Star Clippers

Far East Northern Itinerary

A vision glides out of the mists, the tall foremast bearing five ghostly white square sails echoes the symmetry of a Buddhist pagoda. Offshore, a myriad islands stand on end in the sea, rocky sentinels that look as if they were dropped down by a giant hand. A throaty temple gong sounds through the swirling mists, greeting Star Flyer as she slowly makes her way into the harbor. This is the beginning of your journey to the ends of the earth in Thailand’s Andaman Sea, a voyage into the mysteries and marvels of a far-eastern land little known to the western world.

Saturday - Phuket, Thailand
Phuket, Thailand's largest island, lies in the Andaman Sea and is joined to the mainland by a causeway. The landscape is one of lush green hills, coconut groves and rubber plantations, with a coastline dotted with a dozen spectacular beaches. Phuket is a holiday paradise with the lively area of Patong providing the up-beat resort life with its many shops, restaurants and bars, leaving the rest of the island to show off her natural beauty and unspoiled culture.

Sunday - Surin Islands, Thailand
A National Park since 1981, The Surin Islands, just to the south of Burmese waters, are famous for excellent diving and sport fishing. The two main islands (there are five in all) are known as the North Surin island and the South Surin island, and it is in the channel between the two where the best diving is said to be.

Monday - Similan Islands, Thailand
'The Similan Islands, or Nine Islands as they are also known because of their number, nestle in the Andaman Sea to the north of Phuket and are world-renowned among diving enthusiasts for underwater sightseeing. Accessible only by sea, The Similan Islands are stunningly beautiful, with scenes straight out of your dreams of a tropical paradise.

Tuesday - Ko Rok Nok, Thailand

Wednesday - Langkawi, Malaysia The breathtaking Malaysian island of Langkawi is one of a group of 104 islands scattered in the calm seas off the northern most tip of Peninsular Malaysia. The clear tropical waters here provide some of the most spectacular swimming and diving in the world, while scenes of paddy fields contoured into limestone hillsides, lush tropical forests and high tumbling waterfalls, entrance nature lovers on land.

Thursday - Phi Phi Islands, Thailand
The twin islands of Phi Phi lie some 42 kilometres south of Phuket in the Andaman Sea. Phi Phi Don, the larger and more developed island, has wonderful sandy beaches and offers excellent swimming and snorkelling opportunities. Phi Phi Ley is smaller with a beautiful coral reef and magnificent limestone caves.

Friday - Phang Nga/Ko Khai Nok
The sheer-sided sea mountains that rise vertically out of Phang Nga Bay form some of Thailand's most spectacular scenery. The islands in this region feature wonderful white sandy beaches and superb coral reefs. Ko Hong ('hong' meaning 'room'), part of the Ko Hong archipelago is so named because of its large internal lagoon. One of the prettiest bays in the area, huge monolithic rocks provide shade all day long on a beautiful white silica sand beach.

Saturday - Phuket, Thailand
Disembark for your trip home.

Cost of This Itinerary

The least expensive cabin costs:
$249 per person per night in low season and
$263 pp pn in high season

The most expensive stateroom costs:
$551 per person per night in low season and
$566 pp pn in high season