Over the years, I’ve realized that OAT travelers share many of the same qualities, however one in particular tends to stand out above the rest: Their curiosity. Our travelers are never satisfied with sticking solely to the day-to-day itinerary. They’re always seeking more.
That’s why I enjoy reading what travelers are chatting about on our Travel Forums, especially when they’re searching for advice on upcoming adventures. Recently, one of our travelers—known as joangkrueger on the forums—asked fellow travelers for their suggestions about viewing tigers during an upcoming Discover Thailand adventure.
joangkrueger asks:
We are traveling to Thailand this summer, and want to include a side trip to see the tigers. Does anyone have any recommendations about which part of the trip would be the best time to do this, and where to go?
piperpat (12-time traveler) said:
We went to the Tiger Temple when we were staying at our resort by the River Kwai. After a train ride, our Trip Leader arranged for a truck to meet us and take us to see the tigers. It was a highlight of the trip.
songerl (10-time traveler) said:
We have traveled to Thailand twice—since we enjoyed it so much the first time, we decided to take OAT’s From Siam to Saigon: Thailand & Vietnam Revealed trip, so we could visit Thailand again. During the first trip, no one else in our group wanted to see the tigers, and although it is not far from Kanchanaburi, we were reluctant to make arrangements to go by ourselves. On our second trip, the majority of our group wanted to go to the Tiger Temple, so our Trip Leader had the bus take a detour so we could all go. It was a great experience to be so close to the tigers. Thailand is a beautiful country, and you’ll love the tour!
travelgirl1 (3-time traveler) said:
Thankfully, my travel buddy and I knew about the Tiger Temple before we went on our Discover Thailand trip in December of 2010. We knew we were going to visit it one way or another, but it might be a good idea to tell your Trip Leader about your interest at the beginning of the trip to make arrangements for transportation. We had a truck take us, the driver stayed with us while we visited the tigers, and then he dropped us off at the hotel.
It’s a trip packed with a lot to see, eat, and do, but you’ll have an opportunity to see the Tiger Temple when you’re in Kanchanaburi. You might have to break off from the group and miss some of the River Kwai portion, but it’s worth it. You have to be at the temple and have your ticket purchased by 3 pm. After that, they do not allow more visitors … For an additional $15-$20, you get to see the tigers play and swim, and you’ll have great photo opportunities. Be sure to wear appropriate temple attire—covered knees and shoulders—or you’ll have to purchase a pair of baggy green pants for six dollars (which really make a fashion statement!).
It’s so rewarding to see our travelers interacting and sharing their experiences with one another. You can read other traveler responses to joangkrueger’s inquiry by visiting our Travel Forums.