On the second day of this multi centre Thailand holiday, your morning is free to explore the three most magnificent temples in Bangkok. Start with Wat Po and its 45 metre Reclining Buddha. The express river boat is a great way to visit both Wat Po and Wat Arun, the temple of the dawn. Remember to dress modestly - knees and shoulders must covered. You can reach Chinatown via the incredible marble temple Wat Benjaabopit, and stop off for a quick bowl of tasty noodles.

Your cycle trip through the suburbs of Bangkok begins at 1pm. Along with two guides and a several other travellers, you'll cycle through narrow alleyways, past traditional houses and workshops. After this, you'll cross the Chao Phraya River in a longtail boat. Soon, you'll find yourself in a green oasis that seems a world away from the bright lights of the city. Even the most important thoroughfares here are only small paths above the khlongs (canals). You'll return from the trip around 6pm.

This morning, you'll set off for the next destination on your multi centre Thailand holiday. First thing you'll be picked up by air-conditioned minibus with English-speaking guide and make your way to the River Kwai. First stop will be the Samut Sakhon 'train market' where you'll get to try your haggling skills, we discovered this to be more authentic market and less of a touristy experience than Bangkok's floating market. Afterwards you'll to the famous Bridge over the River Kwai where you'll take a short ride on the infamous Burma Death Railway. Bag a seat on the left side of the train for the best views.

On arrival at the small station, a tasty lunch will be served and you'll step into a longtail boat and drift along the River Kwai into the thick jungle. Just 40 minutes later, you'll arrive at your floating bamboo bungalows on the river - a real highlight of this multi centre Thailand holiday. You'll have your own room with a swimming ladder and hammock. There is no electricity in these bungalows, and you'll eat an ambient dinner by the light of flickering oil lamps. Seated at long tables, you'll share the meal with your fellow travellers as the jungle around you breathes with life.

After a night in your floating hut, you'll continue on with this multi centre Thailand holiday. You'll travel back along the river, reaching the fairytale Erawan Waterfalls an hour later (400 Baht, approx £8 entrance fee paid locally). The waterfall cascades over seven different levels, with a total height of 1500m. You'll reach the top of the falls, depending upon your walking speed, in about 1½ hours. Your efforts will be instantly rewarded, as you take in your enchanting location. You'll see sparkling waterpools in light blue basins against a backdrop of limestone rocks. You'll have around three hours of free time to wander around and take a plunge in the shimmering pool.

The guide will then leave you at your hotel in Kanchanburi, which has a swimming pool in case you fancy a dip. The hotel itself is located on an island. You'll have enough time to visit the JEATH War Museum and the moving memorial dedicated to the victims of the infamous Burma Death Railway.
 

This morning, you'll take a minibus transfer to atmospheric Ayutthaya, the next stop on your multi centre Thailand holiday. You'll be collected at your hotel and three hours later you'll arrive in Ayutthaya. Your friendly driver will drop you at your lovely bungalow with a veranda, where you’ll stay for the night. The afternoon is free, allowing you to explore the historical city at your own pace. 

Ayutthaya is a beautiful World Heritage Site. In the 12th century, this was one of the most important kingdoms in Southeast Asia - a huge network of palaces, temples, spectacular junks and royal elephants eating from gold bowls. Eventually, the city lost its power and the temples were ransacked during the war with Burma. In the evening we'll arrange a sunset tuk-tuk tour around the city, so that you can watch as the sun sinks over the temples and ruins of the city. You won't have a guide accompany you for this tour. The tuk-tuk will stop off at the temple entrances so that you can take a few pictures. As you visit the last temples, it will start to get dark and the temples will be lit.

Today, you can spend a few hours wandering wistfully amongst the mystical Khmer temples. Wat Phra Si Samphet, Wat Mahatat and Wat Mongkol Bophit are some of the best known ruins, and are draped in history and heavy with mystery. You will often find yourself completely alone with plenty of time and space to daydream in these enthralling surroundings.

At about 5pm, you'll collect your luggage from the hotel and make your way to the railway station to continue your multi centre Thailand holiday. You'll spend the night in a couchette on the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai. You'll sit in spacious seats across from one another that can be easily transformed into a bed. The couchette is comfortable and there's a good restaurant car onboard for your evening meal. You'll find that there are many international travellers on board as well as Thai locals. One of the train stewards will wake you an hour before your arrival. 

This morning you'll arrive in Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of the North. You'll stay in a hotel with a swimming pool near the city gates. It's not difficult to find something to do in Chiang Mai - there are plenty of options available. We can highly recommend a trip to Doi Suthep, a striking Buddhist temple 15 minutes from the city. It sits on the top of a 1600m mountain, towering over the landscape below. From here, you'll have a fantastic panorama of Chiang Mai and the surrounding mountains. The old temple is a sacred pilgrimage site and radiates with peaceful spirituality.

In the evening, you can take a walk to the lively night bazaar. The atmosphere is usually electric, and there's a huge amount of trading going on. You’ll also find massage salons, restaurants, and even karaoke bars - a little something for everyone.
 

Today you'll begin your gentle two day trek in the breathtaking mountains surrounding Chiang Mai - another great highlight of this multi centre Thailand holiday. You can leave most of your belongings at the hotel as you'll be returning tomorrow. All meals are included during this trek and an english-speaking guide will lead you through the jungle. 

