Highlights
Chiang Mai - Witness the conservation work being done at the Elephant Nature Park. Sukhothai - Cycle around the historic park and meet the locals of Naton Chan village. Bangkok - Discover the vibrant capital with its tempting street food and serene temples. Upgraded Range - Immerse yourself in Thailand's stunning scenery with our hand-picked selection of Premium hotels.
Itinerary
Northern Thailand’s lush heartland beckons on the "Upgraded - Discover Northern Thailand" tour—a 12-day easy-paced cultural journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Explore vibrant markets, ancient temples, and the conservation efforts at Elephant Nature Park. Cycle through the historic ruins of Sukhothai, meet locals in Nathon Chan village, and savor Bangkok’s famous street food. Spend a unique night in a floating house on the River Kwai, blending adventure and relaxation. Hand-picked premium hotels add an extra layer of comfort, making this tour package ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in Thailand’s rich scenery and heritage while enjoying elevated accommodation and authentic experiences.
day 1Join tour in Chiang Mai
Our tour starts today in Chiang Mai. Known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is a hub of calm with plenty to explore, from its ancient old town to its local markets. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Chiang Mai at any time. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information on day 2. A transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), around a 30-minute drive from the hotel, is included on all trips in our Upgraded range, provided we receive your flight details no later than 14 days before departure. As part of our Upgraded range, we also offer a complimentary transfer to those who have made pre-tour accommodation arrangements through us, regardless of your arrival day. Our accommodation is perfectly located for exploring, so if you arrive early you might like to head straight out to see the sights. The hotel combines traditional charm with modern amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool, offering an ideal spot to unwind and recover from your journey.
day 2Visit Doi Suthep temple and afternoon cooking class
day 3Visit the Elephant Nature Park and discover Maekampong village
day 4Drive to Lampang and visit Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat
day 5Experience the hospitality of Naton Chan village and discover the ruins of Sukhothai by bike
day 6Rise early for almsgiving and continue south to Uthai Thani
day 7Travel to Ayutthaya and evening dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River
day 8Drive to Kanchanaburi, journey on Death Railway and overnight on raft house on the River Kwai
day 9Free day to relax by the River Kwai
day 10Travel to Bangkok via Maeklong railway market
day 11Discover the temples and street food of Bangkok
day 12Trips ends in Bangkok
What's Included
Customer Reviews
Lot of driving. Didn’t like the mini-buses, it prevented the group from connecting properly and tour leader had to split his time between buses. A bit too full-on compared to other trips
Champ was a great tour leader, knowledgeable, approachable and fostered a great team spirit in the group. A very enjoyable way to discover what Thailand has to offer.
A busy varied itinerary with unusual sites that I enjoyed such as the Maeklong railway market. Sadly I felt we were rushed too fast through Kanchanaburi which was disappointing, with limited time also in Sukhothai before it got dark. Fab option of Erawan waterfalls, lucky the excursion ran. Hotels varied from ok to excellent, and we had dinner at the hotel on many nights as this was the only option.
The itinerary was packed, with visits to temples, markets and memorials to the workers on the Burma Death Railway. Occasionally it felt too packed and we arrived at hotels in the early evening for an early (7.30-8.30) start the next day. We also opted for the beach extension at Ko Samet, which was a welcome coouple of days chilling by the beach. The accommodation varied from average (eg Bodhiserene at Chiang Mai) to excellent (the Chatrium in Bangkok, and the floating hotel on the River Kwai). The resort on Ko Samet had some rooms that were modern (the Premium collection) and others which were reminiscent of 1960s holiday camp chalets. Explore booked us in the holiday camp chalets which was a disappointment. They were adequate but a bit tired, although set in lovely gardens. My biggest grumble about the Sai Kaew resort was the beach chairs - not enough of them and the ones that were provided were ancient plastic and literally fell apart when moved. I didn't feel that the beach extension was value for money.
A fabulous and varied trip with plenty to offer everyone all lead by a great guide who really wanted us to understand and experience the culture and food of his country.
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