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

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ariyasomvilla (Studio Room)

Morning's guided tour of Bangkok: After breakfast you will be taken on a tour of the city. Walk through the morning flower markets to explore real Thai lifestyle. Then board a long-tailed boat to Thonburi, in the west of Bangkok, situated on the right side of the Chao Phraya River. Its many canals had originally given Bangkok the name "Venice of the East." Passing along the canals in the boat gives you a first-hand impression of the scenic life along Bangkok‘s waterways. You will also visit the majestic Royal Barges and the Temple of Dawn. Return to the hotel to make your own arrangements for lunch.

Afternoon guided tour to the Grand Palace & Wat Pho: This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel for a tour which includes three of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Traimit with its invaluable Golden Buddha (5 ½ tons of solid gold); Wat Pho, the largest temple in Bangkok, with the colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings, and 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.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ariyasomvilla (Studio Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning guided tour to the Floating Market: After an early breakfast set off for the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which is situated 70 miles west of Bangkok and is a very attractive place for visitors to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying fruits & vegetables from small boats. You will also see traditional Thai houses as well as see how the way the people here live and travel by boats. The tour includes a visit to Nakorn Pathom, site of the highest Chedi in Thailand called "Phra Patom Chedi" which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.

Road journey to Kanchanaburi: After the sightseeing set off on the two hour drive to Kanchanaburi. On arrival check into your riverside accommodation and partake in some of the local activities.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Float House River Kwai (Floating Villa)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner 

Guided boat trip through River Kwai Valley: This morning depart from the hotel by boat for an unforgettable tour through the River Kwai Valley. After a 15 minute trip upstream make a first stop to visit the famous Kaeng Lava Cave which is well known for its fantastic stone formations. Afterwards continue upstream passing numerous floating houses, and through bamboo jungle, to get a lasting impression of the scenic countryside and life beside the river. Ultimately you will arrive at Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls for a picnic lunch on a floating house. After lunch there will be time for swimming in the river and waterfalls, strolling through bamboo and teak forests, and generally exploring your surroundings. Afterwards you will return to your hotel by boat.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Float House River Kwai (Floating Villa)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer: After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel and you will set off on the drive to Tham Thanlod National Park.

Morning guided tour of Tham Thanlod National Park: On arrival in the national park you will explore the two caves that the park is famous for. You will start your trek in the lower cave where you can admire its splendid limestone features. The trail from here leads up to the upper cave passing through magnificent forest and along the stream that runs through the park. Walking along this nature trail provides visitors with a real sense of being in a tropical rainforest which houses diverse species of plants and palm trees, including giant bamboo. The trekking route is suitable for those who are physically fit. About half of the route is very steep, although wooden steps have been installed to ease the walk. Take a break and relax at the waterfall half way along the route then continue trekking up to the upper cave on top of the hill. On reaching the cave you can enjoy the tranquillity of its surroundings. Famous for its stone arch, the larger upper cave is also regarded as a holy place where an annual ceremony, to worship the guardian spirits and ancestors of the ethnic Karen people living nearby, takes place every year. You will stop for a picnic lunch here.

Private transfer to Si Nakharin National Park: After lunch you will meet up with your car and drive to Si Nakharin National Park. On the way views of the mountainous terrain on one of Kanchanaburi's most charming cross-country roads is very impressive. On reaching the local jetty cross Si Nakharin Reservoir to Huai Maekamin by ferry. Upon arrival at your camp for the night you will have time to enjoy a view of one of the province's most attractive waterfalls.

Accommodation: Tonight you will spend a night in the camp in either a wooden bungalow or a tent. Conditions will be comfortable but basic and the electricity will run until 9 pm. A Thai dinner will be served in the camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day guided tour around Si Nakharin National Park: After breakfast you will take a walk along a nature trail in the park. Afterwards return to the camp to check out and depart for a scenic drive along a dirt road that cuts through the forest. The drive will take around 2 hours. On reaching the main road you will continue to Thongpapoom town where you will have lunch at a local restaurant beside the river. After lunch continue on a beautiful cross-country road up to Pilok in the highlands on the border of Thailand and Burma. You will stop off at scenic points along the way to overlook the marvellous mountainous terrain. This afternoon you will take a walk on one of the park's nature trail before arriving at your overnight spot.

Accommodation: Tonight you will spend a night in the camp in either a tree-house or a wooden bungalow. Conditions will be comfortable but basic and the electricity will run until 9 pm. A Thai dinner will be served in the camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey back to Kanchanaburi: After breakfast you will start on the two hour journey back to Kanchanaburi and your tented accommodation near Hellfire Pass. On arrival check into your tent and then have lunch beside the river.

