Amazing Private Phuket Island Tour Including Big Buddha
Description
The Private Tour: Amazing Phuket Island Tour with Big Buddha offers an exclusive five-and-a-half-hour journey through Phuket’s top attractions. This personalized experience includes a visit to the awe-inspiring Big Buddha, a 45-meter-tall statue perched atop Nakkerd Hill, providing stunning panoramic views of the island. Explore the island’s highlights, including serene beaches, vibrant local markets, and historic temples, while gaining insights into Phuket’s rich culture and history from your private guide. With a flexible itinerary tailored to your interests, this tour ensures a unique and immersive experience. Perfect for solo travelers or groups of up to eight people, the private tour comes with a dedicated guide and driver for your comfort and convenience. Whether you’re looking to capture breathtaking photos or delve into the island’s cultural heritage, this tour promises an unforgettable adventure in Phuket.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Patong Beach is the true heart of Phuket, and what makes it so attractive to many. Patong is big, bold, crowded, bright and loud. And yet millions of people flock here every year like flies on honey. If Bangkok is the Big Mango, then Patong is the Big Durian: you’ll love Patong!
Karon Viewpoint is one of the most frequented viewpoints in Phuket. From here, it is possible to take in views of Kata Noi, Kata Yai and Karon beaches. Karon Viewpoint is not visited on the Afternoon Sunset Tour. Located between Nai Harn and Kata Noi beaches, the viewpoint is busy most days of the year and is a staple of many tour itineraries. Called locally ‘Khao Saam Haad’ (Three Beaches Hill), the local municipality for some reason has officially renamed it ‘Karon Viewpoint’. It’s located just to the south of Kata Noi Beach and looks out directly out to the Andaman Sea but most people have their cameras trained due north at the undeniably impressive eight-kilometre vista of the three west coast beaches in the background.
Of the many temples found on Phuket island, the Wat Chalong temple is the largest and most revered. The temple complex was built in its current location in 1837. Some remains of older structures have been found, however it is unknown exactly how old they are. The large grounds of Wat Chalong that is officially named Wat Chaitararam contains a viharn, a mondop, a ubosot, a chedi containing a secret relic, a sala and a crematorium.
A tour of a cashew nut factory in Phuket is a must for cashew nut lovers. The Cashew nut is a native produce that is grown in Phuket and other provinces of Southern Thailand, and are relatively cheap compared to prices in Western countries.
Old Phuket Town, is an area of historical interest in Phuket City. The main streets of Old Phuket Town are Thalang, Phang Nga, Krabi, Dibuk, and Yoawarat. Old Phuket Town is noted for Sino-Portuguese buildings on both sides of the street. During the Afternoon Tour we will stop and this will be a Walking Tour for about 45minutes. Only during the Morning Tour will we pass through some streets without actually stopping.
Big Buddha Phuket is a 45-meter-tall white marble statue visible from anywhere in the southern part of Phuket. It is probably at the top of everyone’s ‘Must-Do in Phuket‘, and for a good reason. The views from up there are breathtaking. The statue is built with people’s donation and is still under construction. If you feel like doing something to help to finish the broad base of the Buddha, you can sponsor a piece of white marble for 300 to 1,000 baht depending on the size.
We invite you to visit the world's largest gem factory in Phuket. This is the last stop of the tour and is OPTIONAL only.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up for all hotels and accommodation on Phuket Island. I Asia Thailand will contact you with your pick up time before the tour.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The last stop on the Morning Tour is at Gems Gallery International, the biggest gem store and factory in the world. Take advantage of complimentary soft drink, the air-conditioned lounge, the cinema and visit the factory and the enormous store with your own personal assistant. You may CHOOSE to stay here for as long as you want OR leave straight away, the choice is yours and your guide will see that you receive transportation back to your hotel as quickly as possible
- One of Phuket's largest sources of income comes from Cashew Nuts. A brief, yet popular, visit will be made to one of the island's first Cashew Nut factories. Enjoy free samples. Any purchases are optional and at your own expense
Reviews(76)
Honestly one of the best trips I have been on on a holiday! Aida was absolutely hilarious and so kind and lovely. Could not recommend this trip more to anyone coming here. Very very good and would 100% go again!!
Dear Taisha D, Thank you so much for your glowing review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that this was one of the best trips you’ve ever had on holiday. It is wonderful to know that Aida made such a fantastic impression with her humor, kindness, and great information. We take great pride in our team, and we will certainly share your lovely comments with her. From the Big Buddha to the local hidden gems, we are so glad you enjoyed every moment of our private island tour. Thank you for choosing IAsia Thailand, the leader in tours and travel experiences throughout Thailand. We would love to welcome you back for another "hilarious" and memorable adventure! Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
Gree (tour guide) and Chai (driver) gave us a memorable tour of Phuket. Gree was professional, personable and knowledgeable. He took pictures of us throughout the day so we can relive those memories. Besides the beautiful sites, we had a good experience at the cashew and gem stops.
Dear Robert_S, Thank you for your kind words! We are so pleased to hear that Gree and Chai provided such a memorable day out in Phuket. It is wonderful that Gree was able to capture those special photos for you; we believe that having someone to take those 'memory shots' allows our guests to truly relax and enjoy the scenery. We are also glad you enjoyed the visits to the local cashew and gem centers—we hand-select our partners to ensure they offer an authentic and interesting look at Phuket’s local industries. We will be sure to pass your thanks along to the team! Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
The tour was great. Our guide Yo tailored it to our needs and was very accommodating the whole day. She did a great job informing us about each area and site we saw. Overall a great experience.
