Thailand Explorer for Families (17 days)
This thrilling tour of the ‘Land of Smiles’ takes you on an overland journey to explore central and southern Thailand, avoiding any internal flights. The route has been carefully planned for families in mind to include heaps of outdoor activities in National Parks, visit a few ancient monuments and have plenty of time to relax by the pool and on the beach. Your adventures start with a few days to acclimatise in the heart of the Thai capital, with a longtail boat ride through the canals to Wat Pho temple, and a visit to a vast weekend market. After the buzz of the city, it’s time to drive a couple of hours into Thailand’s countryside for waterfalls and caves in the Khao Yai National Park, and visit a local farm offering interactive experiences for the young ones. Continue your journey south west to the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya, then Kanchanaburi and countryside of the River Kwai area, and take a boat trip through the authentic floating market at Amphawa. Then head further south to the coastal National Park of Khao Sam Roi Yort, for an overnight beach safari on the deserted sands of Koh Laem Sala, and embark on a short trek to a mystical pagoda with a magnificent setting in a collapsed cave. Finish at a nearby resort, set on a long stretch of quiet sandy beach, and take a day trip to Kui Buri National Park for a wild elephant safari in an open top jeep.
Guide Price
From £2,879 per adult, £2,145 per child based on a shared room for departures in October.
Day by Day Itinerary
Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.
Flight: TG917 London Heathrow - Bangkok 21.25 - 15.00 (overnight)
Private transfer: Upon arrival in Bangkok, you will be welcomed to Thailand by your local guide and transferred to the ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai in a chauffeur driven car for a 3 night stay.
Suggested dinner tonight: If you feel like exploring, this evening we recommend dinner at Renee's Restaurant, which serves a good selection of Italian and Thai dishes in a quiet location. The restaurant is located a short walk from your hotel down a small alley off Chakrabongse Road.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai (Family Studio)
Time at leisure in Bangkok: This morning, you have some time at leisure to wake slowly and rest after your flight. You could choose to relax at your hotel, or set off to explore the streets around your hotel independently.
Long-tail boat trip along the Khlongs to Wat Pho: At around midday, set off from your hotel and board a long-tailed boat for the fascinating journey to the old district of Thonburi in the heart of Bangkok, to explore a network of canals to see local folks going about their daily lives. Located just across the Chao Praya River from the financial district's towering skyscrapers, these quiet waterways are a magical place that seems a world away from the frenetic pace of the city. Disembark near Wat Pho, the largest temple in Bangkok, where there is an excellent local restaurant for lunch (payable locally). After re-fuelling, head into the temple complex to see the colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings, and lastly the Grand Palace, which is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient Siamese architecture and has been the residence of the Kings of Thailand for over two centuries. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. After your guided tour, you may want to continue to the weekend Chatuchak Market, which is one of the largest markets in the world (note that this is only possible on Saturdays and Sundays).
Suggested dinner tonight: For a cheap, fun-filled, family dinner, try Magic Max's Thai Food - located on the same street as your hotel. If you're lucky, the friendly owner will perform some magic tricks to accompany your meal.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai (Family Studio)
Meals: Breakfast
Time at leisure in Bangkok: You have some time at leisure in the Thai capital. You could choose to relax at your hotel, or set off to explore some more of Bangkok’s sights independently. Alternatively, you might want to book a tour of Muang Boran, a large park outside of Bangkok, with many interesting features that kids will love. Or you can simply explore the bustling streets, and sample some of the delicious food on offer.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai (Family Studio)
Meals: Breakfast
Road journey from Bangkok to Khao Yai National Park: Today, you will be setting off from the city with your guide and driver, and heading for the lush countryside of the Khao Yai National Park. Today's road journey is between 2-3 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Afternoon visit to Chokchai Farm: This afternoon, set off on a half day tour of nearby Chokchai Farm to learn about the agriculture of the area. Activities on offer at the farm include tractor rides, cow milking demonstrations, pony riding and an ice cream workshop, where you get to eat your own creations! There are also cowboy and dog shows throughout the day, which are popular with the kids.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the dusitD2 Khao Yai (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Guided tour of Khao Yai National Park: After breakfast at your resort, meet up with your guide and set off into the lush evergreen forest that dominates the central regions of Khao Yai National Park. Start at the visitors centre, then head along a short nature trail to the Kong Kaeo Waterfall, where it is possible to swim. You can then visit mineral licks which are often visited by large mammals, Haewsuwat Waterfall which has an excellent cave and follow a crocodile trail. In the late afternoon, proceed to Bat Cave to witness millions of bats heading out to hunt at sunset. Return to your resort in time for a well-earned dinner.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the dusitD2 Khao Yai (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Road journey to Kanchanaburi, via Ayutthaya: After breakfast this morning, set off with your guide and driver on the 2 hour drive west to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand. You will then be taken on a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will see the three ancient pagodas at Wat Si Sanphet and Wat Prananchoeng. You will then board a rice barge for a short river cruise passing the temples along the banks, and lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon, continue by road in a south westerly direction to Kanchanaburi, a drive of around 2.5 hours.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Royal River Kwai Resort & Spa (Mini Suite)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Exploring the Kanchanaburi Area: After an early breakfast this morning, head to the nearby Erawan National Park, famous for its multi-tiered waterfalls with striking olive-blue water. There are several walking trails to explore, and it is common to spot monkeys, monitor lizards and other wildlife in the forest. You will have time to swim in the multiple pools, and there are facilities including a visitor centre, toilets and a café. After your time at the waterfalls, board a train for the journey back to Kanchanaburi, along part of the ‘death railway’ from Namtok which is the last existing train station on the Thailand-Burma railway. On the way, you will cross the famous bridge over the River Kwai, and have the chance to visit the Allied War Cemetery and Museum (time-permitting).
