Thailand Explorer

Upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will be met by a Wayfairer representative and transferred to your chosen accommodation.

Your Wayfairer guide will meet you at your hotel in the evening to brief you about your itinerary and recommend some great places to eat in this exciting city.

Your day will start with a guided tour of Bangkok. You’ll travel like a local using transport including klong (canal) boat, public bus, the Chao Phraya River public ferry and the elevated BTS or Skytrain. Your friendly and knowledgeable local guide will take you to Bangkok’s magnificent temples and palaces, including Thailand’s most sacred sites: the Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace is, without doubt, the city's most famous landmark and Wat Phra Kaew, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand.

This morning you’ll visit Damneon Saduak floating market, approximately 12km south of Bangkok. Here you’ll see hundreds of longtail boats along the narrow canals with vendors selling everything from exotic fruits, to traditional desserts and noodles cooked right on the boat.

You’ll then be driven to Kanchanaburi where you’ll board a longtail boat to your accommodation which is a stylish tented camp set on a cliff overlooking the famous River Kwai.

Today you’ll have a full day to explore Kanchanaburi with a local guide. You’ll visit the famous bridge on the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi War Cemetery before boarding the train along the Death Railway. You’ll also visit the Thai Burma Railway Museum where you can learn more about the POW’s experiences, as well as viewing a section of the infamous Burma Death Railway.

This afternoon you’ll return to your accommodation where you can relax in the man-made rock pool overlooking the River Kwai, visit local communities, schools and temples, hire mountain bikes and explore the local area, walk along the Hellfire Pass trail, visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, or enjoy a traditional Thai massage.

This morning you’ll head to the beautiful Erawan National Park northwest of Bangkok, near the Myanmar border. The park is known for its picturesque waterfalls, particularly Erawan Falls which cascades down seven tiers. It is also known for its limestone caves including Phartat Cave which has stalactites and stalagmites, Ta Duang Cave which features rock paintings, and Wang Bah Dan Cave which has two levels with a stream in its lower chamber.

This morning you’ll transfer back to Bangkok Airport for your flight to Chiang Rai in northern Thailand and this afternoon you’ll visit the Golden Triangle. Also known as Sop Ruak, the Golden Triangle is the point where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge and are separated by the Mekong River. This region is known for its breathtaking scenery and from the ‘official’ viewpoint near the town of Chiang Saen in Thailand you can see the neighbouring countries, the mighty Mekong River and the stunning landscape.

After breakfast this morning your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to the famous white temple of Wat Rhong Khun.

This afternoon you’ll be driven to the Kok River where you’ll board a longtail boat that will take you along the river towards Ta Thon. You’ll then be driven for approximately an hour and a half into the northern hill region around Mae Kampong. The district is excellent for meeting the colourful hill tribe people and you’ll gain an insight into their unique lifestyle and customs.

Tonight you will stay with a local family in a homestay – this is an incredible experience and you’ll learn more about hill tribe culture plus you’ll also have an opportunity to try some traditional hill tribe food! The people in this region are known for their warmth and hospitality and you’ll be treated like a member of their extended family.

This morning you’ll enjoy breakfast with your homestay family before saying your goodbyes. You’ll then be driven to Thailand's cultural capital Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai you’ll have a chance to relax at your hotel, and then this evening your Wayfairer guide will take you out for a traditional Kantoke dinner.

It is an early start this morning as you’ll head to the base of Chiang Mai Hill to watch the Buddhist monks descending into the city as the sun rises to collect their alms for the day. If there is sufficient time you can walk up the mountain to Wat Prah That Doi Suthep.

After lunch you’ll explore the old town by trishaw and you’ll finish your tour with a walk around the famous Chiang Mai night market.

Today you’ll visit the Elephant Nature Park, 60km from Chiang Mai. The Elephant Nature Park focuses on education and conservation and offers the opportunity to see ex-working elephants up close without exploiting them. Your family will learn about elephants, plus you’ll have a chance to interact with them and you can also feed and bathe them. Your visit helps to improve the lives and conditions of elephants.

This morning you’ll visit a local farm outside Chiang Mai where you’ll collect the ingredients required for your Thai cookery lesson, and then you’ll prepare an authentic Thai meal for your lunch.

After lunch you’ll head into the hill tribe region outside of Chiang Mai, taking in spectacular views before arriving at your accommodation, nestled in the scenic valley of the Suthep-Pui mountain range. This evening you’ll enjoy a delicious buffet dinner at your lodge and you can watch a traditional Hmong song and dance performance.

Today you’ll enjoy a walking tour through the mountains and rice fields of Mae Rim District. You’ll visit a local Hmong village, completely untouched by tourism, and you’ll get a glimpse into the way of life of the Hmong people, taking in the impressive views along the way.

After breakfast you’ll check out of your lodge and you’ll be transferred to Chiang Mai Airport. En route you’ll stop at the famous Doi Suthep Temple where you can take photos of the spectacular views over Chiang Mai.

This afternoon you’ll take a flight to Surat Thani in southern Thailand and upon arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your tree-house accommodation in the Khao Sok National Park.

Khao Sok National Park is characterised by limestone mountains (known as karsts), caves, lakes, waterfalls and dense rainforest. Today you’ll have an opportunity to enjoy a range of adventure activities including, kayaking or rafting down the Khao Sok River, trekking through the jungle, exploring remote waterfalls and secret caves and visiting Nam Ron Hot Springs.

This morning you’ll check out of your accommodation at Khao Sok and take a private vehicle to your hotel on the beautiful island of Phuket where you’ll stay for the remainder of your holiday.
The island has beautiful beaches, spectacular viewpoints, lively night markets and interesting cultural attractions. It is also a fantastic base for exploring the nearby islands and must-see attractions including Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi Islands.

Today you can simply relax on one of the 30 beautiful beaches of Phuket – choose from Freedom Beach, Kata Beach, Patong Beach, Karon Beach, Nai Harn Beach, Kata Noi Beach or Laem Singh Beach.

This afternoon you’ll join the famous John Gray Hong by Starlight Tour. This excursion takes you to islands in Phang Nga Bay where you can explore the caves and hongs, and you’ll also have an opportunity to kayak and swim in the turquoise waters. In the evening you’ll enjoy a delicious Thai seafood buffet before returning to your accommodation in Phuket.

Enjoy your final full day in Phuket. You may wish to visit the famous Big Buddha – an impressive 45m marble Buddha statue on a mountain top offering panoramic views of the island, or you may wish to take an island-hopping boat trip to discover the stunning Similan Islands which are surrounded by clear blue seas and pristine white-sand beaches (optional excursion, not included in holiday cost).

Your Wayfairer guide will be on hand during your stay on Phuket and can assist in arranging optional activities.

Sadly your Thailand holiday is drawing to an end. After breakfast this morning you’ll check-out of your accommodation and you’ll be driven to the airport for your flight home.