Days 1 | BangkokYou can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 18:00 (this time may vary from time to time). Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information.
Please note that arrival airport transfers are included, so ensure you advise Intrepid of your flight details at the time of booking.
Your leader will collect your local payment on day 1. Please bring notes/bills in large denominations.
Bangkok has so much to offer those with time to explore - why not take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, or wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road?
Our comfortable hotel in Bangkok is centrally located near Khao San Rd and the Chao Praya River and has ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning and a swimming pool.
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Days 2-3 | KanchanaburiEarly on day 2 we head off in a longtail boat down the Chao Phraya River to explore the khlongs (canals) of Bangkok (approx. 1 hour) and witness the easy pace of life, a world away from the chaotic streets of the city. We also visit Wat Pho, home of the magnificent reclining Buddha and keeper of the magic behind Thai massage. Returning to the hotel we collect our bags and transfer to the bus station.
Travelling by local bus for approximately three hours in the afternoon we reach Kanchanaburi, home of the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. While here, there may be time for an optional saamlaw (bicycle rickshaw) tour around Kanchanaburi, the perfect way to take in the splendour of this city.
On day 3 we head off to the Erawan National Park (approx. 1.5 hours from Kanchanaburi), where we can explore the seven levels of this famous waterfall or simply swim and relax. On the return journey, there is the possibility of grabbing a kayak and taking the River Kwai back towards town, paddling under the infamous bridge for a unique view. If kayaking is not your thing, there are also majestic Buddhist temples to explore.
Our comfortable guesthouse is a short walk to the shops and restaurants and has ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioned rooms.
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Day 4 | AyuthayaFrom Kanchanaburi we transfer by minibus to the nearby city of Ayuthaya (approx. 2.5 hours), situated on the Chao Phraya River. Ayuthaya was once a booming Siamese royal capital and is now a World Heritage site. There are numerous ancient ruins, fascinating temples and interesting museums here and we have plenty of time to explore. While the kids play hide-and-seek, parents can learn the history of this fascinating site.
The rest of the afternoon is free before we board an overnight train north to Chiang Mai (approx. 13 hours). We use soft sleeper class trains for all our overnight train journeys. Multi share compartments are air conditioned, with bunk beds; sheets and pillow provided. Our baggage travels in the carriage with us. There is a food and drink service available on board.
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Day 5 | Chiang MaiArriving early in the morning, we have a full day to appreciate cosmopolitan Chiang Mai.
After a shower and change of clothes, we take off to explore the Chiang Mai Zoo before heading back to the hotel via the scenic hilltop temple of Doi Suthep. In the evening, head to the colourful Chiang Mai Night Bazaar for great food and a huge array of handicrafts.
Our clean, comfortable guesthouse in Chiang Mai is located by the famous night markets and has ensuite bathrooms and air-conditioning.
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Day 6 | Elephant Conservation Centre/HomestayWe visit the Elephant Conservation Centre near Lampang (approx. 1 hour) to watch elephants have a communal bathing session and to see both young and old elephants being taught skills they will utilise in the logging industry, before enjoying an unforgettable elephant ride through the forest followed by a delicious picnic lunch, after which there is time to visit the FAE Elephant Hospital.
After this, it's off to the warm and welcoming home of Intrepid's long-time friends.
We stay the night at a homestay in a small Thai village (approx. 1.5 hours from the Elephant Centre). Although accommodation is multi-share and basic, we experience everyday Thai life - something not many travellers get to do - and in the evening, we are treated to a traditional northern Thai Kantoke dinner accompanied by live music and dancing.
Our basic multi share homestay is in a local village. There will be fold-out mattresses on the floor and shared bathrooms.
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Days 7-9 Chiang MaiOn the morning of day 7 we may have the opportunity to offer alms to the monks as they go about their daily routine, or perhaps enjoy an early morning yoga session.
After a delicious breakfast, we cycle through the surrounding villages and countryside, learning about rural life in Thailand, perhaps visiting one of the many Royal Projects that have been initiated in and around this region of the country. The pace is leisurely and we have the luxury of a support vehicle.
We arrive back to Chiang Mai late in the afternoon of day 7 (approx 45 minutes) and check back into our comfortable guesthouse.
Days 8 and 9 are free to explore Chiang Mai. There are loads of optional activities to keep you fully occupied and having fun during the rest of our time in this city. You could attend a Thai cooking school, try a traditional massage, hire bicycles to ride around town and lots, lots more!
Your leader can help you to organise your time and help to arrange the activities you are interested in.
On the afternoon of day 9 we board our overnight train back to Bangkok (approx. 13 hours).
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Days 10-12 | Hua HinArriving in Bangkok early in the morning, we transfer straight down to the beach in a minivan (approx. 3 hours), arriving at the beach town of Hua Hin.
Here, we spend three nights and fill our time with an exploration of the numerous white sand beaches on foot or by boat, with swimming or participating in water sports of almost every description.
In the evenings, we can sample some of the most amazing food Thailand has to offer. While here, we also take a boat trip to a nearby island, which offers the opportunity to fish or simply laze the day away.
Our clean, comfortable guesthouse in Hua Hin town is located in a quiet part of town just a short walk to the beach and has ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioning and a swimming pool.
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Days 13-14 | BangkokBack on the road (approx. 3 hours), we head back to Bangkok and back to our hotel for a final night in this thriving metropolis.
Your leader can provide ideas of what to do if you have spare time on day 13. Places like Jim Thompson's House, the Grand Palace and Chinatown are all great to explore. There's also a fantastic array of transport options available to get around this traffic-choked city - it is most efficient to stick to the canals, river and Skytrain, but a road trip in a tuk-tuk is loads of fun.
There are no activities planned for day 14 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.
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Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
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