Compare 11 days explore the North and South by Asia Planet vs Thailand In-Depth Exploration by Odynovo

Day 1: BANGKOK

Arrive in Bangkok. Transfer to your hotel. Relaxation. Swimming pool.

Day 2: BANGKOK - DAMNOEN SADUAK - BANGKOK

Meals: Breakfast

American breakfast. Pick up to your hotel at 06.00 / 06.30. Depart Bangkok to the unspoiled rural floating market of Duamnuen Saduak situated 110 km west of Bangkok . Arriving at the jetty, you board long-tailed boats and cruise trought the many small canal shapes and sizes used by local merchants to ferry their goods. Depart from Duamnuen Saduak to Bangkok. Transfer to your Hotel.

Day 3: BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI

Meals: Breakfast

American breakfast. Pick up at your hotel . Visit the Royal Grand Palace. This is a must for every visitor to Bangkok, for the grand palace complex, which includes the temple of the Emerald Bouddha is unquestionably one of the wonders of the world today.

End of afternoon depart to the north largest town, Chiang Mai by train. Over night in train with sleeping berth.

Day 4: CHIANG MAI

Meals: Dinner

Arrive in Chiang Mai, transfer to your hotel.

Depart to Doi Suthep. Doi Suthep is the symbol of Chiang Mai, and the holy temple for native which is in each year visited by Buddhist pilgrims from every where is situated on the hilltop of Doi Suthep mountain. Inside the temple there is golden stupa built in northern thai style and enshrined with the holy relics of Lord Buddha. Behind the temple one can have a complete panoramic view of the whole Chiang Mai city and wonderful countryside. Pick up at your hotel around 18.30 to Khantoke dinner. Taste authentic of northern Thai food and delightful entertainment presented by classical dancing and Hilltribe shows. This evening will make a long remenber. Back to your hotel.

Day 5: CHIANG MAI - ELEPHANTS CAMP

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

American breakfast. Depart Chiang Mai about 08.30. Travel north on Chiang Mai Thaton route to elephant training camp. Along the way, it offers views of spectacular mountain sceneries, farmlands and villages. Arrive at the camp. Watch a herd of elephants taking a Baht in mountain stream and elephant show. After the show, add the ideal trip to fully experience ridding an elephant through lush rain forest. Picnic lunch. After lunch, embark on bamboo raft, float down the river Ping to the collection point. The trip continues to Orchid farm. See hybrids of local wild orchid collection and its splendid eye-catching flowers. Back to Chiangmai. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 6: CHIANG MAI - CHIANG RAI - CHIANG MAI

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

American breakfast. Depart Chiang Mai to Chiang Mai. Almost half of the trip is going on mountain road winding through preserved forests. Along the way it offers magnificient views of mountain sceneries.

Stop on the way to visit the magnificient White temple. the Wat Rong Khum.

Arrive in Chiangrai then proceed to Mae Sai, Thai Burmese town linked by common bridge to Burma. Discovery the burmese products. Local lunch.

After lunch, drive to the famous Golden Triangle and the historic town, Chiang Saen which is setting on the bank of Mekong river, over looking Laos.

Enjoy a Boat trip on the Mekong river.

During the excursion, visit to the hilltribe, the Yao & Akha and the famous LONG NECKS tribe .

Back to Chiang Mai and your hotel.

Day 7: CHIANG MAI - PHUKET

Meals: Breakfast

American breakfast. Depart to see the variety of local handicrafts. Go to see the process of woven, observe carvers of teakwood on furniture respectively to the time honored skill of their fore father. Then visit the shops where they make silverware, lacqueware, colourful umbrellas and various handicrafts.

Transfer to Chiang Mai airport. Departure to Phuket . Arrive in the Thailand largest tropical island : Phuket, the pearl of the orient. Your will be greeted by your representative. Transfer to hotel. Leisure. Over night.

Day 8: PHUKET - KOH PHI PHI - PHUKET

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

American breakfast. Depart to the Makan Bay Jetty to board the cruiser for Phi Phi Island tour.

Upon approaching the Phi Phi Island, you will see the surroundings nearby island, the Viking Cave, where there are ancient paintings on the wall and also a reserved cave for birds nests collection. Keep a watch out for long bamboo poles along the surrounding islands! The bird nests in Phi Phi Island are being exported throughout the world. Watch the pretty marine life, corals, etc..

