
easy
8–9 hours
Suitable for most travelers; requires short walks on uneven ground and the ability to climb temple steps and slippery rocks.
Spend a full day off the beaten path on Koh Samui in a rugged 4x4, visiting Big Buddha, Hin Ta Hin Yai, Namuang Waterfall and a secret hilltop garden. This guided safari blends culture, plantation life and panoramic viewpoints with a cooling waterfall swim.
The day starts with the engine rumbling awake and the island unfolding as a patchwork of palms, rubber groves and blue sea. In a rugged 4x4 you climb narrow, tree-lined roads that rise from the coast and push toward Koh Samui's green spine. Rain-cooled air smells of coconut husks and damp earth; the island seems to lean forward to show you a view.

Namuang Waterfall is a scheduled swim stop — keep your suit and a quick-dry towel handy.
Trails, temple steps and slippery rocks require closed-toe shoes or grippy sandals.
Bring small THB notes for shrine donations, snacks or roadside vendors with limited card access.
Sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent make viewpoint stops and plantation walks more comfortable.
Big Buddha and the Guan Yu Shrine reflect Koh Samui's mix of Thai and Chinese cultural influences tied to centuries of regional trade.
Avoid single-use plastics and reef-harming sunscreen; local guides emphasize low-impact visits to waterfalls and temples to protect fragile sites.
Protect your feet on plantation paths, temple steps and wet rocks at the waterfall.
Needed for the Namuang Waterfall swimming break.
Viewpoints and roadside stops offer little shade during midday.
summer specific
Useful for plantation walks and shaded areas, especially after rain.
fall specific