Flight: TG102 Bangkok - Chiang Mai 07.55 - 09.15

Meet & Greet: On arrival at Chiang Mai Airport, you will be welcomed to Thailand by your private English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel to check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rimping Village (Deluxe Room)

Morning at leisure in Chiang Mai: You have this morning at leisure to relax at your hotel and explore the fascinating town of Chiang Mai at your own pace.

Afternoon guided tour of Chiang Mai: This afternoon set off on a visit to 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. Afterwards you will visit the city's biggest market, Talat Warorod, before going on to two important temples - Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Sing.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rimping Village (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day at the Elephant Nature Park: After an early breakfast at the hotel you will be collected and driven north of Chiang Mai to the Elephant Nature Park in a shared vehicle. A picturesque drive through agricultural Thai countryside, along Mea Taeng Valley brings you to Elephant Nature Park where you will hear the stories about the rescued elephants as told by expert guides. You will also learn about the problems elephants face in Southeast Asia and how the Elephant Nature Park is helping in the treatment and care of Thailand's dwindling elephant population. Today’s tour includes a visit to the park's special 'Hand's Off' project, Skywalk, where the elephants are free to roam as a herd as they would in the wild. You can view them from a specially constructed SkyWalk observation bridge. A buffet lunch is included today. In the afternoon return to Chiang Mai. Please note that this excursion and transfers are shared with other participants. Lunch is a varied vegetarian buffet of Asian and International dishes (no meat is served).

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rimping Village (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Road journey from Chiang Mai to Pai: After breakfast you will be met by your guide and driver and will set off for the drive along winding rural roads to Pai, a journey of around 2.5 hours passing through spectacular jungle and mountain scenery en route. On arrival in Pai District, you will be taken to visit Wat Nam Hoo, where the ashes of Prince Supankunya are stored, and where you can pay your respects to the Buddha Image, which mysteriously leaks water from its empty head. Check into your hotel in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at The Quarter (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Exploring the Pai Valley: After breakfast this morning set off on a short drive to a nearby village, where you will begin your guided hike through farmland worked by the local Lisu tribal people. Walk through the fields where they grow a variety of crops including garlic, avocado, mango and rice. Continue walking until reaching the three-tiered Mo Pang waterfall which has a large lower pool for swimming. Here you have a chance to relax for a while and cool off in the refreshing water and get lunch from one of the local restaurants in the parking area above the falls (payable locally). Note that this morning’s hike can be extended by setting off from your hotel rather than driving the first part of the way.

You will then drive to a series of hot springs located 7km from Pai. The hot springs are divided into several bathing pools with water varying in temperature from around 30c to 42c. There are separate changing rooms for men and women with showers. This visit to the hot springs is only worthwhile if you want to bath in the water, in which case you will need to bring swimming costumes and towels in the car today.

The final stop today will be at the temple of Wat Mae Yen where you can climb to the white Buddha statue where you have commanding views over the whole of Pai Valley. This is a good place to watch the sun set, alternatively your guide can take you to one of the restaurant / bars located in the nearby paddy fields such as 10 Rai.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at The Quarter (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Rafting trip from Pai to Mae Hong Son: You will be picked up from your hotel in Pai at 7am for a short drive to the rafting base, where a breakfast will be served during the safety briefing. Having selected paddles, life-jackets and helmets adapted to your size, drive for around 90 minutes to reach the “Suza waterfall”. Start paddling at 10.30am until you reach the Pai River, where you will take a break to enjoy a filling picnic. After lunch, continue paddling to some hot springs, and then descend the “Rising Stone” rapids, a series of 5 rapids ranging from 100-300m long, grades 2-3. Continue rafting through the Pai Gorges which are scattered with a few more tricky rapids, before your boat will pop out into the Mae Hong Son Valley. Disembark at the Mae Surin National Park Headquarters around 5pm, where you will be reunited with your main luggage and transfer on to your hotel in Mae Hong Son.

