Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Kanchanaburi – Sukhothai – Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Bangkok
This Best of Thailand Tour dives deep into the country’s history, culture and rich traditions. Spectacular scenery and amazing food are among the highlights you’ll experience on this luxury tour.
Post-tour extensions to Hua Hin, Pattaya or Phuket – beach resort towns, are available on request.
Important Features
- Small group size – average 15, maximum 20.
- Experienced professional local guides.
- No shopping stops.
- Quality local and Western meals.
- Unlimited supply of bottled water.
- Free Wi-Fi in every hotel
Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner
Day 1/Thu: Departing for Bangkok
The trip starts with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line.
Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Bangkok
Meet the driver on arrival for private transfer to the hotel. No activity or meal is arranged for today. The guide will get in touch with you tonight.
Day 3/Sat: Bangkok (B/L/D)
Located in the Chao Phraya River delta, Bangkok is the capital and the most populous city of Thailand. The city’s urban population is estimated to be around 11 million or 15% of the country’s total of 72 million. Bangkok is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. A major financial and cultural centre in Southeast Asia, Bangkok also functions as an important hub for airlines serving the region.
We begin our sightseeing today at the royal Grand Palace. Established in 1782, the palace was dramatically expanded throughout successive reigns. The king and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925.
We then proceed to the National Museum, which is the largest museum in Southeast Asia and features exhibits of Thai art and history.
Afternoon sightseeing takes in Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand’s landmarks.
Later in the day, we go on a long tail boat for an hour-long cruise on picturesque Chao Phraya River and the Klongs (canals) of Thonburi on the west side of the river. There will be chance to observe and photograph the serene family homes and temples along the waterways.
If time permits, we’ll make a stop at Bangkok’s historical Chinatown.
Day 4/Sun: Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Bangkok (B/L)
Following breakfast we set out for a full-day (7 to 8 hours) excursion to Ayutthaya, a town about 90 km north of Bangkok. Founded around 1350, Ayutthaya served as the capital of the Thai state of Ayutthaya (Siam), precursor of the new kingdom established in modern-day Bangkok, until it was razed by the Burmese army in 1767. The ruins of the old city are preserved in the Ayutthaya Historical Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The remaining reliquary towers and gigantic monasteries in the park give visitors an idea of Ayutthaya’s past splendour.
Our sightseeing in Ayutthaya includes Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace), Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, the former Royal Summer Palace, and Chedi Phukhao Thong – a Buddhist tower built in 1587 to commemorate Ayutthaya’s liberation from Burma three years earlier.
Day 5/Mon: Bangkok – Kanchanaburi – Bangkok (B/L)
We depart the hotel at 8:00 AM for a full-day excursion to River Kwai Bridge (Bridge over the River Kwai) and the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery nearby.
The drive to the River Kwai Bridge from Bangkok becomes increasingly scenic as we head west, transitioning from city sprawl to lush, green countryside with rice paddies, sugar cane fields, and pineapple plantations, offering a mix of rural Thai life, and beautiful river views.
Our sightseeing begins at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre (a museum) located right beside the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. The highly rated small museum and research facility is dedicated to the history of the “Death Railway” built during World War II. The interactive exhibits, short films and descriptions provide the context of the Japanese aggression in Southeast Asia, details of their plan for the railway and the horrors faced by the prisoners of war who worked and perished during the construction of the railway.
After lunch, we proceed to the bridge over the River Kwai. The bridge gained international fame from the Hollywood film version of the French novel Le Pont de la rivière Kwaï by Pierre Boulle. The story is fictional but uses the construction of the Burma Railway (also known as Siam-Burma Railway) between 1942 and 1943 as its historical setting.
Our day trip also features an hour-long rail journey on the historic Death Railway (Thailand-Burma Railway), a poignant trip over the famous bridge and through stunning scenery.
Day 6/Tue: Bangkok – Sukhothai (B/D)
Free morning to explore on your own.
The afternoon flight to Sukhothai takes 1 hour 20 minutes.
Day 7/Wed: Sukhothai – Chiang Mai (B/L/D)
The modern city of Sukhothai is very small, with a population of 37,000 to 50,000 depending on who you ask. It is located about 427 km (265 mi) north of Bangkok on the River Yom, a tributary of the Chao Phraya River. The main attraction here is the ancient site of Sukhothai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Sukhothai Historical Park, which is 13 km from the new town of Sukhothai and covers an area of roughly 70 square km.
The historical site once served as the capital of Sukhothai Kingdom (1238-1438) from 1238 to 1347. The kingdom expanded to its greatest extent during the reign of Ram Khamhaeng the Great (1279-1298), who was believed by some historians to have introduced Theravada Buddhism and the initial Thai script to the kingdom. At its peak, the kingdom’s territory reached what is now Laos in the north, Andaman Sea in the west and the Malay Peninsula in the south.
We spend the morning exploring the ancient ruins inside the historical park.
After lunch, we drive 4 hours (300 km) to Chiang Mai.
Day 8/Thu: Chiang Mai (B/L)
Nestled in high mountains and 750 kilometres north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. The city was founded as the new capital of the Kingdom of Lan Na (1296–1768) by King Mangrai. Known for its artistic and cultural heritage, the city sits astride the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. The Chiang Mai Metropolitan Area has a population of nearly one million, more than half the total of Chiang Mai Province.
The morning visit to the Elephant Rescue Center is a key highlight of the trip. You’ll have the pleasure of interacting with the gentle giants and watching them bathing in conditions close to their natural habitat.
