Classic Thailand
Classic Thailand
Classic Thailand
13 Days Starting and ending in 13.723419,100.476234
Visiting: Thailand
Tour operator:
Tour code:
210
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 20
Age range:
8-95
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
This is a sample private tour itinerary and we can customise the daily itinerary, duration and accommodation levels and styles as much or as little as you wish.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Bangkok, transfer to hotel
Meet & greet at the airport and transfer to hotel.
OVERNIGHT
Bangkok hotel
EXTRAS
Extra day in Bangkok - pre-tour, Single room supplement (THTMCT)
Day 2 Grand Palace & city canal tours
A tour to visit the splendid Grand Palace complex and the Royal Temple of the Emerald Buddha where varied styles of Thai architecture are delicately woven together to enchant the viewer, see also the Coronation Hall. Afterwards transfer to the pier for an excursion by boat on canals of Bangkok's surprisingly rural western suburbs. Enjoy the natural scenery and observe the daily lives of the people who live along the canals.
OVERNIGHT
Bangkok hotel
MEALS
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 Kanchanaburi & River Kwai tour
Depart Bangkok for the River Kwai with stops at the cemetery for Allied prisoners for war, JEATH Museum and the world renowned bridge over the River Kwai. Take a train journey on the Death Railway over the bridge and a spectacular wooden viaduct built by the POWs.
Afternoon excursion to Hell Fire Pass Memorial, the largest of 1000 meter series of passes hacked through the mountains by allied POWs building the Death Railway and so named for its flaming torch-lit appearance at night.
OVERNIGHT
Kanchanaburi camp
MEALS
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Erawan National Park
Head to Erawan National Park to visit the spectacular Erawan Waterfall, considered by many to be the most beautiful in the country. This 1,500-metre cascade of water breaks into seven separate tiers, each with its own profusion of plant life. Deep, emerald-green pools await those energetic enough to take the well marked trail which goes all the way up to the sixth tier. The first tier is especially good for a swim after the 700-metre climb from the parking area.
OVERNIGHT
Kanchanaburi camp
MEALS
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Ayutthaya temples tour
Depart Kanchanaburi for Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand (AD 1350-1767), the site of magnificent ruins and a World Heritage Site.
Transfer to hotel for fresh up and after that transfer to train station for overnight train to Chiang Mai (1st class air-con).
OVERNIGHT
Sleeper train
MEALS
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 Doi Suthep temple tour, Kantoke dinner
Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning, transfer to hotel accommodation. A tour to visit the Temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, spectacularly situated on a mountaintop at an altitude of 3,520 feet. The temple's golden pagoda contains Buddha relics, and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throughout the year. Its compound offers an exhilarating view of Chiang Mai city and surrounding countryside. Enjoy Kantoke dinner which is an important part of the northern people's culture and hospitality. The name derives from the individual tables set with a variety of northern dishes served in lacquer ware. During the dinner there will be a performance of traditional northern Thai and hill-tribe music and dancing.
OVERNIGHT
Chiang Mai hotel
MEALS
Dinner
Day 7 Tour to Lampang & elephant centre
Depart Chiang Mai in the morning to Lampang, visit the Elephant Conservation Centre to see elephants bathing and demonstrating their skills at hauling lumber. Tour the facilities of the elephant hospital, to which sick and injured elephants are brought from all over the country and also see how young elephants are weaned from their dependence upon humans in preparation for releasing them into the wild. The centre also runs training courses for mahouts and participants can join in at the beginners' level and learn some of the basic techniques of elephant handling. Continue to Lampang city for lunch followed by a visit to one of the most sacred temples in the North, Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang, and the Burmese-style temples Wat Phra Kaew Dontao and Wat Sri Longmuang. Return to Chiang Mai in the evening.
OVERNIGHT
Chiang Mai hotel
MEALS
Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 Chiang Mai, free day
Free day in Chiang Mai to enjoy a temples tour, learn how to make Thai cuisine or experience a handcrafts tour.
OVERNIGHT
Chiang Mai hotel
MEALS
Breakfast
Day 9 Chiang Rai, Mae Kok river boat trip
Proceed to Chiang Rai and then cruise down the Mae Kok River. Continue by road to to Chiang Rai and check in to hotel.
OVERNIGHT
Chiang Rai hotel
MEALS
Breakfast
Day 10 Full day Golden Triangle tour
After breakfast visit the famous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Visit Yao and Akha hill-tribe villages and then continue to the border town of Mai Sai with a stop for lunch along the way. Located just across the Sai River from Myanmar, the town has a thriving market based on cross-border trade.
OVERNIGHT
Chiang Rai hotel
MEALS
Breakfast
Day 11 Chiang Rai, free day
Free day to explore Chiang Rai and the surrounding area.
OVERNIGHT
Chiang Rai hotel
MEALS
Breakfast
Day 12 Morning flight to Bangkok
Transfer to airport to airport for flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.
OVERNIGHT
Bangkok hotel
MEALS
Breakfast
Day 13 Transfer to the airport for departure
Free time in Bangkok before transfer to airport for departure flight.
OVERNIGHT
N/A
MEALS
Breakfast
EXTRAS
Extra day in Bangkok - post-tour
What's Included
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All Accommodation
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All meals indicated in your itinerary
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Airport transfers at the start and end of your trip
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Site entrance fees for all tours detailed in your itinerary
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Qualified tour guide to accompany you on all sightseeing
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Private vehicles for all road journeys indicated
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Comprehensive pre-departure material
What's Not Included
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International flights (can be arranged on request)
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Thailand Tourist Visa
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Departure taxes
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Tips
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Meals, drinks & snacks not mentioned in the itinerary
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Any other items not mentioned in the itinerary
More Info
This is a sample private tour itinerary and we can customise the daily itinerary, duration and accommodation levels and styles as much or as little as you wish.
Mode of Transport
AC minibus
Train
Flight
Accommodation
4 to 5-star hotels
River camp
Sleeper train
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
In Thailand we provide fully trained, local English-speaking guides for all of the sightseeing tours. At Encounters Travel we only use local guides and reps. We feel this gives you the best experience of the country and the sites you are seeing. Please check our website for more details and profiles of some of our most famous guides.
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What should I know before traveling?
It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.
General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.
You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.
Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information. -
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:
Thailand: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.
Vietnam: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area.
Cambodia: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.
Laos: Additional vaccinations: Diptheria, Poliomyelitis, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area.
The above information can change at short notice. For up to date health information & vaccination requirements we recommend that you contact your medical practitioner or a travel clinic.
Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting.
Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation may be required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate with you and to hand if necessary.
Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have. -
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
The tour includes a 24-hour arrival and departure airport-hotel transfer service in Bangkok airport and all other transfers.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
The tour price includes entrance fees to all the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. You will need to cover the cost of entrance to any other extra sites that you may wish to visit.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.
Most foreign nationals (including UK, EU, USA, CA, AU, NZ, SA) are granted a visa exemption on arrival for stays in the country of up to 30 days. If you are looking to spend longer in Thailand then you will need to leave the country and re-enter to extend your stay. We strongly recommend arranging your visa in advance if you would like to stay longer than 30 days in Thailand. -
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Enquire for huge savings
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