Thailand budget itinerary - ride elephants

Economical Thailand

Our Thailand budget itinerary is packed with activity but light on the pocket. During the three-week trip, you'll travel entirely by land and sea. There are no domestic flights, keeping travel costs to a minimum. You’ll be constantly on the move, travelling like the locals. This Thailand budget itinerary is intense but also magically diverse. You'll travel by train, bus, boat, bamboo raft and elephant, giving you a close-up experience of behind-the-scenes Thailand.

After a couple of days in Bangkok, you'll visit the famous floating market and head to the famous 'Bridge over the River Kwai'. You'll then take an overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai, and set off on a three day jungle trk to a remote area in the mountains, home to some wonderful hill tribes. You'll sleep in hill tribe villages as a guest in their homes. Returning from the trek, you'll spend a day unwinding in Chiang Mai before taking the sleeper train to the mystical city of Ayutthaya. You'll then travel south to Chumphon, where you'll hop on a ferry and cross over to a couple of Thailand's most tropical islands. You'll first stay in the snorkelling paradise of Ko Tao, before moving on to the palm-lined beaches of Ko Pha Ngan. Finally, you'll return to Bangkok via Ko Samui in preparation for your journey back to the UK.
Duration 19 days / 18 nights
Start from Bangkok on any Tuesday or Saturday

Accommodation

12 nights in double room in hotels full of character, 2 nights on an air conditioned sleeper train, 2 nights in very simple accommodation during the hill tribe trek. (see accommodation)

Price

£598 per person - based on 2 people

Includes

Transport, accommodation with breakfast, guide, some meals as described in the daily itinerary.

Transport

Train, bus, taxi, elephant and boat

Excludes

International flights, drinks and extra meals, excursions and entrances not listed in the daily itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok

Upon your arrival in Bangkok you’ll be transferred from the airport to your hotel. You'll stay in a simple lodge in the heart of Bangkok, only 10 minutes walk from lively Khao San Road. The rooms here are large with air-conditioning, and breakfast is included. Now is the perfect time to freshen up and settle in at the beginning of your action-packed Thailand budget itinerary. Perhaps try an invigorating Thai fruit juice, take a quick look around the nieghbourhood, and let your batteries recharge.
Thailand budget itinerary - Bangkok arrival
Thailand budget itinerary - Bangkok temple

Day 2: Bangkok

You'll spend today getting to know Bangkok - the City of Angels. The most important places of interest are easily reached by express boat, along the Chao Praya River. There is so much to see in Bangkok that it can difficult to know where to start. Here are a few handy hints to really get your Thailand bidget itinerary going...

You could begin your sight-seeing tour at the Buddhist temple of Wat Arun on the Chao Praya River and then visit the narrow streets of Chinatown. Buy a bowl of Chinese noodles and watch the world go by. You could then go shopping in Bangkok, which is abundant in silk, jewellery and clothing. If you're still a little stiff from the flight, you can drop in at the School of Massage, near Wat Po (the lying Buddha). This will certainly get your Thailand budget itinerary off to a very laid back start.

Day 3: Bangkok - River Kwai

You'll make an early start this morning for the next stage of your budget Thailand itinerary. After a bite of breakfast, you’ll be collected by air-conditioned minibus and head for the River Kwai with your English-speaking guide. On the way, you'll stop for an hour at the famous floating market to watch the rowdy traders in action. After this, you'll travel to the famous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’. Here, you'll start your train journey over the remaining stretch of the infamous Burma Death Railway.

On arrival at the small station, a tasty lunch will be served and you'll step into a longtail boat. This boat will drift along the River Kwai, deep into the thick evergreen jungle. Just 40mins later, you'll arrive at your floating bamboo bungalows on the river. You'll have your own room with a swimming ladder and hammock. There's no electricity, 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 while the jungle around you breathes with life.

Thailand budget itinerary - River Kwai
Thailand budget itinerary - Erawan Falls

Day 4: River Kwai - Kanchanaburi

After a night in the jungle, 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 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 a few hours to wander around or take a plunge in the pool, a real highlight of our Thailand budget itinerary.

The guide will then leave you at your hotel in Kanchanburi, which has a swimming pool in case you fancy a dip. 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.

Day 5: Kanchanaburi - Bangkok - Departure for Chiang Mai

This morning, you can take it easy in Kanchanaburi, getting ready for the journey ahead. After a day spent entirely at your own leisure, you'll depart for Bangkok by minibus, arriving around 5pm.

