River Kwai & Northern Thailand

Welcome to Bangkok, the bustling capital city of Thailand! A world-renowned tourist destination, this vibrant city offers an eclectic mix of lively street life, cultural landmarks, and busy shopping areas.

Arriving at Suvarnabhumi or Donmuang Airport, you'll be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel for check in. Spend the rest of the day at leisure to explore Bangkok. Why not try some tasty street food or take a thrilling tuk tuk ride?

Bangkok - River Kwai - Kanchanaburi. Departing from Bangkok, today's journey takes us to the province of Kanchanaburi, a place steeped in historical significance and marked by the tragedies of World War II. Our first stop is the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum that details the construction and history of the infamous Thailand-Burma Railway, built by Allied prisoners of war under harrowing conditions.

Next, we board a train that travels along the "Death Railway," crossing the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, a poignant reminder of the many lives lost during its construction. The railway was originally intended by the Japanese to connect Thailand and Burma but saw limited use before Japan's surrender.

After our train journey, we trek to Krasae Cave, a former wartime refuge that now serves as a site of prayer. Following this, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to our riverside hotel. Here, you can enjoy a bamboo rafting experience along the Kwai River. The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Kanchanaburi - Bang Pa In - Ayutthaya. Our day begins with a visit to the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, where we'll take a leisurely walk across the bridge, soaking in the surrounding landscape. Next, we continue our journey with a visit to the nearby JEATH War Museum, which holds a collection of sketches depicting the harsh treatments the prisoners endured during the railway construction. The museum also features other relics from the war, including an unexploded Allied bomb intended to destroy the bridge.

Afterward, we head to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand, for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, originally a royal retreat during the 17th century. Notably, most of the existing buildings date back to the reign of King Rama V, showcasing a diverse range of architectural styles. Its picturesque setting features a sprawling park surrounded by lakes and waterways.

Following our visit, we'll head to our hotel for the night, where the evening is at leisure.

Ayutthaya - Lopburi - Phitsanulok. Enjoy breakfast followed by an early morning departure to the captivating Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Nestled along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, approximately 76 kilometers from Bangkok, Ayutthaya boasts a magnificent archaeological park recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here, we explore sacred ruins, including the Wat Chaimongkol temple, a hub of the Buddhist nun community; the ancient Wat Mahathat, famous for the Buddha image enshrined within the roots of a thousand-year-old tree; and the Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, originally a royal chapel and the largest and perhaps most magnificent temple in the area.

Continuing on to Lopburi, we make a stop at the Phra Prang Sam Yod, a Khmer-style Hindu sanctuary, renowned especially for the hundreds of long-tailed macaques that call it home. Playful, inquisitive, and well-fed, these monkeys have become the main attraction of the area. After lunch at a local restaurant, we head to Phitsanulok, one of the most important cities in the north of Thailand.

Phitsanulok - Sukhothai - Pha Yao - Chiang Rai. After breakfast, we journey to the magnificent Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Sukhothai means "dawn of happiness," and encapsulates the ruins of the ancient capital of the kingdom dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. While here, you can opt to take a bike ride through the historic park and the surrounding nature.

Our exploration includes a visit to the iconic White Buddha of Wat Sri Chum (Temple of the Sacred Tree), whose hand, adorned with gold leaf and resting on its knee, is revered by locals. This colossal Buddha statue stands atop a 32-meter pedestal, towering to a height of 15 meters. Afterwards, lunch awaits at a local restaurant before we continue our journey to Chiang Rai. En route, we pause for a brief stop at the picturesque Phayao Lake, nestled in the valley of the Ing River. Here, we will stroll along the lake's banks, lined with stalls and local food vendors. As a gesture of good luck, we'll even feed the fish before reaching our destination in the evening.

Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle - Chiang Mai. The first stop of the day is to Wat Rong Khun, also known as the "White Temple," a masterpiece by local artist and designer Chalermchai Kositpipat, who began the project in 1997. We'll also explore Wat Rong Suea Ten, known as the "Blue Temple" or "Temple of the Dancing Tiger," a new Buddhist sanctuary characterised by vibrant blue and yellow hues and adorned with white accents.

Mid-morning, we'll visit the famous Golden Triangle, the meeting point of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, locally known as "Sop Ruak." From atop a hill, we'll enjoy magnificent views of the Mekong River and the Ruak River, which divides the borders of the three countries, forming the famous triangular shape. Next, we'll explore the Hall of Opium. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Afterwards, we'll travel from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai by road (approx 3 hrs). In the evening, we'll visit the city's most famous temple, Wat Doi Suthep, perched atop a small hill 15 kilometers northwest of the city. This temple, the most sacred in the north, offers a serene atmosphere, and sometimes you can even hear the chants of the monks!

Chiang Mai - Araksa Tea Garden - Chiang Mai. This morning, we'll journey to Araksa Tea Garden in the picturesque hills of Mae Tang District. This small factory specializes in crafting premium Assam tea. Learn about organic tea cultivation and processing, master the proper technique for harvesting tea leaves, and witness the skilled hand-roasting process. After the demonstration, we'll enjoy lunch and a tea tasting experience at the Araksa Tea House.

For animal enthusiasts, there's an option to visit an ethical Elephant Sanctuary instead, where you can feed and care for elephants under expert guidance. Lunch is provided. Return to the hotel by 3:00 PM to rejoin the group's itinerary (supplement applies - please see trip notes for details).

After lunch, we'll return to our hotel in Chiang Mai for a break. At 5:00 PM, we'll embark on a sustainable city exploration in electric tuk-tuks, visiting famous spots and receiving a blessing from Buddhist monks at Wat Sri Suphan, the Silver Temple.

Finally, we'll head to the Ping River for dinner at a local restaurant, trying the traditional northern Thai dish "khao soi." After dinner, return to the hotel or explore the Chiang Mai riverside's pubs and bars with live music, returning independently.

Following breakfast at the hotel, your tour concludes. Then, you'll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!