Dear Carly_G, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had a 'great day' exploring Phuket with us. It is fantastic to know that Yo was able to tailor the itinerary to your specific needs and keep you well-informed throughout the day. We take great pride in our guides' ability to customize the experience for each guest, and we will be sure to share your kind words with her. Thank you for choosing iAsia Thailand, and we hope to see you again soon! Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
We ad a lovely day with Yoh. She was fun, good energy, and very knowledgeable. We went to several lovely lookouts on the west coast of the island, checked out the big bhudda (mostly closed due to landslide), cashew factory, the temple at wat chalong, and old town phuket.
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a lovely day exploring with Yoh. We will be sure to share your kind words with her—she truly loves sharing the 'good energy' and history of her home island with our guests. While the Big Buddha site currently has some access restrictions due to the recent landscape preservation work, we are so glad you enjoyed the breathtaking west coast lookouts and the cultural richness of Wat Chalong and Phuket Old Town. Our guides take great pride in adjusting the pace and focus of the tour to ensure every stop remains a highlight of your trip. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to see you again for more island adventures! Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
A great way to see details of Phuket. To do it individually without a guide, would dishonor the beauty and historical elegance of Thailand.
Hi Douglas, Thank you so much for your profound and thoughtful review. We are truly moved by your perspective—that to see Phuket without its history is to miss its true beauty. Our goal with the Private Big Buddha tour is to go beyond the surface and share the 'historical elegance' and spiritual significance of these landmarks. We believe a knowledgeable guide is the bridge to that deeper understanding, and we are so glad you found the experience to be a fitting tribute to Thailand’s rich heritage. It was an honor to show you the details of our beautiful island, and we hope to welcome you back for more cultural discoveries! Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
A really personal and interesting tour, tailored to our needs. Our guide was really informative and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend a tour with her
Dear Cheryl, Thank you so much for sharing your experience on our Amazing Private Phuket Island Tour. We are delighted to hear that you found the tour personal, interesting, and tailored to your needs. It is wonderful to know that your guide’s knowledge and informative approach made the day memorable for you. Your kind recommendation means a great deal to us, and we will be sure to pass along your compliments to your guide. We look forward to welcoming you back for another enriching journey in Phuket. Regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
What a wonderful day with our tour guide and driver. They were the best!
Dear Brad, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic day exploring Phuket. Our guides and drivers work closely together to ensure every guest feels like a VIP, and it is lovely to know you felt you were in the best hands. I will be sure to share your kind words with the team—they will be so happy to hear that they helped make your day special! We hope to welcome you back for another adventure on your next visit to the island. Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
Our guide was excellent. Shared lots of information about the areas we visited, and was very knowledgeable about the area.
Hi Tom, Thank you for the excellent review! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your private tour of Phuket and that our guide’s local knowledge added so much value to your visit. We take great pride in our guides' ability to share the rich history and culture of places like the Big Buddha, and it’s wonderful to know that their insights made your trip memorable. Providing that extra layer of information is exactly what we strive for on our private tours. We hope you had a fantastic time exploring the island, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Phuket again soon! Best regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
Our guide was Ada and Taitai was our driver. Ada spoke excellent (if fast!) English and gave explanations for everything we saw and answered all our questions. She came prepared with scarves to cover bare shoulders at the temple which was appreciated. Taitai provided chilled water and towels during the journey. The temple and Phuket old town were our favourites. However the visit to the gem ‘factory’ was not offered as an option, we were just taken there, and personally I felt pressured by the salesperson to look at all the jewellery on sale and to buy something. Nevertheless we had an educational and enjoyable tour.
Dear Debbie, Thank you for your honest and detailed review of your private Phuket tour. We are so pleased to hear that Ada’s extensive knowledge and Taitai’s attentive service—especially those chilled towels and water—made your journey comfortable and educational. It’s wonderful to know that the Big Buddha and Phuket Old Town were your highlights! We also sincerely appreciate your feedback regarding the visit to the gem gallery. While these stops are often included to showcase local Thai craftsmanship, we never want our guests to feel pressured or that their time isn't their own. We value your "private tour" experience above all else, and we will certainly discuss your comments with our team to ensure these visits are presented as optional and interest-based in the future. Thank you for choosing IAsia Thailand. We are glad that, overall, you had an enjoyable experience, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon! Warm regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
Yoh, our tour guide, curated the day to our needs and desires. She and our driver went above and beyond to make it an exceptional experience and teach us about life in Thailand. We are very grateful for this wonderful day!
Dear Dianne, Thank you so much for your heartwarming review! We are absolutely delighted to hear that Yoh and your driver provided such an exceptional experience and helped you connect with the local Thai way of life. At IAsia Thailand, we believe that a private tour should be more than just a ride—it should be a day curated specifically to your "needs and desires." We are so glad that Yoh was able to go above and beyond to make your visit to the Big Buddha and the rest of the island so memorable. We will be sure to share your wonderful words and gratitude with Yoh and the team; it will truly make their day! Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to see you in Thailand again soon. Warm regards, Nick (IAsia Thailand Online)
