This is a Durian Hunter’s DreamÂ
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 in this season 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 on gorgeous Koh Chang Island, where you will be able to share your durian passion with elephants and learn about the ancient style of farming durians.
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 in the canal region, learning about how water and waterways played an important role in the development of Thailand’s fruit gardens, and how the old way of life still effects what people want today.
You better be a botanical enthusiast or plant-lover to handle this easy-going Eating tour!
🤩 Thailand Durian Tour Reviews 🤩Â
View this post on Instagram
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.
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.
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.
Entering Thailand
In the pandemic era, dealing with entry regulations was intimidating.
Nowadays, all pandemic restrictions have been lifted and entry requirements have returned to normal. There are no vaccine requirements to enter Thailand. Pre-departure testing is no longer required to enter Thailand.
- Currently, people from most countries do not need to apply for a visa if they are planning a trip of less than 30 days.
Covid19 Cultural Sensitivity
People in Bangkok still wear masks in public areas, primarily for concerns about air pollution.
There is no longer any government mandates concerning Covid19.
Dominic DiMauro (verified owner) –
Going on a tour with Year of the Durian was one of the best gifts I’ve ever given myself. It was like summer camp, but for grown-ups, and without the anxiety of worrying about whether I will be picked last for dodgeball – Lindsay and Richard care for everyone in their group, and make sure that each person is a part of things. I can’t imagine that this rare experience of an expertly woven tour, with such a unique and singular focus could be easily replicated or found elsewhere. The accommodations were lovely, and situated in beautiful settings. Every meal and farm tour was fantastic, bringing us ever closer to Thai culture. And then there was the durian… Abundant and varied. The peak of flavor and ripeness. With all of that, the cherry on top of this fruit-lover’s dream was Lindsay’s knowledge of the fruit’s history and cultivation, as well as the origins of the varietals. Year of the Durian has not seen the last of me, and I hope that any fellow durian-lovers who have not yet done so will treat themselves right, and go along on this luscious ride!
Liz (verified owner) –
The 2025 Thai durian tour was a wonderful vacation. Lindsay and Richard are gracious hosts, expert travel arrangers, and so knowledgeable about durians! As promised, we ate durians every day and learned about dozens of varieties, comparing ripeness levels as well. We stayed in beautiful accommodations and feasted on delicious meals, with a tropical fruit buffet between durian tastings. As a somewhat out of shape 66 year old, I appreciated the way activities like hiking and paddle boarding accommodated multiple ability levels. Highly recommended!
Mary Anne (verified owner) –
This is hands down an amazing tour worth every penny. There is a great mix of adventure packed days and relaxing afternoons. And plenty of durian! Fair warning though, you will turn into a durian connoisseur after this trip. Lindsay and Richard are the sommeliers of the durian world.
Lindsay goes out of her way to ensure the needs of each participant are met. It’s definitely your fault if you go hungry on one of the tours. She is gives expert advice on travelling to the tour and what you might want to do if you spend extra days in Thailand.
A definite winner and I look forward to the next tour I participate in.
Shelley –
I just got home from the Thailand Durian tour. The experience was so life changing that I have a hard time putting it into words. I’ll begin with Lindsay. She is an absolutely incredible and inspiring human. She is an extremely seasoned and knowledgeable guide. With well over a decade of experience and a clear intention to provide the greatest vacation / durian / adventure experience possible, you will feel like you are in the best hands.
Lindsay brought us around 40 varieties of durian to try. She had endless abundance of durian, mangosteen, rambutan, snakefruit, jackfruit, passionfruit and other fruits for us throughout the tour. I never expected to have so much abundance. I’ve never eaten or seen so much mangosteen or durian in my life. 😂🤯
This is not just a durian tour but also an adventure of traditional and home cooked Thai food. I left the tour determined to grow all of the new-to-me ingredients that make these dishes so delicious! Lindsay designed the menu every night and educated us on the dishes as well.
Everyday was full of adventure but never was exhausting. We went zip lining, swam in waterfalls, visited many durian farms, went for boat rides, went stand up paddle boarding, and more.
The hotels we stayed at were stunning and very comfortable and clean, and I also was inspired by the beauty and landscaping at the hotels.
I felt so comfortable, inspired, and nourished from this trip, it brings me to tears. This trip can be not just a vacation for someone, but a reset button on your whole life, a kind of therapy. I am reassessing where I focus my time and energy, how I feed myself, new directions for my small farm, and generally just what life is all about. Wonderful people with shared values, amazing food and connection to land, and a lifetime of learning.
So much gratitude for Lindsay, for courageously following her heart and bringing this incredible gift to the world!! I hope you get to experience this life-changing trip!
-Shelley, attendee from the 2024 Thailand Durian Tour
Eddie (verified owner) –
I was on the 2023 Thailand tour and I loved it. Lots of durians, mangos, and many other fruits to try, and also lots of different Thai dishes to try. I was most surprised how good cooked durian tasted in a curry, the texture is like a mixture of potato and taro. Durian is so good on its own, that it’s hard to imagine using it for cooking, but it is a different yet very tasty experience. It was also nice visiting many farms and asking the growers questions.
Olivier –
Where to start other than to say that this tour is absolutely worth every penny! You’ll join it only thinking about the durians and you’ll come back having experienced so much more. When you’re not stuffing yourself with high quality durians or eating delicious dinners with only local dishes, you’ll be enjoying a wide variety of outdoor adventures, whether hikes, snorkelling, bathing with elephants and feeding them, visiting orchards & farms, learning about grafting techniques and more! And let’s not forget the cooking classes where you get to prepare and eat durian dishes! What more could you want? This tour is packed with durian feasts and fun activities and I absolutely recommend it to everyone interested. Lindsay and Richard know how to create an unforgettable experience.