* Please note that rafting is subject to local weather conditions and may not be available in the dry season between February & June.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Fern Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Full day guided trek: After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and driven a short distance to a Karen Village. Here you will set off on a scenic trek through the stunning northern Thai landscapes. The trek will take around 3 hours to arrive at the hill top, where you will stop for a picnic lunch. Walk back down the hill and return to your resort in the afternoon, and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Fern Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Lampang: After breakfast this morning visit the temple of Wat Pong Sanuk, which won international plaudits for its inspirational model of community-led conservation in saving a unique form of Lanna architecture. The temple received a Heritage Award of Merit in 2008 from UNESCO for its inspiring restoration efforts. Afterwards transfer to the city centre to board on horse carriage to explore downtown Lampang passing by well conserved old wooden houses and buildings built in traditional northern style along Forestry Lane and around Gad Gongta old market.

Private transfer to the railway station: This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel by your guide, and transferred to Lampang's railway station in time for your journey to Bangkok.

Train journey: Thai Railways Train#52 Lampang - Bangkok Bang Sue Junction 17.54 - 05.25 (the following day)

Accommodation: 1st Class Sleeper Carriage (2-berth private compartment with sink)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: On arrival in Bangkok, you will be met at the airport by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Morning guided tour of Bangkok: After dropping your luggage off at your hotel head out for an orientation tour of Bangkok. The tour starts with a visit to some of the most significant Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Trimitr with a solid gold statue of Buddha weighing 5.5 tons, and Wat Po, the most extensive temple in Bangkok, with its huge Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings. Continue to the city's most important landmark, the Grand Palace. The stunning Palace with its bright gold temples, pavilions and gardens was the residence of the early Chakri dynasty kings 210 years ago. Within the extensive grounds is the most sacred and important of all Thai temples, the Wat Phra Kaew, containing the most revered Buddha image in the country, the Emerald Buddha, made from one solid piece of translucent green jade. A strict Dress Code Policy applies for visiting the Grand Palace. Only trousers or long knee-length skirts are permitted, and shoes that completely enclose the foot (no sandals, open toed shoes etc.)

Explore Bangkok at night: Late afternoon, you will set out from your hotel to explore Bangkok at night. Start by exploring Chinatown, a bustling area popular with locals and tourists alike, and a haven for food lovers. The 1km strip is packed with market stalls, street-side restaurants, and a high concentration of gold shops. Continue your journey to Pakklong Talaad, the biggest wholesale and retail fresh flower market in Bangkok, before driving to Wat Suthat and the striking ‘Giant Swing’. Afterwards, continue on foot passing Bangkok Metropolitan Office and on to the Democracy Monument which will be lit up. Enjoy dinner at Hotel De Moc’s Restaurant, before travelling by tram around the Ratanakosin area, enjoying great views as you go of some of Bangkok’s essential attractions, such as the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, the Golden Mount, Wat Ratchanaddaram, the Democracy Monument, the City Pillar Shrine, the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the National Theatre and Santi Chaiprakarn Park. Finish your tour by exploring the Khao San Road, famously known as the “centre of the backpacking universe”, before returning to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Riva Arun (Studio Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Private transfer: This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Koh Samui.

Flight: PG129 Bangkok - Koh Samui 09.55 - 11.00

Private transfer: On arrival in Koh Samui, you will be transferred to the pier.

Public ferry to Koh Phangan: You will take the public ferry from Bangrak Pier on Koh Samui to Koh Phangan. The ferry departs at 1pm and the journey will take around 30 minutes.

Private transfer: On arrival on Koh Phangan, you will be met by hotel staff and transferred to your hotel to check in and relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Buri Rasa Village (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure: These days are free at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the facilities at your beachfront hotel, and to explore the laid-back island of Koh Phangan at your own pace.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Buri Rasa Village (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After enjoying a final few hours at leisure by the beach, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the pier for the ferry to Koh Samui.

Public ferry to Koh Samui: You will take the public ferry from Koh Phangan back to Bangrak Pier on Koh Samui. The ferry departs at 4.30pm and the journey will take around 30 minutes.

Private transfer: Upon arrival at Bangrak Pier, you will be transferred to the airport, where you will check in for your Bangkok Airways flight to Bangkok.

Flight: PG190 Koh Samui - Bangkok 20.45 - 22.15

Meals: Breakfast