Full Itinerary

Day 1: UK Airport / Bangkok

Depart on a choice of overnight flights to Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok

On arrival you will be met by your private guide and transferred to your choice of hotel for 3 nights. Depending on your arrival time we can arrange a choice of tours to introduce you to this exciting city or just relax by the pool.

Day 3: Bangkok - Private guided City Tour with long tailed boat ride (B / L)

This morning your private guide will collect you from the hotel lobby for a comprehensive tour of Bangkok and the city’s fascinating canals. Start out at Wat Traimit, home to the world’s largest solid golden Buddha, before hopping across the old city streets to see an even larger Buddha statue at Wat Pho, set on its side to reference Buddha’s “Lion Sleep” position. From here move on to explore Bangkok’s most famous landmark, the Grand Palace, a sprawling glittering temple complex boasting some of the country’s finest Thai-Buddhist architecture. Explore the vast grounds and numerous dazzling buildings, including the highly-revered Wat Phra Kaew, home to the prized Emerald Buddha statue dating back to the 14th Century. The exact order may vary on the day.

Lunch will be in a local restaurant then re-join your guide aboard a traditional long-tailed boat that will take you through Bangkok’s network of small canals to show you a different side of the city and more of everyday life. A tour of Bangkok’s Thonburi side isn’t complete without the spectacular and iconic Wat Arun. Take time to explore the iconic temple towering 79 metres over the Chao Phraya River, then head back to the hotel by late afternoon..

Day 4: Bangkok (B) - Free day or add optional tour

Today's free to enjoy Bangkok under your own steam or perhaps add an extra opyional tour, perhaps a cycle tour off the beaten track to see the green side of the city or an evening aboard a tuk tuk exploring Bangkok's street food scene. Details can be offered.

Day 5: Bangkok - Private Floating Markets & River Kwai Tour (B / L)

This morning your private guide will collect you early for a busy day touring. Head for Ratchaburi Province that’s around 100 kms southwest of Bangkok and home to one of the most famous floating markets in the country, Damnoen Saduak. On arrival explore the network of canals by traditional longtail boat; you can also walk around, taking in the vibrant sights, sounds, and smells, as well as bargaining for some souvenirs or indulging in some local delicacies.

From here head north to Kanchanaburi for a tour of the River Kwai area. Visit the famous “Bridge over the River Kwai” that was first built as part of the railway between Thailand and Burma in 1942. Using the forced labour of Allied POWs, the Japanese planned to build a railway across East Asia to India. 16,000 POWs and 100,000 local people died of starvation, exhaustion, diseases and malaria during this time. The poignant war museum & cemetery provide a sobering reminder of those who gave their lives. Lunch will be in a local restaurant and then the afternoon ends with a ride on the notorious Death Railway. Travelling through magnificent scenery, passing over original wooden viaduct constructed by Allied POWs it offers a first-hand view of the terrain that they battled through. Late afternoon check in to youof hotel for 2 nights.

Day 6: Kanchanaburi - Hellfire Pass - Erawan National Park (B / L)

This morning your private guide will drive you to Erawan NP to visit Erawan Waterfalls. However first stop off at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum that’s dedicated to those Allied Prisoners of War and Asian labourers who suffered and died at Hellfire Pass and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region during WW2. You will have time to walk part of the trail and lunch will be in a local restaurant.

From here Erawan is a short drive and you will explore the park on foot. Walking shoes will be needed as the paths can be slippery if wet. The 7 levels of this stunning waterfall drop 1,500m down steep-sided cliffs surrounded by beautiful forest. There is a trail as far as the 6th level and from here if you wish, you can scramble up to the 7th level. The climb is worth the effort for the sight of tumbling water, spraying off the boulders into the deep pool below. The fall resembles the head of the Erawan Elephant, the 3-headed elephant from Hindu Mythology, which gives the waterfall its name. Back at hotel mid-afternoon.

