Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
You'll arrive in Bangkok and have time before your 6 pm welcome meeting. If your flight gets in early, there's plenty to see around the city, like the Grand Palace or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or you could take a riverboat over to Chinatown. After everyone meets up, you'll head out with your group for street food crawling through Bangkok's night markets.
Optional Activities
- Riverboat to Chinatown
- Visit Grand Palace
- Visit Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Explore Khao San Road
- Thai massage
- Street food crawl
Landmarks Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Khao San Road Chao Phraya River 
- Day 2
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Start with a one-hour boat ride down the Chao Phraya River checking out the khlongs and canals. You'll visit Wat Pho to see the 46-metre gold-plated reclining Buddha with intricate mother-of-pearl inlay on the feet. From there it's a four-hour local bus ride northwest to Kanchanaburi where you can see the famous Bridge on the River Kwai.
Included Activities
- Chao Phraya River cruise
- Wat Pho visit
Landmarks Wat Pho Bridge on the River Kwai Khwae Noi River Khwae Yai River - Day 3
Kanchanaburi
Head to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery to learn about the Death Railway's history and the workers who died during construction. After that, travel about 1.5 hours to Erawan National Park where you'll hike the seven-level waterfall with its turquoise pools and bamboo forests. The full hike up takes roughly 90 minutes and gives you jungle views from the top.
Included Activities
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery visit
- Erawan National Park visit
Optional Activities
- Swim at Erawan waterfall
- Hike to level seven of Erawan waterfall
Landmarks Kanchanaburi War Cemetery Erawan National Park Erawan Waterfall - Day 4
Mae Glong River (Rafthouse)
You'll spend today and tonight on a rafthouse floating down the Mae Glong River, towed by a boat through countryside and rural areas. Stop at several temples including the cave temple Wat Baan Tham and Wat Tham Suea. Eat Thai food on board, play games, read, or just watch the landscape. When evening comes, you'll moor on the riverside and fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat.
- Meals
- Dinner (Thai meal on board rafthouse)
Included Activities
- Rafthouse experience
- Wat Baan Tham cave temple visit
- Wat Tham Khao Noi visit
- Wat Tham Suea visit
- Thai meal on board
Landmarks Mae Glong River Wat Baan Tham Wat Tham Khao Noi Wat Tham Suea - Day 5
Ayutthaya
You'll leave the rafthouse and take a private minivan to Ayutthaya through Suphanburi, a four-hour journey. There's a day room available to freshen up before an overnight train later. A guide will take you around Ayutthaya's historic ruins and temples, showing you the headless Buddhas at Wat Phra Mahathat and the iconic Buddha head with Banyan tree roots. By evening you'll board an overnight train to Chiang Mai in air-conditioned berths, about 13 hours north.
Included Activities
- Ayutthaya temple ruins and guided tour
Landmarks Wat Phra Mahathat Ayutthaya Historic City - Day 6
Chiang Mai
You arrive in Chiang Mai, known as the Rose of the North for its temples and friendly people. The day is completely yours to explore however you like. Your group leader can point you toward cooking schools, bicycle tours of the city and surrounding countryside, or the famous night markets and local attractions.
Included Activities
- Chiang Mai Night Market visit
Optional Activities
- Thai cooking school courses
- Bicycle tour of Chiang Mai
- Night market exploration
Landmarks Chiang Mai City - Day 7
Chiang Mai
Another free day in Chiang Mai to wander through markets, check out temples, or take a cooking class if that interests you. Alternatively, you could head to Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary to meet rescued and orphaned elephants, feed them from a platform, enjoy lunch, and watch them bathe. Expert guides explain the rescue stories and conservation work happening there.
Optional Activities
- Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary visit with elephant feeding, lunch, and elephant bath time
Landmarks Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary - Day 8
Doi Mae Salong
Take a public bus from Chiang Mai to Mae Chan, about four hours, then a private minivan about an hour further to Doi Mae Salong. This small town looks like a southern Chinese village, settled by former Chinese Nationalist soldiers who fled Burma in the 1960s. You'll have tea at a traditional Chinese tea house overlooking mountains and tea fields, then explore local markets with Akha hilltribe produce and crafts.
Included Activities
- Doi Mae Salong local market visit
Optional Activities
- Tea in traditional Chinese tea house
Landmarks Doi Mae Salong Mae Chan - Day 9
Chiang Rai
Travel about an hour to Mae Chan District to reach an organic farm run by the Akha hilltribe. You'll search the farm for eggs, fruits, and vegetables, then learn cooking from a local chef, making chilli paste, sour soups, Thai stir-fry, and dessert. Have a relaxed lunch eating what you prepared, then head to Chiang Rai city by afternoon to settle in at your guesthouse.
