Thailand weaves a tapestry of glittering temples, lush jungle and golden sunshine, all entwined with a rich heritage that has remained staunchly unchanged for centuries. It is also fun-loving, friendly and exotic – discover more of Bangkok and the northern highlands.
Our Thailand Highlights tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Discover the former splendour of this ancient capital
Cruise the mighty Mekong River where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet
Explore the striking Buddhist White Temple in Thailand's northernmost city
Come face to face with the local hill tribes
Our Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Spend the day with Asian elephants at Chiang Mai's Thai Elephant Care Centre, a home for elderly pachyderms, where you’ll meet, feed and bathe the gorgeous residents.
Venture deep into the northern highlands and spend the night at one with nature at the Lisu eco-lodge, where you'll enjoy a local dinner and a Lisu folklore experience.
Visit Samut Songkhram market, famous for being set along a railway line – witness the fascinating bustle of activity by stallholders, moving their wares speedily out of the way as a train passes through!
This tour is suitable for those with a reasonable amount of time and who are looking for a comprehensive tour of the main sights and cities in Thailand. This tour utilises the time to optimise your visit in each destination.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Furama Silom Bangkok is centrally located, close to the Patpong Night Market, and stylishly modern. The hotel's numerous facilities include a fully equipped gym, steam room, rooftop pool and rooftop restaurant which have fantastic views over the city. The accommodation is spacious with contemporary décor with Thai touches. Floor to ceiling windows keep it light and the en suite bathroom has a shower, bathrobe and slippers.
This boutique resort set in beautiful natural surroundings outside of Kanchanaburi’s downtown, the Mida exudes a contemporary Thai-style. The stylish rooms are elegantly furnished with views of the tropical gardens – the en suite bathroom complete with bath and shower as well as a private outdoor shower. The restaurant has beautiful views over the river and there is a swimming pool plus pool bar.
Excellently located right next to the famous night bazaar, the Duangtawan Hotel has a full range of facilities, from seven bars and restaurants, a swimming pool, fitness centre and spa. The spacious, light and airy rooms have city views and a bathroom with both a bath and shower.
Just minutes from the famous night bazaar, the Laluna offers cosy Thai-style bungalows tucked amongst lush, tropical gardens. The lagoon-style pool, Jacuzzi, massage service and deck makes the friendly, relaxed atmosphere even more pronounced. The bungalows are spacious and simple with large beds and an en suite bathroom and views over the gardens.
This eco lodge, sat amongst the beauty of Thailand’s highlands is about 1.5 hours north of Chiang Mai. The lodge is a community based project and run by villagers of the nearby Lisu hill tribe. All food that is served here is locally sourced and from the property’s organic rice fields and vegetable patch. The simple rooms are in the traditional Lisu style and overlooks lush fields and hills. Each has a private en suite bathroom with shower. A stay at the lodge also features cultural experiences, giving you the chance to learn about the Lisu tribe.
Places Visited: Australia - Bangkok (3N) - Kanchanaburi (1N) - Chiang Rai (3N) - Mae Taeng (1N) - Chiang Mai (3N) - Australia
All of our tour departures (Excluding Antarctica and Australia tours) include international flights and taxes in the price. If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Tour would be more ideal. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.
With our Book with Confidence guarantee you have peace of mind with low deposits, free changes and extended final payment. Plus, find a tour with the same inclusions cheaper and we will match it AND give you a reward. See full terms and conditions.
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There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.
Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.
