Itinerary
Days 1-2 Bangkok Days 3-4 River Kwai Day 5 Khao Yai National Park Day 6 Ayuthaya Days 7-8 Chiang Mai Days 9-10 Chiang Rai & Golden Triangle Day 11 Bangkok Day 12 Depart

Day 1: You will be met on arrival and transferred to your centrally located hotel. You have the rest of the day free to relax and adjust to the frenetic pace and humid heat of Bangkok.

Day 2: Begin with a walk to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Keow, the most famous temple complex in Thailand. Continue to Wat Po and Wat Arun before taking a boat trip through Bangkok's busy waterways. There will still be time for some afternoon shopping.

Day 3: It is an early start this morning to see the floating market at Damnoen Saduak at its best. Continue by boat to Kanchanaburi to board a train to travel the last remaining section of the infamous Burma Railway. After lunch at Nam Tok, it’s back aboard a long tail boat on the Kwai Noi River to the River Kwai Jungle Rafts. Accommodation here is basic, but comfortable twin rooms with private bathrooms and oil lamps creating a special atmosphere.

Day 4: After breakfast take an exciting boat ride downstream to Resotel Pier to visit the Hell Fire Pass Memorial, returning to the Jungle Rafts for lunch. For the afternoon there are several options: simply relaxing, a trip to the Sai Yok Yai waterfalls, a visit to a nearby Mon village (an ethnic group originally from Burma), or a short elephant ride. In the evening dinner at the Jungle Rafts with traditional dances and music of the Mon.

Day 5: Travel by road to Khao Yai National Park, the oldest national park in Thailand. With its 2990 sq km Khao Yai is also one of the largest parks in Thailand. We overnight in the park, close to the new visitor center – accommodation is basic, but comfortable.

Day 6: Begin with an early morning walk on one of Khao Yai's jungle trails. After lunch depart for Ayuthaya. Once a Khmer outpost then Siamese Royal capital until 1767, it is a place of serene Buddhist monuments and temples, testaments to past glory. Visit two of Ayuthaya’s most impressive ruins Wat Sri Sanphet and Wat Chai Wattanaram before transferring to the station for the overnight airconditionsed sleeper train to Chiang Mai.

Day 7: Early morning arrival in Chiang Mai and transfer to your guest house. In the hotel you will have time to fresh up although the room might not be available at the time of arrival. After lunch at a lakeside restaurant specializing in Northern Thai dishes head out to visit Chiang Mai's most famous temple, Wat Doi Suthep – great views across the city. Your accommodation is only a short distance from one of Chiang Mai’s highlights – the night bazaar with its incredible array of fresh seafood.

Days 8-9: Trek into a remote area, home to several hill tribe people. This trek will involve some strenuous hiking and spending two nights in village houses under primitive conditions. You will however, get to know some of Thailand's most exotic and interesting inhabitants.
Non trekking option: Visit Doi Inthanon National Park, less remote hill tribe villages, elephant and bicycle rides along small country roads.
Whichever option you chose you will be sure to discover some of the best of rural Thailand.

Days 10-11: Continue to Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand's second city. Embark on a tour to the area known as the Golden Triangle. This point, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Burma meet was once a major opium producing area. The recently opened Opium Museum is excellent and tells the story of the infamous history of the area. Also visit Mae Sai, the bustling border crossing with Burma as well as the magnificent Mae Fah Luang gardens at Doi Tung.
You will be transferred to the airport for your late evening flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok. where you will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel, located conveniently close to the airport.

Day 12: Departure day. Transfer to the airport is available by hotel shuttle bus.

BETTER TOGETHER
Best of Thailand + Jewel of the Mekong for a 24 day tour through the very best of Thailand and Laos. Book together and save up to USD160 per person.	Tour Costs PRIVATE DEPARTURES 2 people - USD 2220p/p 3 people - USD 1960p/p 4 people - USD 1690p/p 5 people - USD 1640p/p 6 people - USD 1580 p/p single supplement: USD 272 p/p
you could also add a beach break with our Rainforest & Beaches extension or a Hill Tribe Trek

Tour Costs
PRIVATE DEPARTURES
2 people - USD 1380 p/p
3 people - USD 1190 p/p
4 people - USD 1040 p/p
5 people - USD 990 p/p
6 people - USD 960 p/p
cost for larger groups on request

single supplement:
USD138 p/p

FLIGHT COSTS
Chiang Rai-Bangkok USD92p/p