Afternoon guided tour of Hellfire Pass: This afternoon you will make a memorable visit to Hellfire Pass, one of the most dramatic remnants from the Death Railway's construction that took place during the Second World War. You will also visit The Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, which is maintained by the Australian Government, before setting off on a light trek along the memorial trail which covers the area around the pass. After the walk you will meet up with your driver and head back to the hotel ready for dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Hintok River Camp (Tent)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey to Ayutthaya: After breakfast you will set off on the 3 hour drive to Ayutthaya. On arrival you will check into your hotel.

Guided tour of Ayutthaya: After checking in you will set out to explore Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, to visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will see the 3 ancient pagodas at Wat Si Sanphet and Wat Prananchoeng. Lunch will be served at local restaurant. After lunch continue your exploration with a visit to the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpitr and then drive over the river to visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram located by the Chao Phraya River. This temple was based on the temples at Angkor. A royal monastery, the temple's unique feature is a huge prang which is surrounded by smaller prangs. After the sightseeing return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sala Ayutthaya (Deluxe River View Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Lopburi & Phitsanuloke: After breakfast set off for Lopburi. On arrival in Lopburi visit Prang Sam Yod, also known as the monkey temple, which was originally a Hindu temple with three stone steeples (prangs) representing the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Then visit the museum at Narai Raja Nives Palace (founded when King Narai the Great decided to make Lopburi the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom). Although the building was designed with contributions from French architects the Khmer influence is still strong. The Palace is an unusual blend of Khmer and European styles. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant in Lopburi. After lunch drive north to Phitsanuloke to visit Wat Mahathat which houses Thailand's most beautiful Buddha image "Phra Buddha Chinaraj". The large Sukhothai style bronze statue was cast in 1357 and is respected by Thais countrywide. Late afternoon drive on to Sukhothai for the night.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Sukhothai Heritage Resort (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Sukhothai & Satchanalai: After breakfast visit Sukhothai Historical Park and the famous ruins of this first capital of Thailand (1257-1379). Sukhothai was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, who is credited with creating the Thai alphabet. At the historical park visit important ruins of the Royal Palace and Buddhist temples including Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai's largest temple with a main Chedi in lotus-bud shape and a ruined viharn, Wat Sra Sri where a large viharn contains a stucco Buddha image and Wat Sri Chum, which is located north of Wat Mahathat and was originally surrounded by a moat. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. After lunch set off for Sri Satchanalai which was the northern outpost of the Kingdom of Sukhothai and was built by King Ramkamhaeng. Here you will see Wat Jedi Jet Thaew, which is one of the most beautiful temples in Sukhothai with chedis of different artistic styles and influences, and Wat Nang Phya, famous for its delicate stucco reliefs, and Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat which stands on the site of the Khmer fort called "Chalieng". Afterwards drive north as you head towards Lampang where you will spend the night.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lampang River Lodge Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour of Lampang, Phayo and the Golden Triangle: After breakfast drive to Ko Kah to see Wat Phra That Lampang Luang which housed an Emerald Buddha similar to the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok. Then depart for Phayao, a unique rural town with a royal history that can be seen from Wat Sri Kom Kam, the temple located on the bank of Kwan Phayao which houses the largest Buddha statue of Lanna Thai. After sightseeing here lunch will be taken at a local restaurant. After lunch continue on to Sop Ruak, situated at the confluence of Nam Ruak and the Mekong River. Here visit the Opium Museum and afterwards there will be a longtail speedboat upriver on the Mekong towards the ‘Golden Triangle' where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. Late afternoon drive to your hotel near Chiang Rai to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa (Mountain Suite)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Guided tour to see hill tribes: After breakfast leave the hotel for a visit to the Lisu Village at Baan Mae Kaotom and afterwards continue to Doi Mae Salong passing through beautiful mountain scenery along the way. The view from the top takes in a large part of Thailand, Myanmar and the Mekong Valley and is very impressive. Lunch will be taken at Mae Salong Villa in Doi Mae Salong. After lunch drive to Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hill tribe community centre. This community based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development in the region to improve the quality of life of villagers of the Akha Community. It is a model for tourism in hill tribe villages. Continue on to Mae Sai, the northernmost Thai town which sits on the Myanmar border where you will have some time to explore. Late afternoon drive back to the hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Katiliya Mountain Resort & Spa (Mountain Suite)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer to Chiang Mai with sightseeing: After breakfast you will depart for Mae Chan and a short stop at a ‘Hot Spring'. Then set off for Chiang Mai and on arrival you will check into your hotel.