From here, you'll take the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai- the cultural capital of the north. You'll travel in a comfortable second-class couchette, and the train has a restaurant car if you fancy dining on the rails. However, there are plenty of stalls at the station to stock up on snacks before you leave. There will many international travellers, as well as locals on this train into the northern. There promises to be an interesting mix of people on board and you'll have a chance to get to know your fellow travellers. After chatting and munching, let the train gently rock you to asleep. You'll be awoken an hour before arrival in Chiang Mai to continue your Thailand budget itinerary.
Thailand budget itinerary - overnight sleeper train
Thailand budget itinerary - Chiang Mai monks

Day 6: Arrival in Chiang Mai

After a night on the tracks, you'll wake up in Chiang Mai, the gateway to the active north. You'll stay in a lovely hotel inside the city gates within walking distance of the buzzing night bazaar. Chiang Mai is a compact city, contained within a ring of walls, so it's not difficult to find your way around. The rest of the day is free for you to recover from the journey and explore this laidback city. In the evening, you can take a stroll to the wonderful night bazaar, which is usually teeming with traders. If you are thinking about having some clothes tailor-made in Thailand, this is the place to get it done. Just let them take your measurements this evening and then, when you return from the trek, your new outfit will be waiting. Silk is the local speciality.

Day 7: Chiang Mai

Today, you'll spend the whole day in Chiang Mai gathering your energy for the impending jungle trek. You can hire a bike and take a spin around the area, to the umbrella village, the elephant orphanage and one of the many craft workshops. We can also highly recommend a trip to Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple and pilgrimage centre 15km outside the city. The temple sits on top of a mountain that reaches an incredible height of 1600m. From the temple, you’ll have a fantastic panoramic view over Chiang Mai and the surrounding landscape.

You can spend the rest of the day lazing by the pool and enjoying all the creature comforts while you still can. After all, tomorrow you'll head into the jungle, getting right back to basics as your Thailand budget itinerary continues into the wild.
Thailand budget itinerary - Cycling around Chiang Mai
Thailand budget itinerary - jungle trek

Day 8: Chiang Mai - Jungle trek

At 8am this morning you'll leave your hotel and travel to the starting point of your trek. This will take just over 3hrs. All of your meals are included along with your english-speaking guide. As you'll return to the hotel in Chiang Mai, you can leave most of your baggage behind, taking only your essentials into the jungle. On the way, you'll stop at a local market for some last minute supplies. The driver will then take you to a waterfall for a quick refreshing dip. This is not the last dip of the day.

After lunch, you'll visit some naturally hot springs where you can take an impromptu steam bath. You'll then continue into the mountains by road, until you reach the starting point of the hike. The first walk takes you steeply uphill, through overgrown jungle paths for roughly two hours. You'll stay overnight in a hut in a Karen village. Your guide will cook you a tasty, well-earned dinner and sleep will come easily after your active day.

Day 9: Elephant trek and hill tribe visit

Today, you'll be woken by the cocks crowing and the sound of pigs foraging around the huts. After breakfast, you'll set off on the longest and hardest hike from the village to the elephant camp (roughly 4 hours). Initially, there is a gentle uphill walk, past termite hills and onto flat paddy fields surrounded by tropical vegetation. Once you reach the bamboo and teak trees, you'll start the first stiff uphill climb. After a while, the jungle trail flattens out, finally descending into the elephant village. After your lunch, prepared by your guide, it's time to take it easy and let the elephants do the work! You'll be amazed by the way that these enormous beasts tackle the most difficult of paths. After 1½ hours of swaying about, you arrive at a mixed Lahu/Akha village on the riverbank, where you can cool off with a splash around. Your evening meal is prepared for you, and you'll spend the night in another simple village hut before your Thailand budget itinerary continues tomorrow.
 

Thailand budget itinerary - hill tribe accommodation
Thailand budget itinerary - elephant trek

Day 10: Bamboo rafting - Return to Chiang Mai

After breakfast this morning, you'll travel downstream for about 2 hours on a bamboo raft. The river meanders through overgrown mountainsides and bare rocks cliffs, and on the way you'll see hundreds of wild banana trees. Your rafting trip finishes in a Shan village (ethnic Thai people from the Burmese state of Shan). After lunch you’ll be taken back to Chiang Mai by minibus, which will take about two hours. At the hotel, you'll be reunited with your luggage and the rest of the day is free for you to wander around the cultural city or belt out a few ballads at karaoke.

This three day hike can be swapped for the shorter one described in Culture and Elephants of the North. This is more of a walk than a hike, making it suitable for all levels of fitness. It features one overnight stop in a mountain village, an elephant ride, and bamboo rafting.

Day 11: Chiang Mai - Ayutthaya

After breakfast, you’ll have time to recover from the hike, before you set off for the next destination on your Thailand budget itinerary. A good tip is to try a day’s Thai cookery course. If you go for this option, you'll be taken to the market to buy the ingredients and then you'll learn how to prepare a wonderful Thai meal. Just pop into our local agent’s office if this sounds like something you’d like to do.

