying the coastal views as you pass beautiful coves and bays of Batu Ferringhi, where you’ll visit the Entopia Butterfly Farm, where butterflies and insects are free to come out to play. The new and restructured facilities offer world-class and meaningful experiences, with over 150 species of flora and fauna for you to discover. The unique design of the tropical setting on this fascinating tour will enable you to observe a live exhibition of insects and other rare insect species from the tropical jungle thriving in their natural environment. Next, you will visit the Tropical Spice Garden, an eight-acre paradise showcasing a living collection of more than 500 species of local and introduced flora, with an emphasis on the conservation of tropical herbs and spices from Malaysia and around the world. It is also home to wild animals, birds and insects. Step into it and let nature’s sights, smells, sounds, of this lush tropical eco-system, take over offering a tranquil retreat.

OVERVIEW

Delve into Thai farm life by watching demonstrations of traditional practices that offer a window into the rural world. The farmhouse is part of a cultural learning center where you will watch typical agricultural activities. Rice is a staple in Thailand so seeing it planted, milled to remove the unwanted outer layers and sifted for flour can be an eye-opening experience. You will also observe as rubber trees are tapped for their milky latex and as tin is panned in water to separate the metal. Although many farmers still perform these tasks by hand, in other areas of Thailand those jobs have been mechanized. Water buffaloes are used for certain farming chores, especially for plowing fields, and you can have your photo taken with one of these large but docile beasts. For a glimpse into the cuisine, you will watch curry paste being prepared from dried chili peppers. Free time for shopping will follow.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch traditional farming activities being performed at a cultural center.
• See how rice is grown, how rubber trees are tapped and how tin is panned.
• Observe curry paste being made and hear about its traditional uses.
• Discover how water buffaloes are used in farming and have your photo taken with one.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the sea caves in Phang Nga Bay by canoe and ride between the craggy limestone islands in a motorboat. The islands and monoliths that rise up out of the bay couldn’t be more gorgeous as their precipitous cliffs are covered with tropical vegetation. Many of them also feature sea caves that erosion from wind and water have carved out of the limestone. You will enter the caves on Panak Island in an inflatable canoe that a local guide will paddle. Inside, you will see spectacular rock formations and filtered sunlight from the openings above dancing across the water’s surface. Hong Island is equally impressive as it contains a turquoise lake-like lagoon that a sugar-white beach rims. You will also take in its natural beauty from the comfort of the canoe. To enhance the experience on the bay, you will enjoy free time to swim and relax on one of its most picturesque beaches.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride in a motorboat through breathtaking, island-dotted Phang Nga Bay.
• Cruise through the eerie sea caves on Panak Island in an inflatable canoe.
• Behold the stunning natural wonders of Hong Island and its turquoise lagoon.
• Relax however you please on one of the bay’s most dramatically beautiful beaches.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See the island’s immense natural beauty on a panoramic drive through the countryside with occasional stops at attractions that reflect the culture. Few settings are quite so inspiring as Promthep Cape, the southernmost point on Phuket, from which you will gaze out over the island-dotted Andaman Sea. Continuing on, you'll next drive to the Chalong Temple. A gilt statue of a heroic monk that helped quell the Chinese Coolie Rebellion in 1876 is on display inside. To further enhance your understanding of the local religious beliefs, you will browse JuiTui Chinese shrine, a shrine decorated with statutes of Chinese gods. Its red and gold colors are meant to bring good luck and joy. Free time will also be allotted for shopping at a high-end store that carries exquisite jewelry, Thai silk clothing and fine porcelain.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold the island’s natural beauty, especially from atop Promthep Cape at the southern tip.
• Visit one Buddhist temples and a Chinese shrine where Taoism is practiced.
• Shop for luxury goods such as Thai silk, cultured pearls and porcelain.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Be awed by the natural beauty of Phang Nga Bay while riding in a speedboat to a particularly photogenic island and a unique floating village. The bay’s bizarrely shaped monolithic islands were created millions of years ago when shifting tectonic plates pushed underwater limestone to the surface. The sheer-faced islands are now covered with mangroves and draped with orchids and ferns that give them a primeval appearance. The setting is so dramatic that it has been a backdrop for numerous movies, including two James Bond films. One of them was shot at Khao Phing Kan, better known as James Bond Island, where you will stop to admire the scenic beauty. You will also visit Ko Panyi, a water village on stilts that Javanese fisherman founded more than a century ago. After a classic Thai lunch there, you will enjoy free time on one of the bay’s most extraordinary beaches.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zip through gorgeous Phang Nga Bay in a speedboat.
• Admire the natural beauty that has been featured in numerous Hollywood movies.
• Visit James Bond Island, where parts of “The Man with the Golden Gun” were shot.
• Dine on Thai cuisine at a restaurant in a floating village on the bay.
• Spend free time relaxing on a pristine beach that rims the bay.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Learn some of the ways that Phuket protects sea turtles and gibbons to conserve its most vulnerable marine life and wildlife. At the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Center, offers an unforgettable experience where you can get up close with rescued marine animals, hear their inspiring stories, and see conservation in action. It's a great opportunity for you to connect with the ocean while also making a difference. You will have the chance to feed them and join a beach clean-up where you can help protect marine life, restore natural beauty, and make a positive impact on our oceans—one piece of trash at a time! It will be a fulfilling experience, as will be visiting the Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. Loss of habitat, the illegal wildlife trade and poaching gibbons for food have gravely threatened the species. The foundation rescues as many gibbons as possible, rehabilitates them and eventually releases these arboreal apes into a national park that is Phuket’s last remaining tropical rainforest. There they can thrive once again in a wonderfully biodiverse landscape.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into the environmental challenges that Phuket’s sea turtles and gibbons face.
• Feed sea turtle hatchlings and join a beach clean-up to help protect marine life.
• Watch gibbons being rehabilitated for release into Phuket’s only remaining rainforest.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Pitch in to help conserve the crabs, mangroves and sea grasses that are essential to Phuket’s marine ecosystem. Transfer to the mangrove nursery and take part in a hands-on mangrove planting activity to help restore these vital ecosystems. Then, enjoy a fun demonstration on making EM Balls (effective microorganisms) and try your hand at molding them yourself! Hop aboard a traditional long-tail boat for a scenic ride to the Bank Crab, which is a project committed to educating the locals so they don’t eat egg-bearing female crabs. Instead, those crabs are kept in nurseries until the eggs are hatched, a practice that keeps the ecosystem in balance. After watching how it’s done, continue your journey through the beautiful mangrove forest. The trees stabilize the coast, purify the water and provide shelter for birds and marine life. Mangroves are among the most valuable species for maintaining the coastal environment, and to keep it thriving you will plant a mangrove sapling within the forest. Then, throwing EM Balls to enrich the ecosystem and support nature’s balance. Wrap up this rewarding day with refreshments at the meeting point before returning to the pier with unforgettable memories of conservation in action.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See how Phuket protects its egg-bearing female crab population.
• Gain insight into the multiple benefits of mangrove forests and plant a mangrove sapling.
• Create an Effective Micro-organism ball that can purify wastewater.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Ride a tram to the top of Penang Hill for a spectacular view of Georgetown and beyond, and then visit a Buddhist temple so famous that it has become an icon of Malaysia.