You'll be collected from your hotel and you'll travel by truck to the forestry elephant training camp north of Chiang Mai, where these magnificent beasts are taught to become proficient, trustworthy forestry workers. After you've had an hour or so to look around and watch how the elephants are trained, you'll continue travelling by pick-up truck for a Thai lunch. After lunch, you'll travel further into the hills and jungle by săwngthăew (converted pickup truck taxi). Next, you'll trek you'll hike through the woods for 2-3 hours until you reach a village of Palong people, where your hosts will prepare a local meal for you. The trek isn't too difficult, as you'll be walking on level ground for most of the time. The women in this area wear colourful traditional dress and lots of locally-made jewellery. You'll be a guest in the village this evening, which will give you an opportunity to get to know this hill tribe and their way of life. Your accommodation is simple - a small wooden hut, just like the villagers, with a mattress on the bamboo floor. A mosquito net is also provided.

With a bit of luck the chickens scratching around the village will have laid some eggs for your breakfast. Afterwards, you'll climb on your elephant for a 1½-hour journey through thick jungle, valleys and river crossings. Step by step, these impressive beasts negotiate their way on the difficult paths. High on their back you have a great view of the countryside, but keep an eye out for stray branches… you don’t want a slap in the face!

The elephants will bring you to a riverside camp where a bamboo raft will be prepared for you. You'll take your place on the raft and the helmsman, armed with a long pole, will float you peacefully down the river. On the way back to Chiang Mai you'll stop to visit an orchid farm, arriving back into Chiang Mai at about 4pm.

You can also choose to go on a 3-day Chiang Mai trekking adventure instead of this 2-day trek. During the 3-day trek you'll spend two nights with the colourful Karen and Akha mountain tribes. You'll also go on an elephant trek and bamboo raft ride during the trek. Anyone with a reasonable level of physical fitness can participate.

When you arrive, you'll be met at the railway station and driven to Racha Praba Lake. Any luggage that you don't need for the lake will be taken straight to the jungle lodge where you'll stay tomorrow. You'll need only an overnight pack for your floating cabin stay. Your Khao Sok trip includes all meals, and you'll have an english-speaking guide to lead you through the park.

From the lakeside, a longtail boat will take you past spectacular rock formations that thrust up from the lake. An hour later, you’ll arrive at your floating bamboo cabins, another highlight of your multi centre Thailand holiday. Sleeping mats, sheets, blankets, and towels will be provided, however you may want to bring along a sleep bag liner and an extra towel. The river is also your bath, so simply shampoo your hair and jump in from the veranda of your own cabin!

You'll have your own inflatable tube to float about on the water. After lunch, you'll take a walk through the thick jungle, alongside bamboo shoots and giant trees. Then, you can sit back and enjoy the sunset from the jetty by your floating bungalow. A wonderful dinner will be waiting for you.
 

This morning, you'll wake up to the exotic sounds of the jungle. Each bungalow has its own canoe, and after breakfast you can paddle along the jungly shores in search of monkeys and other wild animals. After your canoe ride you can relax on the lake, take a swim or simply float around in a lifejacket. Lunch will be served after your canoe trip. After lunch, you can either take a walk further into the rainforest or head for a hidden lagoon. The choice will depend largely upon the weather and the tide. Later, you'll be taken deeper into Khao Sok National Park by longtail boat. You'll be met on the shore and taken on a 2 hour drive even further into the tropical wilderness to your jungle lodge, where the rest of your baggage awaits you. There is plenty of time to get settled into your simple bungalow, which has a private bathroom. There's no hot water, but in such high temperatures a hot shower will be the last thing you'll want. In the evening, you’ll dine by the river, surrounded by the sounds of the forest.

After breakfast you'll set off with your guide on a fascinating walk with a banana leaf packed lunch in your daypack. Together you'll explore the tropical rainforest, and your guide will tell you all about the surrounding vegetation and wildlife. He'll point out any monkeys swinging through trees you may have missed. You'll be surprised by the number of indigenous animals your guide points out to you that would have missed otherwise. On the way, you'll enjoy a hearty lunch (included), served in a beautiful spot next to a river or a waterfall. In the early evening, you'll return to your hut, weary but happy. On your peaceful veranda, you can mull over your experiences and look forward to the final destination on your multi centre Thailand holiday. Find a good place to watch the sunset and make sure you have that camera handy…

Today you are completely free to enjoy the carefree atmosphere of the beach. If you are eager to explore, you can grab a snorkel and discover the coral right off the coast. You could also hire a boat with other travellers and go for a day of snorkelling near one of the other islands. As the islands of the Trang archipelago are far from the tourist trail, the coral here is unspoilt and vividly coloured. The water temperature is around a lovely 27°C. Don't forget to use plenty of sunscreen when snorkelling.

Alternatively, you can follow in the footsteps of a near forgotten people - the sea nomads. In bygone days, the sea nomads were the largest group of people in this region. They earned their living by harvesting and selling valuable swallow nests found locally in the hidden lagoons. They still collect the nests today, using exactly the same fishing techniques. They spend less time at sea these days, and can be found in the villages.