The temples and tuk tuks of Bangkok give way to the ancient traditions of Chiang Mai on this in-depth trip.
A journey from the colourful streets of Bangkok to the sacred spaces of Chiang Mai. You'll visit the terracotta-coloured ancient ruins of Ayutthaya and enjoy a northern Thai-style lunch with a family in their wooden stilt house.
Say sawadee ka to the land of smiles, starting your Thai adventure in Bangkok. Transfer to your hotel where this evening, we meet our Travel Director and fellow guests for a Welcome Reception drink with local appetisers.
Rise early and join the locals for a graceful T'ai Chi practice in Lumpini Park to kick-start your day. Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely start before joining your fellow travellers on a City Tour, which begins with a visit to Bangkok's Grand Palace, where you'll visit the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand, Wat Phra Kaew. See the largest-reclining Buddha in Thailand in Bangkok's oldest temple, Wat Pho, and enjoy a traditional Thai massage in the temple's massage centre. Return to your hotel by express river boat, cruising down the Chao Praya past beautiful Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn.
Experience Bangkok at its best while cruising along the historic Chao Phraya River, aboard the "Loy Nava", a 40-year-old antique rice barge which was entirely re-built and beautifully restored to its former glory. On board, you will be welcomed by traditionally dressed hostesses with a rose water sprinkling ceremony. With traditional Kim music playing in the background savour Thailand’s finest regional specialties, whilst passing some of Bangkok’s most famous cultural and majestic landmarks. Price includes dinner, tea/coffee, four alcoholic drinks and bottled water. The price shown is in Thai Bhat.
Adult Price: ฿2,800.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Dinner Cruise on The Loy Nava (without drinks)
Experience Bangkok at its best while cruising along the historic Chao Phraya River, aboard the "Loy Nava", a 40-year-old antique rice barge which was entirely re-built and beautifully restored to its former glory. On board, you will be welcomed by traditionally dressed hostesses with a rose water sprinkling ceremony. With traditional Kim music playing in the background savour Thailand’s finest regional specialties, whilst passing some of Bangkok’s most famous cultural and majestic landmarks. Price includes dinner, tea/coffee and bottled water. The price shown is in Thai Bhat.
Adult Price: ฿1,900.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
BANGKOK
Immerse your senses in the five flavours of Thai cuisine as you join a 'Local Specialist' for a traditional cooking class in a colonial-style house. Visit a local market nearby to source the freshest ingredients that reveal the sweet, sour, salty, bitter and hot flavours of Thai cuisine. Sample the results later, then spend the afternoon exploring the City of Angels on your terms, or consider joining an Optional Experience to Jim Thompson's House, home to an impressive collection of Asian art.
Jim Thompson House is one of the best examples of traditional Thai residential architecture and houses a breath-taking collection of Southeast Asian art. Jim Thompson, born in Delaware in 1906, fell in love with Thailand while posted as an intelligence agent in Bangkok during WWII. He later made it his permanent home and started a business supplying fine Thai silk to overseas fashion houses, single-handedly saving what had been a dying cottage industry. His silk company continues to flourish today. With the proceeds of his success, Thompson collected an impressive range of art works, and sections of teak houses, assembling them into a museum complex set in a lush garden alongside central Bangkok’s Saen Saep Canal. The main house is full of tastefully displayed Asian art and curios including Buddha images, paintings, ceramics and antique furniture. The living areas have been preserved as they were when Thompson lived there before his mysterious disappearance. There is also a Thai restaurant and bar plus, a sizeable boutique selling quality silk items, books and prints. The price shown is in Thai Bhat.
Adult Price: ฿1,650.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
A riot of colours greets us this morning as we embark on a visit to the famous floating market at Damnoen Saduak. Connect with the friendly merchants who paddle along the congested canals in their sturdy canoes, laden with fresh fruit and vegetables to sell to shoppers on the banks. En route, we'll 'Dive Into Culture', stopping at a coconut palm sugar plantation where we'll discover how the farmer extracts the sap from his palm trees to create palm sugar. After lunch in a local restaurant, visit the world famous Bridge over the River Kwai. After a walk along the bridge continue to the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum, revealing insights into the history of the infamous railway line built during WWII by the Imperial Japanese army. Our final stop today sees us pay tribute to the thousands of allied prisoners of war who were laid to rest at the War Cemetery.
