THE BEST OF THAILAND
$4,990 per person | £3,750 per person
Experience the very best of the Land of Smiles on this enthralling 11-day itinerary. You’ll travel through pulsating cities, ancient ruins, lush forests, and majestic beaches, along the way meeting a colorful and authentically Thai cast of street food vendors, Buddhist monks, graceful elephants, and our very best hand-picked local guides. You’ll begin - where else - in the Big Mango: Bangkok. Spend a few days exploring the city in depth, and also take a trip up the Chao Phraya river to former capital of Siam, Ayutthaya. You then head north, spending two nights at a luxury elephant camp in the dense jungles of the Golden Triangle, then a further two in the magical northern capital Chiang Mai. Round out the trip in style amongst the soaring karst peaks and pristine beaches of Krabi.
Days 1-3:
Bangkok
Thailand’s bouncing capital is one of the world’s great cities. Sitting at the mouth of a tropical river delta, facing the Gulf of Thailand, the ‘Venice of the East’ is bisected by the languorous Chaophraya river and riddled with natural and manmade canals. You’ll find the city caught between the past and present with modern shopping malls, galleries, and spas, sitting alongside atmospheric temples, glittering palaces, and ancient canal-side neighborhoods. Bangkok is a cacophony of sights and sounds, and the fun here is just diving into the nonstop action, while sampling some of the world’s best cheap eats along the way.
Take in a pulsating full day tour of the city which uses private car, tuk-tuk, river boat, and Skytrain to get around. You’ll take in the magical Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, as well as a host of local sights to help you get under the skin of this incredible city. You’ll also take a day trip up the langurous Chao Phraya river to UNESCO heritage Ayutthaya, before returning to Bangkok for an unforgettable night on the town, sampling the best street food the city has to offer.
Days 4 - 5:
The Golden Triangle
Fly up to the far northern city of Chiang Rai, from where’ll you head into the dense forests of the ‘Golden Triangle’, the meeting of three countries, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
Situated close to the tri-border area of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, the Golden Triangle has an infamous history as the world’s most productive opium-growing region. It’s largely a very relaxed and peaceful part of the world these days, housing several excellent upscale resorts amongst its dense forests, placid waterways, and herds of wild elephants.
Two nights at a fabulous luxury elephant lodge will include up-close interaction with graceful pachyderms, a day trip around the tri-country area taking in temples, markets, river trips, and border crossings, and full use of the lodge’s magnificent spa, leisure, and dining facilities. On your final morning, you’ll take in the sights of nearby Chiang Rai, before heading down by road to Chiang Mai.
Days 6 - 8:
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is an absolute must for first-time visitors to Thailand. Its higher elevation means it enjoys a cooler climate than Bangkok, and it has a more laid-back atmosphere too, with more of a sleepy town feel than a bustling capital. The historic city interior houses over 300 temples, and you’ll also find lively markets, cooking classes, craft stores, and fantastic street food.
Your time here will include a nighttime tour of the city, taking in sunset prayers, evening markets, and a delicious riverside dinner; followed by your choice of activities in this enthralling city - choose from a cycling tour through the lanes of the semi-rural city suburbs, a day trip to a nearby ethical elephant conversation center, a tuk-tuk tour into the hills, or a gentle rafting trip through the herb gardens and forests along the Ping River.
Before you leave the ‘Rose of the North’ you’ll enjoy a private cooking class at an atmospheric, teak wood local home. After a sumptuous lunch of northern specialties, you’ll say goodbye to northern Thailand and fly down to Krabi.
Days 9 - 11:
Krabi
On the eastern side of beautiful Phang Nga Bay, Krabi offers extraordinary natural beauty with unspoiled white sand beaches edged by crystal-clear azure waters, all towered over by staggering limestone karst scenery. The district is also known for its dense mangrove forests and more than 100 offshore islands.
You have two days to immerse yourself in the extraordinary beauty of Krabi. Spend this time relaxing and enjoying the facilities of your luxury hotel. We have a few suggestions should you be feeling active: boat trips from Krabi are highly recommended, taking in the staggering peaks and turquoise waters of Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi islands. A jungle hike to Dragon Crest Mountain takes in cascading waterfalls and sightings of macaques and monitor lizards. From your hotel, you can arrange diving, snorkeling, or rock climbing trips, or enjoy cultural activities such as batik painting, village walks, or another cooking class.