Best of Northern Thailand

Our tour starts today in Thailand's capital, Bangkok. Here, old meets new, and the energetic local life - awash with street vendors, locals and tourists - is set against a backdrop of ornate shrines and modern skyscrapers. Sample fragrant street food, haggle in the non-stop markets and take a cruise out on the Chao Phraya River to witness stunning sunsets. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Bangkok at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), which is a 45-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information on day 2. Please note, that if you'd like to join the optional longtail canal trip today, you'll need to arrive at the hotel by 1pm. If you're booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport. From the airport to the hotel is around a one-hour drive, so the latest your flight can arrive is 10am. ...more ...less

Today we make the most of our time in Thailand's lively capital with a sightseeing tour. We'll head out on foot to take in the city's must-see sights, including the Grand Palace with its stunning Emerald Buddha and Wat Po (Temple of the Reclining Buddha). The former residence of the Thai kings, the Grand Palace sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is a stunning example of traditional Thai architecture. We'll have some time to explore its temples, courtyards and gardens. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace - you might like to explore the bustling streets of Chinatown or take a walk in Lumphini Park. Later this evening, we'll board an overnight train for Chiang Mai. Overnight trains are a great way to travel through Thailand, covering a large distance in a short amount of time, however, it's worth noting that they are basic. Please see our accommodation notes for more information.

This morning, we arrive in Chiang Mai. Known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is known for its tranquil atmospheres, serene landscapes and rich culture, offering a complete contrast from the heat and bustle of Bangkok. Founded in the 13th century, it's steeped in history - the old town is particularly charming thanks to its ancient walls and moats, filled with traditional temples like Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang. We'll take some time to get our bearings and head out on a sightseeing tour including the famous Doi Suthep temple. While we're here, you might also like to check out the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, selling everything from local handicrafts to delicious street eats.

This morning, we head out to the Elephant Nature Park, one of the largest elephant conservation centres in Thailand located a 90-minute drive from Chiang Mai. The park functions as a care and treatment centre for rescued and abandoned elephants and comprises huge swathes of land that they can roam in freely as well as an elephant nursery and hospital. The elephants are free to roam as they please - this is what sets this sanctuary apart and what makes it meet our animal welfare policy. It's worth bearing in mind that this is a working facility centre so our visit will need to fit around the elephant's daily needs. We're sure to get our fill of these majestic animals, spending time observing them from the viewing platform and taking a walk down the river, guided by the centre's staff. There are no elephant shows or riding here, the experience is all about spending quality time with these beautiful creatures and observing their natural behaviours while they're with their herd. After our visit, we'll return back to Chiang Mai. Our total driving time today will be around four hours.

Today we head south to Si Satchanalai the twin city of Sukhothai. Architecturally the city boasts a variety of outside influences noticeable in the construction of the wats and chedis (religious memorials) - the most impressive and sacred is Wat Chang Lom. Situated in the heart of the old city it is decorated with 39 standing elephants and is unusual due to its Ceylonese-style chedi - the earliest of its kind in Thailand. After visiting the site, we'll make our way to the small community of Naton Chan, a rural village set amongst lush rice paddies where we'll experience the warm hospitality of a homestay for the night. After being greeted by our hosts and having time to settle into our rooms, we'll head out to explore the village on foot. The villagers here still practice cottage industries, and as we walk from house to house we'll see how clothes are stitched on a bamboo sewing rig, cups and chopsticks are made from surrounding bamboo and ornaments are skilfully carved by local artisans. There will be plenty of opportunities to engage with the villagers whilst each of them demonstrates their craft. We'll return to our homestay for a sundowner and a hearty meal cooked by our hosts. The homestay in Naton Chan is simple but clean, comfortable and homely. Rooms are twin share with mattresses on the floor, all bedding is provided and there are shared western toilets and showers. There is no air conditioning but each room has a fan. Please note that larger groups may be split between two nearby homes.

This morning, we make the short drive to Sukothai where we'll explore the old city by bicycle. Sukothai was the first capital of Siam; which was at the pinnacle of Thai civilisation for over 200 years until the end of the 1400s. It then went into decline as Ayutthaya took over as the most important city in the area and was deserted until it was discovered as a lost city in the jungle in the 19th Century. The city has now been fully excavated and it comprises 21 historical sites within the city walls and a further 70 outside. Leaving Sukhothai by bus, we'll continue our journey south towards Uthai Thani. Along the way, we make a stop at the historical site of Kamphaengphet, a UNESCO World Heritage site and little-visited town which contains a wealth of 13th-17th century temples, statues and buildings. The ancient walled town featured as an important city under the Sukhothai Kingdom by protecting it from invaders, and we'll spend time exploring the old royal palace and temples before driving onto Uthai Thani.

This morning, we'll visit a local market before boarding a traditional boat for a trip along the Sakraekrang River. As we drift down the meandering waters we'll get a real insight into the authentic life of the indigenous river dwellers and boat people. There's plenty of time to relax and enjoy the passing scenery. Our trip ends back at Utahai Thani for lunch. We'll then head south by bus where we reach another of Siam's stunning ancient capitals, Ayutthaya. Situated on an island at the confluence of three rivers, the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers, Ayutthaya had a very strong defensive position and retained its power for over 400 years, during which time it became extremely wealthy. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city is still a stunning complex of palaces, shrines, stupas and monasteries. We'll include a walking tour to visit the Royal Palace and a few wats.

An early morning two to three-hour drive brings us to Kanchanaburi, where we begin by visiting the war cemetery and the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai. This infamous bridge, part of the Death Railway built during World War II by Prisoners of War under Japanese occupation, stands as a sombre reminder of one of the war's most tragic episodes, linking Siam and Burma (Myanmar). Next, we take a train ride along a section of the original railway before heading to Hellfire Pass by bus. Visiting the Hellfire Pass Museum offers a moving and insightful look into the gruelling conditions endured by the workers. We then walk through the cuttings, immersing ourselves in the powerful history of this site. Finally, we transfer to longtail boats for a journey up the River Kwai to our raft houses, set in a tranquil location on the river's edge.

Today we have a full day to explore the jungle and the river both on foot and by bamboo rafts. Later, there is the option to head out to Sai Yok National Park for a nature walk. The national park is known for its nature, lush forest, caves and astounding waterfalls - the perfect induction to Thailand's peaceful countryside.

We have an early start this morning as we drive back to Bangkok. En-route, we'll stop by the small town of Maeklong, home to one of the most unusual spots in Thailand. The Maeklong Railway Market was established in 1905 to better transport fresh seafood from the nearby port to the city and surrounding provinces. The market has been built, quite literally, on top of the railway and each time the provincial train rumbles through a mind-boggling spectacle unfolds; the shades and canopies are all folded back, produce is deftly rolled away from the tracks and the train slowly passes through, mere millimetres from the surrounding markets and vendors. We plan to arrive in time to witness this bizarre event, with time left to look around the market and the variety of fresh produce on offer. We'll then continue to Bangkok, where the rest of the afternoon is free for last-minute shopping or sightseeing.

Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Bangkok. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Bangkok at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), which is a 45-minute drive from our hotel. If you have time you might like to wander through Chinatown to see another side of this fascinating city. Bangkok is teeming with sites waiting to be explored and it's well worth extending your trip to have more time here. We highly recommend an extended stay in the city, or alternatively, you might like to unwind on the beautiful beaches of Thailand with our beach extension to Koh Samet.