Drive inland to the town of Air Itam, originally developed because of the ideal agricultural conditions in the area. Today Air Itam is more renowned for being the home of Malaysia’s largest Chinese Buddhist temple.

As a scenic introduction to town, you will ascend Penang Hill on a railway tram. The views of Georgetown and the Straits of Malacca on the way to the top are outstanding, as the peak rises more than 2,700 feet above sea level. Penang Hill‘s summit offers a refreshing garden quality, with old colonial mansions, reminiscent of an old English Village.

Perched atop the slopes of Crane Hill is Kek Lok Si Temple, otherwise known as the Temple of Supreme Bliss. This sprawling Buddhist complex was built in the early 20th-century. The highlight is its towering seven-story Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas, whose stunning design is Chinese, Thai and Burmese. During your visit, take a moment to view the Tortoise Pond of Longevity, where devotees release these long-lived creatures into freedom.

Georgetown is a treasure trove of beautiful Heritage buildings and homes, and its cultures and heritage have been preserved through the years. Explore Georgetown's history and culture during this orientation tour of the city, and stop for a snack at a leading hotel.

As you drive through the city, view colonial buildings, Chinese shop-houses and Little India, all of which make Georgetown a largely intact, heritage jewel. Stop at Wat Chaiyamangkalaram, the Thai Buddhist Temple, which houses a 108-foot-long figure of the reclining Buddha. Just across the road is the ornate Burmese Buddhist Temple, which you will also have a chance to admire.

Visit the Penang Malay Gallery, where you will learn about the history of the Malay settlement of Penang Island. The exhibits showcase the way of life of the early inhabitants of Penang.

Not to be missed, when visiting Georgetown, is the majestic Khoo Kongsi, one of the most beautiful Chinese Clan houses to be built outside China. The intricate wood and granite carvings, together with 24 stone carved classic examples of filial piety, make this place a ‘must-see’ for visitors to Penang.

During your tour, you will stop for light refreshments at a leading hotel and stop at the Chew Jetty, and walk over the narrow wooden platforms of one of the several Chinese Clan Jetties to appreciate the humble beginnings of the immigrant Chinese.

Express your artistic side while learning the ancient art of Batik at the Penang Batik Factory.

Here, unlike the usual one-sided print, each piece features patterns and colors on both sides of the fabric. Upon arrival, a local artisan will teach you the traditional way to make your own hand-drawn scarf.

Malaysian Batik is created by four methods: block-printing, hand-drawn freestyle, silk-screening and tie-dyeing. Batik fabrics are typically cotton and silk. Block-printed Batik cloth is produced by dipping the copper mold design in wax, then stamping and dyeing the material. After the first dyed color has dried, a second wax design is stamped and the material is dyed again. After repeating this process two or three times, the wax is melted away by boiling the cloth; resulting in an intricate and beautifully-colored design.

Should you want to keep your creation after the necessary treatment to set the colors, if the piece does dry on time, it will be packed and mailed to your residence at no extra cost.

You will also have an opportunity to buy batik clothing at the Boutique, where batik-print men's dress shirts, sarongs, scarves and more (even haute couture gowns) can be found.