Your lunch awaits you at Phi Phi Island. Relax at the white sandy beach of Tonsai Bay.

An appointment time will be set for you trip to cruise back to Phuket Island where the coach awaits to send your back to your hotel around 17.00 . The beauty of Phi Phi Island will always be in your mind.

Day 9: PHUKET - PHANG NGA - PHUKET

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

American breakfast. Depart to James Bond Island which is situated on the Andaman sea. The coach will take you northward of Phuket Island and cross the Thepkassatri Bridge which connects Phuket Island with the mainland Thailand.

On this hour and a half coach ride, enjoy the greenery surroundings of Phuket Island and Phang Nga Province. You will see lots of rubber estates and cashew-nut trees along the way. Upon arrival at the Phang Nga Bay jetty, You will board the boat to begin your exciting tour by passing the mangrove swamps flanked on both sides. Take a glimpse at the wild birds at the swamp before sailling through the limestone cave Tan Lod. During your cruise, you will be able to see the different formation of animals from the surrounding island that handsomely rises from the water. We will continue to cruise towards the highlight of the day James Bond Island. Why is it called James Bond Island? The movie the Man with a Golden Gun was filmed on this island. Opposite this island, you will see Koh Tapoo or Nail Island.

Seafood lunch at the fisherman village at Koh Panyee. After your lunch, take a walk around this village, which there are a lot of things that�ll fascinate you. Drop-by to the floating school at the Fisherman Village, From the Fisherman Village, you will take the boat ride back to the Phang Nga Bay Jetty where the coach awaits you for your transfer back to the hotel .

Day 10: PHUKET - BANGKOK

Meals: Breakfast

American breakfast. Free day at leisure until your transfer to Phuket airport. Flight Phuket- Bangkok. Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel.

Day 11: BANGKOK

Meals: Breakfast

American breakfast. Free time. Swimming pool, shopping. Transfer Bangkok International Airport.

Day 1 Arrival - Bangkok

Welcome to the Land of Smiles! Touch down in Thailand's massive capital - Bangkok, and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Have the rest of the day to relax and recover from the long flight.
Overnight: Bangkok

Day 2 Bangkok (B, L)

Start by visiting a colorful flower and vegetable market, where tons of fresh flowers on sale fill the air with an intoxicating scent. Continue on to the highlight of today's tour - the glittering Grand Palace, the most spectacular of all Thai monuments. Wander through the sprawling complex containing 100-plus royal heritage buildings, including the sacred Wat Phra Kaew. Appropriate dress is required. After lunch, take a long-tail boat ride through the canals, known locally as khlongs, to see Thai houses on stilts and the typical rural life of the local people. Before ending the boat ride, admire the photogenic Wat Arun from the boat on the river. Disembark and transfer back to your hotel, with the rest of the day to relax.
Overnight: Bangkok

Day 3 Bangkok - Kanchanaburi (B, L)

Depart from energetic Bangkok in the morning and set off on a 3-hour drive to Kanchanaburi, a land awash in WWII history and natural beauty. You will spot significant sites related to the infamous "Death Railway" built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II, including the museum sitting above Hellfire Pass, Krasae cave with its adjoining wooden railway bridge, Hollywood-famous Bridge on the River Kwai, before ending your trip at Don Rak War Cemetery. During the journey, soak up the natural beauty and take a relaxing boat ride on the Kwai River to dispel the gloomy moods. Finally, settle into your comfortable hotel for the night.

Overnight: Kanchanaburi

Day 4 Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya (B, L)

After breakfast, leave the sombre yet scenic Kanchanaburi behind and travel onward to Ayutthaya, the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Pause on route to visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, which was used by the Thai Kings as a summer retreat and continue driving to the UNESCO-designated Ayutthaya Historical Park. Within, you will then be guided through the journey back in time to explore some important ruined temples, like Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, and Wat Maha That.
Overnight: Ayutthaya

Day 5 Ayutthaya - Lopburi - Sukhothai (B, L) 

