Thailand in Style (19 days)
This tour takes in the best of Thailand’s culture, wildlife and beaches whilst staying in a selection of our hand-picked luxury hotels and lodges. After the vibrant capital Bangkok head to the tranquillity of Khao Yai National Park for its nature trails and wildlife viewing. Then fly north to Chiang Mai to spend time in this fascinating city and nearby countryside. The final leg is on the southern coast with a short stay on the beaches of Khao Lak, the jumping off point for the upscale Elephant Hills Tented Camp to explore the wildlife of the Kho Sok National Park and mesmerising scenery of Cheow Lan Lake. Finish in style on the idyllic island of Koh Yao Yai, surrounded by the limestone islets of Phang Nha Bay.
Guide Price
From £4,795 per person based on a double room for departures in March.
Day by Day Itinerary
Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.
Flight: TG911 London Heathrow - Bangkok 11.50 - 06.10 (overnight)
Meet & Greet: On arrival at Bangkok Airport, you will be welcomed to Thailand by your private English-speaking guide and then transferred to your hotel to check in and relax.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lebua State Tower (Tower Club River View Suite)
Kanchanaburi RailwayMorning at leisure: This morning is free to relax at your hotel.
Afternoon long-tail boat trip along the Khlongs to Royal Barge Museum & Wat Pho: This afternoon set off from your hotel and board a long-tailed boat for the fascinating journey to the old district of Thonburi in the heart of Bangkok to explore a network of canals to see local folk going about their daily lives. Located just across the Chao Praya River from the financial district's towering skyscrapers, these quiet waterways are a magical place that seems a world away from the frenetic pace of the city. Visit the Royal Barge Museum where you can see eight of the country's most unique and stunning vessels: the Royal Barges. These boats are reserved for auspicious ceremonies and state occasions like the very rare Royal Barge Procession and have only made an appearance on the water 16 times in the last 65 years. Disembark near Wat Pho and head into the temple complex to see the colossal 46m Reclining Buddha with feet beautifully inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and the four giant Chedis of the Kings. Wat Pho was founded in the 16th century and is considered the earliest centre for public education in Thailand due to the 1,360 marble inscriptions about medicine, history and sciences that are places all around the temple for people to read and learn. There is also an active school of medicine at the temple, which is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lebua State Tower (Tower Club River View Suite)
Meals: Breakfast
Bridge on the River Kwai, KanchanaburiMorning visit to the Grand Palace & National Museum: This morning you will be taken for a tour of the Grand Palace which is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient Siamese architecture and has been the residence of the Kings of Thailand for over two centuries. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. Continue with a visit to the National Museum, home to the most extensive collection of Thai artifacts and art in the country. Located on the grounds of the Grand Palace, the museum, which was built in the late 1800s, consists of numerous buildings, each housing different types of art.
Afternoon visit to Jim Thompson's House: This afternoon pay a visit to the house of Jim Thompson who has become a Bangkok legend since his mysterious disappearance in 1967. A master of the silk trade his elegant residential enclave, comprising six traditional Thai teakwood houses transported from Ayutthaya and Bangkok’s Ban Krua community, echoes his 30-year love affair with Southeast Asian art and cultural heritage.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lebua State Tower (Tower Club River View Suite)
Meals: Breakfast
Erawan Waterfall, KanchanaburiRoad journey to Khao Yai National Park: Today you will be setting off from the city with your guide and driver, and heading for the lush countryside of the Khao Yai National Park. Today's road journey is between two to three hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Afternoon tour of Khao Yai National Park: Enter into Khao Yai National Park from the southern entrance and visit a famous cave temple used by Buddhist monks for meditation. Afterwards walk to a beautiful spot where you have a magnificent view over the national park area. Continue to your hotel later on in the afternoon, where you can check-in and relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sala Khao Yai (Deluxe Balcony Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Haew Suwat Waterfall, Khao Yai National ParkGuided walking tour of Khao Yai National Park: Depart from your resort after breakfast, meet up your naturalist guide and then head into the national park on a day's nature walk that will take you through the lush evergreen forest that dominates the central regions of Khao Yai National Park. Porters are on hand to carry food and other essentials, and a cook will prepare a traditional Thai lunch for you in the forest. Having freshened up after your walk, you will visit mineral licks which are often visited by large mammals. You will also visit the famous Haewsuwat Waterfall and follow a crocodile trail. Late afternoon, drive to Khao Kheaw View Point to watch some bird species settling down for the night. As the evening draws in, you will arrive at the park headquarters, where you will set out on a 'night safari' in the hope of seeing some of the park's larger wildlife which could include elephant, deer, porcupine, civet cats and wild dogs. After the 'safari', you will leave the park around 8pm and return to your hotel.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sala Khao Yai (Deluxe Balcony Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Elephant family, Khao Yai National ParkRoad journey to Bangkok: After breakfast this morning you will be transferred back to the airport in Bangkok for a flight to Chiang Mai.
