Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Bangkok a travel-to-nature Asia guide/representative will be at the airport to greet and take us to our hotel. Please look out for your name-card once you exit out of arrival area.

Rest of the day free for individual activities. Overnight stay  in Bangkok.

Accommodation: Rembrandt Hotel & Suites

Tour of Bangkok including the Grand Palace and Wat Pho; afternoon to Kanchanaburi and a Samlaw (Rickshaw) ride to the ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’.

This morning we take a short walk to the Chao Praya river where we board a long tail boat for a tour of the local canals. Please be advised there may be a possibility of larger groups being accommodated in a bigger boat. Bangkok was once known as the Venice of the East because of its intricate canal network. We get a glimpse of daily life as we pass locals selling their wares by the river. We will visit what to this day remains the home of the Thai Royal family at the Royal Palace complex followed by Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand’s most venerated images. Another highlight is Wat Po, the largest temple in Bangkok, housing a 46 m long, 15 m high gold-plated reclining Buddha.

After lunch we transfer to Kanchanaburi, an area made famous by the movie ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’. The film is fictional but uses the construction of the Burma Railway in 1942–43 for its historical setting. The Japanese used Allied POW’s to build a railway from Thailand to Burma so they could supply their army without the dangers of sending supplies by sea. Thousands of POW’s died under appalling conditions during its construction, and the line became known as the ‘Death Railway’. Jumping in Samlaws (Rickshaws) we will visit the war museum, which is more a memorial to the thousands who were killed whilst constructing the ‘death railway’, and have a chance to pay our respects at the War Cemetery in town. After this we travel to the bridge itself, before returning to our resort on the banks of the river.

Accommodation:  Felix River Kwai Resort Kanchanaburi
Meals: Breakfast

Visit Hellfire Pass and Erawan National Park, famous for its beautiful waterfalls.

Today we take a full day tour to the picturesque Erawan Waterfalls and to Hellfire Pass, so called because POW’s were forced to chisel through solid rock, working by firelight on a particularly difficult section of the line resulting in a heavy loss of life.

The afternoon is free to enjoy the falls area and there is a chance to enjoy some swimming or to walk to the top of the falls (approx 2 hours return trip).

Accommodation: Felix River Kwai Resort Kanchanaburi
Meals: Breakfast

Journey to Ayutthaya, ancient capital of Thailand; overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai.

After breakfast we head to Ayutthaya, the 2nd royal capital of the Kingdom of Siam (approx 4 hours). At its peak the Kingdom encompassed large parts of present day Laos, Cambodia and Burma. Diplomatic and international trade missions found their way to Ayutthaya from countries as far away as Europe. It was not long before Ayuthaya became one of the most important trading centres of the region. The population grew to over 1 million people by the 17th Century, more than any European capital at the same time. Following decades of wars and then a siege that lasted nearly 2 years, Ayutthaya was invaded and destroyed by the Burmese army. Temples were ransacked and statues of gold stolen and carried off to Burma. Following this devastating defeat the Siamese Kingdom relocated its capital to Bangkok.

After lunch we transfer to a hotel where we have day rooms to freshen up in before boarding our overnight sleeper train bound for Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: Overnight train
Meals: Breakfast

Visit Wat Doi Suthep (temple); evening free for shopping in Chiang Mai’s famous night market.

In the early morning the train pulls into Chiang Mai, ‘The Rose of the North’, known for its temples, markets and the many colourful hilltribes that live in the area. The morning is free to relax.

A walking tour through the old quarter of the city after lunch is followed by a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep the most revered Buddhist shrine in the Chiang Mai region. Perched on the hill overlooking Chiang Mai, it provides us with a fantastic view of the area. Back in Chiang Mai people are working feverishly away to set up the famous ‘Chiang Mai Night Bazaar’ which is nothing short of a shoppers’ paradise. For those not into shopping there are plenty of atmospheric restaurants lined along the Ping River. Overnight stay in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: Imperial Maeping Hotel
Meal: Breakfast

Free day; option to visit Elephant Nature Park or take part in a Thai cookery course.

Today is a free day for private exploration or relaxation in this historical city. Chiang Mai is a former religious and cultural centre, twice coming under the control of the Burmese, so there is a strong Burmese influence reflected in the architecture of the city which one can explore. One popular option is a half day at a highly commended Thai Cooking School, where adults and children alike can learn the intricacies of Thai cooking. Under the supervision of an English-speaking Thai chef you have the opportunity to create your own ‘gaeng keow wahn’ or green coconut curry. You don’t need to be a proficient cook to enjoy this activity but, be warned, you get to eat your creations at the end of the day!

You may instead wish to visit the Elephant Nature Park which is based just outside of the city. In the past elephants have been used in the logging industry but over a decade ago the Thai government banned logging leaving the elephants and their mahouts out of work. This is a centre set up for the long term care of these graceful animals and on a day visit to the centre you will be able to feed, and even bathe the elephants, as well as watching them roam in acres of lush parkland. We have chosen this option as we believe it to be the only responsible option available to see elephants in the area. Overnight stay in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation:  Imperial Maeping Hotel
Meal: Breakfast

Begin our two-day trek past Lahu, Lisu and Karen villages. We spend one night in a hilltribe village; return to Chiang Mai on evening of day eight.

This morning we start our two-day adventure into the Chiang Dao region, an 80 km drive north of Chiang Mai. This is an area that has spectacular scenery and is home to many of the minority groups that have migrated into Thailand from Burma, Tibet and Southern China. The highlight of our trek is meeting the local people in the various villages, each with their own unique language, customs and dress. Our exact itinerary will vary during the year as we take into account the weather and local conditions, but the terrain is more rural than jungle. Various hilltribes grow rice and other vegetables on the slopes we walk past. A reasonable level of fitness is required, as we expect to be walking about 3-4 hours each day at a leisurely pace taking in the scenery.

The ground may be muddy and slippery during the rainy season (around July to October), though the scenery is at its most lush and spectacular to compensate. At night, we sleep in villagers’ huts, where we will be sleeping communally on fold-out mattresses on the floors of the wooden/bamboo huts typical of the villages. There are shared squat toilets and basic washing facilities in most villages (i.e. a hose or water pipe). Warmer clothing and a 4 season sleeping bag are needed from November to February as the nights are usually quite cold during this period. You only need to carry a day pack while on trek, whatever you need for the evening will be transported to the village for you.

Accommodation:  Local Villagers’ Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we trace back our trails to Chiang Mai. Overnight stay in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation:  Imperial Maeping Hotel
Meal: Breakfast

An early morning flight takes us back to Bangkok and connect flight to Krabi. Upon arrival we are transferred to the island of Ko Lanta Yai, approximately 3 hours by minivan and couple of short minute ferry rides.

Accommodation: Southern Lanta Resort
Meal: Breakfast

We will be spending two days in Ko Lanta Yai just relaxing on the beaches.

Accommodation:  Southern Lanta Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Transfer from Ko Lanta to Phuket by speed boat

Pick up from your hotel at Ko Lanta and meet the boat crew of Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club at Sala Dan Pier in the north of Ko Lanta Yai and cruise by convenient speed boat to Phuket with a short stopover on Koh Phi Phi to pickup/drop-off other transferring guests. Get dropped off at Rassada Port in the south of Phuket Town from where you will be picked up and transfered to your hotel.

Accommodation:  BS Airport Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Note: BS Airport Hotel 3-star hotel is our Preferred property.
It is located next to Phuket International Airport and 300 meters from Nai Yang Beach.

Transfer to airport for your homeward-bound flight.

Meal: Breakfast