Koh Samui Island Tour: Temples, Waterfalls & Elephant Feeding

Eight stops across Koh Samui's temples, viewpoints and natural sites in one guided day

A full-day guided sightseeing tour around Koh Samui takes you through eight stops (temples, a waterfall, rock formations and a viewpoint) in an air-conditioned vehicle with a multilingual guide. The itinerary includes hotel pickup, lunch at a beachfront restaurant, soft drinks and water. You'll feed elephants for 40 to 50 minutes and swim at Na Muang Waterfall. This tour is for hotel guests on Koh Samui only. Cruise ship passengers must contact the operator directly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks1h · entry included
2. Wat Khunaram45m · entry included

Full-day island sightseeing tour

• Visit Wat Bo Phuttharam temple
• Explore Wat Plai Laem temple complex
• Enjoy view at Lad Koh viewpoint
• See Hin Ta & Hin Yai rock formations
• Visit Guan Yu Shrine
• Have traditional Thai lunch at beachfront restaurant
• Visit mummified monk at Wat Khunaram
• Swim and relax at Na Muang Waterfall 1
• Feed and photograph elephants
• Visit Baby Buddha Jaidee temple and viewpoint

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup and moves through Koh Samui's Buddhist temples and cultural landmarks. Wat Bo Phuttharam holds a statue of the legendary monk Luang Phor Thuad, who lived 250 years ago and is said to have turned seawater into fresh drinking water after a shipwreck. Wat Plai Laem, the largest Buddhist temple complex on the island, displays Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, and blends Chinese-Thai artistic traditions with centuries-old architecture. Your guide explains the history and beliefs behind each site as you move through them.

The tour includes time at Na Muang Waterfall 1, where a natural swimming pool stays full year-round and the access is straightforward. You can swim and refresh yourself in the water. You'll also stop at Lad Koh viewpoint between Chaweng and Lamai for views over Chaweng Beach and the Gulf of Thailand, and visit Hin Ta & Hin Yai (Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks), a distinctive rock formation in the island's south that your guide will explain. The Guan Yu Shrine, a 16-meter bronze war statue built in 2016 to celebrate Chinese heritage, stands on the main road in the south near Lamai. At Wat Khunaram, you'll see the mummified monk Luong Pordaeng, who died in 1973 and remains on display in a glass case: a direct window into Thai spiritual practice. The Baby Buddha Jaidee temple sits on a hill at the end of Bang Kao Beach with views over the bay and neighboring islands.

Lunch happens at a beachfront restaurant with views of the gulf, where you're served fried chicken, vegetable oyster sauce, sweet and sour chicken, fried rice and seasonal fruit. The elephant feeding comes next: you'll prepare a healthy meal for two elephants and spend 40 to 50 minutes feeding them and taking photographs. Bottled water and soft drinks are provided throughout the day. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total and operates only for hotel guests staying on Koh Samui. If you're arriving by cruise ship, you'll need to contact the operator to arrange participation.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off on Koh Samui.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• English or German-speaking guide.
• entry to all eight stops (temples, viewpoint, rock formations, waterfall).
• elephant feeding and meal preparation.
• traditional Thai lunch at a beachfront restaurant.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• travel accident insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday and SaturdayDeparts at 10:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Koh Samui tours, excursions, trips and more - kohsamui.tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're ready for a full day of continuous movement with multiple stops and walking at each site, and prefer following a set itinerary with other guests rather than customizing your own pace and route.

Traveler reviews

4.14★★★★★★★★★★

7 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is the mummified monk at Wat Khunaram?

Luong Pordaeng, a monk who died in 1973 while sitting in meditation, is preserved in a glass display case at Wat Khunaram temple in the south of Koh Samui. His body shows minimal decay after more than 50 years and is a significant part of Thai spiritual culture that the tour includes.

Can I swim at the waterfall on this tour?

Yes. Na Muang Waterfall 1 has a large natural swimming pool with water year-round, and the access is easy. You'll have time to refresh yourself in the water during the stop.

How long do I spend feeding the elephants?

You'll spend 40 to 50 minutes at the elephant feeding station. You prepare a healthy meal for two elephants, feed them and take photographs during this time.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is served at a beachfront restaurant overlooking the gulf and includes fried chicken, vegetable oyster sauce, sweet and sour chicken, fried rice and seasonal fruits. Bottled water and soft drinks are provided throughout the day.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup on Koh Samui is included. The guide speaks English or German and will collect you from your hotel at the start of the day.

Is this tour available for cruise ship passengers?

This tour is customized only for hotel guests staying on Koh Samui. Cruise ship passengers must contact the operator directly to arrange participation.