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The Award-Winning Tour Specialist

Christmas in Thailand

13 days Fully Inclusive Classic Group Tour

Celebrating 25 Years of tour excellence

Christmas in Thailand

This Christmas, journey through the magic of Thailand. A traditionally Buddhist country, there is no shortage of celebration and cheer no matter the time of year. When better to explore the marvels of this visually breathtaking place than December, with hot sunny days and balmy nights?

Arriving In Bangkok, explore the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Chinatown, then sail the Chao Phraya River on a Long Tail Boat. Venture to Kanchanaburi to witness the historical Bridge over the River Kwai and the Hellfire Pass. Next, fly to Chiang Rai for a Golden Triangle boat ride to Laos and a visit to Don Sao Island.

As Christmas approaches, revel in an eco-lodge nestled in the northern highlands, where you'll experience a magical evening with a local dinner and Hmong Hilltribe folklore. Spend Christmas day at the Thai Elephant Care Center in Chiang Mai, fostering memories with these majestic creatures. From exploring Ayutthaya's ancient splendour to marvelling at the White Temple in Chiang Rai, join us for an unforgettable holiday adventure!

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 11 , Lunches: 10 , Dinners: 11
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    11 nights in 3/4 star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 1
    A reasonable level of fitness is required but it's more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You'll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.
    Learn More
    Walking, some steps and time on your feet.
OFFER
Classic Group Tour
13 DAYS
From $7,730PP
Bangkok (2N+1N) - Kanchanaburi (1N) - Chiang Rai (3N) - Hmong Hilltribe Lodge (1N) - Chiang Mai (3N)
1 Reviews
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Tour Highlights

Our Christmas in Thailand tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Day by Day Itinerary

Bangkok (2N+1N) - Kanchanaburi (1N) - Chiang Rai (3N) - Hmong Hilltribe Lodge (1N) - Chiang Mai (3N)
  • Day 1
    Fly To Bangkok
    Dinner
    Day 1: Fly To Bangkok

    Fly to the vibrant city of Bangkok and be transferred transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

    Dinner
  • Day 2
    Bangkok
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 2: Bangkok

    Bangkok's dazzling neon signs, charming architecture, Thai cuisine and lively markets make for an exciting introduction to this fascinating country. Enjoy a Bangkok city tour. Tour the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Chinatown before cruising down Chao Phraya River on a longboat to Pak Khlong Talaat Flower Market, whilst enjoying an alternative view of the city.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 3
    Floating Market & the Bridge on the River Kwai
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 3: Floating Market & the Bridge on the River Kwai

    Begin at the Maeklong Railway Market in Samut Songkram, and enjoy the spectacle as vendors quickly pack up their stalls to let trains pass directly through the market. Continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you'll hop in small boats to explore the market's bustling canals. Continue to Kanchanaburi, made famous by 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. During the Japanese occupation of Thailand in WWII, tens of thousands of Allied POWs and Southeast Asian indentured labourers were forced to build the Thai-Burma Railway, often called the Death Railway; many of the prisoners died under the brutal conditions. Learn about their tragic story at the Thai-Burma Railway Museum, then pay respects to the victims at the Allied War Cemetery before checking in at your hotel.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Kanchanaburi - Death Railway- Bangkok
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 4: Kanchanaburi - Death Railway- Bangkok

    Visit Hellfire Pass, a dramatic part of the railway that literally cuts through mountain. Begin at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, which tells the stories of human suffering at the hands of this engineering feat, before a 3 kilometre walk through the pass. Finally, take a short train journey on the Death Railway and see more of this beautiful valley before driving back to Bangkok.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Ayutthaya – Chiang Rai
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 5: Ayutthaya – Chiang Rai

    Drive 90 minutes east out of Bangkok to discover the historic ruins of Ayutthaya, the historic capital of Siam from 1350 until its destruction by Burmese invaders in 1767. Explore its gilded palaces, pavilions and gardens, together with its ruined stupas, reminiscent of a smaller Angkor. Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant and take the road trip back to Bangkok. This afternoon, return to Bangkok for your 80-minute flight to Chiang Rai.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 6: Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle

    This morning, head out to admire the area known as the 'Golden Triangle'; the point where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. This area was once a hub of opium production, but since the 1970s, Thailand has been promoting local initiatives to enable locals to switch to other sources of income, such as tea, coffee and tourism. Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand and an important trading town on the Myanmar border. Return to Chiang Rai for dinner; afterwards, you may wish to explore the colourful night market.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Tribes & Tea Plantations in Mae Salong
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 7: Tribes & Tea Plantations in Mae Salong

    Drive 90 minutes through rolling countryside to Mae Salong Mountain, renowned for its hill tribes and tea plantations. From the base of the mountain, travel by truck to a plantation, where you will have an opportunity to sample the local tea. Enjoy lunch at a mountaintop restaurant before visiting Doi Tung Palace and Mae Fah Luang Garden. Drive back to Chiang Rai this afternoon and check in to your hotel before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    The White Temple & Hmong Hilltribe Lodge
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 8: The White Temple & Hmong Hilltribe Lodge

