I’m reluctant to write a less than flattering review, as I know that the folks who put on the tour are looking to make a living, but it could be a lot better. SHORTER. Let me explain.
It started off great! A couple of temples then a fun ride through the jungle, up into the mountains. A scruffy temple on a mountain top, then the ‘magic garden’, It was all fun enough, and I am one of the people who chose to sit in the jump seats on top of the cab of the truck, going up and down the mountains, which was a cool experience.
Then there was a nice buffet lunch at a place with a view on the way down from the mountains. We were getting back on the truck around 2pm, and it was affirmed that we would have 4 more stops before the drivers started taking us back to our hotels.
I would have been happy to call it a day after lunch, and make our way back to our respective hotels. The stops after lunch included:
“The coconut plantation” as stated in the advertising, or as the guides referred to it, “coconut farm”. This was not a plantation, farm, or anything close. It was a gift shop that sold stuff made out of coconuts, and all of the other souvenir stuff we find around Thailand.
The ‘Waterfall’ was next. What it was: Souvenir stands surrounding a rather unremarkable waterfall, and a side attraction of some sad elephants with painful, horrible saddles that you can take for a ride. No thanks. We were invited to swim there, but the water was decidedly gross. The consensus amongst the others in my group was the same: No thanks to that as well.
Next, was “Chinese Temple” which had a large statue, not much else.
Last, “Grandmother & grandfather rocks” Which are rock formations that look like...well, look it up LOL. You go through a gauntlet of vendors to get to the rocks where one might want to take pictures.
This trip needs to be no more than 5 hours! If the trip had stopped after lunch, and at 2pm, we started to head back, I would not pay less, and be happy with my experience! It’s all the stuff we had to endure after that was a total drag. Everyone on the truck was hot & tired, and the places we went after lunch were a disappointing waste of time. Everyone on my truck was like, “This is too long. This should have ended after lunch”
I made it a point to tip the drivers, because they’re just doing their job.
I just think the advertising should be more honest. As an example “Coconut plantation/farm" was a wild exaggeration to what the reality was.
Or, as previously stated, end the trip after the nice lunch.
If you want to go…great! Just know Part 2 of the trip after lunch is a drag. Manage your expectations.