Explore North to South

Your journey will begin in the bustling Northern hub of Chiang Mai. After you have acclimatized and feel suitably rested, you will make your way to the DoiSuthep temple. DoiSuthep is a wonderful example of the temple architecture that is typical in Thailand, and is the first of many Buddhist temples you’ll have the pleasure of walking around on your Thailand tour. On the way to the temple, you’ll head through thick jungles and hills that are inhabited by the friendly Hmong people, who will be more than happy to welcome you and sell their handmade goods to you. Once you’ve walked around this temple, you can head to the town. Chaing Mai is very popular with expats, so you can expect to find many high-class eateries and coffee shops around. One particular highlight is the Catmosphere Cat Café. As well as tasty treats and gourmet coffee, you can enjoy your goodies in the presence of many cats that are happy both to be petted and left alone. It’s quite the experience! Western food isn’t all Chiang Mai has to offer. The Chiang Mai night market is amongst the best in Thailand, with many stalls offering the best in Thai food and crafts, as well as many other things such as clothes to purchase. Pad Thai is the national dish of Thailand, and here may be the first time you try it on your Thailand tour package – but it won’t be the last!

Day 2: ELEPHANT SANCTUARY CHAING (BREAKFAST, LUNCH) MAI

After enjoying the hustle and bustle of city life, you’ll probably be itching to get in touch with nature. If that’s the case, then don’t worry! Day two of your Thailand tour is bound to be one you’ll never forget. A driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Elephant Sanctuary. The Elephant Sanctuary is a wonderful organization, looking after elephants that have been ill-treated as well as educating others about the plight of elephants in Thailand and South East Asia. You will spend your time getting up close and personal with the elephants, trekking with them through the jungle bush, whilst also getting the opportunity to feed them. But that’s not all! Trekking is muddy business, and you’re sure to get even muddier once you’re scrubbing the adult and baby elephants with a mud bath. After all, who said Thai massages are just for people? After this unforgettable day, you will head to Pai, a small town not too far from Chiang Mai.

Pai is one of the best kept secrets in Thailand. A small town high in the mountains, Pai offers the chance to experience authentic Thai mountain people culture and to unwind in panoramic views of the valleys and rolling hills. Often dubbed a “hippy” area, Thai is great place to relax but, if you’re more inclined towards adventure, there’s a plethora of trekking routes to explore, as well as an abundance of natural beauty such as dramatic waterfalls and viewpoints.

Day 4: CHIANG RAI (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Chiang Rai is the last of your mountain towns on your Thailand tour package, but is arguably the most beautiful. To familiarize yourself with the city, you can embark on a walking tour of Chiang Rai. Walking tours are a great and cheap way to get to know a new place, as the locals know best and can often point out the best places to eat, shop and sleep. WatPhraKaew is one of the holiest temples in Thailand, and contains stunning Buddhist statues, wonderful golden pagodas and ornate carvings. You can walk through the temples, taking pictures at your leisure and observing monks going about their daily rituals. It’s truly a wonderful glimpse into this side of life and religion, which you seldom get a chance to see at home. Due to its location amongst the mountains, temperatures can get quite low by Thai standards, especially if you’re staying in a mountain hotel. Many of the mountain hotels offer unrivalled views of the valleys they’re situated in – the perfect places to enjoy a Thai coffee and contemplate from – and accommodation can be found here for very low prices. You will be free to enjoy the evening, but perhaps you would like to relax, because the next day will see you in one of the liveliest cities in the world – Bangkok.