Flight: FD3433 Bangkok - Chiang Mai 13.45 - 15.00
Private transfer to your hotel: Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport you will be met by your guide, and transferred to your hotel in a private chauffeur driven car.
Sunset cruise: Early this evening set off on a cruise from the Anantara's boat pier for a sunset cruise that takes you past some of Chiang Mai's most iconic sights. Free flow sparkling wine and canapes are served on board.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Anantara Resort (Deluxe Garden View Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Koh Samet coastlineFull day guided tour of Chiang Mai: After breakfast, you will set out to explore the local fresh market before taking a short "samlor" (tricycle) ride to Wat Phra Singh. This 14th century Lanna style temple has been one of Chiang Mai's most important sanctuaries. Opposite is Wat Prasat, one of the oldest unreconstructed temples in the city, and after looking around here, you will visit Wat Suan Dok where the ashes of former kings of Chiang Mai and the Royal Family are kept. Your last stop of the day will be at Wat Gate (or Wat Gatekaram) which dates back to the mid 15th century and sits in a great location in the historic district on the east bank of the River Ping. Later this afternoon visit Wat Doi Suthep, which is tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 1,056m. The temple is reached using a 290 step staircase and the monastery at the top was built by King Gue-Na in 1383. At its centre is a big Chedi (spiral pagoda) which contains relics of the Lord Buddha.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Anantara Resort (Deluxe Garden View Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Boat journey on the Klongs, BangkokFull day excursion to Doi Inthanon National Park: After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel and driven around 40 miles southwest of Chiang Mai to Doi Inthanon National Park. The park surrounds Thailand's highest peak, Doi Inthanon (over 8000ft above sea level), and offers beautiful scenery, waterfalls, evergreen forests, dwarf rhododendron groves and many other types of flora and fauna. The park is particularly popular for bird-watching as it is home to nearly 400 bird species, many from north Asia including mountain hawks and Eurasian woodcocks. You will make stops along the winding road to visit Karen hill tribe villages, Wachiratharn Waterfall and the twin chedi built by the Thai Air force to commemorate King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant before you reach the summit where, weather permitting, you will get excellent views and you will see the shrine of Chao Intha, the former prince of Chiang Mai.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at Anantara Chiang Mai (Deluxe Garden View Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Wat Pho and Grand Palace, BangkokPrivate transfer: This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Phuket.
Flight: FD3162 Chiang Mai - Phuket 12.45 - 14.50
Private transfer: On arrival in Phuket, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your beach hotel in Khao Lak to check in. The drive will take around 1.5 hours.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Devasom Beach Resort (Seaside Grand Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
At leisure: You are free to do as much or as little as you like. The Devasom offers a wide variety of activities including watersports and Spa treatments.
Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Devasom Beach Resort (Seaside Grand Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Shared transfer: You will be met at your hotel by the Elephant Hills team and transferred to the Phang Nga province, passing small rural villages, rubber and oil palm plantations - glimpses of tropical rural life here in southern Thailand can be caught.
Afternoon kayaking trip: After lunch embark on a jungle kayak trip down the Sok River. The canoes are very stable and safe; life jackets are provided as well as a local river guide to paddle the canoe. Drift along the jungle river passing Limestone Mountains and cliffs covered with exotic tropical vegetation. Sometimes hornbill birds can be seen flying high overhead or reptiles basking in the sun on the riverbanks. From the canoe you can experience some of the last areas of primary rainforest, a world that has changed little in thousands of years.
Elephant Experience: Get out of the canoe and head over to the elephant park. Here you can see, touch and learn about the life of Thai elephants and about the Elephant Hills elephant conservation project. Your guide will also teach you about the mahout, the elephant caretaker. While participating in our amazing Elephant Experience you will get very close to and even get your hands on these magnificent animals, you will have the chance to interact with them and learn the secrets of their mahouts. You will prepare and feed them one of their daily meals, including their dietary supplements that help with their digestion and their overall well-being.
