Explore Thailand: 13-day Small Group Tour

Day 1: Bangkok

Welcome to Thailand! Our journey will begin in buzzing Bangkok, a city alive with floating markets, gleaming temples, bustling tuk-tuks and busy street food stalls. After transferring from the airport to our hotel, we’ll come together for a welcome dinner (and our first taste of authentic Thai cuisine) in a local restaurant this evening.

Meals - Dinner

Day 2: Bangkok

First on today’s agenda: a morning of relaxation at the hotel. Later, we’ll set out on a tour of Old Siam – both by foot and by long-tailed boat, as we weave along Bangkok’s khlongs (a network of waterways that criss-cross the city). On our travels, we’ll stop off at Bang Luang Artist Village, where we’ll have the chance to meet a traditional Thai water puppet maker and watch a puppet show in action (subject to availability). More nautical adventures are in store this afternoon, as our boat trip continues along the Chao Phraya River, with one final stop at the splendid Wat Arun temple. This evening, we’re in for a culinary treat: a tuk-tuk street food tour through the city’s lively night-time streets. There will even be time to take a look at the magnificent temple of Wat Arun, which will be beautifully illuminated after dark.

Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Bangkok - Nong Khao - Kanchanaburi

After breakfast, we’ll leave Bangkok behind and make tracks to Kanchanaburi, an city filled with lush riverside resorts. After dropping off our bags at our hotel, we’ll board a truck (or bike, if you’re so inclined) and travel to the rural village of Nong Khao, where a traditional home-cooked lunch awaits us at the home of a local farming family. We’ll have some free time to relax at our hotel this afternoon before a delicious Thai dinner is served.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Kanchanaburi - River Kwai - Kanchanaburi

Featuring a poignant, once-in-a-lifetime train ride along the Death Railway (the infamous railway line constructed by Commonwealth, American and Dutch prisoners of war during WWII), today’s itinerary is set to be a history-filled one. Along the course of the day, we’ll pay visits to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, which commemorates the lives of prisoners and slave labourers killed by Japanese troops, and the fascinating Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, where we’ll gain further insight into the area’s place in WWII history. Before the day is out, we’ll also pay a visit to the iconic River Kwai Bridge, a landmark made famous by the classic novel and war film. This afternoon, there will be plenty of time to reflect on the day’ activities before dinner.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Kanchanaburi - Uthai Thani

Today we’ll hit the road to the verdant Uthai Thani province, stopping off to see the enormous, dragon-shaped City Pillar Shrine of Suphan Buri province along the way. After a further stop at the Sam Chuk Old Market (an authentic 100-year old market site that’s lined with traditional wooden shops selling herbal medicines, local sweets and old-fashioned coffee), we’ll take to the water on a scenic dinner cruise along the serene Sakae Krang River.

Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Uthai Thani - Sukhothai - Tak

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sukhothai National Park will be our first port of call today. Filled with ancient temple ruins topped with conical spires, the park has an ethereal charm that must be experienced to be believed. After taking some time to meander through this historic site, we’ll move on to our next stop: the mountainous province of Tak, where we’ll watch the sun set over the river and tuck into a delicious dinner prepared by a local host.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Tak - Mae Sot - Wat Phra That Doi Din Kiu - Tak

Today we’ll continue our journey off the beaten track with a visit to the remote yet multicultural city of Mae Sot. Here, we’ll set out to explore the vibrant markets, where you can see a culturally diverse mix of Hmong, Karen, Burmese and Muslim people trading, bartering and browsing stalls full of exotic produce. After buying a few souvenirs, we’ll move on to the shimmering forest temple of Wat Phra That Doi Din Kiu – where you can take 400 winding steps to a viewpoint with spectacular views over Myanmar and the surrounding jungle. This evening we’ll dine together at our welcoming family-run hotel deep in the tropical countryside.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: Tak - Doi Inthanon

