Thailand Encompassed
23 days
Duration23 days

This is the ultimate Thailand experience for every kind of traveller. This 23-day trip combines the best highlights of Northern Thailand, with the picturesque, tropical islands of the south. Experience cultural touchstones like the former capital city of Ayutthaya and a hilltribe trek outside of Chiang Mai and then head south to discover some of the most idyllic beaches in the entire world. Want Thailand? You've got it.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 23 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ends in: Ao Nang
    Ages: 12+
Thailand Encompassed - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive at any time.
Day 2: Bangkok/Kanchanaburi
Enjoy a klong boat tour of Bangkok including a visit to Wat Pho. Travel to Kanchanaburi and head to your floating rafthouse accommodation. Enjoy free time to explore.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Kanchanaburi
Enjoy a day of sightseeing at Erawan Falls and the Bridge on the River Kwai.
Meals: B
Day 4: Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya
Explore the Allied War Cemetery and the Thai-Burmese Railway Centre to learn more about the area's history. Travel to Ayutthaya and visit the historical sites of the old capital city. Opt to visit Chan Kasem National Museum and Chao Sam Phraya Museum.
Meals: B
Day 5: Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai
Spend a full day exploring Ayutthaya before boarding an overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Meals: B
Day 6: Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a vibrant city with heaps to see and do. Famous for its night market, cooking classes, and Muay Thai, it's a feat to fit it all in.
Arrive in Chiang Mai and explore the city. Visit Doi Suthep in the afternoon.
Day 7: Chiang Mai/Ban Pha Mon
Tucked away in the hills of northern Thailand is where the most colourful and unchanged traditional communities can be found. Trek through forests and rural terrains to visit some of these diverse hilltribe villages; often, each will have their own unique language, clothing style, and belief system that differs significantly from those of neighbouring tribes. You are well looked after by your CEO and local guides, who take the responsibility of preparing all meals and carrying food supplies.
Drive from Chiang Mai to the trailhead. Trek through farmland and bamboo and teak forests. Learn about bush food and medicinal plants. Enjoy lunch en route before continuing through rice fields and valleys to reach the first village of a Lahu tribe. Assist with food prep and cooking, learn about weaving and embroidery or check out a local Lahu massage. The exact itinerary of the walking on this trip may change from time to time, taking into account the weather and local conditions. Also, please note there may be times when the use of video and/or still cameras may be inappropriate -- your CEO and guides will be able to advise you. Be prepared for the accommodation to be basic; remember, it's all about an authentic and unique experience!

End place: Ban Pha Mon

Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Ban Pha Mon/Ban Muang Pam

Start place: Ban Pha Mon

Trek for about six hours and between villages, over farmlands and grasslands and acend to the ridgeline. Learn about bush medicine, seasonal fruits and plants and seeds. Slip on your wet shoes and descend to the Huew Hin Poon Creek for lunch.

Here, go for a swim and help the local guides make a friction fire and prepare lunch. Continue another hour and a half to the jungle Buddhist temple outside the second village. Spend the night in the Karen village learn about wood carving, weaving and cooking. Opt to learn about medicine from a shaman or play football with the locals.
Trek between villages, over farmlands and grasslands, and ascend to the ridge line. Learn about bush medicine and seasonal fruits as you make your way to the lunch stop. Go for a swim and help the local guides prepare lunch. Continue on to the Karen village and spend the night. Opt to learn about medicine from a shaman or play football with the locals.

