Northern Explorer Tour

Travel to Thailand to explore the vibrant cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai and the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai with one of our travel tour operators, The Imaginative Traveller. Visit some of Thailand’s most interesting and beautiful ancient sites, spend the night in a Thai village and ride elephants and bamboo rafts, as well as experiencing mouth-watering dishes that have made Thai cuisine a world favourite. On this exciting trip you do all of this and more on a fabulous journey to the heart of northern Thailand.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 15
Arrivals transfer: Airport transfer on day 1
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides
Transport: Private air-conditioned bus, local longboat, bamboo raft, plane
Flight: Chiang Mai to Bangkok
Activities: Village homestay, hilltribe walk (easy), bamboo rafting, elephant ride, klong (canal) tour, swimming in waterfalls
Accommodation: 8 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night homestay 1 night River Kwai Rafthouses
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Entrance fees: Included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Stay as guests of a local family
• Visit the amazing sites of Ayuthaya, Sukothai and Doi Suthep
• Rafthouses on the River Kwai

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, BANGKOK: Arrival day, Bangkok Thailand. No meals.

Day 2, BANGKOK: Guided tour of the Grand Palace and the magnificent Wat Phra Keow (Emerald Buddha). This afternoon your tour leader will take you on an exciting journey along Bangkok’s canals or ‘klongs’. (BD)

Day 3, PHITSANULOK: Our first stop today is the ancient capital of Siam, Ayuthaya. We have a guided tour of the old palace and city before continuing to Phitsanulok where we have the chance to enjoy the local culinary experience of the ‘Flying Vegetables’ or the great night food market. (BD)

Day 4, SUKOTHAI - CHIANG MAI: Guided tour of the magnificent Buddhist site of Sukothai. Later we drive to Chiang Mai via the elephant orphanage at Lamphang. (B)

Day 5, CHIANG MAI: An excursion to the hilltop Buddhist temple of Doi Suthep. Free afternoon to explore or experience a Thai massage. (B)

Day 6, CHIANG MAI - TRIBAL MOUNTAIN VILLAGE: We head out of Chiang Mai into the hills. After a visit to an elephant training camp we travel by pick-up truck to a small tribal village. We then continue on foot through mountainous terrain to a Palong village where we spend the night in a traditional village house. (BLD)

Day 7, ELEPHANT RIDE AND BAMBOO RAFTING: After breakfast we ride elephants through the jungle to a small river. We then continue by bamboo raft down the river. Later we return via an orchid garden and butterfly farm to Chiang Mai. There is time to relax around the pool before the evening flight to Bangkok. (BL)

Day 8, RIVER KWAI: A short drive west of Bangkok takes us to Kanchanaburi for our adventure on the River Kwai. We visit the floating market before boarding a train on the notorious Burma Railway. We then visit the Bridge on the River Kwai and take an exciting boat ride up river to our rafthouses, set amongst beautiful jungle scenery, where we spend the night. (BLD)

Day 9, RIVER KWAI: Today we visit the War Cemeteries and JEATH Museum in Kanchanaburi before transferring to our hotel which is situated on a small island in the middle of the River Kwai. The rest of the day is free to explore the town or enjoy the swimming pool. (BLD)

Day 10, BANGKOK: Drive to the nearby National Park and visit the Erawan Waterfalls. We can swim in the natural pools or walk up to the top of the falls. We later return to Bangkok, visiting the tallest Buddhist monument in the world on the way. (BL)

Day 11, BANGKOK: Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. Explore without roughing it.

Maximum Group Size - 15: You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.
Tour Extensions: Traveller-class Extension tours are non-group tours, available on request.
Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist class hotels on a twin share basis), transportation, many meals, and all entrance fees as included in the itinerary.
Single Supplement: (applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room) Usually available and usually not compulsory (check your specific tour for details). Please note: Single supplements do not apply on all boats, overnight train journeys and whilst camping.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]