Thailand
Thailand: Temples, Rivers & Islands
Golden temples and a candlelit river cruise in Bangkok, jungle waterfalls on the River Kwai, gentle elephants in the north, and the island blues of Phuket.
Overview
Thailand is called the Land of Smiles for a reason, and on this journey we experience all of it. We begin in Bangkok with glittering palaces, riverside evenings, and the best street food in Asia, then follow the River Kwai to a jungle resort reached by longtail boat. From there we fly north to the Golden Triangle, the dazzling White Temple, and Chiang Mai, where we spend a morning caring for rescued elephants and cook dinner with a local family in their teak home. We finish on the beaches of Phuket, with a sea canoe day through the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay. Comfortable, warm, and full of flavor.
Highlights
A candlelit dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River on your first evening in Bangkok
The Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha, and the giant Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho
A street food walking tour through Chinatown and a tuk-tuk ride to Bangkok's most famous pad thai
The floating market of Damnoen Saduak and a longtail boat to a jungle resort on the River Kwai
The emerald pools of Erawan Waterfall and the historic Bridge over the River Kwai
The Golden Triangle over the Mekong, the dazzling White Temple, and golden Doi Suthep above Chiang Mai
A morning feeding and bathing rescued elephants, and cooking dinner with a Lanna family in their teak home
Beach days in Phuket with a sea canoe trip through Phang Nga Bay to James Bond Island
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Bangkok
A warm welcome, riverside shopping at Icon Siam, and a candlelit dinner cruise with live music on the Chao Phraya River.
Day 2
Bangkok's temples & Chinatown
The Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, then an evening street food walk through old Chinatown ending with a legendary pad thai dinner.
Day 3-4
The River Kwai
The Damnoen Saduak floating market, a longtail boat to a riverside jungle resort, the emerald tiers of Erawan Waterfall, and the Bridge over the River Kwai.
Day 5
Back to Bangkok
The Jim Thompson House, free time for shopping, the wholesale flower market, and a stroll down famous Khaosan Road.
Day 6
North to Chiang Rai
A short flight north to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet over the Mekong, and an evening at the Chiang Rai night market.
Day 7
Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
The royal gardens of Doi Tung, the dazzling White Temple, and sunset at the golden mountaintop temple of Doi Suthep.
Day 8-9
Chiang Mai
A morning of feeding and bathing rescued elephants, an orchid farm and artists' village, Doi Inthanon's twin pagodas and waterfall, and a home-cooked Lanna dinner with a local family.
Day 10-13
Phuket & farewell
A flight south to the beach: free days on Patong Bay, the glittering Simon Cabaret show, a sea canoe day among the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay to James Bond Island, and the journey onward.
Frequently asked
Full but comfortable. City days mix guided mornings with free afternoons, and the trip ends with relaxed beach days in Phuket to unwind.
Interested in this journey?
We'll share dates, pricing, and availability in a personal conversation.