13-Day Essence of Thailand Tour

Your journey begins when your flight lands in Bangkok. Transfer to hotel and time to adjust from jetlag.

Begin today with a visit to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buhdda, followed by an adventure around the city in a tuk tuk. Besides the temples and shrines, you take a longtail boat ride on the Chao Phraya River. Feeling a bit wore out? Enjoy a foot massage at Wat Pho!

Highlights of Today: Bangkok from a Different Angle Bangkok can get clogged very easily especially during the rush hours. Thus, local transportation becomes more of an ideal way of travel. Today you will take the Skytrain to visit Bangkok's landmark, the Grand Palace and Temple of Emerald Buddha. Take a longtail boat along the Chao Phraya River before you reach Wat Pho, where a foot massage is in order as this is the birthplace for Thai massage. Ride on a tuk tuk to view the city from a different angle.

Make your way to Khao Yai National Park, where you will spend two days trekking through jungles, going on night safari, searching for wildlife and camping under the stars. Itinerary is pretty flexible and you will not miss out the major attractions inside the park, including Haew Suwat Waterfall, Haew Narok Waterfall, Bat Cave, night safari and jungle trekking.

Highlights of Today: Camping and Night Safari After some easy trekking during the day, you will be taken to the camping site and set up your camp. Afterwards, get to the Bat Cave to watch thousands of bats flying out of the dark chasm in hunt for food. Get out your flashlight and hiking gear when darkness wraps up the park, time for a night safari for nocturnal animals.

Trekking through dense woods

Rise up early in the morning and have some simple breakfast. Continue your exploration to search for wildlife including deers, Asian elephants, gibbons and various birds. Visit another waterfall before lunch and you will hit the road back to Bangkok.

Don't scream or yell when you find elephants roaming or you will startle them

Enjoy a lazy morning in Bangkok. After your breakfast (or maybe a brunch?), your tour guide will take you to a seafood market where you can see how the locals haggle with the vendors. (Note: If seafood market is not your thing, we can change to another local market, for example Train Market or Chatuchak Weekend Market). Travel to the famous Dannomsaduak Floating Market, 2 hours away from Bangkok and feel up the vibe. Spend the rest of today free at leisure.

Vendor boats along the canal of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Take a morning flight to Chiang Rai up in the northern part of Thailand. Short break upon arrival before a 3-hour city discovery. you will head to Wat Phra Kaew, which was the original home of the Emerald Buddha before it was moved to Bangkok. Visit Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong to see its large gold stupa. Wat Rong Khun (also called the White Temple) is built with white glass. This delicate architectural structure with its quirky artwork is stunning at every level. Take your time to admire this breathtaking temple complex.

The Wat Rong Khun

Chiang Rai has a notorious history regarding the opium trade and plants back in the old days. Today you will pay a visit the Hall of Opium Museum and the Golden Triangle. Get up to the hilltop for a good view of the point where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet together. Get down to the riverbank and take a boat trip to get on one of the islands belonging to Laos. Afterwards, you will have the chance to connect with locals from the Meo hill tribe by chatting with them and observing their lifestyle.

Take a boat trip along the river of the Golden Triangle

Today you will be transferred to Chiang Mai. Upon your arrival in Chiang Mai, head to Doi Suthep where you will start a pleasant walk. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is one of the most sacred temples in Northern Thailand and you need to climb 309 steps to reach it. As you reach the summit, an amazing bird's-eye view of Chiang Mai will be presented. Return to Chiang Mai and take a rickshaw ride for an overview of this city.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

Home to many ethnic minority groups, Chiang Mai treats its travelers with variety of landscapes, cultures, lifestyles and cuisine. Today you will be taken to a village in Mae Sa Valley. A friendly host will teach you how to make traditional Tom Yam Soup or Pad Thai. Get back to your hotel and spend the rest of today free at leisure.

Learn to cook Pad Thai in Chiang Mai

Fly to Phuket and enjoy your free days on Kata Beach.

There are many flights between Phuket and Bangkok every other 30 minutes. Make your way back to Bangkok and connect with the departure flight.