Compare Best of Asia Adventure Tour by Discovery Nomads vs Tropical Northern Thailand by Culture Trip

Day 1-2 Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok in the morning or add an extra night. In the early afternoon immerse yourself in the cultural and historical heritage of Bangkok by exploring the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple.

Hotel: Pullman Bangkok Hotel G or similar.

Day 2-4 Chiang Mai

Flight to Chiang Mai (1h). On Day 3 visit the White Temple, Golden Triangle where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet and take a Mekong River boat trip and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Shangri La Chiang Mai or similar.

Day 4-6 Hanoi

Flight to Hanoi. Enjoy an evening tour of Hanoi's food hotspots, explore the historic and lively old quarter and sample traditional Vietnamese cuisine and delicacies. On Day 5 enjoy a day boat trip along Halong Bay. The epic landscape of Halong Bay has beckoned dreamers to Hanoi for centuries. Experience the majestic bay in 1-day while on board a traditional Chinese boat, and visit the magical grottoes that have charmed visitors for years.

Hotel: Melia Hanoi or similar.

Day 6-8 Ho Chi Minh city

Flight to Saigon. Explore the largest city in Vietnam with its open-air concerts, flickering neon lights and crowded markets. Visit Notre Dame, City Hall, stroll through the colonial streets or go to Ben Thanh Market. On Day 7 enjoy a day trip to Mekong Delta, visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, the largest Buddhist temple in Tien Giang Province, enjoy boat cruising through a beautiful river and a delicious local lunch in a restaurant.

Hotel: Nikko Saigon or similar.

Day 8-10 Angkor Wat

Flight to Siem Reap. On Day 9 see the sunrise at Angkor Wat, the largest sacred structure in the world and visit jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom City and Bayon Temple.

Hotel: Angkor Miracle Hotel or similar.

Day 1: Arrive in Chiang Mai

Accommodation: Banthai Village

Activities Included: Welcome dinner with Lanna show

Touch down at Chiang Mai International Airport where a private transfer will be waiting to whisk you off to your hotel. Our Local Insider will be there to greet you and will accompany the group throughout the trip. Meet your fellow travellers at 5pm over a welcome drink and an orientation talk on northern Thailand, highlighting any cultural dos and don’ts. As the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai has a rich cultural heritage distinct from the cities in the south. Get to know the group over dinner, followed by a traditional Lanna show.

Day 2: Explore the street art and food of Chiang Mai by bicycle

Accommodation: Banthai Village

Activities Included: Chiang Mai walking tour, Street art and food bicycle tour

Kick off your first full day in Chiang Mai with a walking tour, exploring the alleyways and temples of the Old Town. Home to many creative types, it’s no wonder the city is alive with art. After lunch, hop on a bicycle to tour the street art and food. Lanna cuisine is a medley of hot, salty and sour flavours. Must-try delicacies include khao soi, coconut curry noodle soup, and sai oua, spiced pork sausage. Regroup at the hotel for an evening briefing on your epic road trip, which starts tomorrow.

Day 3: Kick-start the road trip and climb the sticky waterfall

Accommodation: Pai Village Boutique Resort

Activities Included: Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall

Rise and shine with a robust cup of local joe before hitting the road to Pai. Located three hours from Chiang Mai, this dreamy town is the gateway to beautiful Mae Hong Son province but is a charmer in its own right. En route, you’ll be dropped off at the unusual Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall. You can easily scramble up the cascade, thanks to the limestone, which makes the rocks grippy rather than slippery. Come evening, bed down in your hotel in Pai.

Day 4: Swim under a waterfall and explore the craggy Pai Canyon

Accommodation: Pai Village Boutique Resort

Activities Included: Kho Kuu So Bridge, Pam Bok Waterfall, Pai Land Split, Pai Canyon

Fancy another day chasing waterfalls? This morning, you’ll visit the postcard-perfect Pam Bok Waterfall, hidden within a rocky canyon. After a swim in the clear waters, head to the nearby Kho Kuu So Bridge. This bamboo bridge stretches across large paddies, offering panoramic views. Next, it’s on to the Pai Land Split, a vast gorge created by an earthquake in 2008; enjoy a juice here while swinging in a hammock. Finish up the day at Pai Canyon, where you can explore the narrow, twisty trails with drops either side and watch the sun set behind the mountains.

