Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
You'll land at either Suvarnabhumi or Donmuang Airport where a local representative meets you for the transfer to your hotel. After checking in, the afternoon and evening are free to do as you like. Many people grab some street food from the vendors around the city or take a tuk tuk ride to get a feel for Bangkok's energy and chaos.
Optional Activities
- Street food exploration
- Tuk tuk ride around Bangkok
- Day 2
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Heading out from Bangkok toward Kanchanaburi, you'll enter an area heavy with World War II history. The Thailand-Burma Railway Centre museum comes first, where you learn about the railway built by Allied prisoners. From there, you'll board the historic train that travels along the Death Railway itself, crossing the Bridge on the River Kwai. After the train ride and a trek to Krasae Cave, lunch happens, then you check into your riverside hotel where a bamboo raft experience on the Kwai River is available if you're interested. Evening is free.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Thailand-Burma Railway Centre museum visit
- Train journey along Death Railway crossing Bridge on the River Kwai
- Trek to Krasae Cave
- Lunch at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Bamboo rafting experience along Kwai River
Landmarks Bridge on the River Kwai Krasae Cave 
- Day 3
Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya
You'll start by walking across the Bridge over the River Kwai in the morning. The JEATH War Museum comes next, displaying sketches and relics from World War II, including an unexploded Allied bomb. Lunch is at a local restaurant once you arrive in Ayutthaya. The afternoon focuses on Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, a 17th-century royal retreat with different architectural styles and nice park grounds. You'll check into your hotel by evening with time to rest.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walk across Bridge over the River Kwai
- JEATH War Museum visit
- Bang Pa-In Summer Palace visit
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Bridge over the River Kwai JEATH War Museum Bang Pa-In Summer Palace - Day 4
Ayutthaya to Phitsanulok
After breakfast, you're heading into Ayutthaya's archaeological park (about 76 kilometers from Bangkok), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through, you'll see Wat Chaimongkol, Wat Mahathat with its famous Buddha head in tree roots, and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Later you continue to Lopburi to check out Phra Khmer-style sanctuary known for its hundreds of long-tailed monkeys. Following lunch at a local restaurant, you travel to Phitsanulok, an important city in northern Thailand.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Ayutthaya Archaeological Park exploration with UNESCO-recognized ruins
- Wat Chaimongkol temple visit
- Wat Mahathat visit
- Wat Phra Sri Sanphet temple visit
- Phra Prang Sam Yod visit with long-tailed macaques
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Ayutthaya Historical Park Wat Chaimongkol Wat Mahathat Wat Phra Sri Sanphet Phra Prang Sam Yod 
- Day 5
Phitsanulok to Chiang Rai
After breakfast, you're traveling to Sukhothai Historical Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site with ruins from the 13th and 14th centuries when it was the ancient capital. The White Buddha of Wat Sri Chum is the main draw here, a massive 15-meter statue on a 32-meter pedestal. Biking through the park is an option if that appeals to you. After lunch, you continue toward Chiang Rai with a stop at Phayao Lake in the Ing River valley, where you'll walk along the banks, try local food from vendors, and feed the fish.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Sukhothai Historical Park exploration
- White Buddha of Wat Sri Chum visit
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Phayao Lake visit with stroll and fish feeding
Optional Activities
- Bike ride through Sukhothai Historical Park and surrounding nature
Landmarks Sukhothai Historical Park Wat Sri Chum Phayao Lake 
- Day 6
Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
You start at Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple built by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat starting in 1997. Next comes Wat Rong Suea Ten, the Blue Temple with its dancing tiger theme. Mid-morning you reach the Golden Triangle at Sop Ruak where Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet, with views of the Mekong and Ruak Rivers. The Hall of Opium is part of this stop, then lunch. After that, it's about a 3-hour drive to Chiang Mai. In the evening, you visit Wat Doi Suthep, a sacred temple sitting on a hill 15 kilometers northwest of the city where monks sometimes chant.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple) visit
- Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple) visit
- Golden Triangle visit with viewpoints
- Hall of Opium exploration
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Wat Doi Suthep temple visit
Landmarks Wat Rong Khun Wat Rong Suea Ten Golden Triangle Hall of Opium Wat Doi Suthep - Day 7
Chiang Mai
Your morning takes you to Araksa Tea Garden in Mae Tang District hills to learn about organic Assam tea, how it's harvested, and hand-roasting methods. Lunch and tea tasting happen at the Araksa Tea House. Alternatively, an ethical Elephant Sanctuary is available if you prefer (extra cost). You're back at the hotel by 3:00 PM. At 5:00 PM, you explore Chiang Mai sustainably using electric tuk-tuks, visit Wat Sri Suphan (the Silver Temple), and receive a blessing from Buddhist monks. Dinner is at a Ping River restaurant serving traditional khao soi, and afterward, you can head back to your hotel or check out riverside pubs and bars with live music.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch and tea tasting at Araksa Tea House), Dinner (Traditional northern Thai khao soi at Ping River restaurant)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
- Tea cultivation and processing demonstration
- Lunch and tea tasting at Araksa Tea House
- Return to hotel by 3:00 PM
- Electric tuk-tuk city exploration
- Wat Sri Suphan (Silver Temple) visit
- Blessing from Buddhist monks
- Dinner at Ping River restaurant with traditional khao soi
Optional Activities
- Ethical Elephant Sanctuary visit - feed and care for elephants with expert guidance (supplement applies)
Landmarks Araksa Tea Garden Wat Sri Suphan Ping River - Day 8
Chiang Mai to Airport
After breakfast at your hotel, your tour ends. A representative transfers you to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Breakfast at hotel