    Depart Chiang Rai and take a short 30-minute drive to explore Wat Rong Khun, the bizarre and fascinating 'White Temple'. Stop at a local market before lunch. This afternoon is spent crossing the countryside, passing forests, farms and villages to reach the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge, where you will be guests of the Hmong community. The Hmong Hilltribe Lodge is made up of ten individual houses, each comprising of four separate rooms with private bathrooms, arranged around a central communal area. This evening, enjoy a barbecue dinner and cultural show.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    Bamboo Rafting & Chiang Mai (Christmas Eve)
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 9: Bamboo Rafting & Chiang Mai (Christmas Eve)

    Depart the lodge and drive an hour north to Mae Daeng to enjoy a relaxed bamboo rafting trip on the Mae Daang River. Sit back and enjoy the passing scenery as your boatman steers you along the river. Afterwards, head to Chiang Mai and visit a social enterprise café. This little restaurant offers life-changing vocational training to reformed women from Chiang Mai's Correctional Institution. The skills they learn here enable them to reintegrate into society with the skills for a new career. This afternoon, visit two of Chiang Mai's most important temples, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Elephant Rescue & Christmas Lunch (Christmas Day)
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 10: Elephant Rescue & Christmas Lunch (Christmas Day)

    Enjoy a wonderful start to Christmas Day – a visit to an elephant sanctuary! The centre is located in the beautiful Mesa valley and offers a peaceful retirement home for elephants rescued from illegal logging camps and elephant shows. Meet one of their caretakers, who will guide you through the centre, explaining about the centre and its inhabitants. Return to Chiang Mai and freshen up at the hotel before this afternoon's Thai Christmas dinner at the lovely House by Ginger. This 1930s colonial mansion has been preserved as a stylish restaurant with a luxurious yet homely atmosphere.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Cooking Class & Wat Doi Suthep (Boxing Day)
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 11: Cooking Class & Wat Doi Suthep (Boxing Day)

    Spend Boxing Day morning at a cooking class, learning to cook traditional Thai cuisine and enjoy your creations for lunch. Later, drive to Wat Doi Suthep, a beautiful hilltop temple with panoramic views across the countryside. You will have the choice of climbing the Naga staircase (300 steps) or catching the cable car to visit the exquisite golden pagoda. This evening, enjoy a typical Khantoke dinner while watching a performance of traditional song and dance from Northern Thailand by various hill tribes.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 12-13
    Departure
    Breakfast
    Day 12-13: Departure

    Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Late checkout is bookable in advance for those who have chosen a later flight option. If you wish to extend your stay in Southeast Asia, please talk to our team about our various private extension packages before your departure. We have options for hiking in Sapa, beach breaks in Mui Ne, Phuket or Hua Hin, city stays in Singapore, and more.

    Breakfast
Christmas in Thailand map

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Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

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When to go

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 23
    32
    28
  • 13
  • Chiang Mai
  • 15
    30
    22
  • 4
  • Chiang Rai
  • 13
    29
    21
  • 8
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 20
    33
    26
  • 3
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 24
    33
    29
  • 20
  • Chiang Mai
  • 16
    33
    24
  • 9
  • Chiang Rai
  • 14
    31
    22
  • 14
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 22
    36
    29
  • 18
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 26
    34
    30
  • 42
  • Chiang Mai
  • 20
    35
    27
  • 18
  • Chiang Rai
  • 17
    34
    25
  • 28
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 24
    37
    31
  • 29
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 27
    35
    31
  • 91
  • Chiang Mai
  • 23
    36
    30
  • 57
  • Chiang Rai
  • 21
    35
    28
  • 98
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 26
    38
    32
  • 78
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 26
    34
    30
  • 248
  • Chiang Mai
  • 24
    34
    29
  • 162
  • Chiang Rai
  • 22
    33
    28
  • 213
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 26
    36
    31
  • 145
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 26
    34
    30
  • 157
  • Chiang Mai
  • 24
    33
    28
  • 124
  • Chiang Rai
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 178
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 26
    34
    30
  • 86
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 26
    33
    29
  • 175
  • Chiang Mai
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 140
  • Chiang Rai
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 311
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 25
    34
    29
  • 103
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 26
    33
    29
  • 219
  • Chiang Mai
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 217
  • Chiang Rai
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 358
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 25
    34
    29
  • 98
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 25
    33
    29
  • 334
  • Chiang Mai
  • 23
    32
    27
  • 211
  • Chiang Rai
  • 23
    31
    27
  • 284
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 25
    34
    29
  • 220
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 25
    33
    29
  • 292
  • Chiang Mai
  • 22
    31
    27
  • 118
  • Chiang Rai
  • 21
    30
    26
  • 125
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 209
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 24
    32
    28
  • 50
  • Chiang Mai
  • 19
    30
    25
  • 54
  • Chiang Rai
  • 17
    29
    23
  • 59
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 59
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Bangkok
  • 22
    32
    27
  • 6
  • Chiang Mai
  • 16
    29
    22
  • 16
  • Chiang Rai
  • 14
    27
    20
  • 14
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 20
    31
    25
  • 6

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

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    Additional Price Information

    • Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 1 December 2023. Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.
    • Customary tipping amount of approximately US$80pp (AU$119pp) is paid locally in Thailand.
    • Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
    • Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • International flights and current taxes (excluded if a land only option is selected)
    • All Meals (refer to itinerary)
    • Domestic transportation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees
    • 3 – 4 star accommodation and eco-lodge

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

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