Evening activities: After today's activities it is time to head back to your luxury safari tent at the Elephant Hills Jungle Camp. Relax and enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding jungle-covered mountains. A wide selection of cocktails, wines and spirits is available at the “Jungle explorer’s club bar”. Optional evening entertainment includes a movie presentation, a traditional Thai dance performance from local school children and a cooking demonstration, where you learn how to properly prepare Thai specialties. At 8pm dinner is served in this unique location beside the rainforest, the sounds and the atmosphere will make this a memorable meal. Spend the night in your luxury safari tent with a comfortable bed, reading lights, hot water and a western-style toilet.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Elephant Hills Jungle Camp (Luxury Tent)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Morning activity: Wake up to the sounds of nature and birds calling from the bushes next to the tent. By the time the sun comes up and the mist over the rainforest-covered mountains to the south of Elephant Hills clears, gibbons’ territorial morning calls echo down the valley. Tea and coffee making facilities are available in your tent for early risers.
Road journey to Cheow Lan Lake: After a hearty breakfast set off by road to Ratchaprapha Dam on Cheow-Larn-Lake, a journey of around one hour.
Exploring Cheow-Lan-Lake: Today you will explore Cheow-Larn-Lake by local long-tail boat. Cruise across emerald waters passing towering rainforest covered Limestone Mountains to the “Guilin” of Southern Thailand. The Cheow-Larn-Lake is a little known wonder of southern Thailand and features a first-class habitat for wild elephants, the rare Asian ox, hornbills and hundreds of other tropical birds, various monkey species, amphibians, reptiles and even tigers and leopards. This combined with a myriad of other species hidden in the rainforest-covered hills make it one of the most unique and important areas of rainforest in South East Asia. Head to the floating Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp, situated in the heart of the national park, where our staff will check you in to your luxury tent with private en-suite bathrooms, solar- and wind-powered electricity and hot and cold water showers. Find all the conveniences of a modern hotel room inside, combined with solid beds, tea and coffee making facilities and totally unspoilt nature right at your door step. Sit back and enjoy the surrounding views of Cheow-Larn-Lake whilst enjoying a fabulous buffet lunch of Thai dishes which are prepared directly on the property.
Afternoon / evening activities: Set off from your floating resort by boat for a gentle walk in the jungle. It is not an army survival exercise, even though the trail is quite steep and times and can be slippery when wet – please talk to your guide if you are feeling unsure about the trek. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the ecology of one of the world’s oldest rainforests, to see a great variety of exotic plants, tropical hardwood trees with huge roots, orchids, palms, ferns, bamboos, mosses… the variety is huge. Birds such as the hornbill live high up above, gibbons can often be heard calling to their mates, a macaque or a leaf monkey may be swinging through the branches, beautiful butterflies buzz around – every day is different, but it is always truly wonderful to discover the great variety of life-forms that co-exists here together. Return to your floating resort and watch the sun set behind the towering limestone mountains from the deckchair in front of your tent after a refreshing dip in the water before dinner is served.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp (Floating Villa)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Morning activities: Wake up to the sounds of Gibbons calling high up in the trees, whilst the clearing mist unveils the true beauty of the lake. After breakfast your guide will invite you to join in on a guided canoe safari into the little channels and side arms of Cheow-Larn-Lake. Take one of our kayaks and start scanning the tree tops for lazy hornbill birds or energetic primates. Return to the floating resort for lunch before your onward journey.
Boat & road journey to Phuket: You will be transferred by boat back to Chiew Laan Pier and then by road to the marina in Phuket.
Longtail boat to Koh Yao Island: Board a private longtail boat which will take you directly to the beachfront at your resort.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Koh Yao Island Resort (Beach Villa)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
At leisure: You are free to do as much or as little as you like. Koh Yao offers a wide variety of activities and this is also a great opportunity to arrange an island hopping trip in the magnificent surroundings of Phang Nha Bay.
Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Koh Yao Island Resort (Beach Villa)
Meals: Breakfast
Private transfer: After a leisurely day on Koh Yao you will be transferred by longtail boat and private car to Phuket Airport. Check in for the Thai Airways flight to London Heathrow, via Bangkok.
Flight: TG212 Phuket - Bangkok 20.40- 22.15
Flight: TG910 Bangkok - London Heathrow 00.15 - 06.20