This morning, we visit Hellfire Pass, a section of the Thailand-Burma "Death Railway", so named for the tortuous conditions that prisoners of war endured during WWII to build it. After lunch, we embark on a thrilling train ride across wooden viaducts, skirting the winding waters of the Kwai River. We'll disembark and see the wooden viaducts first-hand walking across one. This evening, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
After breakfast, we travel to the UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya, once the second-most important ancient capital of Old Siam and the largest city in the world. Here, we'll delve into the trading heritage of a mighty city that was all but raised to the ground by an 18th century Burmese invasion.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort and Spa
Gain insights into a powerful kingdom that enjoyed its golden age during the 13th and 14th centuries and shaped modern Thailand as we know it today. Start the day with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Sukhothai Historical Park which reveals thousands of years of history and a 15-metre seated Buddha secreted within its walls. Your choice of exploring will see you engage with the historic complex by bicycle or on the internal tram. This afternoon, visit the home of a local family and learn how to make amulets which are thought to protect the owner from harm.
Our day begins with a visit to the village of Natonchan, where we 'Make A Difference' with our visit by supporting the community's eco-tourism project. We'll interact with the locals and meet one of the villagers to learn about 'gymnastic doll' making and the villagers' traditional cotton clothes which are soaked in mud to protect them from fading. We continue north, enjoying lunch en route and make a brief visit to the 'Friends of the Asian Elephant' Hospital, a foundation that cares for wounded elephants. Arriving in Chiang Mai, we enjoy an evening walk with our Travel Director and visit the colourful Sunday market. Our hotel tonight is located in the old town of Chiang Mai.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - The Rim Resort
Admire the delicate hand-painted fans and colourful paper umbrellas that are famously crafted in Chiang Mai's Sankamphaeng district and meet the children and teachers at a local school to which Trafalgar will donate much-needed supplies. We continue to a small village nearby where we'll 'Connect with Locals', joining a family in their typical stilt house for a northern Thai-style 'Be My Guest' lunch. Next is a visit to Wat Suan Dok where we'll meet a local monk and learn about Buddhism, against the backdrop of the temple's magnificent golden chedi.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 10
CHIANG MAI
Your morning is free to spend as you please or consider joining an Optional Experience to the Ban Tong Luang Hilltribe Village. Later, we visit Wat Doi Suthep, one of Thailand's most sacred temples. As the sun sets over this mystical temple, listen quietly to the tranquil sounds of the monks chanting. This evening, we join fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner at a traditional Thai restaurant located next to the river.
Experience the traditional customs and culture of the Lanna people of Northern Thailand at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre. Enjoy a feast of Northern Thai food served the Khantoke way, on a pedestal tray used as a small dining table, then watch a fantastic show of traditional hilltribe costumes, music and dancing. If you want to get an insight into Northern Thai culture, this is one of the very best ways to do it. The price shown is in Thai Bhat.
Adult Price: ฿1,550.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 11
DEPART CHIANG MAI
Our exhilarating encounter with old Siam and new Thailand at its end, we take a transfer to Chiang Mai International Airport for your onward flight.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 2
Dinner Cruise on The Loy Nava (with drinks)
Experience Bangkok at its best while cruising along the historic Chao Phraya River, aboard the "Loy Nava", a 40-year-old antique rice barge which was entirely re-built and beautifully restored to its former glory. On board, you will be welcomed by traditionally dressed hostesses with a rose water sprinkling ceremony. With traditional Kim music playing in the background savour Thailand’s finest regional specialties, whilst passing some of Bangkok’s most famous cultural and majestic landmarks. Price includes dinner, tea/coffee, four alcoholic drinks and bottled water. The price shown is in Thai Bhat.
Adult Price: ฿2,800.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Dinner Cruise on The Loy Nava (without drinks)
Experience Bangkok at its best while cruising along the historic Chao Phraya River, aboard the "Loy Nava", a 40-year-old antique rice barge which was entirely re-built and beautifully restored to its former glory. On board, you will be welcomed by traditionally dressed hostesses with a rose water sprinkling ceremony. With traditional Kim music playing in the background savour Thailand’s finest regional specialties, whilst passing some of Bangkok’s most famous cultural and majestic landmarks. Price includes dinner, tea/coffee and bottled water. The price shown is in Thai Bhat.
Adult Price: ฿1,900.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 3
Jim Thompson House
Jim Thompson House is one of the best examples of traditional Thai residential architecture and houses a breath-taking collection of Southeast Asian art. Jim Thompson, born in Delaware in 1906, fell in love with Thailand while posted as an intelligence agent in Bangkok during WWII. He later made it his permanent home and started a business supplying fine Thai silk to overseas fashion houses, single-handedly saving what had been a dying cottage industry. His silk company continues to flourish today. With the proceeds of his success, Thompson collected an impressive range of art works, and sections of teak houses, assembling them into a museum complex set in a lush garden alongside central Bangkok’s Saen Saep Canal. The main house is full of tastefully displayed Asian art and curios including Buddha images, paintings, ceramics and antique furniture. The living areas have been preserved as they were when Thompson lived there before his mysterious disappearance. There is also a Thai restaurant and bar plus, a sizeable boutique selling quality silk items, books and prints. The price shown is in Thai Bhat.
