Thailand Highlights
Thailand Highlights
$3506
Thailand Highlights
13 Days Starting and ending in UK
Visiting: Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Golden Triangle, Mae Salong, Chiang Mai
Tour operator:
Tour code:
377
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
12 - 28
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Thailand with the "Thailand Highlights" tour, a cultural exploration of Southeast Asia's vibrant landscapes and rich history. Begin in the bustling city of Bangkok, where you'll discover iconic sites like Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. Travel to Kanchanaburi to experience the poignant history of the Death Railway and the River Kwai. Explore the ancient capital of Ayutthaya and cruise the Mekong River at the Golden Triangle. In Chiang Rai, marvel at the stunning White Temple and engage with local hill tribes. Conclude your adventure in Chiang Mai, where you'll enjoy a Thai cooking class and visit an ethical elephant sanctuary. With seamless domestic travel and comfortable accommodations, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, ensuring a memorable Thai experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 - 2 : Days 1-2 Fly Overnight To Bangkok
Location: Bangkok
Accommodation Name: Furama Silom Bangkok
Meals Included: Dinner
Fly overnight to the vibrant city of Bangkok. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.
Day 3 Discover Bangkok
Location: Bangkok
Accommodation Name: Furama Silom Bangkok
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bangkok is a whirlwind of exotic energy, a sensory extravaganza like few other cities. Neoclassical houses rub shoulders with high-rise skyscrapers and majestic golden temples, while river taxis and ferries throng its busy canals. Today's sightseeing includes Wat Pho, the dazzling Grand Palace and a stroll through Chinatown. Later, take to the Chao Phraya River on a longboat to get an alternative view of the city.
Day 4 Bridge Over The River Kwai
Location: Kanchanaburi
Accommodation Name: Mida Resort Kanchanaburi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the bizarre Railway Track Market before heading out of Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. It was here that many Allied POWs and indentured Asian labourers were forced to build the Thai-Burma Railway during the WWII Japanese occupation of Thailand. Stop at the famous bridge on the River Kwai and visit the Thai-Burmese Railway Museum to learn their stories, then pay your respects at the War Cemetery before checking into your hotel. Spend the night in Kanchanaburi.
Day 5 Explore Kanchanaburi
Location: Kanchanaburi
Accommodation Name: Mida Resort Kanchanaburi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive to Hellfire Pass and visit the fascinating museum before a short walk through the pass. Step on board an old locomotive to travel along a section of the Death Railway, passing through the Kwai Gorge. Return to Bangkok in the afternoon.
Day 6 Ayutthaya
Location: Ayutthaya
Accommodation Name: Duangtawan Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A scared city and former royal capital, Ayutthaya today is a crumbled kingdom that has retained its bygone splendour. Explore this impressive archaeological site, touring the principal sights including Bang Pa-In, the former royal summer residence. Return to Bangkok and fly to Chiang Rai, a city in Thailand's northern highlands.
Day 7 Golden Triangle
Location: Golden Triangle
Accommodation Name: Laluna Hotel & Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to the area known as the Golden Triangle – the point where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma meet and notorious for the cultivation of opium that used to take place here. Take a boat ride on the Mekong over the border into Laos and visit Don Sao Island where you can take a leisurely stroll through the local market. Return to Chiang Rai. Explore the night market this evening.
Day 8 Mae Salong Mountain
Location: Mae Salong
Accommodation Name: Laluna Hotel & Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Mae Salong Mountain, an area well known for its tea plantations – you can sample some of the local brew whilst you are here. Enjoy a Yunnanese lunch before visiting Doi Tung Palace and Mae Fah Luang Garden.
Day 9 Hmong Hilltribe Lodge
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation Name: Hmong Hilltribe Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the striking Buddhist White Temple before departing Chiang Rai. Heading in the direction of Chiang Mai, you'll travel along a beautiful mountain road with breathtaking views. Entering Chiang Mai province, spend tonight at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge, an eco-lodge operated by Hmong villagers. Rooms are built in the traditional tribal style and overlook lush fields and hills. Dinner is followed by a Hmong folklore performance.
Day 10 Discover Chiang Mai
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation Name: Lisu Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Hmong Lodge to Mae Daeng where you will enjoy a leisurely bamboo rafting trip on the Mae Daang River. Later, visit the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam and take a walking tour of charming Chiang Mai, visiting Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.
Day 11 Elephant Sanctuary Experience
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation Name: Lisu Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day at an ethical elephant sanctuary and retirement centre, where you can meet, feed and care for these rescued and elderly residents.
Day 12 Chiang Mai Cooking Class
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Discover the secrets of traditional Thai cooking with a morning cookery class. Ascend to Wat Doi Suthep, a temple perched on top of Doi Suthep Mountain. This evening, sit down to a Thai Kantoke dinner, and be entertained by a selection of cultural performances.
Day 13 Fly Chiang Mai To Uk
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
What's Included
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Accommodation
All accommodation is included in the tour package.
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Meals
All meals are included in the tour package.
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Entrance Fees and Tours
Entrance fees, guides, and daily tours are included in the tour package.