End place: Ban Musoe

Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Ban Muang Pam/Chiang Mai

Start place: Ban Musoe

After breakfast, leave the village and continue on, stopping at other villages along the way. Arrive at Tham Lod, a 1666m deep cave. Enter by bamboo raft and move to different chambers - a truly unique experience. After lunch, drive back to Chiang Mai for some free time to explore.
Meals: B, L
Day 10: Chiang Mai
Enjoy free time to explore Chiang Mai. Opt for a bicycle tour, a visit the Mae Sai waterfall, shopping at the night market, or getting a traditional Thai massage. Enjoy a local cooking class with dinner. Enjoy a local cooking class and meal.
Meals: B, D
Day 11: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai
Travel to Chiang Rai and start exploring.
Meals: B
Day 12: Chiang Rai
Visit the town of Mae Sai and the Opium Museum.
Meals: B
Day 13: Chiang Rai/Lampang
Continue on to Lampang and enjoy a homestay in a traditional Lanna village. Participate in craft demonstrations and opt to help prepare a local meal.
Meals: B, D
Day 14: Lampang/Sukhothai
Take in traditional morning activities, followed by lunch in the village. Travel to Sukhothai and enjoy a free afternoon.
Meals: B, L
Day 15: Sukhothai
Take a half-day guided bike tour of Sukhothai Historical Park and explore the area with some free time.
Meals: B
Day 16: Sukhothai/Bangkok
Travel to Bangkok and enjoy some time for last minute shopping.
Meals: B
Day 17: Bangkok/Ko Ngai
Fly to Trang and board a ferry to tiny Ko Ngai, a pristine paradise. Opt to relax, snorkel or trek rainforest trails to deserted beaches.

End place: Ko Ngai

Meals: B
Day 18: Ko Ngai

Start place: Ko Ngai

Enjoy an included snorkelling trip to nearby Ko Chueak and experience the amazing Emerald Cave of Ko Mook.

End place: Ko Ngai

Meals: B
Day 19: Ko Ngai/Ko Lanta

Start place: Ko Ngai

Take a ferry to the secluded island of Ko Lanta. Enjoy some free time before a beach barbecue this evening. Enjoy a beach barbecue.
Meals: B, D
Day 20: Ko Lanta
Opt for a day trip to nearby Ko Rok where you can snorkel at Ko Rok's national park, trek to a view point and enjoy a picnic lunch.
Spend the day on Ko Lanta. Opt for a day trip to nearby Ko Rok.
Meals: B
Day 21: Ko Lanta/Ao Nang
Take a ferry to Ao Nang in Krabi. Enjoy free time exploring the small town or relaxing on its beautiful beaches.

End place: Ao Nang

Meals: B
Day 22: Ao Nang

Start place: Ao Nang

Spend a free day in the area. This area boasts plenty of activities such as kayaking, diving, snorkelling, jungle trekking, whitewater rafting and quad biking. Opt to visit Railay Beach, to head out on a snorkelling trip or go rock climbing on the limestone karsts. Discover the idyllic beaches of the Phi Phi islands by pre-booking the Phi Phi Island Tour by Speed Boat extra.

End place: Ao Nang

Meals: B
Day 23: Ao Nang

Start place: Ao Nang

Depart at any time.

Want to take the hassle out of getting back to Bangkok? Book the Bangkok Express, a two-day post-tour Extra. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.
Add the “Bangkok Express: Ao Nang to Bangkok” to your adventure and make your way back to bustling Bangkok with the guidance of a CEO. This nifty post-tour Extra includes a transfer to Surat Thani where you’ll board an overnight train to Bangkok arriving in the city early the next morning. Speak to your Global Connection Officer or travel agent to book.

End place: Ao Nang

Meals: B

Inclusions

Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Overnight Rafthouse Excursion, Kanchanaburi Your Discover Moment: Chiang Mai Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class, Chiang Mai Your Local Living Moment: Village Homestay, Lampang
  • Klong boat tour (Bangkok)
  • Wat Po guided visit
  • Erawan Falls and Bridge on the River Kwai visit (Kanchanaburi)
  • Temple ruins tour (Ayutthaya)
  • Thai Burma Railway Centre visit
  • Doi Suthep temple visit (Chiang Mai)
  • Trek to remote hilltribe villages (3 days)
  • Lod Cave visit and bamboo rafting
  • Free time to explore Chiang Mai
  • Mae Sai visit (Chiang Rai)
  • Opium Museum visit
  • Bicycle tour (half-day, Sukhothai)
  • Beach barbecue (Koh Lanta)
  • Trang Islands snorkelling trip (Koh Ngai)
  • Free time on spectacular beaches
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • Transport

    Train, Private vehicle, Open pickup truck, Trekking, Raft, Bicycle, Longtail boat, Ferry, Plane
  • Accommodation

    Hotels/guesthouses (17 nts), Rafthouse (1 nt), Sleeper train (1 nt), Basic huts (2 nts, multi-share), Homestay (1 nt)

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