The Best of Thailand: An Exploration of the Culture and Kingdom

15 days
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
Delight in the beauty of Thailand as you enjoy gentle hikes, walks, canoe rides and boat excursions through its cultural and natural wonders.
From$3,599
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Walking is the best way to get to know a new place
    • I’m energetic and enjoy a good physical challenge, so I’m always ready to spend the day on the move
    • Whether it’s public transit, city streets or village cobblestones, I’m game

What's this trip about?

    Delight in the beauty of Thailand as you enjoy gentle hikes, walks, canoe rides and boat excursions through its cultural and natural wonders.

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityChiang Mai
End CityPhuket

Travel Themes

  • Culinary & Wine
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Relaxing Retreats
  • Yoga, Meditation & Wellness
  • Photography
  • Holy Land

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Thailand

Attractions

  • Chiang Mai
  • Phuket

Activities

  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Relaxing Retreat
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Yoga & Meditation

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart for Thailand In Flight

Day 2 In Transit Across the International Dateline In Flight

Day 3 Arrive, Hotel Check-in, Orientation at 6:30 p.m. Chiang Mai

Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. The Orientation is at 6:30 p.m. If you arrive later and miss the Orientation, the Group Leader will give you a brief overview the next day. DINNER: Tonight we will have a regular dinner as some flights are arriving quite late. The Welcome...

Day 4 Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai Walking Discovery Chiang Mai

Van transfer to Doi Suthep, driving up winding mountain roads for approximately 45 minutes (12 miles) one way. Morning visit entails approximately 1.5 hours walking (1-2 miles). Afternoon exploration entails approximately 1.5 hours walking (1 mile) along cobblestones ...

Day 5 Doi Inthanon National Park, Karen Hilltribe Village Chiang Mai

Drive is approximately 37 miles (1 hour 25 minutes) one way. Easy to moderate walking in the mountains for approximately 2 hours.

Doi Inthanon National Park is the home of Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon. The National park is made up of tropical forest...

Day 6 Chiang Mai, Free Morning, Wat Suan Dok, Chat with Monks Chiang Mai

In preparation for tomorrow's visit to the Elephant Valley, we have a short presentation on Asian Elephants to be given at the hotel. The rest of the morning is free for you to explore Chiang Mai. Your Group Leader will be happy to offer ideas and suggestions to make ...

Day 7 Coach to Mae Chan, Elephant Valley Mae Chan

Driving approximately 150 miles (4.5 hours) with rest stops. Easy to moderate walking for approximately 3 hours.

Check out of the hotel and depart for Chiang Rai to visit an elephant sanctuary (approximately 3 hours drive). The Elephant Valley Thailand is a lush...

Day 8 Mae Chan, Hilltribe Villages, Mae Salong, Free Time Mae Chan

Easy to moderate walking approximately 1 mile (2-3 hours).

We travel by motorcoach to Baan Pangpooloer, a hill tribe village. In this village, three ethnic groups of people live together:- Akha, Yao and Thai lowlander. We walk from the Thai lowlander houses to t...

Day 9 Coach to Chiang Rai, Fly to Bangkok, Lecture Bangkok

Drive to Chiang Rai airport is approximately 1 hour. Evening walk from hotel to nearby restaurant is approximately 10 minutes.

Check out of the hotel and transfer to Chiang Rai airport for our late morning flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival in Bangkok, transfer to ...

Day 10 Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Boat Ride Bangkok

Getting in/out of a long-tail riverboat. Walking approximately 1.5 miles throughout the day from river pier to the Grand Palace, to lunch, then to Wat Pho. Note: We do not go inside the Grand Palace; we explore the surroundings. Wat Pho is a sacred site. Please dress ...

Day 11 Fly to Phuket, Free Time Phuket

Flight is approximately 1.5 hours. Drive to Bangkok Airport is approximately 40 minutes-1 hour (11 miles). Drive from Phuket Airport to the hotel is approximately 5 minutes (1 mile).

We check out of the hotel and transfer to Bangkok Airport for our flight to Phu...

Day 12 Phang Nga Bay, Cave Kayaking, Krathong Launch Phuket

Enjoy some time at leisure before our late morning departure (around 11:30 a.m.) to Phang Nga Bay. Ride to Ao Po Grand Marina Pier to explore the sea caves and hidden lagoons, and uncover the pristine beauty of Phuket as we explore the limestone cliffs and turquoise w...

Day 13 Snorkeling and Beach Time Phuket

Motorcoach transfer time from hotel to pier is approximately 1 hour. Speedboat travel time is approximately 15 minutes to Maiton Island.

We board our private speed boat and spend the day on the Andaman Sea. We will make a stop at a snorkeling location where we c...

Day 14 Walking Discovery of Phuket Town, Free Time, Farewell Dinner Phuket

Walking in town for approximately 2-3 hours (2 miles) along small, sometimes busy, roads.

Explore the old town of Phuket on foot. Learn about the island’s past while exploring different architectural styles. See former Chinese schools that have been repurposed i...

Day 15 Program Concludes In Flight

Hotel check-out by 12:00 p.m. The airport is located approximately 1 mile (5 minutes) away from the hotel.

Breakfast buffet at the hotel including Asian and Western dishes. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying o...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,599
Price per day$240
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Road Scholar Reviews & Ratings

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Other Road Scholar Reviews

M

Michael

Dec 2023

Written on

Not a good bicycle trip

Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, th...

M

Marsha

Nov 2023

Written on

Travel Section Incompetent, Unhelpful, and Won't correct error

I booked a tour to Italy for May 2024. I cancelled in Oct. for a lot of reasons. Before I enrolled, I asked if Road Scholar would book the flights so that on the las...

J

Jane Johnson

Sep 2023

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There is a nonrefundable deposit

Please know that Road Scholar will always keep a nonrefundable $100 deposit. I cannot find that buried in all the paper and fine print but they state it is there???...

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Road Scholar

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Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value: Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends: When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs: Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour: The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't: We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases: From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan: The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need: Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors: Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

What they’re known for
Popular global tours with a unique focus on educational experiences for mostly senior travelers.

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Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • Number of Breakfast: 12
  • Number of Lunch: 8
  • Number of Dinner: 9
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
roadscholar-2027906

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