- Meals
- Lunch (Farm-to-table lunch with dishes prepared during cooking experience)
Included Activities
- Akha Hilltribe farm-to-table cooking experience and lunch
Landmarks Mae Chan District organic farm Chiang Rai City 
- Day 10
Akha Tribal Village
Your three-day hilltribe trek starts today. You'll stop for fresh breakfast supplies, then from Doi Bor Village walk through rice fields, pineapple plantations, and bamboo forests on dirt roads. Your local guide prepares lunch along the way. You'll reach Baan Arpha Pattana, a small Akha tribal village with about 250 people, where you'll stay the night and learn to make handcrafted wrist bands from villagers.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Fresh food from shop), Lunch (Prepared by local guide), Dinner (Community dinner at Baan Arpha Pattana)
Included Activities
- Hilltribe trek to Baan Arpha Pattana
- Wrist band making with local hilltribe people
- Community dinner
Landmarks Doi Bor Village Baan Arpha Pattana - Day 11
Akha Trek to Huai Mae Sai
After a basic breakfast prepared by your guide, walk from the village to Huai Mae Sai waterfall through hilly bamboo forest trails. You'll swim and relax at the waterfall while your guide makes lunch. Learn to cook in bamboo cups, then continue uphill past Lahu rice fields to Doi Bor viewpoint for panoramic views before heading down to Yafu Village to learn about local farming and culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Basic breakfast prepared by guide), Lunch (Prepared by guide, cooked in bamboo cups), Dinner (Community dinner at Yafu Village)
Included Activities
- Trek from Arpha Pattana to Huai Mae Sai waterfall
- Trek to Doi Bor viewpoint
- Trek to Yafu Village
- Community dinner
Optional Activities
- Swim at Huai Mae Sai waterfall
Landmarks Huai Mae Sai waterfall Doi Bor viewpoint Yafu Village - Day 12
Trek to Ruammit Village
Wake up in the quiet village and have a basic breakfast prepared by your guide. This is your final trek day. Walk from Yafu Lahu Village to Ruammit Village where the trek ends, then take a songthaew back to Chiang Rai to spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Basic breakfast prepared by guide)
Included Activities
- Final trek to Ruammit Village
Landmarks Yafu Village Ruammit Village - Day 13
Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
Visit Wat Rong Khun in the morning, the striking White Temple that blends Buddhist mythology with pop culture like Michael Jackson and Harry Potter. Then take a four-hour bus back to Chiang Mai. The rest of the day is free to explore or visit Doi Suthep temple with its 300-step stairway and city views. By evening you'll board an overnight train to Bangkok, approximately 13 hours south.
Included Activities
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) visit
Optional Activities
- Visit Doi Suthep temple complex
Landmarks Wat Rong Khun Doi Suthep - Day 14
Bangkok
You're back in Bangkok. Spend your time shopping or sightseeing before meeting your group for dinner. On the weekend, hit Chatuchak market, one of the biggest and busiest markets you'll see. Your group leader can suggest other options like Jim Thompson's House, the Grand Palace, or Chinatown. Use Bangkok's transport including boats, river ferries, and the Skytrain, or take a tuk-tuk for the full experience.
Optional Activities
- Chatuchak weekend market visit
- Jim Thompson's House visit
- Grand Palace visit
- Chinatown exploration
- Tuk-tuk ride
Landmarks Chatuchak Market Jim Thompson's House Grand Palace - Day 15
Bangkok
You arrive in Bangkok and will settle in for a 6 pm welcome meeting. If you get there early, explore the city's blend of ancient temples and modern life. Take a khlong boat down the Chao Phraya, see tuk-tuks and street food vendors, or just walk around. After your meeting, head with your group to Khao San Road to experience this popular tourist area together.
Optional Activities
- Khlong boat exploration
- Chao Phraya River exploration
- Khao San Road visit
- City exploration
Landmarks Khao San Road Chao Phraya River - Day 16
Bangkok to Surat Thani
Visit Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, an impressive riverside landmark on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The rest of the afternoon is optional, so you could visit the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, check out Wat Pho and its reclining Buddha, take a riverboat to Chinatown, or explore khlongs by longtail boat. By evening you'll board an overnight train south to Surat Thani, about 13 hours away.
