About Your Trip
This epic two-week journey begins in the beating heart of Thailand, Bangkok. From here we’ll be boarding the train to Thailand’s oldest city, Phitsanulok, from where we’ll set out to explore the ruins of Sukhothai, an ancient Khmer-era city. Next, it’s on to Chiang Mai, where you’ll get to dive into authentic local street food and try your hand at Thai cuisine with a cookery class. We’ll meet some of Thailand’s most charismatic locals at an elephant sanctuary in Lampang, before crossing the border into Laos. Here, you’ll learn about traditional life in a rural village, embark on a waterfall trek and kayak on the stunning Namsong River. Finally, we’ll take a sleeper train back to Bangkok – for a walking tour with a Local Insider.
Trip Highlights
- 1Explore Bangkok with a Local Insider
- 2Tuck into authentic Thai street food in Chiang Mai
- 3Get up close with Asian elephants at an ethical sanctuary
- 4See the atmospheric ruins of the Khmer city of Sukhothai
- 5Embark on a cruise along the Mekong River
- 6Experience local village life in Laos
- 7Kayak along the Namsong River
What's Included
- 11 nights boutique accommodation
- One night glamping accommodation
- One night overnight sleeper train
- 11 breakfasts
- Six lunches
- Three dinners
- Train from Bangkok to Phitsanulok
- Visit to Sukhothai Historical Park
- Train from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai
- Chiang Mai street food and city sights tour
- Thai cooking class
- Visit to an ethical Asian elephant sanctuary
- Bamboo rafting experience
- BBQ dinner and drinks
- Mekong River cruise
- Khmu village experience
- Ban Baw village experience
- Visit to Pak Ou Caves
- Trek to Kuang Si Falls
- High-speed train to Vang Vieng
- Kayaking on the Nam Song River
- Walking tour of Bangkok with a Local Insider
What's Not Included
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Flights to and from the destination
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Accommodation
Elegant, understated and right in the heart of Bangkok’s main sights, this boutique hotel ticks a lot of boxes. Rooms are colonial-chic without the clichés, there’s an outdoor pool overlooking the Chao Phraya River, and the Riverside Bar makes the most of the twinkling waterside views.
Sensitively done, the elements of traditional Thai design incorporated into this impressive hotel feel genuine rather than gimmicky. Rooms are airy and generously-proportioned, and views across lush green fields are as soothing as the spa’s massages.
The pagoda-like building design, the polished wooden floors throughout, the central courtyard swimming pool – this boutique hotel is a temple to rest and relaxation in the heart of the city.
Encircled by rainforest-blanketed hills, this glamping site offers high-end immersion in Chiang Mai’s magical landscape. All rooms and tents come equipped with above-average mod-cons, from fireplaces to proper showers and toilets.
A contemporary, elegant hotel overlooking the mighty Mekong River. Rooms are simple yet stylish, with a neutral colour scheme enhanced with pops of red and gold, and balconies overlooking either the central outdoor pool or the river.
The word ‘sanctuary’ gets bandied about a lot, but this sustainability-minded hotel earns the right to use it. Valley views of the snaking Mekong River, a lush botanical garden (where the hotel’s staff can grow fruit and vegetables for their families) and spacious rooms with hand-crafted furniture make this place truly special.
This gorgeous urban oasis of a hotel is built around three listed buildings that date back to when Luang Prabang was a kingdom in its own right. Most of the rooms are split between these buildings – and come flooded with natural light, glossy wooden floors and beautiful views over the landscaped gardens and lotus pond.
We can’t decide what we like about this place more: the huge outdoor pool, surrounded by immaculate gardens, the views of the towering rocky karsts or the effortlessly elegant room decor. An unforgettable hotel for an unforgettable trip.