13 Days from $4,490 per person

Inclusions:

• Return international economy flights, taxes and current fuel surcharges (unless a land only option is selected)
• 11 nights in 3+ star accommodation
• 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners
• All sightseeing and entrance fees
• All transportation and transfers
• English speaking National Escort (if your group is 10 or more passengers) or Local Guides
• Specialist advice from our experienced travel consultants
• Comprehensive travel guides

Departure Dates: 6 November 2021, 12 February, 26 February, 26 March & 5 November 2022

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Bangkok

Fly to the vibrant city of Bangkok. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2: Discover Bangkok

Bangkok is an exotic assault on the senses, a whirlwind of chaos, refinement and rewarding sights where you can hop from tranquil golden temples to forests of gleaming skyscrapers before experiencing authentic Asia on bustling streets. Today's sightseeing includes Wat Pho, the dazzling Grand Palace and a stroll through Chinatown. Later, take to the Chao Phraya River on a longboat to get an alternative view of the city as you travel to the Pak Khlong Talaat Flower Market.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Bridge Over The River Kwai

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the bizarre Samut Songkhram market before heading out of Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. Stop at the famous bridge on the River Kwai before visiting the Allied Cemetery to pay your respects to the POWs and forced labourers who suffered here in WWII.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Explore Kanchanaburi

This morning visit Hellfire Pass, a dramatic part of the railway that literally cuts through mountain, and take a 3 kilometre walk through the pass. Explore the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, which tells the stories of human suffering at the hands of this engineering feat before boarding the train at Nam Tok Railway Station. After lunch, travel back to Bangkok. This evening, enjoy a delicious Thai meal for dinner and watch a performance of traditional Thai dancing.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Ayutthaya

A sacred city and former royal capital, Ayutthaya today is a crumbled kingdom that has retained its bygone splendour. Explore this impressive archaeological site, touring the principal sights including BangPa-In, the former royal summer residence. Return to Bangkok and fly to Chiang Rai, a city in Thailand’s northern highlands.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Golden Triangle

Transfer to the area known as the Golden Triangle – the point where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet and notorious for the cultivation of opium that used to take place here. Take a boat ride on the Mekong over the border into Laos and visit Don Sao Island where you can take a leisurely stroll through the local market. Return to Chiang Rai. Explore the night market this evening.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Quaint Mae Salong

Travel to Mae Salong Mountain, an area well known for its tea plantations – you can sample some of the local brew whilst you are here. Enjoy a 'Yunnanese' lunch before meeting the Yao Tribe, taking a walk through an Akha village, and visiting a tea plantation.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8: The Stunning White Temple

Explore the striking Buddhist White Temple before departing Chiang Rai. Heading in the direction of Chiang Mai, you’ll travel along a beautiful mountain road with breathtaking views. Entering Chiang Mai province, spend tonight at Lisu Lodge (or similar), an eco-lodge operated by Lisu hill tribe villagers. Rooms are built in the traditional Lisu style and overlook lush fields and hills. Dinner is followed by a Lisu folklore performance.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Discover Chiang Mai

Depart for Chiang Mai. Visit the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam and spend the afternoon visiting Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. There’ll also be time to examine the wares at a handicraft village.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Thai Elephant Care Centre

Spend the day at the Thai Elephant Care Centre where you can meet, feed and bathe the resident pachyderms. Enjoy a relaxed rafting trip in Mae Daeng before returning to Chiang Mai.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11: Chiang Mai Cooking Class

Discover the secrets of traditional Thai cooking with a morning cookery class. Ascend to Wat Doi Suthep, a temple perched on top of Doi Suthep Mountain. This evening, sit down to a Thai Kantoke dinner, and be entertained by a selection of cultural performances.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Days 12-13: Fly Chiang Mai to Australia

This morning is at your leisure before you are transferred to Chiang Mai airport to board your flight to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.

Meals included: Breakfast