Start off with a morning visit to  active Wat Phutthaisawan, with many sacred things for people to worship. If you like, head over to meet and even feed the friendly monkeys living in Wat Kai. Afterwards, continue the 6-hour road transfer departing Ayutthaya for Sukhothai via Lopburi. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way. You will reach Sukhothai in the late afternoon. Check in to your hotel and enjoy some leisure time to go around by yourself.
Overnight: Sukhothai

Day 6 Sukhothai - Lampang (B, L)

Today, the UNESCO-recognized Sukhothai invites you to explore two historical parks for a fascinating insight into its royal past. Once the first Siamese capital before Ayutthaya, Sukhothai Historical Park comprises the remains of royal palaces, twenty-six temples, city gates, walls, and moats. Proceed with a one-hour drive northwards across some 50 kilometers to the serene Si Satchanalai Historical Park, an open green space dotted with ancient temples and ruins. After your visit, drive for about 2.5 hours in a northerly direction and you'll come to Lampang, meaning "horse carriage city", which boasts numerous temples in various architectural styles. The rest of the day is on your own to settle into your hotel and relax in your surroundings.

Overnight: Lampang

Day 7 Lampang - Chiang Rai (B, L)

After breakfast, head out to the highly revered Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a great example of early Lanna architecture, before hopping on a traditional horse-drawn carriage for sightseeing around the old city. You will then visit the Shan-style Wat Si Rong Mueang with impressive teak wood design and Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao - Lampang's most important temple with a mix of Mon, Shan, Burmese and Lanna styles. Continue for your onward destination to Chiang Rai, overland past the scenic Kwan Phayao.
Overnight: Chiang Rai

Day 8 Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and hit the road for a 1-hour drive to the northernmost point of Thailand - Mae Sai, where you will embark on a brief border exploration into Myanmar. You can even do a one-day crossing with a migration fee on your own. A 30-minute drive afterward will take you to spot the Golden Triangle, the intersection of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. After that, continue on to the sought-after Chiang Mai, with en-route visits to Long Neck Karen Village and White Temple. Upon arriving in the evening, check into your hotel and get rested up after one day's adventure.

Overnight: Chiang Mai

Day 9 Chiang Mai (B, L)

Historically, Chiang Mai was built to be the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom (1292-1775). This morning is reserved for a cooking class at a Lanna family for an immersive dose of local traditional flavor. Characterized by a salty and sour taste, Lanna food - commonly known as northern Thai food - is different from other Thai dishes. You will be shown around the host family's graceful teak wood houses, pick up fresh ingredients from the orchard, and try your hands at making authentic dishes under the host's guidance. After cooking, enjoy your own creations for lunch. Finish off the day trip to the sacred mountain of Doi Suthep, where you will climb up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on the top for fantastic views overlooking the whole city and its surroundings.
Overnight: Chiang Mai

Day 10 Chiang Mai (B, L) 

Asian elephants have been a symbol of Thailand since ancient times. Today, drive out of the city into the lush countryside to Baan Chang Elephant Park for a close-up experience with these magnificent creatures. You'll dress in traditional mahout attire, help care for the elephants, roam with them in the jungle, and aid in their feeding and bathing routine. Finally, transfer back to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Chiang Mai

Day 11 Chiang Mai - Phuket (B)

After several days' exploration in central and northern Thailand, the beach part of your vacation in the southern island paradise starts today. Enjoy some leisure time before taking a late morning flight to the world-renowned Phuket. Upon arrival, a private transfer will whisk you to your resort for the next three days' vacation. For the rest of today, relax thoroughly in your room, cool down in the swimming pool or enjoy the sunshine on the beach.
Overnight: Phuket

Day 12 Phuket (B)

The day is truly yours to enjoy as you wish. Optionally, hop from Phuket to other islands like Phi Phi Island, Similan Islands and James Bond Island on daily excursions to fully enjoy the great seascape with great water activities around Phuket.
Overnight: Phuket

Day 13 Phuket (B)

Indulge in another day of leisure in Phuket. You may like to take a walking tour around Phuket's old town to see Sino-Portuguese-style shophouses and sample fresh seafood while exploring its open markets and bustling streets.
Overnight: Phuket

Day 14 Phuket - Bangkok, Departure (B)

Enjoy the final morning in Phuket at leisure, before flying back to Bangkok to connect your international flight back home.