Thailand highlights itinerary - elephant trekking

Taste of Thailand: jungle, temples and palm beaches

Make new friends with long trunks, sleep a night in a safari tent on the banks of the River Kwai, wander amongst ancient temples and chill out in a beach hut on a pearly beach. Our Thailand highlights itinerary will take you some of the most exciting spots in Thailand.

You’ll spend the first few days of our Thailand highlights itinerary acclimatising in a lovely hotel with a rooftop pool in the centre of Bangkok. Then, you’ll head north to the River Kwai where you’ll visit the floating market, the famous Death Railway and the Bridge of the River Kwai, as well as some amazing waterfalls. After a night on the overnight train you'll arrive in Chiang Mai for a two-day trek through the mountains. During the trip, you’ll take an elephant ride, float downriver on a bamboo raft and spend a night in a hill tribe village. Next, you'll visit the ancient Khmer temples in Ayutthaya before finally ending up on the tropical island of Ko Samui to relax in the shade of the palm trees on a sparkling blue bay.

Duration	13 days / 12 nights Departure: Saturday & Tuesday from BKK	Accommodation	6 nights in double room in authentic hotels, 2 nights in luxury tented safari camp, 2 nights sleeper train, 2 nights in cozy jungle lodge (see accommodation)
Price	£530 per person - based on 2 people	Includes	Transport, accommodation with breakfast, excursions, guide and other meals as described in detailed itinerary.
Transport	Minibus, sleeper train, elephant!	Excludes	International flights, other meals & drinks, entrance fee to Erawan waterfalls (THB400 approx £8)

Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok

On arrival in Thailand, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to a lovely hotel in central Bangkok, around 10 minutes walk (or 5 minutes by tuk-tuk) from the popular traveller haunt Khao San Road. The hotel is in the lively neighbourhood Banglampoo, one of the most popular areas in Bangkok where you'll find most of the major attractions and hundreds of little restaurants and shops. It's also close to the Chao Praya river where you can take a rivertaxi. This is not just a fast and easy way to get around the city, but also a fascinating glimpse into life on the water in Bangkok. Your spacious room has air-conditioning. Once you've freshened up after your long flight, you can really begin your Thailand higlights itinerary. Head into the city to explore the area or if you’re looking for an instant cultural fix, visit the Royal Palace, home of the Thai king. Its the No.1 place of interest for Bangkok visitors and just 10 minutes by taxi or tuk-tuk from Khao San Road. Doors are open until 3:30pm and remember to dress appropriately - knees and shoulders must be covered.

Thailand highlights itinerary - Bangkok Royal Palace

Day 2: Bangkok

Today you can explore the ‘City of Angels’ your own way. A day in Bangkok is never dull - with its many temples, shops, pagodas and the busy street scenes, there’s so much to see and do. The first stop should be the Royal Palace, just a short (boat) taxi ride from your hotel and a real 'must-see' during this Thailand highlights itinerary. Next, you can head to the Buddhist temple Wat Arun on the banks of the river and enjoy a lunch of freshly prepared pad thai at one of the many street stalls.

If you’re feeling adventurous, a bicycle tour of Bangkok is a fantastic way to explore the city. With your local guide, you’ll cycle through small authentic neighbourhoods past houses, shops, workshops and tiny hidden alleyways. You’ll visit a traditional market where the locals come to buy their groceries before hopping on a longtail boat to cross the Chao Praya river to the other side where you’ll suddenly find yourself in a lush, green oasis. If you’d like to try our cycle tour, just let us know and we’ll book it for you.

Day 3: Bangkok - River Kwai

You'll be picked up early this morning for the next stage of your Thailand highlights itinerary, travelling by air-conditioned minibus to the River Kwai accompanied by an english-speaking guide. You'll stop for about an hour at the famous floating market before continuing to the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, where you'll begin a spectacular train ride along a stretch of the infamous Burma Death Railway. You’ll even cross a viaduct which is still made of the original wood beams. For best views grab a seat on the right.

At the end of the train ride you’ll have lunch (included) at the small train station before boarding a longtail boat. After around 30 minutes, you'll gently bump against the jetty of your River Kwai hotel. Here you’ll find yourself in a large open field lined with several khaki-coloured tents, one of which will be your room for tonight. The tents are spacious and with western toilets and (warm) showers. There’s no electricity and once it gets dark oil lanterns are lit, giving the whole place a really special atmosphere. You'll join the other camp guests for dinner in the restaurant. And no camp would be complete without a camp fire, under a starry sky…

Thailand highlights itinerary - River Kwai train

Thailand highlights itinerary - River Kwai tented camp

Day 4: River Kwai

This morning you'll probably want to get up early and explore - or perhaps not if it was a late one last night. We can recommend taking one of the kayaks out on the river, a wonderful way to see the area from the water. There's also a twisting trail leading off into the tropical jungle and mountain bikes in the camp if you don't fancy kayaking.

After lunch you'll be taken to Hellfire Pass, another great adventure on your Thailand highlights itinerary. This 1½ hour hike along even paths leads through bamboo forests with views across the river and then through a rocky gorge where you can see parts of the railway, monuments and old tools. The Hellfire Pass museum is considered one of the best in Thailand.

You'll arrive back at the camp just in time for lunch. The rest of the afternoon you can spend relaxing by the tent, cycling or kayaking - it's completely up to you.

