Compare Thailand & Singapore in style by Audley Travel vs Thailand In-Depth Exploration by Odynovo

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Singapore.

Day 2 : Singapore

After being met by an Audley representative on arrival into Singapore airport you have a private transfer to your luxurious historic hotel.Depending on your flight time, you might have time to explore Singapore. There are a number of interesting shops and restaurants surrounding the hotel you might like to take a walk to, before enjoying a cocktail in the Long Bar at your hotel - a famous Singapore institution.

Day 3 : Singapore

Today is at leisure to relax after your flights. If you would like to venture out of the hotel there is plenty to see and do. For impressive views of the city you may like to consider a visit to the SkyPark in Marina Bay. Chinatown is a great spot to explore on foot, with lots of delicious street-food stalls and vibrant temples.

Day 4 : Singapore

Your driver will collect you this morning for your private transfer to Singapore's Woodlands Railway Station. Here you will board the Eastern & Oriental Express for your two night rail journey to Bangkok. Once on board enjoy the changing scenery as the train travels over the causeway into Malaysia. All meals are included during your time on board.

Day 5 : Singapore

After breakfast arrive at the royal town of Kuala Kangsar where you have the opportunity to disembark and enjoy a small group tour of the grand Ubudiah Mosque, the Royal Museum of Perak and the Sultan Shah Gallery. Back on board the train, spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the views from the Observation Car as the train makes its way into Thailand.

Day 6 : Bangkok

The E&O train arrives into Kanchanaburi this morning. After being transferred to the river, enjoy a short river cruise to view the lush scenery along the River Kwai with your fellow train guests. You also have the chance to visit the town's museum as well as the well-known Don Rak War Cemetery. Back on board the train have lunch before arriving into Bangkok in the afternoon where your guide is waiting to take you by private car to the famous Mandarin Oriental, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

Day 7 : Bangkok

Enjoy a private guided tour exploring the ancient city of Ayuthaya today, once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam and now home to atmospheric ruins and ancient temples. Still an important site for pilgrims, you might be able to see offerings of flowers and gifts being made at some of the temples.

Day 8 : Bangkok

Meet your guide at your hotel this morning for a fascinating private tour of Bangkok, visiting three of the city's most unusual Buddhist temples and the majestic Grand Palace.You will have the afternoon at leisure before enjoying a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River.

Day 9 : Chiang Mai

This morning have a private transfer to the airport for your internal flight to the historical and colourful city of Chiang Mai, located in the north of Thailand. Your guide will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your boutique hotel located in the hills above the city. Your afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore the city. In the evening you may like to visit the city's famous night bazaar.

Day 10 : Chiang Mai

Explore the main sights of Chiang Mai with your private guide today, including the hilltop temple of Doi Suthep - Chiang Mai's most famous landmark and one of Thailand's most important temples. Continue on to the White Hmong village of Chang Khien where the 800 inhabitants still wear their traditional hill tribe clothes and practice a culture that dates back 500 years.

Day 11 : Chiang Mai

Today visit the Patara Elephant Farm to have a hands-on experience with these magnificent creatures as you learn the traditional skills of the mahout (elephant keeper). This is part of a small group.

Day 12 : Phuket

Your guide collects you from your hotel and takes you to the local airport for your internal flight to Phuket, a journey of about two hours. At Phuket airport our driver will take you to your luxurious beach accommodation, the Amanpuri. Set amongst palm trees next to a pristine beach this is a wonderful place to spend time relaxing before heading home.

Day 13 : Phuket

Today is at leisure to relax on your beautiful beach. Your hotel has a spa and can organise activities on the sea or inland. With clear and calm waters, you might like to try an organised snorkeling trip.

Day 14 : Phuket

Day at leisure. Today you may like to explore the island's craggy coast by kayak or catamaran. It's possible to find completely untouched coves and bays to stop off at for a swim.

Day 15 : Phuket

Today is your last day to enjoy your lovely beach setting before heading home. You might like to make your trip special by booking a private dinner on the beach.

Day 16 : International return flight

This morning your driver will collect you from the hotel for your private transfer to Phuket airport in time for your onward flights. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

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.