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Royal River Kwai Resort & Spa (Mini Suite)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Road journey from Kanchanaburi to Amphawa: Head off in a southerly direction towards Amphawa, a drive of approximately 2 hours.
Afternoon visit to Amphawa Floating Market: This afternoon, visit Amphawa's floating market which has the peaceful atmosphere of Thai local markets in bygone days. However the market is very popular with domestic tourists during the weekends so you can expect to be surrounded by a host of locals looking for food and bargains. Besides tropical fruits and Thai sweets, chic hand-made items are offered along the canal side and there are a number of small restaurants serving everything from fried noodles to local specialities. You will board a local boat and cruise through the market's canals before heading out into the main river where you can stop off at a famous wat. You will also have a chance to bargain with the local sales force before it is time to head back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Baan Amphawa Resort & Spa (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Road journey from Amphawa to Khao Sam Roi Yot: This morning, continue your journey south to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, a journey of approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
Sam Roi Yot National Park Beach Camp Adventure: Your overnight adventure starts from the National Park car park, where there are bathrooms, restaurants and shops, where you can buy supplies and prepare yourselves for the walk to the secluded campsite. All these facilities are located on a beach, so it is a great spot to have lunch before setting off. Once prepared, start walking uphill for about 15 minutes to the top of an escarpment, and then down the other side to Laem Sala Beach, which is completely cut off from roads. The trail is relatively steep, but good underfoot on a well maintained path and staircase. Keep an eye out for wild monkeys as you cross through the forest, and there is a good chance they will pop over to say hello. Once you get down on to the beach, it is a 300m walk to the National Park station, which has a restaurant, toilet block and camping equipment. Your guide will help organise your tents, camping mats and sleeping bags, and help you pre-order your dinner and breakfast (these are set menus). When the sea is calm, it is possible to arrange a local boat to travel between the car park and Laem Sala Beach around the headland (there is an additional charge of 300 Baht per person payable locally). You will sleep in simple 2-3 man single fly dome tents, with a thin camping mat and sleeping bag. The pitches are under the treeline right in front of the beach, and once the last boat leaves at about 4.30pm, there will be very few people left on the beach as sunset approaches. There is a small restaurant and bathroom block with running water from a tap, and toilets.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sam Roi Yot National Park Beach Camp (Tent)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Exploring Phraya Nakhon Cave: After an early breakfast at your beach camp, set off on a 30 minute hike up a pathway to the summit of the incline. Turn left and head down a path to the exquisite Kuha Karuhas pagoda, built in the 19th century when King Chulalongkorn visited the cave. The pavilion was built underneath the collapsed roof of the cave, and the effect of the sunlight and vegetation penetrating through the chambers is a truly spectacular sight. The best time to visit the cave is early morning, when the light is best for photos and before the day trippers arrive. There are no toilets or other facilities, so you will need to come prepared. After exploring the cave complex, return to the National Park car park, where your driver will be waiting to take you on to your nearby hotel.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Kuiburi Hotel & Resort (Garden View Villa)
Meals: Breakfast
Days at leisure: Free days to relax at your hotel, or explore more of the local area independently.
Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Kuiburi Hotel & Resort (Garden View Villa)
Meals: Breakfast
Elephant Safari at Kui Buri National Park: After breakfast this morning, set off for the Hueai Luek Wildlife Watching Area in the Kui Buri National Park, a drive of around 1 hour from your hotel. With a population of around 320 elephants, and an abundance of easily-accessible open areas, Kui Buri National Park is thought to be the best place in Thailand to spot these magnificent creatures in the wild. Upon arrival at the National Park substation, you will meet your specialist wildlife guide and switch vehicles and join an open top safari jeep. Set off to explore an area of forest and open grassland, which has an observation area with commanding views over the open landscape. The local wildlife guides are in touch with each other using walkie talkies when animals are spotted. In addition to elephants, there are also healthy populations of gaurs, golden jackals and several species of deer. Some of the birds that can be spotted at Kui Buri include the crested fireback, Indian roller and Asian openbill. After your wildlife safari, you will be reunited with your car and driver, who will transfer you back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Kuiburi Hotel & Resort (Garden View Villa)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day at leisure: Today is free to relax at your hotel, or explore the surrounding area independently.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Kuiburi Hotel & Resort (Garden View Villa)
Meals: Breakfast
Road journey from Sam Roi Yot to Bangkok: At the appropriate time today, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to Bangkok by road, a journey of approximately 4 hours, depending on traffic conditions.
Meals: Breakfast
Flight: TG910 Bangkok - London Heathrow 00.15 - 06.20