Itinerary

Day 1

Bangkok On your arrival into Bangkok, you will be collected from the airport by our agent and transferred directly to your hotel. You'll stay in a hotel with a swimming pool, in a spacious room which will have air conditioning. The hotel is in the heart of Bangkok and about 10 minutes' walk from Khao San Road (or 5 minutes by tuk-tuk). The rest of the day is free for you to explore this bustling capital. Try some of the wonderful Thai cuisine, take a quick look around the city and recharge your batteries.

Day 2

Bangkok Today you'll discover Bangkok, the 'City of Angels', with its temples, pagodas and street stalls. Plan your own day, but don't miss the Royal Palace, the residence of the reigning King Bhumibol. You can get there by (water) taxi, tuk-tuk or on foot if you fancy stretching your legs.

The Buddhist temple at Wat Arun on the river, and the narrow, intriguing and lively streets of Chinatown are two things we think are not to be missed during your stay. Try a serving of Pad Thai, the world famous street food of choice in Bangkok. You can shop till you drop in Bangkok, there is everything from street traders to giant department stores. Alternatively, you could save your shopping until you get to Chiang Mai, where the night market offers exceptional choice. Although our advice is if you see something you like, buy it, you might not find it again!

Day 3

Bangkok - River Kwai You'll be collected from your hotel in the early morning by an air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking guide. You'll head off in the direction of Kanchanaburi and the River Kwai. You'll stop for an hour or so at the famous floating market, and then travel onwards to the train station. Here you'll board a train and ride along a stretch of the infamous Burma Death Railway, where thousands of POWs were forced to build a railway, and the famous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai'. For the best views sit on the right.

You'll travel over a spectacular viaduct, still constructed in the original wood material. When you arrive at a small train station, your lunch is served (included) and then you'll have your first experience of Asia's famous longtail boats. This 40 minute boat ride takes you along the River Kwai and into the jungle, arriving at this evening's accommodation, floating bamboo bungalows on the river. You'll have your own private room, with a swimming ladder into the river, and hammocks to laze in. The river is safe to swim in, there is a slight current. A hearty evening dinner, shared with the other guests seated at long tables, is included.

Day 4

River Kwai - Kanchanaburi After a night spent in the middle of the jungle, you'll travel along the river by boat for the hour long ride to the Erawan Waterfalls (£6 entrance fee paid locally). The waterfall has seven different levels, with a total height difference of 1500m. Depending on your walking speed, you can reach the top in about 1½ hours. Your efforts are well rewarded by this enchanting location. Sparkling idyllic waters lie in light blue basins with a backdrop of smooth limestone rocks. You'll have about three hours of free time by the waterfall, don't forget your swimmers.

Your guide will leave you at your hotel in Kanchanburi. From here it's only a short walk to the JEATH War Museum, and also by the river the Memorial cemetery to victims of the infamous Burma Death Railway.

Day 5

Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya After breakfast we'll arrange a minibus to collect you from your hotel, and transfer you to Ayutthaya. The transfer takes about 3 hours, and your friendly driver will drop you at Uncle Pan's bungalows, where you'll be staying. The centre of town is only a short walk, or tuk tuk ride away, and the afternoon is free to do with as you wish.

This evening we'll arrange a sunset tuk-tuk tour, which will take you around the city where you'll see the wonderful Khmer Temples illuminated by the setting sun.

Day 6

Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai Ayutthaya is a UNESCO world heritage site and in the 12th century this was one of the most important kingdoms in Southeast Asia. It was visited by traders from every corner of the world. Eventually the city lost its power, and in the 18th century the city and many of its temples were ransacked by the Burmese. Today you can visit the remains of the mystical Khmer temple complexes. Wat Phra Si Samphet, Wat Mahatat and Wat Mongkol Bophit are the most famous, but you can wander amongst other old statues and pagodas where you won't see other tourists. We thought Wat Chai Wattanaram was the most beautiful, it's one of the more remote temples but you can hire a bike or take the river taxi there. At the end of the day you'll collect your bags from the hotel, and make your way to the railway station. We will reserve you a couchette on the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai. It's quite comfortable accommodation, it's air conditioned and the train gently rocks you to sleep. There is also a good restaurant car serving meals, drinks and snacks.

Day 7

Chiang Mai The next morning you'll arrive in Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of the north. You'll stay in a hotel with a swimming pool that's close to the city gates. We recommend a trip to Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple 15 km outside the city. It sits at the top of a 1600m-high mountain, from where you have a fantastic panorama view of Chiang Mai and the surrounding mountains. This old temple is a pilgrimage site, and once inside the walls the complex is nice and cool.

