Tour Description

In Bangkok, you move from the cool tiled spaces of Wat Pho to the gilded detail of the Grand Palace, before an overnight train carries you north to Chiang Mai. Temple bells, sizzling street food and the chatter of the Night Bazaar accompany you as you explore, with free time to follow your appetite through markets and neighbourhood streets. Optional Experiences give you more ways to spend your time, whether that means trying more Thai flavours, seeking out another temple or following Chiang Mai beyond the places already on your route.

Priced From:

$ 2395pp ^*

From: 2027-03-14

To: 2028-02-27

Start Location: Bangkok, Thailand

End Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Trip Type:

Tour Advisors

Beccy Hayes

Travel Specialist

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Itinerary

Begin Your Thailand Adventure in Bangkok

Day 1

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Cross Vibe Sukhumvit

You’ll arrive in Bangkok among flashes of gold, spirit houses tucked beside modern buildings and flower garlands threaded with yellow marigolds. As you settle in, you might catch the scent of incense outside shrines, with gold leaf gleaming against towers of concrete and glass. Later, you’ll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers, ready to begin eight days together through Thailand.

Explore Bangkok’s Temples and Grand Palace

Day 2

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Cross Vibe Sukhumvit

At Wat Pho, tiled roofs and rows of painted columns lead towards the Reclining Buddha, which stretches almost the length of the hall, its gold surface catching the temple light. At the Grand Palace, mirrored mosaics, coloured glass and intricate rooflines fill the royal complex as you move between its courtyards and halls. The afternoon is yours, whether that means following the scent of garlic and chilli towards a plate of pad Thai or finding a rooftop table above the city. You can also choose an Optional Experience through Thonburi’s klongs, travelling by long-tail boat past wooden houses and waterside temples before arriving at Wat Arun, its porcelain-covered spire rising beside the Chao Phraya.

Spend a Free Day in Bangkok

Day 3

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Cross Vibe Sukhumvit

With Bangkok yours for the day, you can move between Siam’s polished shopping halls and Talat Noi, where old shophouses sit beside murals painted in bold reds, yellows and greens. Follow the paths around Lumphini Park’s lake beneath palms and broad-canopied trees, or board a river ferry and watch Bangkok pass from the water. For more, choose an Optional Experience to Ayutthaya, walking among the prangs, temple ruins and remains of the former Siamese capital before cruising back to Bangkok. Or head into Chinatown by tuk-tuk as evening settles over Yaowarat, sampling street food from pavement stalls before raising a rooftop cocktail above Wat Arun and Wat Pho.

Thailand by Rail: Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Day 4

Duration: 1

Accommodation: Overnight train Bangkok - Chiang Mai

You’ll spend your last Bangkok morning choosing how to see the city before heading north. Join an Optional Experience at Jim Thompson House, teak walls glow deep honey-brown, silk catches the light in jewel tones and tropical greenery grows around the old Thai houses beside the canal. Or choose an Optional Experience beyond Bangkok, where Maeklong Market sits along the railway tracks until awnings are pulled back for the passing train, before boats loaded with pineapples, coconuts and green bananas crowd the water at Damnoen Saduak. Later, choose another Optional Experience and unwind with a traditional Thai massage. Then Bangkok slips behind you aboard the overnight train to Chiang Mai, with dinner before departure or in the dining carriage as the rails carry you north.

Chiang Mai’s Temples, Crafts and Night Market

Day 5

Duration: 1

Accommodation: The Empress

After the overnight train, you'll climb to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, following its naga-lined staircase towards the hilltop temple and wide views across Chiang Mai. At Wat Suan Dok, rows of white chedis stand against the mountain backdrop, then at Wat Phra Singh, you'll wander among carved woodwork and layered Lanna roofs. Later, you can choose an Optional Experience at a 160-year-old Lanna family home, cooking Northern Thai dishes from recipes handed down through generations and sharing what you’ve made around the table. This evening, join your Travel Director at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, moving between stalls of handmade crafts and sizzling grills.

Explore Chiang Mai at Your Own Pace

Day 6

Duration: 1

Accommodation: The Empress

With a free day in Chiang Mai, you can follow the old city’s moat and weathered brick walls, slip into a shaded courtyard for coffee or sit down to khao soi, its coconut curry crowned with crisp noodles and sharpened with fresh lime. Or choose the Elephant Nature Park Optional Experience, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where you'll watch rescued elephants play and forage while expert staff share their individual histories. Back in Chiang Mai, there’s still time for a cold drink in a leafy courtyard or a final wander through the old city as lanterns begin to glow.

Northern Thailand: A Final Day in Chiang Mai

Day 7

Duration: 1

Accommodation: The Empress

A final full day in Thailand is open for exploring Chiang Mai or choosing an Optional Experience to Doi Inthanon National Park. On the mountain, forest paths wind between moss-covered trees and thick ferns, with the rush of waterfalls breaking through the green and mist sometimes hanging between the branches. Tonight, choose a Khantoke dinner, sharing Northern Thai dishes and sticky rice as traditional music and dance unfold around you.

Say Farewell to Chiang Mai

Day 8

Duration: 1

Your Thailand journey ends in Chiang Mai as you check out of your hotel and say goodbye to your Travel Director and fellow small group travellers. You leave with camera rolls full, bags a little heavier and eight days of temples, markets, mountain forests and shared meals behind you.

Dates & prices

Start Date: 2027-03-14

End Date: 2027-03-21

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-04-04

End Date: 2027-04-11

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-05-02

End Date: 2027-05-09

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-05-30

End Date: 2027-06-06

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-06-27

End Date: 2027-07-04

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-07-25

End Date: 2027-08-01

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-08-29

End Date: 2027-09-05

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-09-12

End Date: 2027-09-19

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-09-26

End Date: 2027-10-03

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-10-17

End Date: 2027-10-24

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-10-31

End Date: 2027-11-07

twin

Child Price: 2155

Adult Price: 2395

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2895

Start Date: 2027-12-05

End Date: 2027-12-12

twin

Child Price: 2185

Adult Price: 2425

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2945

Start Date: 2027-12-10

End Date: 2027-12-17

twin

Child Price: 2185

Adult Price: 2425

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2945

Start Date: 2027-12-20

End Date: 2027-12-27

twin

Child Price: 2385

Adult Price: 2625

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3215

Start Date: 2028-01-30

End Date: 2028-02-06

twin

Child Price: 2285

Adult Price: 2525

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 3115

Start Date: 2028-02-27

End Date: 2028-03-05

twin

Child Price: 2185

Adult Price: 2425

single

Child Price:

Adult Price: 2945

Snapshot of Thailand – Small Group

Tour Advisors

Itinerary

Dates & prices