You are met on arrival at Bangkok Airport and transferred to your centrally-located hotel. Please note an arrival airport transfer is included, so please advise flight details at time of booking and there will be an Intrepid’ s Thai tour leader to meet you at the airport and transfer you to our hotel. Please advice flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to departure if you wish to have this transfer provided.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Free day to explore Bangkok at your own pace. You can contact our Bangkok office to reserve one of Urban Adventures - a chance to see the real Bangkok in depth.

An early-morning depart hotel to visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi province, about 100km from Bangkok. Take a boat ride along the canal to see the colourful floating marketplace bustling with boats and vendors selling tropical fruits and other delights.

After that we set off to Kanchanaburi for a journey to the famous bridge on the River Kwai built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II. Continue to take a train ride along the part of the Death Railway to Nam Tok Station, the last existing train station of the Thailand – Burma Railway in Thailand, passing the breath taking scenery of Kwai Noi gorge and the dangerous looking of the wooden viaduct built along the mountain. Arriving at Namtok Station, we drive to Pak Saeng Pier for a boat trip through lush forest to River Kwai Jungle Raft or River Kwai Village. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Evening enjoy dinner with optional Mon performance.

Drive to Hellfire Pass Memorial, the largest of 1000 meter series of passes hacked through the mountains by allied POWs building the Death Railway and so named for its flaming torch-lit appearance at night.

Then, we will travel straight to Erawan National Park (approx. 1 hour from Kanchanaburi town). The Erawan Falls are a series of 7 waterfalls; the best ones for swimming in are number 2, 3 and 5. For those who want a real adventure, you can take approx 1 hr climb to the 7th tier of waterfall. Enjoy Thai style picnic lunch (grilled chicken, sticky rice and papaya salad).

Mid afternoon we will visit the world’s famous bridge over the River Kwai and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery before JEATH Museum.

Today we drive from Kanchanaburi (approximately 3 hours) to Ayutthaya, one of the ancient capitals of Siam and a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.

A unique and fun way to explore Ayutthaya is by taking a biking tour to experience the ancient city. There are many interesting places to visit during the journey. Start exploring the island of the ancient city of Ayutthaya experiencing the highlights of the historical park by bicycle at the Tourist Information Service Centre (Old City Hall). Visit Wihran Phra Mongkhon Bopit, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the Ancient Palace, Wat Na Phra Main and Wat Mahathat.

After cycling, cruise the waterways around Ayutthaya on a converted rice barge taking in the incredible site of the city at dusk. Drift along the Chao Phraya, the River of Kings, and her tributaries exploring the city island of Ayutthaya with ample opportunity to discover the magnificent places on the river banks such as Phet Fortress, Wat Phananchoen, Wat Putthaisawan, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wat Chai Wattanaram, the Memorial Stupa of Queen Suriyothai and see the day-today activities of the people living along the river.

Transfer to U-thong Inn Hotel for a chance to freshen up and dinner (not included) before a transfer to Ayutthaya train station for an overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Arrive at Chiang Mai railway station in the morning we transfer to hotel located downtown with in a short distance to the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Breakfast is not included this morning and this allows you to try what local people have for their first meal of the day. Your guide can assist you to nearby market or food stalls.

In the afternoon we head off to Tribal Museum of Chiang Mai which is a good introduction to the cultures and practices of the current hill tribes of northern Thailand.

Late afternoon sees us off to explore the famous temple complex of Doi Suthep.A short drive from our hotel (approximately 45 minutes) along a scenic, winding mountain road ends at the impressive 300-step naga stairway. The rewards justify the ascension to the top, with one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand on display, not to mention the fantastic panoramic views of the city and the opportunity to listen to some evening chanting provided by the resident Buddhist monks.

This morning you are picked up from the hotel by your local guide at approximately 9:00 am and, with other travellers in your group, depart from Chiang Mai by road in an open pick-up truck, heading north to Mae Malai. Here you visit the local market and then continue to Pong Dued hot springs for lunch. 

Tucked away in the hills of northern Thailand, the most colourful ethnic minority villages can be found and for the next couple of days you walk through forests and rural terrains to visit some of these Hill-tribe villages. You visit a variety of villages, often with their own language, clothing style and belief system. It is an unforgettable experience to meet and interact with the wonderful people of the hill-tribes and it is a great way to learn about and appreciate their fascinating cultures and way of life.

During your trek through the tropical forests, it is an opportunity to learn about flora and fauna and the secret of jungle herbs. At the hill-tribe villages you can explore the village, learn how to do bamboo weaving, trap making, etc. and perhaps give your guide a hand in preparing the evening meal. Enjoy your first dinner in the jungle follows by an evening talk with the villagers hearing about the legends of the hill tribes.

After breakfast, you walk for 2-3 hours through the forest, visiting the rice and vegetable fields of the villagers and learning about their methods of cultivation. You also have time to explore the surrounding forests, study the local environment and learn how to survive in the forest.

You’ll pause at an elephant camp and see how the elephants live and learn about the life of the mahout. After lunch you enjoy an elephant ride over hilly terrain to the next village where you will spend the night. In the afternoon you can learn to fish the local way as well as learning all the special techniques necessary to construct a bamboo raft. There will still be time for a swim in the Mae Tang River before your guide serves up another delicious dinner.

After breakfast watch the elephants taking their daily bath in the stream. Afterwards take an elephant-back ride through unspoiled natural forest for approximately 1-11/2 hrs.
Return to the camp to check your raft then enjoy the exciting bamboo rafting for 1 hour trip down Mae Tang River. Stop en route at a Lahu village. Continue rafting for about 1½-2 hours to a Shan village for lunch. Return to Chiang Mai by pick-up and transfer to hotel.

Transfer to airport for a morning flight to Bangkok. Arriving in Bangkok and transfer to Baan Pae in Rayong for a boat trip to Ko Samet. The rest of the day is at leisure on a white pristine beach of Noi Naa Bay.

A well-deserved day at leisure. The island is part of a Marine National Park and is famed for its squeaky white-sand beaches. Here you can swim, snorkel or just relax with a book or a beach massage. Perfect!

A further free day at leisure.

Some time at leisure before we return to Bangkok.

Free until you transfer to airport for your onward flight.