Included Activities
- Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) visit
Optional Activities
- Grand Palace visit
- Temple of the Emerald Buddha visit
- Wat Pho visit
- Riverboat to Chinatown
- Longtail boat down khlongs (canals)
Landmarks Wat Arun Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Wat Pho - Day 17
Ao Nang
You arrive in Surat Thani this morning and continue by bus about 2.5 hours to Ao Nang in Krabi Province. The resort town has open-air restaurants, beachside shops, and bars. It's a good base for longtail boat trips to Railay Beach and nearby islands. Spend time on the beaches or try cycling, visiting local culture sites, checking out waterfalls, getting a beach massage, or just relaxing. Late afternoon you'll visit Baan Na Teen village to learn batik making and cook dinner with a local family.
- Meals
- Dinner (Home-cooked feast with local family at Baan Na Teen village, prepared with traveler assistance)
Included Activities
- Baan Na Teen village visit
- Batik Making experience
- Community dinner with home-cooked meal preparation
Optional Activities
- Cycling trip
- Waterfall visit and dip
- Beach massage
- Beach relaxation
Landmarks Ao Nang Railay Beach Baan Na Teen village 
- Day 18
Ao Nang Four Islands
Board a private longtail boat from Ao Nang beach to explore islands. You'll visit Phra Nang Cave, Railay Beach, Koh Tup, and Koh Gai while snorkelling in clear water to see coral and tropical fish. Spend the day swimming and snorkelling, returning by mid-afternoon. Later, walk the main street with your group to find a seafood restaurant for dinner.
Included Activities
- Four Islands Snorkelling Tour (Phra Nang Cave, Railay Beach, Koh Tup, Koh Gai)
Optional Activities
- Seafood dinner with travel crew
Landmarks Phra Nang Cave Railay Beach Koh Tup Koh Gai Ao Nang Beach - Day 19
Khao Lak
Leave Ao Nang for Khao Lak, stopping at Baan Nai Nang village, a community tourism project supported by Mangrove Action Project. You'll spend much of the day experiencing nature and learning local culture. Kayak through waters, limestone cliffs, and mangrove forests at Khao Ka Rot, then return to the village for a hearty home-cooked lunch. Taste organic local mulberry tea, walk through orchards, then continue by bus to Khao Lak, about three hours away.
- Meals
- Lunch (Home-cooked lunch at Baan Nai Nang village)
Included Activities
- Baan Nai Nang village walk
- Sea kayaking at Khao Ka Rot
- Home-cooked lunch
- Mulberry leaf tea tasting
Landmarks Baan Nai Nang village Khao Ka Rot Khao Lak - Day 20
Khao Lak
You have a free day in Khao Lak. Consider visiting Lam Ru National Park and Ton Chong Fa Waterfall, or take a day trip to Similan Islands or Surin Islands for diving and snorkelling. Your tour leader will help you figure out what works best for your interests.
Optional Activities
- Lam Ru National Park visit
- Ton Chong Fa Waterfall visit
- Day trip to Similan Islands
- Day trip to Surin Islands
Landmarks Lam Ru National Park Ton Chong Fa Waterfall Similan Islands Surin Islands - Day 21
Phuket
Head to Phuket, Thailand's largest and most visited island, about three hours away. The atmosphere here is brasher and more vibrant than previous stops. Stop at the Tsunami Memorial if you want, then visit the Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center to learn about turtle protection and marine research. Continue two hours to Patong Beach where you'll stay in the bustling resort area with shops, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Included Activities
- Tsunami Memorial Park visit
- Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center visit
Landmarks Tsunami Memorial Park Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center Patong Beach Phuket 
- Day 22
Phuket
Phuket has beaches all around the island, each with different vibes from party scenes to quiet romantic spots. Beyond beaches, check out Thai boxing exhibitions, cabaret shows, or water activities. For your last day, consider a day trip to Phi Phi and Khai Nok islands for swimming and snorkelling, or visit an elephant sanctuary to see rescued elephants and learn their stories. By evening you'll gather with your group for a final celebratory dinner.
Optional Activities
- Thai boxing exhibition visit
- Cabaret show visit
- Day trip to Phi Phi and Khai Nok islands
- Phuket Elephant Sanctuary visit
- Beach exploration
- Celebratory dinner with travel crew
Landmarks Phi Phi Islands Khai Nok Island Phuket Elephant Sanctuary - Day 23
Departure
There are no planned activities today. You can leave your accommodation whenever you want. If you'd like to stay longer in Phuket, additional accommodation can be arranged subject to availability.
Optional Activities
- Additional accommodation in Phuket (subject to availability)
