Classic Thailand

Thailand, 12 Nights

Day 1 - London/Bangkok
Board your British Airways flight from Heathrow to Bangkok. Arrive and transfer to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel for three nights.

Day 2 - Bangkok
Meet your private guide this morning for a visit to the spectacular Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha - one of the most sacred sites in the whole of Thailand. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to further explore this colourful city. Perhaps visit 17th century Wat Pho, Jim Thompson's house, the markets of Chinatown or observe canal-side life in Thonburi from a boat.

Day 3 - Bangkok/Kanchanaburi/Bangkok
After breakfast, drive to Kanchanaburi for a full day of sightseeing to the River Kwai, including the famous 'Bridge over the River Kwai'. Your visit will take you to the beautifully maintained Kanchanaburi War Cemetery which contains the graves of 6,982 prisoners of war. You will also see the JEATH War Museum, a curious little museum built to resemble a POW camp. Have lunch at a local restaurant. If time permits, you may also be able to take the train across the bridge and up to Nam Tok station, at the end of the line.

Day 4 - Bangkok/Chiang Rai      
After an early breakfast, fly from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. Check-in to the Anantara Resort & Spa Golden Triangle for two nights. Settle into your room before an afternoon visit to the riverside town of Chiang Saen, the Opium Museum and a boat trip on the Khong River.

Day 5 - Chiang Rai
This morning, drive to Mae Sai - the most northerly town in Thailand - on the border with Myanmar. Proceed to Doi Mae Salong, driving through beautiful mountain scenery. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to explore one of the hilltribe villages.    

Day 6 - Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai
After breakfast, drive to Chiang Mai (approximately 4 hours drive), stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in to the Four Seasons hotel for three nights. Relax for the rest of the afternoon, before an evening visit to the vibrant Night Bazaar.

Day 7 - Chiang Mai
This morning, explore the city of Chiang Mai including a rickshaw ride and the temple of Wat Phra Singh in the old town. You will also head up to the beautiful Wat Doi Suthep, the north's most holy shrine, which dominates the hillside in the west of the city. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 8 - Chiang Mai
Visit the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, a centre for research into Thai flora. Afterwards, continue to the Elephant Camp Training Centre. Here you will experience an exclusive private mahout (elephant trainer) training course and become an honorary mahout to these gentle giants. Have lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 9 - Chiang Mai/Phuket
Transfer to the airport for an early afternoon flight to Phuket. Arrive and check-in to the Anantara Phuket for four nights.

Day 10 - Phuket
Explore Phuket Town with a private guide this morning. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 11 - Phuket
Take to the water and spend the day on a yacht cruising through enchanting Phang Nga Bay, where you can admire the dramatic limestone rock formations stretching up from the water. Arrive at 'James Bond Island' and board a longtail boat to visit the Sea Gypsy village, Mangrove Delta and Grotto Cave. Enjoy lunch back on-board the yacht before an afternoon of swimming or sunbathing. Cruise back to Phuket Island late afternoon.

Day 12 - Phuket
Enjoy a day of leisure.

Day 13 - Phuket/Bangkok/London                
Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight, via Bangkok. Alternatively extend your stay by the beach or travel onto Indo-China. Ask us about extending your stay with a visit to the fascinating historical sites at Ayutthaya or Sukhothai.

Pricing
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. However, as a guide, a 12 day journey in Thailand will cost from £3,935 per person based on two adults sharing with flights from the UK and subject to availability.

Click here to download our Classic Thailand itinerary