Thailand Essence: River Kwai, Temples, and Hilltribe Adventure

Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel for check-in and some time to freshen up. In the evening, head to Vertigo Restaurant atop the Banyan Tree Hotel for a memorable sky dining experience, enjoying a delicious meal with panoramic views of the city skyline. After dinner, return to your hotel and unwind for the night.

Meals Included: Dinner

Begin your day with a 6:00 AM departure from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi via Nakhon Pathom. At 9:00 AM, make a brief stop to visit Phra Pathom Chedi, Thailand’s tallest pagoda. Continue to explore Khao Noi Cave Temple and the nearby Tiger Cave Temple, known for their serene atmosphere and sacred Buddha images. At 11:40 AM, visit the JEATH War Museum to learn about World War II history. Around 12:45 PM, board the RV River Kwai at Nong Ya dock and enjoy lunch while cruising along the Kwai Noi River. Spend the afternoon at leisure, followed by dinner and an overnight stay onboard.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Start your morning with breakfast on board as you cruise up the Kwai Noi River to Muang Singh. At 8:00 AM, visit a boarding school supported by H.R.H. Crown Princess Sirindhorn for refugee children, followed by a tour of Prasat Muang Singh Historical Park, home to impressive Khmer ruins from the late Lopburi period. At 11:00 AM, travel by coach to Tha Kilen Station and board a scenic 3rd class train at 11:47 AM, crossing the picturesque Wang Pho viaduct. Stop at Krasae Cave at 12:02 PM to admire the riverside Buddha and panoramic views. Continue by coach with a brief visit to Sai Yok Village before returning to the boat. Enjoy lunch on board and relax for the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay on the RV River Kwai.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin the day with breakfast on board before setting out at 8:00 AM for a guided walk to Kaeng Lava Cave, admired for its impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and stone draperies. At 10:30 AM, continue by coach to Hell Fire Pass, a poignant site along the Death Railway featuring a memorial honoring the POWs and laborers who suffered during its construction. At 12:30 PM, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Sai Yok National Park, near the beautiful Sai Yok Yai waterfalls. Return to the RV River Kwai at 3:30 PM for a relaxing afternoon. In the evening, savor a special farewell dinner on board and spend your final night aboard the cruise.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin your final day at 6:00 AM with a traditional Buddhist merit-making ritual by offering food to monks at a nearby temple, followed by breakfast on board. At 9:15 AM, disembark and travel by coach to Kanchanaburi. Visit Wat Tham Khaopoon, a historic temple featuring striking cave formations and scenic views of the Kwai Noi River. Continue to the Thailand-Burma Railway Center Museum for an insightful look into the railway's history, then pay your respects at the Donrak War Cemetery. Explore the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, a powerful symbol of World War II history. At noon, enjoy lunch at Rabiang FA Restaurant by the river. Depart for Bangkok at 1:15 PM and arrive by 6:00 PM for your transfer to your downtown hotel, marking the end of your unforgettable journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Start your day with an 8:00 AM pickup from your hotel in Bangkok. Begin by exploring Wat Phra Kaew, the revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the adjacent Grand Palace, a magnificent former royal residence. Continue to Wat Pho, home to the impressive 46-meter-long Reclining Buddha. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before setting off on a scenic long-tail boat ride through Bangkok's canals, offering a glimpse into the city’s traditional lifestyle. End the day with a visit to Wat Arun, the iconic Temple of Dawn on the Chao Phraya River. Return to your hotel around 5:00 PM.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start your day with a 7:30 AM pickup from your hotel in Bangkok and head to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival around 9:00 AM, explore key historical landmarks including Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, and Wat Mahathat. At noon, enjoy a traditional Thai lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue your tour with visits to Wat Lokayasutharam, home to a massive reclining Buddha, and the striking Khmer-style Wat Chaiwatthanaram. Depart Ayutthaya at 4:30 PM and return to your hotel in Bangkok.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Begin your day with breakfast at your Bangkok hotel, followed by check-out and a transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted and depart in a comfortable off-road vehicle. Your journey starts with a visit to the hilltribe museum to learn about Thailand’s ethnic groups, including the Hmong, Yao, Lisu, Akha, Musers, and Karen. Continue to an orchid farm, then head to The Chang Village in Mae Rim to observe elephants peacefully in their natural jungle environment. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Hmong villages of Ban Nong Hoi Kao, Ban Nong Hoi Mai, and Ban Mae Khi. In the evening, check in at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge and enjoy a barbecue dinner with Thai dishes, salads, and desserts, accompanied by traditional Hmong cultural performances.

Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxed rainforest trek from Hmong Hilltribe Lodge to the nearby Hmong village of Ban Mae Khi. After exploring, check out and travel to Hang Dong via Samoeng, stopping for lunch at the scenic Suan Kularb (Rose Garden) of the Royal Project. In the afternoon, visit Ban Tawai, Chiang Mai’s renowned handicraft village, where you can watch local artisans at work. Return to Chiang Mai and check in to your hotel, ending a culturally rich day.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your Chiang Mai hotel before meeting your driver for a tour of Doi Suthep and its iconic mountaintop temple. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then continue exploring Chiang Mai’s highlights, including the old city walls, Tha Phae Gate, Three Kings Monument, and Wat Chedi Luang. Wrap up the day with a visit to a lively local market, where you can sample street food and browse unique souvenirs. Return to your hotel and relax for the evening at your leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Enjoy breakfast at your Chiang Mai hotel before departing with your driver to Elephant Nature Park. Upon arrival, receive a warm welcome and an introduction to the park’s ethical conservation work and the stories behind its rescued elephants. Spend the day observing and safely interacting with the elephants, learning about their care, diet, and herbal treatments. Enjoy a delicious vegetarian buffet lunch, then join a guided tour to see the elephants in their natural surroundings and participate in feeding sessions. Watch them play and bathe in the river, and meet other rescued animals at the sanctuary. After a fulfilling day of hands-on experiences, return to your hotel in Chiang Mai and enjoy a free evening at your leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Enjoy a final breakfast at your Chiang Mai hotel before checking out. Meet your driver and guide for the scenic journey to Chiang Rai, with a stop at Mae Kachan Hot Springs to see how locals boil eggs using natural geothermal heat. Upon arrival in Chiang Rai, visit the renowned White Temple, a stunning architectural masterpiece admired across Asia. Afterward, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to the striking Blue Temple, known for its vivid colors and unique design. After your temple visits, transfer to your Chiang Rai hotel for check-in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Start your day with breakfast at your Chiang Rai hotel before meeting your driver and guide for a trip to the Golden Triangle in Chiang Saen District. Enjoy a scenic longtail boat ride along the Mekong River, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Visit the House of Opium Museum to explore the region’s complex history with the opium trade. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Chiang Rai. Spend the evening at your leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Enjoy your breakfast at the Hotel in Chiang Rai and get ready for Check out. Pick up from the Hotel Lobby by our driver and Proceed to Chiang Rai Airport for Final Departure

Meals Included: Breakfast