Adult Price: ฿1,650.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 10
Khantoke Dinner and Show
Experience the traditional customs and culture of the Lanna people of Northern Thailand at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre. Enjoy a feast of Northern Thai food served the Khantoke way, on a pedestal tray used as a small dining table, then watch a fantastic show of traditional hilltribe costumes, music and dancing. If you want to get an insight into Northern Thai culture, this is one of the very best ways to do it. The price shown is in Thai Bhat.
Adult Price: ฿1,550.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Join the Saiwangjit family who live in a wooden Thai stilt house for a traditional northern Thai-style meal. (Day 9)
DIVE INTO CULTURE
Visit Lumpini Park in Bangkok and join the locals in their daily T'ai Chi practice. (Day 2) Enjoy a traditional Thai massage in the grounds of Wat Pho, a centre for traditional Thai massage. (Day 2) Learn the secrets of Thai cooking and visit a local market to buy fresh ingredients. (Day 3) Stop at a coconut palm sugar plantation and discover how the farmer extracts the sap from the palm trees to be turned into sugar. (Day 4)
LOCAL SPECIALIST
in Bangkok. (Day 3)
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Visit the village of Natonchan and the`Friends of the Asian Elephants', a Thai registered foundation looking after the welfare of elephants throughout Thailand. (Day 8) Visit a local primary school. (Day 9)
STAYS WITH STORIES
Relax at your charming hotel with its exotic Lanna-Burmese style architecture, perfectly positioned near the Pratu Suan Dok Gate in Chiang Mai's Old Town. (Day 8)
Sightseeing highlights
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CITY TOUR of Bangkok and Chiang Mai
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VIEW the Bridge over the River Kwai and Hellfire Pass in Kanchanaburi and Wat Mahathat in Ayutthaya
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VISIT the Grand Palace, the temples of Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho in Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak floating market, the ancient city of Ayutthaya, Sukhothai Heritage Park
Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
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Luxury air-conditioned coach or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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A Trafalgar bonus - all Intra-Air flights: Bangkok to Sukhothai.
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
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Handcrafted Highlights
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LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS
Treasures of Thailand Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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Hugh Mosher in Toronto , ON CanadaMy Account Icon
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Amazing cultural experience.
Trip Rating
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5
The hotels were all quite different so you never felt you were staying in cookie cutter facilities.
5th trip and each tour director was so special in their own way. Our director was a character and high energy. She was so representative of the friendly people of Thailand.
Tour directeor Sirilak with vibrant personality.Excursions very informative and practical..let you feel part of new experience.Introduce us to good food of Thai people...so many meals included...good hotel and bus service.Trafalgar sponsorship at elephant hospital and school is a terrific idea...our transfer was on time...excellence service..
Tour director was always available, helpful and friendly. If he didn’t know an answer he found out. The drivers and helpers were always friendly and helpful.
Wonderful experience! Our travel guide was very well informed and answered any questions we had for him. Visited many different places and tried different foods based on the part of the country we were in. 10/10
Hotels were excellent. Food and service were very good. I left a small bag with jewellery in one hotel and didn't discover the loss until the end of the tour. Anu, our Director, contacted all of the hotels and located the one where I left my bag. The hotel staff went out of their way to facilitate returning the bag to me. I had to pay the postage, but I am still amazed at their honesty and sincerity. Regarding the tours: I didn't especially like the elephant hospital. We couldn't get near any of the three elephants on site and it seemed to be just a place to donate money. I would have preferred seeing the elephants walking around or even being able to go in the water with them. The amulet maker was charming, but I could have skipped this activity. It was a little childish, especially with the finished product. Finally, two of the best experiences were the Blue Elephant cooking school and the interview with the monk regarding Budda. I would travel again with Trafalgar.
Our tour director, Anu, was exceptional. He was very informative, supportive and caring. He energized the group and helped us connect to each other. He managed to keep us all on time and organized. He knew all the stops and the merchants and vendors at each, making us feel like a special travelling group.
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Trip Notes
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Flights: Prices include internal airfare and taxes for flight: Bangkok to Sukhothai.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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You’ll be travelling in Autumn, Winter or Spring, and this itinerary has been enhanced for you to enjoy the unique experiences these seasons offer.