Day 5: BANGKOK (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Bangkok – a sprawling metropolis and one of the most exciting cities in the world. The possibilities here are endless, and there’s truly something for everyone here. What Bangkok does best in Thailand is shopping. Easily accessible on the Bangkok rail system, Central is a huge shopping centre, featuring high stress, designer and local shops selling clothes, accessories and much, much more. For those wanting a more authentic dose of retail therapy, the Asiatique area features stalls and shops where local designers sell their en-trend designs and must-have crafts. If you’re wanting a taste of how Bangkok was many years ago, there are several floating markets, where you can peruse the wares of the hawkers from the comfort of a boat on the river, with someone doing the hard work of pushing you are for you. The famous Chatuchak market in Bangkok is simply a must see. It’s a huge market offering almost anything for sale – you name it, they’ve got it! It’s a wonderful space to spend an hour or two looking around, and a great place to pick up souvenirs. The nightlife on offer in Bangkok is some of the best that the whole of South East Asia has to offer. From fancy rooftop bars where you can enjoy a cocktail with a view, to the backpacker, bucket-haven of Khao San Road and the lively antics Soi Cowboy, there are restaurants, bars and clubs to suit all budgets, and to offer you a night that you’ll never forget. As the famous song says – one night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble.

Phuket is only a short hop from Bangkok on the plane, but is a must for any Thailand tour package. Phuket old town is a quaint part of the city, home to beautiful, colonial-esque building and cobbled streets, with plenty of stores to buy local crafts and goodies. It’s a gentle and quaint introduction to this busy, bustling city. Like Bangkok, Phuket offers a premier shopping experience thanks to its large shopping centers, such as Central, as well as the hundreds of shops along the beach that sell t-shirts, beach wear and many more things. There are plenty of restaurants and streetside eateries that offer authentic Thai food but be warned – food from the South of Thailand tends to be hotter than what you’ll be used to on the Northern leg of your Thailand tour package! Phuket is also similar to Bangkok in terms of nightlife. Bangla Road Walking Street is very lively, with many clubs and pubs adorning each side of this busy street and is very popular with holidaymakers and expats. It’s certainly worth spending an hour or so to really drink in the vibe of this place and to relax and watch the world go by.

Day 8: PHUKET (BREAKFAST)

Today will be all about the beaches of Phuket. Patong Beach, in the bustling Patong region of Phuket, is probably the most popular beach here, but there are far more beautiful beaches to be seen here. Kata and Kata Noi are popular beaches but they should be easy enough to find space on. The thick greenery on the edges of the beaches, coupled with the clear water, make them very appealing and an ideal place to swim, surf or enjoy watersports on. Freedom Beach is the most beautiful in Phuket, but is not as easy to access as some of the other beaches. To get there, one must traverse through about a kilometer of thick jungle, but it’s definitely worth it. Quiet and picturesque, it’s a peaceful part of this busy city, and will provide lasting memories.

Krabi is just a few hours from Phuket by than, but well worth visiting. This once sleepy province is now renowned for beautiful beaches and luscious green mountains. Ao Nang Beach is the most popular of the lot, a beautiful and long beach accompanied by many restaurants and cafes, but the most beautiful beach to visit is Railay Beach. Just a twenty minute long tail boat ride away, Railay’s sweeping beach and clear waters offer ideal opportunity to relax in this paradise, whilst the mountains offer the best rock climbing in the country. If you’ve had you fill of beaches for the minute, the Tiger Cave Temple climb is well worth doing – if you’re up for it! This 1,234 step climb up a mountain is tough, but you’re rewarded with spectacular panoramic views from the top, as well as a beautiful Buddha statue. There’s also a cave and several monks on site to provide a glimpse into life here – legend has it, a tiger used to live here, only to one day leave into the jungle, never to be seen again. Now there’s a story to tell of your Thailand tour package!

Located in SuratThani province, Samui is just a three hour van journey and forty minute ferry ride away from Krabi. Samui is one of the larger Thai islands, with its own airport and Central shopping centre. It’s home to many beaches, the standout ones being Chaweng and Lamai, and these are the best places to base yourself in order to explore the island. Popular attractions are the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks to the south of the island, which have curiously taken on the form of male and female body parts The Samui weekend night market in Lamai offers an array of yummy, fresh food, both Western and Thai, for cheaper than you’ll find in a restaurant.

Day 11: RETURN TO BANGKOK AND HOME (BREAKFAST)

Unfortunately, today is the day your Thailand tour package has come to an end. A driver will take you to the airport after you have enjoyed the island up to your flight time, and you’ll fly to Bangkok, which you’ll be free to enjoy until your flight home.