Day 7: Kanchanaburi - Elephant Sanctuary Day Tour (B / L)

Today spend the day at an elephant sanctuary for sick, old and abused elephants that offers a fun and responsible alternative to the usual tourist elephant camps. Here you'll get the unique experience as a volunteer working for the elephants getting involved in helping them with a range of daily activities.

Early morning transfer then start the day meeting the elephants and getting familiar with them by joining in with feeding them breakfast, learning how to prepare the food (banana trees / sugar cane / banana grass), preparing fruit baskets and feeding sticky rice balls to the older ones. Enjoy a simple Thai lunch then this afternoon the real fun starts as you take the elephants down to the river for a bath. Join in, giving them a scrub and a clean in the river - you will get wet. The day ends by feeding them their afternoon meal and saying good bye to your new friends. Return hotel transfer included.

Please Note: The activities on each day may be slightly different, depending on the needs of the elephants.

Day 8: Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya Tour (B / L)

This morning leave early with your guide for the 2.5 hour drive to Ayutthaya, the 2nd Capital of Thailand (14th to 18th centuries) and the crowning glory of Siam, when what we recognise as "Thai Style” was developed. Characterised by prangs (reliquary towers) and gigantic monasteries.

As soon as you arrive it becomes apparent why it was chosen. Built on an island at the confluence of 3 rivers, perfect for trade and protection, it became a melting pot for trading nations and swelled to over a million inhabitants to be the largest city in the world. Internal strife eventually weakened the kingdom and the end officially came when it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. The capital was then moved to Bangkok. This intriguing heritage and portrait of a developing world led UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Site and archaeological park. Through painstaking work a lot of the city has been restored, and although effectively still a series of ruins, you get a real feel of the scale and splendour of its historical pomp. This afternoon your guide will show you some of the city highlights. Lunch will be in a local restaurant.

Late afternoon check-in to your hotel for 1 night in the heart of Ayutthaya. This evening perhaps explore the town and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 9: Ayutthaya (B) - Fly Bangkok to Beach

Bangkok is just 1.5 hours away and this morning transfer to the airport for the flight to your choice of beach resort. On arrival met and transferred to your choice of hotel for 5 nights (or more / less).

Alternatively for a bit of adventure further afield fly to Ranong (1 hour), take a boat across the border to the southern tip of Burma and on by luxury speed boat into the Myeik Archipelago to stay at the Wa Ale Resort on its own small island set in the Lampi Marine National Park.

Days 10-13: Beach Time (B)

There are so many world class beach destinations in southern Thailand, each one offering something slightly different to the others. On the west coast Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak are easily reached, or head a little further to the islands of Koh Yao Noi, Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta for an idyllic end to your holiday. If you're travelling in the Summer months you'll find the best weather on the east coast islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

Once you've made your choice, relax and enjoy 4 days of glorious beach time. Extra nights can be added.

Day 14: Fly Beach (B) / UK Airport

Morning free then airport transfer and fly home. Arrive back in UK the following morning.

Inclusions

What's Included

Each featured itinerary is really a starting point from which to create your ideal holiday.

We can include as much or as little as you like, mix and match hotels, excursions and experiences, add extra nights and change the destinations you'd like to visit.

The common thread is that each is a privately guided holiday, allowing you to travel where and when you want, with your own private transport and dedicated guide.

General Inclusions:

• Return scheduled international flights (optional if you would like to arrange your own)
• English speaking, local guide & driver
• Choice of hotel accommodation
• Transport in private air-conditioned vehicles
• Domestic flights detailed in itinerary
• Admission fees to all attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
• All meals as detailed (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)

General Exclusions:

• Entry visas International airport departure taxes if payable locally
• Optional Tours / Excursions
• Any meals not listed in the itinerary
• Drinks
• Personal expenses
• Tips for Guides / Drivers (discretionary)
• Travel insurance
• Any camera or video fees charged at sites

Where You'll Stay

 Hotels

The hotels below are there as examples, designed to act as a starting point from which to create your holiday. There are plenty of alternatives to choose from and when we quote we will include other suggestions so we get to understand your likes and dislikes. Quite often clients mix and match hotel categories throughout their holiday.

Thailand

Myanmar

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