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Domestic Transportation
All domestic transportation, including internal flights, is included to ensure a smooth journey across Thailand.
What's Not Included
Tipping and GratuitiesTipping and gratuities are not included in the tour package.
Mode of Transport
Experience seamless travel with all domestic transportation, including internal flights, ensuring a smooth journey across Thailand's captivating landscapes.
Accommodation
Furama Silom Bangkok is centrally located, close to the Patpong Night Market, and stylishly modern. The hotel's numerous facilities include a fully equipped gym, steam room, rooftop pool and rooftop restaurant which have fantastic views over the city. The accommodation is spacious with contemporary décor with Thai touches. Floor to ceiling windows keep it light and the en suite bathroom has a shower, bathrobe and slippers. Mida Resort Kanchanaburi is a boutique resort set in beautiful natural surroundings outside of Kanchanaburi’s downtown, the Mida exudes a contemporary Thai-style. The stylish rooms are elegantly furnished with views of the tropical gardens – the en suite bathroom complete with bath and shower as well as a private outdoor shower. The restaurant has beautiful views over the river and there is a swimming pool plus pool bar. Duangtawan Hotel is excellently located right next to the famous night bazaar, the Duangtawan Hotel has a full range of facilities, from seven bars and restaurants, a swimming pool, fitness centre and spa. The spacious, light and airy rooms have city views and a bathroom with both a bath and shower. Laluna Hotel & Resort offers cosy Thai-style bungalows tucked amongst lush, tropical gardens. The lagoon-style pool, Jacuzzi, massage service and deck makes the friendly, relaxed atmosphere even more pronounced. The bungalows are spacious and simple with large beds and an en suite bathroom and views over the gardens. Lisu Lodge is an eco lodge, sat amongst the beauty of Thailand’s highlands is about 1.5 hours north of Chiang Mai. The lodge is a community based project and run by villagers of the nearby Lisu hill tribe. All food that is served here is locally sourced and from the property’s organic rice fields and vegetable patch. The simple rooms are in the traditional Lisu style and overlooks lush fields and hills. Each has a private en suite bathroom with shower. A stay at the lodge also features cultural experiences, giving you the chance to learn about the Lisu tribe.
Experiences
Chiang Mai's Elephant Care Centre
Spend the day with Asian elephants at Chiang Mai's Thai Elephant Care Centre, a home for elderly pachyderms, where you’ll meet, feed and bathe the gorgeous residents.
Lisu Eco-lodge
Venture deep into the northern highlands and spend the night at one with nature at the Lisu eco-lodge, where you'll enjoy a local dinner and a Lisu folklore experience.
Songkhram Railway Market
Visit Samut Songkhram market, famous for being set along a railway line – witness the fascinating bustle of activity by stallholders, moving their wares speedily out of the way as a train passes through!
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of cultural experiences can I expect during the tour?
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to engage in cultural experiences such as learning about the Lisu tribe at the Lisu Lodge, enjoying a Hmong folklore performance at the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge, and participating in a Thai cooking class in Chiang Mai.
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Will I have the chance to interact with local wildlife?
Yes, you will spend a day at an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai where you can meet, feed, and care for rescued and elderly elephants.
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What unique transportation experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a ride on a longboat along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, a boat ride on the Mekong River into Laos, and a journey on an old locomotive along a section of the Death Railway in Kanchanaburi.
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Are there any special dining experiences included?
Yes, the tour includes a Yunnanese lunch at Mae Salong Mountain, a Thai Kantoke dinner with cultural performances in Chiang Mai, and meals at the Lisu Lodge featuring locally sourced food.
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What historical sites will I visit during the tour?
You will visit several historical sites including the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in Bangkok, the Bridge Over the River Kwai and the Thai-Burmese Railway Museum in Kanchanaburi, and the ancient city of Ayutthaya.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If, after our confirmation invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, we will endeavour to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. Any changes to confirmed bookings need to be sent to us in writing via your travel agent. Please refer to our booking conditions for further information and fees.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your Final Travel Documents are usually sent to you 2-3 weeks prior to your departure. Your travel pack will include your tour itinerary, hotel details, flight e-tickets and a travel guide. If you have booked with a travel agent, your tickets will be dispatched to your travel agent unless we have been otherwise informed.
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Will I be travelling with passengers from other countries?
Our passengers generally enjoy the mixture of British, Australian and American clients on tour. Occasionally we are joined by English-speaking passengers from other countries.
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What is 'Happy to Share'?
Customers booking to travel solo can choose our ‘Happy to Share’ option, which may enable them to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share, thus avoiding the need to pay single room supplements. Note that ‘Happy to Share’ requests can be received when you make your booking with us but will not be confirmed until your final payment due date. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance in line with our normal booking conditions. Either way, our Operations Team will contact you around 75 days before departure to let you know whether a share partner has been found or not. We regret that Happy to Share requests cannot be accepted within 75 days of departure. Wendy Wu Tours reserves the right to change or withdraw this arrangement at any time.
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Do you allow children on your tours?
We allow children 12 years and over on our group tours. We recommend that families with children of any age take advantage of our private or tailormade tours. This will give you more flexibility while on tour.
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
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