Otherwise, just relax with a day in town, or by the pool. In the afternoon, you can make your way to the railway station. After stocking up on a few snacks for the trip, you'll travel south to Ayutthaya on the overnight sleeper train that leaves at 4:30pm.

Thailand budget itinerary - Chiang Mai
Thailand budget itinerary - Ayutthaya

Day 12: Ayutthaya

This morning, your train will pull into in the royal city of Ayutthaya, the next stop on your Thailand budget itinerary. You can take a taxi or tuk-tuk to your modern hotel, located on banks of the Pa-Sak River in the centre of town. 

In the 12th century, Ayuttaya 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. Today, you can visit some of the mystical Khmer temple complexes strewn around the city. Wat Phra Si Samphet, Wat Mahatat and Wat Mongkol Bophit are the best known ruins, draped in history and heavy with mystery.

Day 13: Ayutthaya - Bangkok - Ko Phangan

You will have a little more free time this morning to explore the evocative temples of Ayutthaya. After lunch, you'll collect your luggage from the hotel and make your way to the train station and arrange your own tickets back to Bangkok. From here, you'll set off on your next overnight rail adventure. We'll arrange your comfortable second-class couchette aboard the air conditioned sleeper train down to Surat Thani, the gateway to the tropical islands of the south.
Thailand budget itinerary - Ayutthaya temples
Thailand budget itinerary - inviting beaches

Days 14 and 15 : Ko Phangan

When you arrive in Surat Thani, you'll make your way to the ferry port for the boat to Ko Pha Ngan. On Ko Pha Ngan, you'll be dropped off at Had Rin beach, famous for its Full Moon parties. Your accommodation is located on quiet Thong Nai Pan beach with a tropical rainforest backdrop, set apart from the backpacker throng. The resort is right on the beach with a swimming pool of its own, perfect for a couple of lazy days during your Thailand budget itinerary. If you like, you can coincide your visit to Ko Pha Ngan with the full moon, giving you the opportunity to join the legendary party. If you let us know in advance, we can book you a hotel on the beach at Had Rin. However, if you opt to stay on Had Rin over full moon, don't expect to get much sleep. The party really does last all night.

Ko Pha Ngan is an ideal place to do absolutely nothing - just sway above ivory sands in a hammock and sip on a cold beer and play some football with the locals on the beach as the sun goes down. This is island life at its most laid back - enjoy!

Day 16: Ko Pha Ngan - Ko Tao

After breakfast you'll head for the ferry port and buy a ferry ticket (approx £1) across to the island of Ko Tao. The crossing takes about two to three hours - a perfect opportunity to soak up some sun on deck. Just don't forget the suncream...

You'll be met at the pier on Ko Tao and transferred to your resort on a golden beach with a wonderful infinity pool. This is the time to totally unwind and let all of your travelling adventures sink in. The next few days of your Thailand budget itinerary are completely free.
Thailand budget itinerary - Ko Tao ferry
Thailand budget itinerary - Ko Tao snorkelling

Day 17 : Ko Tao

There is a diving school next to your hotel where you can book an introductory scuba dive. Or if you are hesitant about taking a plunge, you can take a snorkelling trip out to a dazzling coral reef. This trip will take you to Nang Yuan, a tiny island off Ko Tao, which is made up of three rocks joined together by sparkling white beaches - a highlight of your Thailand budget itinerary. Or, you can order a freshly made fruit cocktail and snooze in the sun, or take a barefoot stroll along the beach to a candlelit restaurant.

Days 18-19: Ko Tao - Bangkok - UK

After breakfast, you'll make your way to the ferry port and arrange your ticket across to Chumphon. Once you arrive back on the mainland you'll make you own way to Chumphon railway station, where we'll have arranged your reservation and tickets for seat aboard the comfortable train back to Bangkok which departs around 12:45 and arrives into Bangkok at 9pm. Once you arrive in the rail station, you can take a tuk tuk to your centrally located lodge for the final night of your Thailand holiday.

For a small charge we can arrange for you to keep your room on in Bangkok for the Day 19, so you can leave your bags and have a shower before you leave, or you can check out and leave your bags with reception. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish until it's time to leave for the airport to catch your flight home. On Saturdays and Sundays you can visit the worlds largest market Chatuchak. Flights to the UK usually leave Bangkok mid to late afternoon, and fly back overnight.

When to take our Thailand budget itinerary? The most popular period to travel to Thailand is from December until the end of April, when the weather throughout the country is usually fine. From May to August you can expect regular rains, but the weather is generally still fine and the tourist hotspots are far quieter. From September to the end of November, it rains more frequently and tourist numbers sink to their lowest. However, the islands off the southeast coast - Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao, will be warm and sunny during these months, so should experience good weather with this itinerary.


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