Afternoon sightseeing includes Warorot Market by Ping River, the old city centre, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – a Buddhist temple sitting atop the Doi Suthep Mountain about 15 km west of the city. The temple ground offers a panoramic view of Chiang Mai on a clear day.
Day 9/Fri: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai (B/D)
Free morning to explore on your own.
After lunch on your own, we drive 200km (3 ½ hours) to Chiang Rai.
Visit Wat Rong Khun en route. Popularly known as the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun is a unique, contemporary Buddhist temple and art installation designed by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. The temple is renowned for its all-white exterior, intricate architectural details, and unconventional symbolism that blends traditional Buddhist teachings with modern pop culture references.
Day 10/Sat: Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Rai (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we drive 1 hour north (70 km) to the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. A name reportedly coined by the CIA, the Golden Triangle covers an area of approximately 950,000 square kilometres and is notorious for its narcotics industry. Our visit includes a boat ride and a museum known as the Hall of Opium.
Day 11/Sun: Chiang Rai – Bangkok (B/D)
Free morning to relax. We fly back to Bangkok in the afternoon and enjoy a delicious farewell dinner tonight.
Day 12/Mon: Bangkok – Returning Home (B)
Your memorable Thailand vacation ends this morning. Transfer to the airport any time for return flight.
Hotel List
| City/Location | Night | Hotel/Resort | Category |
| Bangkok – first stay | 4 | The Landmark Bangkok | Luxury/5 stars |
| Sukhothai | 1 | Sriwilai Sukhothai or similar | Premium/4 stars (best available) |
| Chiang Mai | 2 | Melia Chiang Mai | Luxury/5 stars |
| Chiang Rai | 2 | Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort | Luxury/5 stars |
| Bangkok – 2nd stay | 1 | The Landmark Bangkok | Luxury/5 stars |
|
Dates & Prices
Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Early bird and/or group booking discount available.
| Depart (Thu) |
Return (Mon) |
Land Only CA$/US$ |
Single Supplement CA$/US$ |
| 2026 | |||
| 19-Mar | 30-Mar | $5330/$3890 | $1990/$1450 |
| 26-Mar | 06-Apr | $5330/$3890 | $1990/$1450 |
| 12-Nov | 23-Nov | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 19-Nov | 30-Nov | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 26-Nov | 07-Dec | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 2027 | |||
| 07-Jan | 18-Jan | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 14-Jan | 25-Jan | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 21-Jan | 01-Feb | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 28-Jan | 08-Feb | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 18-Feb | 01-Mar | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 25-Feb | 08-Mar | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 04-Mar | 15-Mar | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 11-Mar | 22-Mar | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
| 18-Mar | 29-Mar | $5530/$4035 | $1990/$1450 |
|
What the tour price includes:
|
What the tour price excludes:
See Terms & Conditions for more information. |
Passport
You’ll need a passport that has at least one blank visa page and a validity of six (6) months beyond the tour’s return date.
Visa
Thailand does not require visa for stays less than 30 days.
However, you may want to submit your Digital Arrival Card in advance to save time on arrival. The official website for the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is https://tdac.immigration.go.th. This is the only official portal for registration, and you should not use third-party sites that charge fees for the service.
Immunization
None is required to the best of our knowledge. Please check with your national healthy authorities for recommendations if necessary. We recommend all guests to be vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Tips on Staying Healthy
Do not drink from the tap when you travel. Ask for bottled or boiled water when eating in restaurants. When buying bottled water from street vendors, especially at tourist sites, make sure the cap is properly sealed because some vendors may be selling tap water in recycled bottles.
Try to avoid uncooked food. Raw food, even clean, may still cause stomach upset or diarrhea.
Always carry a roll of toilet paper and a bottle of hand sanitizer containing more than 60% of alcohol, no matter where you go.
Always have an N95 type of facemask ready. Passengers sitting next to you may be sick and cough loudly but wear nothing to cover their mouth. This was a big problem before the pandemic that may return soon.
Banknotes in general are filthy and carry all kinds of germs. Minimize your contact with local banknotes and coins by keeping them in a plastic bag and sanitize your hands every time you touch them. Use plastic for payment as much as possible.
Local Currency
Thai currency: Baht (THB)
Please keep your inventory of local currency to the minimum. Your tour fare covers all the expensive items already. You only need some local cash, which can be easily obtained as you go, for souvenirs and meals not included in the tour price.
Credit Card
Consider using a credit card for transactions over $20. Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout Southeast Asia. Merchants in Thailand only accept their own currency if you pay by cash.
Travel Insurance – When to Buy
We will save your deposit as credit if you cancel at any time and for any reason. The transferrable credit has no expiration date. Therefore, it may be unnecessary to pay $30 to $50 on cancellation insurance for your deposit.
However, you should definitely consider purchasing trip cancellation & emergency medical insurance when your balance is due. If you don’t have proper coverage, the loss can be devastating if you were forced to cancel close to departure date or ran into a serious medical emergency during the trip. Please ask us for insurance quotes when your balance is due.
From: M********, Sarah <Sarah.M********@******er.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 3, 2023 12:04 AM
To: Laurus Travel
Subject: RE: [External] – 12-day Best of Thailand Tour Review
Thanks Heather,
The holiday was excellent. Thanks for a wonderful trip. The guide and driver were excellent.
Alex was excellent , he was knowledgeable and attentive at all times. Super flexible to our requirements. English and communication very good.
Samran was excellent. His driving skills were great. He was super attentive and responsive to our needs and always there to pick us up and drop us off, always at the most convenient places. We always had plenty supplies of food and water in the van. Van was super comfortable.
We will be back for another trip 😊
Sarah
London, United Kingdom
