Thailand Highlights: Bangkok, Phuket & Northern Thailand

Our Thailand vacation starts as we board an international flight bound for Bangkok, the "City of Angels".

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's mix of East and West.  

*Airport transfers are not included for land-only travelers

Bangkok is a city of gleaming modernity firmly rooted in ancient Buddhist tradition and beliefs. Depart on a half-day tour after breakfast to witness some of Bangkok’s most interesting sights. Visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Trimitr) to see its solid-gold Buddha, and peek inside the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), known for its monumental horizontal Buddha. Pass by the Paklong Talat flower market, a whirlwind of stalls selling masses of perfumed orchids, marigolds and roses. After a buffet lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy the afternoon independently, or explore Bangkok’s must-sees on our optional Landmark of Bangkok tour. Tour the splendid Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, see the riverside Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), and ride a motorboat along the Chao Phraya River. Spend the evening exploring Bangkok at your own leisure, or join our optional Bangkok Heritage by Night & Traditional Thai Dinner tour to visit the Giant Swing, Wat Saket, and Democracy Monument, followed by a classic Thai dinner and a scenic drive through vibrant Chinatown.

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

Following breakfast, depart Bangkok for Damnoen Saduak, one of Thailand’s most famous floating markets. Ride a long-tail speedboat around the lively canals, passing boats and stalls laden with fresh produce, spices, and handicrafts. Continue to a local gem workshop and silk factory to see how these precious items are produced for sale, and perhaps purchase some as souvenirs. 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.

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 World Sanctuary and River Kwai excursion. After an early start, travel into scenic Kanchanaburi province and visit the Elephant World Sanctuary for rescued elephants. Admire, feed, and help bathe these incredible animals in the river before enjoying lunch at the camp. Later, visit the Bridge over the 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.

This morning, transfer to Bangkok airport for your short flight to Phuket, the biggest of Thailand’s islands. Measuring 30 miles long and 13 wide, this island in the Andaman Sea is famed for its white sands, crystal-clear seas and lush rainforests. Join a sightseeing tour of Phuket. Admire the island’s porcelain-white beaches and take a drive to the Old Town to view its historic Sino-Portuguese architecture. Stop to take in the spectacular views of the local coastline and nearby islands from Promthep Cape, and explore other scenic and cultural highlights.  Check in to your hotel, relax and soak in the gorgeous tropical setting. Enhance your Phuket stay further by upgrading your hotel to the Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket or Similar and stay in one of their timeless rooms facing the breathtaking Andaman Sea. Enjoy the rest of your evening free at leisure.

Spend today as you wish or delight in the stunning scenery of the Andaman Sea by taking our optional tour to Phi Phi Island. Catch a speedboat to this exquisite island and enjoy its sandy white beaches, turquoise seas and endless scenic gems. Sightseeing includes stops at Pileh Lagoon or Rantee Bay*, Loh Samah Bay, Pi Leh Cave, Viking Cave, Camel Rock, Monkey Beach and Khai Island.

Enjoy the day at leisure today, perhaps luxuriating in your hotel’s beaches, pool or other amenities. Alternatively, you may fancy our full-day trip to Phang Nga Bay, an idyllic area of limestone islands, caves and mangroves. The tour starts with a visit to Phang Nga province where we will visit the Buddha Cave Temple (Suwannakuha), also known as Monkey Temple. Our journey continues with a visit to Ao Phang Nga National Park. This scenic area covers over 40 limestone islands, caves, rock formations and evergreen mangroves. Ride a long-tail boat around the bays, admire the famous James Bond Island, where parts of the movie ‘The Man with a Golden Gun’ was filmed. Enjoy lunch at the stilted Sea Gypsy Village before returning to Phuket. Enjoy the rest of your evening free at leisure or join our optional excursion to the Patong Night Market.

After breakfast, transfer to the domestic airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival in Chiang Rai, meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

The remainder of the day is free at leisure, or you may choose to join the optional “Chiang Rai Evening Escape: Dine & Local Market” tour. Experience the local flavors and vibrant atmosphere of Chiang Rai as you enjoy a delicious dinner followed by a visit to a lively local market, where you can browse local products, sample regional specialties, and experience the city’s evening culture.

Enjoy an American breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, depart for the Golden Triangle, one of northern Thailand’s most fascinating destinations. Drive to the historic city of Chiang Saen and visit Wat Chedi Luang, an ancient temple known for its impressive Lanna-style architecture and historical significance. Continue to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Enjoy the panoramic views of the Mekong River and the surrounding countryside, and see the impressive Golden Buddha overlooking the region.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before taking a relaxing boat ride along the Mekong River. Continue with a visit to the House of Opium Museum, which offers an interesting insight into the history of the opium trade and its impact on the region. Explore historical displays featuring traditional tools and artifacts related to the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of opium, as well as information about its dangers and historical significance. After the visit, enjoy some time for shopping before continuing your journey to Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the spiritual symbol of Chiang Mai. Visit this revered temple, home to a sacred Buddha relic, and admire its magnificent golden chedi and guardian Naga stairways.

Return to the hotel. Afternoon is free at leisure, or join the optional “Spirit of Chiang Mai" tour. Visit the hill-tribe villages of the Palong and Karen communities and learn about their unique traditions and way of life.

In the evening, join optional " Lanna Khantoke Dinner show". Enjoy a traditional northern Thai dinner accompanied by a colorful cultural performance featuring Lanna music and dances.

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

*Airport transfers are not included for land-only travelers.