Best of Thailand

You will stay in hotels such as the Furama Silom Hotel or similar in Bangkok, the River Kwai Jungle Rafts or similar in Kanchanaburi, the Krungsri River Hotel or similar in Ayutthaya, the Topland Hotel or similar in Phitsanuloke, the Imperial Golden Triangle or similar in Chiang Rai and the Furama Hotel or similar in Chiang Mai. All rooms feature private facilities and hotel facilities include a restaurant and bar.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

Day 1: UK/Bangkok

Depart on your scheduled flight to Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok. Transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay.

Meals: Dinner

Day 3: Bangkok

Bangkok is a sprawling city situated on the Chao Praya River, 30 miles north of the Gulf of Thailand. It is a charming and fascinating amalgam of saffron-robed Buddhist monks, floating markets, street stalls and exotic restaurants. Start today with a visit to Lumpini Park for a Tai Chi lesson. Tai Chi combines meditation and martial arts to form slow graceful movements – many believe that the activity benefits both health and wellbeing. Lumpini Park is one of the few open public spaces in Bangkok, and away from the busy streets of the city, you are rewarded with access to a stunning artificial lake, beautiful sculptures and delightful gardens.

After breakfast in your hotel depart on a sightseeing tour of Bangkok visiting the famous temples of the Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful examples of any ancient Siamese Court, where the kings of Bangkok resided. Here you will see palaces for all different occasions and the exquisite Emerald Buddha Temple.

In the afternoon you can take an optional excursion to the famous Rose Gardens, where many aspects of Thai culture are on display, including Thai boxing, folk dancing, working elephants and monks’ ordination ceremonies.

This evening you will dine at an authentic Thai Restaurant. Aromatic flavours indulge the senses and a variety of typical Thai dishes are available to try. After dinner you are encouraged to sit back and be entertained by the soft rhythms and elegant movements of classical Thai dancers.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 4: Bangkok

Relax in your hotel or take the optional excursion to the up-country floating market at Damnern Saduak to see the traditional way of buying and selling fruits in the province. From 8am every day hundreds of vendor boats fill the canal piled high with produce ready to sell or exchange. There is a dense population of farmers living on both sides of the canal, and on this tour you will see their traditional Thai houses. The land is naturally fertile and they are able to grow a variety of produce including papayas, onions, grapes, mangoes and coconuts.

This afternoon there is an included a visit to Wat Po, home to the incredible Reclining Buddha. It is no wonder that this is the largest Wat in Bangkok with an enormous 45-metre-long, gold-plated Buddha in residence. The impressive statue lies majestically on its side, its feet beautifully decorated with mother of pearl and featuring 108 signs of Buddhist cosmology. We than pay a visit to Wat Trimir - the temple of the Golden Buddha.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Kanchanaburi/River Kwai

This morning leave Bangkok and head to Kanchanaburi. Your explorations start with a visit to the interactive Thailand-Burma Railway Centre which explains not only the history of railway but the significance of the nearby cemeteries, one of which you will visit. After visiting the immaculately kept Kanchanaburi War Cemetery make a stop at the infamous black cast iron bridge that spans the River Kwai.

Then comes one of the highlights of your holiday, as you board a long tail boat at the pier and travel though spectacular jungle scenery, on the way to your hotel for the night – a jungle raft. All the rooms float on bamboo rafts and the bustle of everyday life is replaced with the sound of water rushing past beneath you the chatter of birds, and stunning views of the tropical forest all around you. The raft rooms are comfortable yet simple, while simple lamp lighting preserves the natural ambience of the hotel, making your stay even more memorable.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 6: Ayutthaya

You will take breakfast at the hotel and there is time for you to soak in the natural beauty of the area before visiting the beautiful waterfall in Erawan National Park. Perhaps take a refreshing bath in one of the many water cascades before you head to Ayutthaya. The city was the capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767 and home to the magnificent ruins of historic temples such as Wat Sri Sanpetch and Wat Yai Chai Mongkol. After a tour, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 7: Uthai Thani/Phitsanuloke

We leave Ayutthaya and journey on to Uthai Thani this morning. We see beautiful scenery and bamboo floating houses pass us by as we enjoy lunch on a cruise of the Sakae Krang River. After lunch we visit Wat Tha Soong. Originally Wat Chan and a small temple on the river, its history has seen it abandoned and then renovated, to include a glittering main shrine hall where the walls, pillars and the ceiling are adorned with mirrored mosaics. From here, we proceed to Phitsanuloke where overnight accommodation has been arranged.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 8: Chiang Rai

You depart Phitsanuloke for the drive to Chiang Rai with a brief stop in the ancient capital of Siam, Sukhothai. After lunch we drive through jungle clad mountains to arrive in Chiang Rai in the early evening. We stay in Chiang Rai for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 9: Chiang Rai

This morning will be spent exploring some of the villages which are home to the tribes of this mountainous area. We visit Mae Sai the most northerly point of Thailand, located on the border with Burma. During the afternoon a short stop will be made at the ancient ruined city of Chiang Saen. An optional boat ride is available into the Mekong.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 10: Chiang Mai

Morning departure for the drive to Chiang Mai. Today we have a unique experience - in the serene surroundings of northern Thailand and overlooking picturesque paddy fields we’ll enjoy a wonderful lunch.

After lunch drive to the mountain temple Doi Suthep Temple, home to a holy relic of the Lord Buddha and considered by many to be the most sacred wat in northern Thailand.

For those looking to embrace the Thai culture, this evening we offer the optional experience of a Khantoke Dinner. Seated on floor cushions enjoy an array of classical dishes as you watch traditional dances. The evening will conclude with performances from the Akha, Yao, Lahu, Meo and Karen Hill Tribes.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 11: Chiang Mai

A day for you to relax or join our optional full-day excursion to Mae Sa elephant camp, orchid farm and handicraft village. Here you will see a demonstration of working elephants. You can also take the opportunity to ride one. After this wonderful experience we make a peaceful visit to a large orchid nursery and butterfly farm followed by a visit to a local handicraft village which Chiang Mai is famous for. These include silk, paper umbrellas, silverware, lacquerware and jewellery.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Bangkok/UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK via Bangkok. As you will be flying westwards your arrival is later the same day.