DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: UK to Bangkok
Fly from the UK to Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok
On arrival into Bangkok today, you will be met and transferred approx. 20 mins to the heart of Bangkok, where you will spend your first 3 nights at Banyan Tree Bangkok. As the city’s only 5-star all-suite establishment, a stay at Banyan Tree will provide you with luxurious accommodations, world-class dining experiences and an award-winning spa. Welcome to Thailand! 

Day 3: Bangkok
Today you will head out on a Bangkok City Tour! Ride on the city’s Skytrain before you cruise along the Chao Phraya river – soak up scenic views of the city skyline and houses balanced on stilts on the river’s edge. Stop at the iconic Wat Pho and Grand Palace, before you enjoy a cultural experience at Soi Ban Batra – visit a family-run workshop where monk’s alms bowels are made! Then, head back to the hotel to relax after a day of exploring.

Day 4: Bangkok
Early this morning, you will be collected for a tour of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. You will leave the city centre, stopping at a train station where a market has popped up along the tracks. Enjoy watching the vendors clearing their stalls off the tracks as a train pulls in! Then, continue on to Damnoen Saduak – soak up the atmosphere of the market that has been like this for over 100 years. Let us know if you want to include a stop to the famous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’! 

Day 5: Bangkok to Chiang Mai
There will be some time today for you to go off and explore more of Bangkok if you wish. Later this afternoon, you will be driven approx. 20 mins to the Railway Station where you will board your overnight train to Chiang Mai! Settle in as the train pulls out of the station, and make sure you watch out of the window to catch the views of the passing landscapes! 

Day 6: Chiang Mai
On arrival into Chiang Mai this morning you will be met and transferred approx. 10 mins to Amata Lanna Chiang Mai where you will spend the next 3 nights. This boutique hotel is a charming, family-run haven, with traditional Thai decor and architecture. Settle in this afternoon, before you head out on a Discovery Tour this evening. Embrace spiritual traditions as you visit a local temple at sunset and enjoy a trip to Warorot Market where the stalls overflow with produce! Head back to the hotel after your tour. Want to up the luxury? Talk to us about alternative accommodation options in Chiang Mai.

Days 7 & 8: Chiang Mai
Rise early one morning to watch the alms procession as barefoot monks collect offerings from local devotees, before you head out to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple. Located on a mountain top you will stop here just in time for the monks to start emerging from their monasteries! Then, climb to the top of Doi Suthep before continuing on to Wat Umong, a sacred temple containing a network of tunnels and caves. After, you can head back to the hotel for the rest of the day, or explore some more of the city.
You will also get to enjoy a Chilled-Out Chiang Mai tour – cruise along the scenic Mae Ping River as you pass traditional wooden houses and explore some more areas of Chiang Mai. 

Day 9: Chiang Mai to Rural Hill Country 
This morning you will be met and transferred to explore a traditional way of life in a Hill Tribe before you head out on a jungle hike (approximately 2-3 hours). Enjoy the wide variety of animals of plants native to the area, before tucking into a picnic lunch by the jungle waterfalls. After lunch and a chance to have a swim, you will continue to your Hill Tribe Homestay where you will stay for 1 night in a traditional bamboo hut with an outdoor shower. All homestays belong to Karen families, and this is a great way to support local people from underprivileged communities, all whilst enjoying a slower pace of life and a chance to interact with a new culture! 

Day 10: Rural Hill Country 
You will wake up under the jungle canopy this morning before you set off on another hike across the jungle to the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary. Have fun interacting with these amazing creatures as you get to feed and play with them! You will then get to enjoy a traditional bamboo ride, before you are transferred back to Amata Lanna for one more night. Not sure if you want to include the homestay? Talk to us about alternative itinerary options.

Day 11: Chiang Mai to Koh Lanta 
Today you will be transferred approx. 15 mins to Chiang Mai airport to check in for your flight to Krabi Island. On arrival in to Krabi, you will be taken by road and boat over to Koh Lanta, where you will end your trip with 4 nights at the Lanta Casa Blanca. This eco-friendly resort is located right by a white sanded beach – each villa has its own balcony where you can sit and soak up the sounds of the ocean as you enjoy a sundowner or 2! Settle in to the hotel for the rest of the day. Welcome to paradise! Or if you’d prefer to skip the beach and explore Laos instead – ask us to tailor this holiday to you. 

Days 12-14: Koh Lanta
You have three full days to enjoy this stunning island! You could hire a motorbike and take a trip around the island to hunt down different beaches and places offering tasty local food. You could enjoy a spa treatment at your hotel, or you are in a great spot to grab a snorkel to explore the marine life in the crystal clear waters surrounding the island. You could also check out the local town, filled with restaurants and shops to pick up some souvenirs. Interested in staying on another island? Call us on 01273 923100 to add in a stop before you fly home!

Day 15: Koh Lanta to the UK
Today you will transfer by boat and road back to Krabi airport to check in for your flights to the UK.