Day 5: Erawan waterfalls - Bangkok - departure to Surat Thani

After another night in the camp, you'll be collected by minibus for the trip to the Erawan waterfalls (400 Baht, approx £8 to be paid locally). You'll be dropped off at the entrance to the park, where you'll also find a couple of kiosks selling snacks. A ten-minute walk will take you to the first of the seven levels of waterfalls. If it's not too hot, you can head further up the path to the higher falls. It's a tough uphill walk, but the higher you go the more exotic the waterfall plateaus become, and the less people around. Once you reach the highest plateau and sink into the warm, turquoise water you'll feel duly rewarded for your climb.

In the afternoon, the minibus will pick you up and take you back to Bangkok. You’ll have plenty of time to buy some food and drinks before boarding the overnight train to Surat Thani. We’ve reserved 2nd class sleeper seats -spacious chairs facing each other which you can pull out into comfortable sleepers. Snacks are available in the restaurant carriage if you’re feeling peckish. On the train, you’ll be joined by lots of other travellers as well as local Thai people. Don’t worry about falling asleep and missing your stop, you’ll be woken up an hour before your arrival in Surat Thani.

Thailand highlights itinerary - Erawan waterfalls

Thailand highlights itinerary - Khao Sok jungle huts

Day 6: Arrival Surat Thani - Khao Sok National Park

Early this morning, your train will arrive into Surat Thani station, where your guide will be waiting to meet you who will take you to Khao Sok National Park. You'll stay in bungalows mext to a beautiful river deep in the jungle. Monkeys and hornbills will wake you with their calls and this day is free to spend doing whatever you like. You could try tubing downstream in a rubber ring (optional) - a great way to see the jungle. In Khao Sok National Park, you might may see monkeys, porcupines, hornbills, butterflies and other insects. There are also masses of flowers, palms, vines, ferns and towering tree trunks. Tonight, you'll eat at the hotel restaurant, which has a good menu with plenty of choice. With a little luck you might spot some monkeys sitting whilst you eat.

Day 7: Khao Sok, elephant rides through the jungle

After eating breakfast surrounded by the sounds of tropical birds, it's time to really go into the jungle. You discover the jungle in a special way, by riding on the back of an elephant! Your Mahout (elephant keeper) will sit on the neck of your new best friend and guide you through the jungle.

You sit on top of the elephant on a bench with a strong rope tied around the belly of the elephant. You'll be amazed at how these huge graceful animals manouver through the narrow paths, whilst enjoying the variety of wildlife as you bump along. With some luck, what you see monkeys swinging in the trees, gibbons are also common in the park. Banjert the elephant through rivers, you'll find a playful elephant than it is possible that some sparks flying around your ears. Around lunchtime you come back to your accommodation, and the afternoon is free for your own plan. The lodge has short walking trails through the park, or you could choose to go canoeing or tubing on the river.

Thailand highlights itinerary - elephant safari Khao Sok

Day 8: Khao Sok to Ko Phangang

After breakfast it is time to pack your bags and get ready for your short trip from Khao Sok to Ko Phangang, where you'll stay for the next five days.

We arrange accommodation for you far away from the masses, right on the north beach known for its white sandy beaches and lovely clear water with a pleasant temperature of around 25 degrees. There are waving palm trees, a handful of restaurants and beautiful sunrises. The hotel is modest but very comfortable, and it's location is perfect. There is a nice swimming pool for a refreshing dip, and your bungalow has air conditioning. Ko Phangan has many beautiful beaches where you can snorkel and sunbath to your heart's content. Many beaches are remote and the best are reached by long tail boat. These small colourful boats are quintessentially Thai, and can take you to idyllic little beaches. There is plenty to see underwater if you enjoy snorkelling.

Day 9, 10 and 11 - Stay Ko Phangan

These few days are yours to relax and enjoy doing nothing on the white sandy beaches or beside the pool. Or maybe you want some action, in which case maybe a day trip to Angthong National Marine Park is a good idea. This national "Sea" park has great coral gardens which are great for snorkelling and diving, and the whole area around the 18 small islands is a protected from fishermen.

You could visit nearby Ko Samui and it's famous and beautiful white sandy beaches. Ko Samui has a very beautiful interior with many tropical coconut palm plantations. Visit the waterfalls at Na Muang and Laem Saw, or visit the Samui Tiger Zoo, where you can take your picture with a tiger, it's open daily from 9.00 - 17.00.

Thailand highlights itinerary - Tong Nai Pan Bay in Ko Phangan

Thailand highlights itinerary - One last cocktail

Day 12: Departure Ko Phangan - back to Bangkok

You'll have the morning and afternoon to spend as you wish, maybe it's time for one last cocktail on the beach, as this afternoon it's time to leave Ko Phangang and head back to Bangkok.

In the afternoon you'll arrange to take the boat back to the mainland, and upon arrival you'll grab yourself a tuktuk or Songthaew to the railway station, where we'll have arranged your seats on the sleeper train back to Bangkok.

Depending on the time of your international flights home, it may be possible to have one more night on the beach and fly back to Bangkok in the morning, just ask us for the additional cost.

Day 13: Arriving in Bangkok, back to the UK

This morning you'll arrive back into Bangkok fresh from your sleep on board the overnight train.

Depending on the time of your flight home you can either spend the day shopping for last minute bargains and souvenirs, or head straight to the airport. It is also possible for us to arrange a day room at a central hotel in Bangkok for you (at extra cost) if you have a late flight and would like somewhere to base yourself and shower before your flight.

Ultimately though today it's time to board your flight home and reflect on your Thailand adventure

When to go?
This Thailand itinerary is possible all year-round, but the very best months are between January to September. From November to mid-December the rain likely.

Click here for the quote request form

Build your own trip using our Thailand adventure tours