This is a Durian Hunter’s Dream.
Can we catch them all?
This 10-Day Durian Tour aims to capture and devour as many of the 230 Durian Varieties in Thailand as possible while learning about the development of durian within the context of Thai history, culture, and of course – cuisine.
Through our love of durian, we will learn snippets of Thai language, the cultural significance of durian names from hundred-year-old varieties, and understand how different peoples moved around the country, bringing durian with them to new landscapes.
This is a mid-season tour, designed to capture as many varieties of durian as possible.
We’ll start in the historic canals of Bangkok, where some of the oldest durian orchards in the world still produce fruit, and follow durian’s footprints inland to old orchards where some of the oldest varieties are still preserved. From there we will explore the farmlands of more modern plantation-style farms, and dive back into the traditional mixed-cultivation community farms that may be the future of Thai agriculture.
Then we’ll head right into Thailand’s Durian Heart: Chanthaburi. Here we’ll flavor our durian experience with durian cooked in various preparations and go to some of the oldest farms with the most variety of durian.
We’ll end our tour with a Durian-Elephant party on gorgeous Koh Chang Island, finishing with a relaxing beach-side durian feast before a chartered flight back to Bangkok.
You better be a botanical enthusiast or plant-lover to handle this easy-going Eating tour!
🤩 Thailand Durian Tour Reviews 🤩
View this post on Instagram
Where We Stay
We’re not minimalists – we’re essentialists. We like natural surroundings and gorgeous views, but we like the Western comforts too. Think upscale-rustic.
Our hotels are typically family-owned, eco-boutique bungalows with a cozy vibe.
Accommodations are for the solo traveler (you’ll have your own room), unless you bring a buddy of your own to share the room. Group sign-ups of 2 or more people planning to share a room will have a discounted rate. You must bring your own room-buddy to get a shared-room price.
Contact [email protected] for more shared rooming options for families.
Meals: This is a Botanical Tasting Tour
Durian is the star of the show of course!
But we will be applying the same careful attention to each of your meals to make sure that you get to taste as many of Thailand’s cool edible plants as possible during our 10 day adventure.
Snacking will definitely be a Thing because there are edible plants everywhere!
Each sit-down meal will highlight regional local plants prepared in various traditional styles. Many of these plants you will have experienced during the day’s excursions. All meals will be plant-based, and many of them vegan, as previous to modern times people ate much less meat than they do now, and we also have so many plant species to experience that we don’t want to fill up your belly on something as boring and common as fried chicken.
However this is not a Vegan Tour, and during some meals there will be eggs and seafood available for those who want it.
Just be prepared to eat an intriguing and delectable selection of local fruits, vegetables and herbs!
Raw vegans and those following special diets are welcome, however due to the cost of providing excess Durian, Coconuts, and other requested fruits, the price is the same as those following diets that include cooked food.
Other Rare Fruits Besides Durian
We love all the fruits! We’ll be trying to expose you Durian Nerds to as many local varieties and also wild fruits as possible, but if you have a particular genus or species that has captured your attention, don’t hesitate to let us know what kind of fruits you’re hoping to taste on your Most Epic Ever Plantscapade in Thailand. The more specific, the better.
Entering Thailand in 2022
In the pandemic era, dealing with entry regulations can be intimidating.
Entry requirements are very much in flux right now but seem to be getting more relaxed with each announcement. Don’t worry, we will be keeping up to date on current regulations and assisting you with your entry papers.
Before departing:
- Check if you will need a visa. Currently, people from most countries do not need to apply for a visa if they are planning a trip of less than 30 days.
- Book a medical insurance that covers Covid19 (we use Safety Wing)
- Book your hotel stay for when you arrive in Thailand.
- If you are vaccinated, you will need to stay for 1 night in a state-authorized hotel.
- If you are not vaccinated, you will need to stay for 5 nights in a state-authorized hotel (we can give recommendations on a good one)
- Seven days before departing for Thailand, register online for a Thai Pass at this link: https://tp.consular.go.th/
- For your Thai Pass, you will need to have your medical insurance # ready and EITHER your vaccination passport # OR the Booking # for your State Quarantine.
- Youtube Video: How to apply for Thai Pass
- Print out your Thai Pass, Medical Insurance, and Proof of Payment for State Hotel.
Pre-departure testing is no longer required to enter Thailand. Check with your airline to see if they require a test to board.
If you have questions, feel free to contact us or go to this facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtoenterthailand
Covid19 Cultural Sensitivity
People in Thailand take Covid19 very seriously. In the current situation, you are still required to scan your temperature when entering buildings and masks are required by law in all public spaces, indoor and outdoor.
Many businesses and even private homes will ask that you use hand sanitizer before entering their premises. If you have skin allergies or sensititivites, we recommend carrying your own hand sanitizer (Lindsay uses Dr. Bronner’s Lavendar Hand Sanitizer)
Masking
Until locals unmask, we will be asking everyone to follow local custom and keep their masks on when walking in public places.
We will be giving out some fun durian-themed masks on Day 1 of the tour so at least we can be thematic!
In places of nature or private farms masks are optional.
ATK (Rapid) Testing
Some of the farmers have requested that we make sure everyone has a negative test before entering their farm.
On these days, we will be distributing non-invasive ATK tests at breakfast.
ATK tests are self-administered by spitting into a plastic vial filled with solution and dripping your saliva into what looks like a pregnancy test. It takes less than 5 minutes.
