Discover Thailand

We arrive in Bangkok and are joined here by our without-flight guests. Dinner isn’t included this evening giving you free time to relax and to enjoy one of the nearby restaurants.

Our first full day in Thailand begins with a guided tour of Bangkok with your local leader. First up is the Grand Palace, where we'll marvel at the intricate design and rich history of this royal complex. A tuk-tuk ride takes us to Wat Pho, home to the iconic reclining Buddha surrounded by tranquil temple grounds. Next, we’ll visit Wat Prayun, a hidden gem on the Chao Phraya River famed for its unique stupa.  

After a delicious Thai lunch, a longtail boat ride through Bangkok's canals offers a snapshot of local life. We’ll end the day at Mahanakorn Tower, where those brave enough can step onto the glass-floored skywalk – it’s Thailand's highest observation deck at 314 meters and offers panoramic 360-degree views over the city.  After the tour, we’ll sit down to an official welcome dinner to celebrate the start of our adventure. 

We’ll hop on the morning train to the former capital, Ayutthaya, famed for its wealth of temples. Enjoy a fully guided walking tour around these colourful shrines and in the afternoon, we’ll transfer to Don Muang Airport for an early evening flight to Chiang Mai, another former capital. Bag transport included. 

Explore Chiang Mai like a local by hopping on a songthaew, the iconic red pickup trucks that have been modified to carry passengers around the city’s sights.  We’ll begin our morning tour with a winding journey up Doi Suthep to visit the temple perched at its peak. Enjoy breathtaking views and a glimpse into Buddhist pilgrimage traditions before we descend into the heart of the old city.  

Visiting the ancient ruins of Chedi Luang, we’ll see orange-robed monks offering prayers at this holy site built in the mid-15th century. Finally, dive into the vibrant Warorot Market, where we can shop for local delicacies, snack on sizzling street food, or bag a bargain on clothing and Lanna handicrafts. 

After a leisurely afternoon back at the hotel, we’ll hop on an electric tuk-tuk for an evening of street food delights. Start at a bustling night market for Thai Suki and pork meatballs before moving to a second market near the Chiang Mai gate, where you'll savour Northern Thai spicy sausage. We’ll also try Khao Soi, a famous curried chicken dish flavoured with peanut, coconut, chilli, and lime, and served on top of soft egg noodles and sprinkled with crispy noodles. End the night with the best Thai Roti, and a selection of tasty Thai desserts. 

Leaving the bustle of the city behind, we’ll travel above Chiang Mia for our two-night jungle trek. First, we’ll stop at a local market to pick up provisions, then a scenic drive takes us to a magnificent waterfall where you can freshen up with a dip.

After lunch we begin trekking through the jungle to the Karen hill tribe village where we’ll spend two nights in a simple hut. Dinner is prepared for us, after which you can soak up the scenery and noises of the jungle from the outdoor terrace. 

Drift down the slow-moving river on bamboo rafts to see the jungle from a whole other perspective. We’ll return to Chiang Mai this evening where we can enjoy dinner with live traditional Thai performances. 

This morning we’ll fly to Surat Thani, the gateway to Thailand’s best beaches and islands. Our destination is Khao Sok National Park – home to the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world as well as limestone mountains and spellbinding lakes. Once we’re at the lodge, you have some free time to relax. 

A morning yoga session is included for those who want to start the day with some meditation and relaxation before breakfast. You’ll have a free day in Khao Sok where there's the opportunity to experience an elephant care programme. After dinner we’ll set off on a night safari through the jungle. 

After transferring to Takun town for a quick visit to a local market, we’ll board a long-tail boat at Rachabrapa Dam pier to explore the lake's stunning limestone cliffs. We’ll check in to our floating bungalow accommodation for the night, where a lunch of local Thai food by the water awaits.  

Enjoy time for swimming and kayaking in the emerald waters, and in the afternoon, embark on a jungle adventure. We’ll cap off the day with an evening safari and a delicious dinner before spending the night under the stars in our raft house. 

Start the day with an early morning safari by boat with your guide. Keep an eye out for Langurs and Macaque monkeys. Mornings are very special on the lake with mist rolling across the water and gibbons calling from the trees. Return to your raft house for a simple breakfast and a hot drink. The rest of the morning will be spent swimming, relaxing and kayaking at the raft house before returning to the pier. Return to Cheow Lan Lake Pier at around 11:30am, boarding a private transfer to the beautiful beach town of Ao Nang in Krabi. You’re free to spend afternoon and evening as you wish. Relax on the sand or visit one of the many restaurants nearby.  

Distance: 5 miles/8km

Ascent: 550m

We’ll venture out on the Dragon Crest Mountain trek, which takes us to one of the most wow-worthy viewpoints in Thailand. It’s located in the Moo Koh Phi Phi National Park and offers up 360-degree views of the Krabi coastline, distant islands, and the spectacular green limestone peaks rising from the valleys further south. 

Enjoy a free day to relax by the pool or the beach. There’s plenty more on offer, including a boat trip to the islands, Railay beach, snorkelling, or a trip into Krabi town. In the evening, we’ll all meet for a farewell dinner. 

After breakfast, our with-flight guests transfer to Krabi airport to begin our return journey back to the UK