Book Now
DAY 1
Overnight flight
DAY 2
Arrival in Bangkok
Arrival in Bangkok
Welcome to Bangkok! After clearing customs, you’ll meet your full-time tour guide and the rest of your group. Did you know the Thai name for Bangkok is Krung thep?
DAY 3
Sightseeing tour of Bangkok (local guide)
Sightseeing tour of Bangkok (local guide)
See Thailand's capital with a local guide. Begin with a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River and through the city's many canals. Along the way, stop at the Temple of Dawn, one of Bangkok's most iconic landmarks. Visit the Grand Palace, an enormous compound whose high walls once separated the kings from the commoners. Also go inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and see Thailand's most sacred Buddha image.
Thai dinner and traditional dances
Thai dinner and traditional dances
Savor the authentic Thai cuisine and feast your eyes on the mystical dancers as they perform stories from classical Thai literature and folktales.
DAY 4
Excursion to Ayutthaya
Excursion to Ayutthaya
Head to Ayutthaya, one-time capital of Thailand. This was one of the most impressive cities in the Orient until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. You'll visit the amazing Summer Palace, a magnificent mixture of Thai, Chinese and Gothic architecture, before returning to Bangkok by riverboat along the Chao Phraya River.
Free time in Bangkok (nighttime)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Cheap Charlie's – Have a beer and strike up a conversation with the locals and tourists who flock to this wooden shack.
2. Joe Louis Puppet Theatre – See the latest take on the ancient art of Thai puppetry (lákhon lék) at this renowned theater.
3. Bamboo Bar – See internationally recognized jazz bands perform live at this bar located in a historic hotel.
4. Q Bar – This is Bangkok's most renowned dance club, with an industrial feel, thumping techno, and an extensive bar.
5. Thai kickboxing – Go to a thrilling match of this traditional sport.
For more ideas and details, see our Bangkok city guide.
DAY 5
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Ride in a speedboat through marshes and past traditional stilt houses until you reach Thailand's famed floating market. Browse the traditional crafts and wares among the barges and waterways that make up this colorful market. Purchase that perfect souvenir or just soak in the atmosphere of rural Thai life.
Kanchanburi
Kanchanburi
Continue to Thailand's fourth-largest province. At the JEATH War Museum, see the exhibits dedicated to victims of the Death Railway Bridge, including photographs, memorabilia, paintings and more. Also visit the famous bridge over the River Kwai. This reconstruction of the original bridge was built by WWII POWs to connect the segments of the Japanese Empire.
DAY 6
Saiyoke Yai Waterfall and National Park
Saiyoke Yai Waterfall and National Park
See the thunderous falls, one of Thailand's most beautiful natural wonders. Explore the dense deciduous forest around the waterfall, where you may run into a blue-winged pitta, a limestone wren babbler or a tiny Kitti hog-nosed bat. Also stop at the Hellfire Pass, where POWs once dug a tunnel through the rocks and mountains using only hand tools. This afternoon, take a ride on the "Death Railway".
DAY 7
Transfer via Wat Pa Lelai monastery
Transfer via Wat Pa Lelai monastery
Inside this ancient Buddhist monastery on the banks of the Suphan River sits the Luang Pho To, a highly revered depiction of the Buddha. Twice a year, pilgrims gather here to pay their respects.
Arrival in Phitsanulok
Arrival in Phitsanulok
Continue to Phitsanulok. Did you know that Phitsanulok is the birthplace of King Naresuan the Great?
DAY 8
Sukhothai Historical Park
Sukhothai Historical Park
Enjoy this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which houses the remains of the royal palace and many Buddhist temples.
Transfer to Chiang Mai
Transfer to Chiang Mai
Move on to Thailand's second-largest city. Did you know there are more than 300 Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai?
Sankamphaeng and Bo Sang
Sankamphaeng and Bo Sang
Tour the Sankamphaeng District, known for its silk and cotton cultivation. You might even see a traditional weaving demonstration. After, continue to the fascinating village of Bo Sang, where delicate paper umbrellas are hand-painted by local artists.
DAY 9
Excursion to the Thai hills
Excursion to the Thai hills
Head out for the day and meet members of regional tribes that have lived here for centuries. You'll ride an elephant and cruise down the Ping River on a bamboo raft made by the villagers. Do some jungle trekking and meet villagers in the Akha, Lisu, Palong and Lahu hill tribes.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
This impressive temple, dating from 1383, rises 5,248 feet above Chiang Mai on a forested mountain peak. Go to the top by stairway or funicular railcar and take in the spectacular views of the surrounding area.
DAY 10
Flight to Bangkok
Free time in Bangkok (daytime)
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. Ancient City – This 200-acre model city south of Bangkok has all kinds of monument replicas and is also a great place for a bike ride or a picnic.
2. Lumphini Park – Enjoy this green space named after Buddha's birthplace; the park is filled with tai chi students, joggers, kite flyers, and vendors selling snake blood.
3. Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute – This snake farm features snake milking and feeding, and has some of Thailand's most venomous snakes, including the king cobra.
4. National Museum – Visit this largest museum in Southeast Asia, and learn all about Thai art.
5. Amulet Market – Shop for traditional Thai amulets for protection against evil spirits and bad fortune.
For more ideas and details, see our Bangkok city guide.
DAY 11
Transfer to Cha-Am
Transfer to Cha-Am
Make your way to the turquoise seas and palm-lined beaches of Cha-Am. Did you know Cha-Am has the only American University in Thailand?
Free time in Cha-Am (nighttime)
Top 5 nightlife suggestions:
1. Hua Hin – Head to this nearby resort town for a wide array of bars and restaurants.
2. Cha Am View Point – Come to this romantic scenic spot to watch the sun set over the sea.
3. Night market – Shop after dark at this popular spot for picking up traditional Thai wares.
4. Karaoke bar – Check your ego at the door and belt out your favorite tunes.
5. Sanuk Pub – Hear live music every night, play some pool and have a few drinks.
DAY 12
Free day in Cha-Am
Top 5 free time suggestions:
1. Beach – Relax on the sand, swim in the sea, or hop on a jet ski.
2. Khao Luang Cave – Do a little spelunking, and see an impressive Buddha image inside.
3. Bike ride – Rent a cycle and explore Cha-Am and the surrounding areas on two wheels.
4. The Palace Of Love And Hope – Visit this elegant palace complex with gardens and a long corridor leading to the sea.
5. Kang Krajaren National Park – Discover the evergreen forest, wildlife, and waterfalls of this beautiful national park.
DAY 13
Free morning in Cha-Am
Free morning in Cha-Am
Soak in your last rays of Thai sun this morning.
Return to Bangkok
Return to Bangkok
Head back to the capital for your last night in Thailand.
DAY 14
Flight home