Guided tour of the handicraft villages: This afternoon visit the handicraft villages to see the manufacturing of celadonware, lacquerware, the spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and to see how paper umbrellas are made. You will also visit the Thai wood carving factory where you can buy Burmese antiques.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the De Naga Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

'Elephant Day Care' experience at Patara Elephant Farm: After an early breakfast you will drive out to Patara Elephant Farm where you will have a full morning of 'elephant day care', where the emphasis is on caring for any pregnant elephants and mothers with small off-spring. On arrival at the farm you will register and get changed into your training outfit and have a chance to learn about the farm's elephant conservation philosophy. You will then be taking part in the daily healthcare routine of the elephants which includes health inspection, feeding, walking with the elephants for exercise and also to the water for drinking and bathing. You will be able to observe them interacting among their families in natural environments. The knowledgeable staff will be providing you with information regarding their daily care as you go along. In the early afternoon, bid your elephant farewell and then set off back to your hotel. Please note that no elephant riding is included in this tour and it will be shared with other participants.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the De Naga Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Full day guided tour of Chiang Mai: After breakfast you will set out to explore the local fresh market before taking a short "samlor" (tricycle) ride to Wat Phra Singh. This 14th century Lanna style temple has been one of Chiang Mai's most important sanctuaries. Opposite is Wat Prasat, one of the oldest unreconstructed temples in the city, and after looking around here you will visit Wat Suan Dok where the ashes of former kings of Chiang Mai and the Royal Family are kept. Your last stop of the day will be at Wat Gate (or Wat Gatekaram) which dates back to the mid 15th century and sits in a great location in the historic district on the east bank of the River Ping. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant and this afternoon you will visit 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. After the sightseeing return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the De Naga Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: This morning you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for the Thai Airways flight to Bangkok.

Flight: TG105 Chiang Mai - Bangkok 11.20 - 12.40

Private transfer: On arrival you will be transferred to Bangkok's Hua Lumpong Railway Station in time to catch the overnight train south.

Overnight train journey to Surat Thani: The train will depart at 17.30 and you will be booked into 1st class private cabin.

Meals: Breakfast

Arrival in Surat Thani and private transfer to Khao Sok: The train will arrive in Surat Thani at 06.30am. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Khao Sok National Park to check in at your jungle resort surrounded by lush jungle.

Afternoon excursions: After lunch at the lodge's restaurant, you are free to choose from the any of the resorts local excursions. Perhaps try some tubing (floating on the inner tube of a tyre) down the stream to enjoy beautiful views of the Sok River's surrounding nature or maybe choose a walk in the jungle to see some of the indigenous wildlife.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Cliff & River Jungle Resort (Cliff Top Room)

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day's activities in Khao Sok National Park: After breakfast you will have time to explore Khao Sok in the manner that suits you best. Your choices include an elephant trek through the jungle following a river to a swimming spot (which in rainy season also features a waterfall), a guided canoe trip down the Klong Sok River for approximately an hour and a half - your guide will do all the paddling so you can just sit back, relax and take in the scenery. Alternatively you may choose to have a half day guided jungle trek that will take you along one of the National Park's jungle trails, visiting a swimming hole (and waterfall in raining season). After lunch at the lodge's restaurant you are free for the rest of the day before another delicious meal at the resort.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the  Cliff & River Jungle Resort (Cliff Top Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer to Chiew Laan Lake: After breakfast at the lodge you will be transferred to Chiew Laan Lake otherwise known as Ratchaprapha Dam. On arrival at the lake you will take a long-tail boat from the pier to your floating rafthouse.

Guided tour of Chiew Laan Lake: After checking in there will be time for a quick dip in the the emerald green waters of Chiaw Laan Lake before enjoying a scrumptious Thai lunch. Then it's off for a guided jungle walk through the rainforest for around 2-3 hours. You also have the option to spend about an hour walking through Namtaloo Cave (weather dependent) or 30 minutes walking through Coral Cave. Alternatively you may prefer to just sit & soak up the atmosphere from the balcony of your floating rafthouse. In the evening, enjoy a selection of southern Thai delicacies with just the stars & the sounds of nature as your backdrop.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Floating Raft House (Standard Room). Tonight you will spend a night at the Floating Raft House. Conditions will be comfortable but basic and the electricity will run from 6pm to midnight. The bathroom and toilet facilities will be shared with other guests.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Chiew Laan Lake: Early morning you will set out on a long-tail boat in search of wildlife, before returning to the rafthouse for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast you will have time for a final swim before saying goodbye to your temporary oasis and heading for the beach.

Private transfer to Phuket: You will be transferred by boat to Chiew Laan Pier and then by road transfer to the ‘Yacht Haven' from where you will catch the boat to Kao Yao Yai.

Shared transfer to Koh Yao Yai: On arrival at the port you will join a shared boat to Koh Yao Yai. On arrival at the island you will transferred to your beachside hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the GLOW Elixir Koh Yao Yai (Deluxe Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Free days: You are at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore Koh Yao. It will also be possible to arrange snorkelling and diving trip if you wish.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at the GLOW Elixir Koh Yao Yai (Deluxe Villa)

Meals: Breakfast

Free morning: Today you are at leisure.

Shared transfer to Phuket Airport: Early afternoon you will be transferred to the jetty to take the boat back to Phuket. On arrival in Phuket you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for the Thai Airways flight to Bangkok.

Flight: TG222 Phuket - Bangkok 20.50 - 22.15

Meals: Breakfast