Day 5: Discover an ancient cave before soaking in a hot spring

Accommodation: Pai Village Boutique Resort

Activities Included: Tham Lod Cave visit, Ngam Hot Springs, Mo Paeng Waterfall, Yun Lai viewpoint

You'll be heading underground this morning to Tham Lod Cave, one of the largest and most impressive in the country. As you make your way through the cavern on a raft, you’ll feel like Indiana Jones on a mission – watch out for the bats! Next stop: Ngam Hot Springs. Lower yourself into the therapeutic waters and any tension in your muscles will melt away. Rinse off at the Mo Paeng Waterfall, or hurl yourself down its natural waterslide, before ending the day at the towering Yun Lai viewpoint, with vistas over Pai and the valley below.

Day 6: Relax in Mae Hong Son or join an optional hike

Accommodation: Fern Resort

Optional Activities: Mae Hong Son hike

It’s time to leave Pai and make the 2.5hr journey inland to Mae Hong Son, where you’ll have the day at leisure in your hotel in the mountains. Take a dip in the pool or enjoy lounging in the sun with a fruit shake. Spend the afternoon chilling, or you might prefer to join an optional hike in the nearby forest, inhabited by rare, brightly coloured birds. Once you’ve snapped the requisite pictures, make your way back to the hotel for cocktails at the bar.

Day 7: Embark on a jungle trek in Mae Hong Son

Accommodation: Fern Resort

Activities Included: Mae Hong Son guided jungle trek, Sunset from Pha Bong viewpoint

Enjoy a lazy breakfast this morning at the hotel. Today, you’ll embark on a one-day jungle trek around the hills of Mae Hong Son. Starting from the hotel, you’ll stomp uphill through the lush vegetation, stopping at waterfalls along the way. Refuel over a picnic lunch – you might even be able to spot the craggy mountainous border with Myanmar in the distance. Wend your way through the palms and rubber trees, back to the hotel. Round off your time in Mae Hong Son by watching the sun turn crimson red from the Pha Bong lookout point.

Day 8: Head to Doi Inthanon for a Thai banquet

Accommodation: Doi Inthanon Riverside Resort

Activities Included: Thai tasting lunch

Optional Activities: Local waterfalls visit

Today, you'll continue the journey southwards to Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand at 2,565m (8,415ft), but it's actually a relatively easy hike to the top. Don't overdo it, though, as you need to save your energy for the sunrise trek tomorrow. Check in at the hotel, where you’ll be served a traditional Thai tasting feast for lunch. Expect local delicacies such as nam phrik ong (pork and tomato chilli served with deep-fried pork crackling) alongside khao niaow (sticky rice). There’s an optional afternoon waterfall tour, or you can unwind by the outdoor pool. Spend the evening as you like.

Day 9: Summit Doi Inthanon and stop at an elephant sanctuary

Accommodation: Banthai Village

Activities Included: Sunrise hike up Doi Inthanon, Elephant sanctuary visit, Farewell dinner

Set your alarm for 4am – it’s an early start for a sunrise hike to the summit of Doi Inthanon. Watch the sun break through the clouds before heading back to the hotel for breakfast. Return to Chiang Mai, but not before a stop at the Elephant Nature Park, a rescue centre that provides a safe space for former working elephants to live out their golden years. You'll feed, trek and bathe these giant mammals before hitting the road once more. Top off the trip with a farewell dinner at a riverside restaurant in Chiang Mai.

Day 10: Depart from Chiang Mai

Take it slow this morning and indulge in a late breakfast. Checkout isn’t until midday, so you can laze by the pool or pop down to the nearby Warorot Market for any final souvenirs. Wave goodbye to your fellow travellers at midday before scooting off to the airport. Alternatively, extend your stay a little longer by joining our Life’s a Beach: the Best of Southern Thailand trip next.