Tour photograph · Kanchanaburi
This private journey combines cultural landmarks with waterfalls, mountain scenery and Phuket.
Twelve days through Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Erawan, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Best suited for: Travellers interested in culture and nature who want history, rail journeys and beach time.
Begin at Bangkok’s Grand Palace, then explore Kanchanaburi’s wartime history and the River Kwai railway. Visit Erawan and Ayutthaya before taking the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Doi Inthanon, a Karen village and Elephant Jungle Sanctuary introduce northern Thailand’s landscapes and local life. Fly to Phuket for free days by the sea.
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Your journey begins on arrival in Bangkok. Your private driver will welcome you at the airport and take you to your hotel. After checking in, rest or use your free time to discover the lively city, colourful markets and street food independently.
Overnight in Bangkok.
After breakfast, meet your guide to explore the Grand Palace, one of Thailand’s most significant royal landmarks. See areas used for different royal occasions, including receptions and funerals, and visit the highly revered Emerald Buddha.
Overnight in Bangkok.
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After breakfast, travel to Kanchanaburi. Visit Second World War memorial sites, including the JEATH War Museum and war cemetery, to learn about this difficult period of history. Continue to Wang Pho to board a train. The journey of around 30 minutes follows the river to Ban Kao station. Afterwards, return to town and visit the Bridge over the …
After breakfast, travel to Kanchanaburi. Visit Second World War memorial sites, including the JEATH War Museum and war cemetery, to learn about this difficult period of history.
Continue to Wang Pho to board a train. The journey of around 30 minutes follows the river to Ban Kao station. Afterwards, return to town and visit the Bridge over the River Kwai.
Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Explore this day in more detail
Bring walking shoes and swimwear for a day in Erawan National Park, which covers around 550 square kilometres of caves, trails and waterfalls.
Visit the celebrated Erawan Waterfalls. Their name refers to the many-headed elephant that carries the god Indra in Hindu mythology.
Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Explore this day in more detail
Travel to Ayutthaya in the morning, where temple and palace ruins offer a glimpse of the former capital’s splendour. Explore by Kermit tuk-tuk, a distinctive style found in Ayutthaya and Trang. Visit Wat Yai Chaimongkol and Wat Mahathat, famous for the Buddha head surrounded by tree roots. Walk through a local market on the way to Wat Phra …
Travel to Ayutthaya in the morning, where temple and palace ruins offer a glimpse of the former capital’s splendour.
Explore by Kermit tuk-tuk, a distinctive style found in Ayutthaya and Trang. Visit Wat Yai Chaimongkol and Wat Mahathat, famous for the Buddha head surrounded by tree roots. Walk through a local market on the way to Wat Phra Si Sanphet.
Visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, with origins in the Ayutthaya period. The complex combines European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural influences and has served as a royal summer retreat.
Transfer to Bang Pa-In station for the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Overnight on the train without a guide.
Explore this day in more detail
Your driver will meet you at the station and take you to the hotel for early check-in. The rest of the day is free. For independent exploring, consider the art galleries east of the Ping River, local markets and street food. You could visit the quieter Wat Sri Suphan, the Silver Temple, with its intricate silver decoration. Some …
Your driver will meet you at the station and take you to the hotel for early check-in. The rest of the day is free.
For independent exploring, consider the art galleries east of the Ping River, local markets and street food. You could visit the quieter Wat Sri Suphan, the Silver Temple, with its intricate silver decoration. Some temples offer monk-chat sessions, where you can discuss religion or everyday life while helping the monks practise English. Alternatively, relax with a spa visit or Thai massage.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
In the morning, drive through scenic countryside and rice fields to the King and Queen pagodas. The Royal Thai Air Force built them to commemorate the monarchs’ 60th birthdays. Enjoy views of the national park’s mountains from the surrounding viewpoints. Visit a Karen village to learn about residents’ daily lives. Along the way, stop at a market serving …
In the morning, drive through scenic countryside and rice fields to the King and Queen pagodas. The Royal Thai Air Force built them to commemorate the monarchs’ 60th birthdays. Enjoy views of the national park’s mountains from the surrounding viewpoints.
Visit a Karen village to learn about residents’ daily lives. Along the way, stop at a market serving the highland communities and at Wachirathan Waterfall.
In the afternoon, follow the Mae Klang Luang nature trail away from the usual route. Begin downhill through forest, then continue beside the river. There is an opportunity to bathe in the cool water at Pa Dok Siew Waterfall. Reach the farmland around Mae Klang Luang Karen village, with coffee bushes and rice fields. In a local coffee house, watch coffee being roasted and ground by hand, then taste a fresh brew made from beans grown in the surrounding mountains.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Meet your driver at around 7 am for the journey of approximately 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai, through hills, forest and farmland. At Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, meet the elephants and change into traditional Karen clothing. Feed the animals, spend time observing them in their surroundings, learn about their behaviour and histories, and take photographs. The programme continues …
Meet your driver at around 7 am for the journey of approximately 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai, through hills, forest and farmland.
At Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, meet the elephants and change into traditional Karen clothing. Feed the animals, spend time observing them in their surroundings, learn about their behaviour and histories, and take photographs.
The programme continues with a mud bath and a walk with the elephants to the river, where bathing together is planned. After a traditional meal, say goodbye and travel around 1.5 hours back to Chiang Mai, with drop-off at your accommodation.
Please bring swimwear if you wish to bathe with the elephants.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Enjoy your remaining time in Chiang Mai before your private driver takes you to the airport for the flight to Phuket. Meet your driver on arrival and transfer to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to relax and visit the beach independently.
Overnight on Phuket.
Phuket, on the Andaman coast, offers beaches, nightlife and resorts alongside rainforest and limestone scenery. Spend today exploring the island your way or simply relaxing. For independent exploring, you might choose a day of sunbathing, swimming or snorkelling, or a cool drink by the beach. Visit the aquarium at Cape Panwa to learn about marine life, or try …
Phuket, on the Andaman coast, offers beaches, nightlife and resorts alongside rainforest and limestone scenery. Spend today exploring the island your way or simply relaxing.
For independent exploring, you might choose a day of sunbathing, swimming or snorkelling, or a cool drink by the beach. Visit the aquarium at Cape Panwa to learn about marine life, or try jungle ziplining at Hanuman World. In the evening, enjoy seafood, browse a night market or have a drink on lively Bangla Road.
Overnight on Phuket.
Enjoy another day of swimming and relaxation on Phuket.
Overnight on Phuket.
Enjoy breakfast on the final day of your trip. After check-out, you may have time to browse local markets for souvenirs before your transfer to the airport and flight home.
Your journey comes to an end.
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| Destination | 3 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | |||
| Kanchanaburi | |||
| Chiang Mai | |||
| Phuket |
Check-in is from 2 pm and check-out is by noon, unless your itinerary specifies otherwise. Early check-in is planned on arrival in Chiang Mai. The itinerary also includes a night in a four-berth sleeper compartment on the train from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai. Final accommodation is confirmed when you book.
These hotels are suggestions, not confirmed reservations. If a hotel is unavailable, we will offer a comparable alternative. Columns represent the trip categories; lodges, homestays and cruises may be the same across more than one category.
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Tour photograph · Bangkok 
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