Our Thailand vacation begins as we board an international flight bound for Bangkok. Enjoy inflight meals, beverages and entertainment.

Touch down in Bangkok, Thailand's vibrant capital city. Meet your guide at the Bangkok airport and enjoy a convenient transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening free at leisure, perhaps relaxing at the hotel or exploring this exhilarating city independently. 

*Airport transfers are not included for land only travelers*

A fusion of über-modern skyscrapers, buzzing markets and golden temples that express the Thai people’s Buddhist beliefs, Bangkok always delights visitors. After breakfast, depart on a half-day city tour of the main sights, starting at the stunning Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Trimitr), home to the world’s biggest solid-gold statue of Buddha. Pass by the Paklong Talat Flower Market, a whirlwind of stalls selling masses of perfumed orchids, marigolds and roses. End with a visit to the famous Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple, one of Bangkok’s best known temples. 

After a buffet lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy the afternoon independently, or perhaps explore Bangkok’s must-sees on our optional Landmark of Bangkok tour. Enjoy a guided tour of Bangkok’s famous landmarks beginning with the Grand Palace, a sprawling 18th-century complex of residences and temples that were home to the Kings of Siam and Thailand for 150 years. Stroll around the courtyards to view the gilded buildings, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, regarded as Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist shrine. Meander through the winding Chao Phraya River on a motor boat, with views of the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun). Finish your tour with a stop at a local gem workshop and silk factory to see how these precious items are produced.

*Men and women must have their shoulders, arms and legs covered when visiting the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple*

A free day beckons, giving you the opportunity to explore and enjoy Bangkok on your own. Alternatively, make the most of your time with our optional full-day Elephant's World Sanctuary, Bridge over River Kwai & Floating Market excursion.

Following breakfast, depart Bangkok for the fascinating Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Ride a long-tail speed boat around the lively canals, passing boats and stalls laden with fresh produce, spices and handicrafts. Visit the Elephant's World Sanctuary for rescued elephants. Admire, feed and help bathe these incredible animals in the river before enjoying lunch at the camp. Continue on to the scenic Kanchanaburi Province, where you will have the chance to visit the Bridge over River Kwai, famously connected to the ‘Death Railway’ of World War II, and the poignant Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, home to 9,000 Allied war graves.

Enjoy today free at leisure or perhaps join our Ayutthaya World Heritage optional tour and venture north to the historical city of Ayutthaya, home to the UNESCO-listed ruins of the medieval capital of Siam. Founded in 1350, this royal city was a major power for over 400 years, until Burmese forces destroyed it in the 1700s. Stroll around the remains of this once-thriving city, seeing the restored chedi of the crumbled Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the blackened remnants of monasteries, the carved Buddha face entangled in tree roots, and the working Wat Yai Chaimongkol temple. Your tour also includes time at the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, a beautiful lakeside retreat of Thailand’s kings during the 19th century. 

After returning to Bangkok, spend the evening as you wish or enjoy our optional dinner cruise on the Grand Pearl ship along the Chao Phraya River.

After breakfast, depart Bangkok and enjoy a scenic drive to Pattaya, a popular vacation spot on Thailand’s Gulf Coast. Circling a wide bay, this modern resort town offers golden sands, bustling markets and electrifying nightlife. 

Upon arrival, experience the virtual ‘Theme Park - Dark Ride’ at a gems gallery, learning about Thailand’s most prized gemstones. Afterwards, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon as you please, perhaps relaxing on the sands or by the pool. Later, you may wish to join our optional Pattaya by Night tour, savoring a sumptuous seafood dinner and cabaret show

A free day in Pattaya to unwind and enjoy the facilities at your hotel. Alternatively, take our optional day trip to Coral Island, just a 45-minute* cruise away. Ride a boat to this paradise-like islet and laze on the white sand beaches, swim or snorkel in the turquoise seas, and enjoy watersports (additional cost), together with a delicious seafood lunch in the afternoon.

*sailing time subject to change, based on local conditions*

This morning, check out of your Pattaya hotel and transfer to Bangkok airport for your short flight to Chiang Mai, often dubbed Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North.’ Surrounded by lush mountains, this history-steeped city was the capital of the independent Lanna kingdom until the mid-16th century and is rich in attractions, from Buddhist temples and national parks to tribal hill villages. 

Check-in to your Chiang Mai hotel and enjoy the evening free at leisure or perhaps join our optional "Lanna Kantoke Dinner Show" where you will have the opportunity to dine on authentic Northern Thai Cuisine while enjoying traditional Northern music and dance performances.

After breakfast, we start our Chiang Mai city orientation tour with a scenic drive up to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most venerated temple in northern Thailand and set on a mountainside high above Chiang Mai. Climb up to this sacred 14th-century temple, which was built to house previous relics of the Lord Buddha, and admire its stupendous gold-covered chedi, shrines and other features before marveling at the aerial views over Chiang Mai. Return back to the hotel and relax for the rest of the day or join our optional half day Spirit of Chiang Mai tour and discover the village and customs of the Long-Necked Karen Hill Tribe.

Spend today as you wish or explore the beautiful Chiang Mai region further on our optional full day excursion: Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle & White Temple tour with lunch. Visit the fairy tale-like Maekhajan hot springs and explore the famous Wat Rong Khun, also known as The White Temple, designed by renowned local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Drive to Chiang Saen and admire the atmospheric Wat Chedi Luang Temple before continuing through the verdant countryside to the Golden Triangle, once a hub of the opium trade and the place where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Savor a delicious Thai lunch, and enjoy a boat ride along the Mekong River. Visit the Golden Triangle’s Hall of Opium Museum before returning back to the hotel for your last evening in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Thailand and board our return flight back home.