In the evening take a walk to the night market. It's usually really busy, full of street food stalls serving amazing food, and market traders. You'll also find Thai massage salons, restaurants and karaoke bars - there really is something for everyone !

Day 8

Chiang Mai - Trek Today you'll begin a two-day trek into the mountains. During the trek your main meals and English-speaking guide are included. As you will return to the same hotel in Chiang Mai at the end of the trek, you can leave most of your baggage at the hotel, and take just a small day pack with you on the 2-day trek. You will be picked up at your hotel by săwngthăew (a converted pick up truck taxi) and taken to a forestry elephant training camp. Here you'll get to see how these magnificent animals are trained to be professional working animals. After an hour of looking around and seeing how the elephants are raised, you'll begin walking through the forest to an Akha village. It's not a difficult walk, you'll mainly be walking over level forest trails. The Akha live according to their old traditions, and many still wear their traditional dress. After lunch, you'll travel by pickup truck further into the hills and forests through amazing scenery to another remote hilltribe village. Here you'll stay overnight as their guest, sleeping on mats on a bamboo floor in a very simple wooden hut, although a mosquito net is provided.

Day 9

Elephants and rafting - Chiang Mai After breakfast, the elephants will arrive ready to take you through the jungle, for your hour and a half ride. High on the back of these majestic animals, you'll have a fantastic view of the surrounding scenery.

The elephants will bring you to a riverside camp where you'll say goodbye to your new friends. At the camp you'll board bamboo rafts, where you'll gently meander down stream. Lunch is served on the riverbank and is included. You're raft will bring you to the collection point for your return journey to Chiang Mai, stopping along the way at an orchid farm. Back in Chiang Mai you'll be dropped back off at the same hotel where you left your luggage. Time for a hot shower and a soft bed!

Day 10

Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Surat Thani Today you'll be free to explore more of Chiang Mai, relax by the swimming pool, or haggle over last minute purchases at the markets. We'll arrange a flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok for you, all you have to do is get to the airport.

When you arrive at Bangkok Airport, you'll arrange a taxi to Hualomphong Railway Station, and we will arrange your tickets and reservation on the overnight sleeper train to Surat Thani in the south of Thailand. We advise that you allow plenty of time as traffic in Bangkok can be heavy. You're couchette on the train is comfortable and has air conditioning. The train also has a good restaurant car serving meals, drinks and snacks.

Day 11

Surat Thani - Ko Samui When the train arrives in Surat Thani our agent will be ready to take you to the ferry port for the crossing to Ko Samui, a beautiful island in the Gulf of Thailand. Warm seas and palm trees greet you as you arrive on Ko Samui. We'll arange for you to stay on a beach close to the popular Lamai Beach. Here you'll spend the last days of your holiday in a hotel on the beach with it's own swimming pool.

Day 12

Ko Samui The next few days are about total relaxation, spend your days lazing by the pool, or on the beach. There are plenty of local traders selling exotic fresh fruit for a cheap and wonderful lunch, they'll prepare it for you right there, you don't even have to leave your sun lounger ! If you're looking for something more active there are plenty of excursions you can take. Hire a moped and visit some of the other beaches on the island, or go canoeing or snorkelling. There is also plenty of diving opportunities on the island, there are sometimes whale sharks in this area. There are also plenty of great restaurants to choose from on Ko Samui, it goes without saying there is an amazing selection of seafood available. After dinner, you might well see people making fire lanterns on the beach, it's beautiful to watch them float off into the night sky.

Day 13

Ko Samui If you're looking for something a bit more active today there are plenty of excursions you can take. Hire a moped and visit some of the other beaches on the island, or go canoeing or snorkelling. There is also plenty of diving opportunities on the island, and sometimes whale sharks in this area. There are also plenty of great restaurants to choose from on Ko Samui, it goes without saying there is an amazing selection of seafood available. After dinner you might well see people making fire lanterns on the beach, it's beautiful to watch them float off into the night sky.

Day 14

Ko Samui - Bangkok It's time to say goodbye to your island paradise today and start the journey back home. You'll arrange you're own transport to Ko Samui Airport, and we'll arrange your flight back to Bangkok, so you can connect straight onto your flight home to the UK.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Breakfast and some other meals

Exclusions -

International flights to Vietnam

Extras -

This is not a group tour and can be tailor made to create your perfect trip. We can play around with your itinerary until we get it just right.