Today we’ll leave Tak behind us and travel through lush green countryside and beautiful rainforest scenery to the blissful Doi Inthanon National Park, an area whose lofty mountain setting has inspired the nickname ‘the roof of Thailand’. Along the way, we’ll break up the journey with plenty of stops to take in the sweeping vistas of some of the country’s most picturesque landscapes – not to mention visits to isolated villages that have changed very little over hundreds of years.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Doi - Inthanon to Rural Chiang Mai

Today we’ll move up and onwards (quite literally) to the top of Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. After taking in the magnificent panoramic views of the valleys below, we’ll take a closer look at the twin pagodas of Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphapholphumisiri, which were built by the Royal Thai Air Force at the end of the 20th century to commemorate the 60th birthdays of the Thai king and queen. We’ll then stop for lunch before moving on to our next destination: the beautiful Chiang Mai countryside.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10: Rural Chiang Mai

This morning we’ll head off the beaten track to a traditional Assam tea plantation, where we’ll discover the secrets behind the tea growing process, learn how to pluck tea leaves and enjoy a warming brew. Next, we’ll move on to another rural gem: a nearby hilltop village, where we’ll where we’ll spend some time getting to know a local tribe. After this unique opportunity to to experience an authentic Thai culture deep in the heart of the spectacular countryside, we’ll return to the hotel for the evening.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Rural Chiang Mai - Chiang Mai Town

After one last breakfast in the country we’ll move on to Chiang Mai, a laidback city that boasts hundreds of intriguing Buddhist temples, several historic markets and an array of fantastic eateries. Our main stop of the day will be the gleaming Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a sacred temple complex that’s famous for its golden pagoda and the seven-headed serpent statues that line its 306 steps. After a group lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll board the mini-coach and make tracks to our hotel. This afternoon will be all yours to spend at your leisure.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Chiang Mai

This morning we’ll embark on an unforgettable half-day trip to Patara Elephant Farm, a conservation centre dedicated to the breeding and everyday care of this magical endangered species. Today’s experience will be a hands-on one, as we roll up our sleeves and get involved in the elephants’ daily healthcare routine – with the opportunity to bathe, feed and exercise some of the mothers and babies. After an afternoon of leisure time back in Chiang Mai, we’ll reconvene for a sumptuous Khantoke dinner this evening.

Meals - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Chiang Mai - Bangkok

It’s back to the airport today as we return to the city where our tour began: Bangkok. After a transfer to the city centre, we’ll say our goodbyes.

Meals - Breakfast

Twin share from $3849 per person / Solo from $4949

• 08-20 Oct 2019 - Book by 9 Aug and save 10%
• 24 Mar-05 Apr 2020

Twin share from $4249 per person / Solo from $5549

• 03-15 Dec 2019
• 07 Jan - 19 Jan
• 28 Jan-09 Feb 2020
• 11-23 Feb 2020
• 03-15 Mar 2020

Please call our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat and organise your flights and travel insurance. Why not extend your stay in Bangkok to see more of this fascinating city?

12 nights in boutique accommodation.

How much luggage can I bring?

As we travel in mini-coaches, luggage space is limited. Each guest may bring one piece of main luggage of a standard size of no more than 158cm (when the length, width and height is added together) and weighing no more than 20kg. You may also bring one small carry-on bag per person. If you have more luggage, please make arrangements to store it prior to joining the tour. We are unable to carry extra luggage on the mini-coach.

What clothes should I bring?

A suggested packing list will be provided in your pre-departure information. We suggest packing for variable weather conditions. We also suggest a pair of good shoes for walking tours.

Top 10 items to bring:

• Chargers and adapters
• A waterproof jacket or umbrella
• Towel
• Medication
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Reusable water bottle
• Layers
• Comfortable shoes
• Passport

What level of mobility do I need?:

You need to be fit enough to get on and off the vehicle on a regular basis, and to walk both to attractions and around towns and villages. You also need to able to walk up and down stairs in the hotels and use a shower over the bath. We frequently use traditional style hotels and the majority will not have lifts or ground floor rooms. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate mobility scooter or wheelchair users. If you have any medical issues, please declare them to us in advance of your tour. If you are in any doubt as to whether our tours are suitable for you, please check with us.