Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Kanchanaburi – Uthai Thani – Sukhothai – Sri Satchanalai – Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai – Bangkok
Join us on this small-group luxury tour of Thailand. The itinerary dives deep into the country’s history, culture and rich traditions of its diverse ethic groups. Spectacular scenery and amazing food are among the highlights you’ll experience on this luxury tour. Post-tour extensions to Hua Hin and Pattaya, world-class beach resort towns, are available on request.
Important Features
- Small group size – average 15, maximum 20
- Experienced tour leader & local guides
- No forced shopping stops
- High-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. Participants from countries other than Canada and the United States should note that this is the day of departure from North America, not the start of the land tour.
Day 2/Fri: Arrival in Bangkok
Meet the driver on arrival for your 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 Chao Phraya River delta, Bangkok is the capital and the most populous city of Thailand, with a population of 10.5 million within the city proper or over 15% of the country’s total. The city 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 stop by Wat Pho (a Buddhist temple complex) and 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 Tai 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 inscribed in 1991. 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.
Additional temple visits and a boat ride may be arranged depending on time availability.
Day 5/Mon: Bangkok – Kanchanaburi (B/L/D)
We depart Bangkok early in the morning. We first drive southwest for 80 km to visit Mae Klong Railway Market (Hoop Rom Market) in Samut Sakorn Province. In addition to fresh produce, seafood and related products feature prominently in the market because Samut Sakorn Province is on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand and many of its residents live off fishing. Railway tracks cut through the market and the story behind it is very interesting.
After a tour of the market, we drive 150 km to the northwest arriving at the town of Kanchanaburi just around lunchtime.
Afternoon sightseeing begins at the Burma Railway Centre, where 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. A stop at the Don Rak war cemetery is planned.
We then 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.
Day 6/Tue: Kanchanaburi – Uthai Thani – Sukhothai (B/L/D)
Our morning drive to Uthai Thani takes 4 hours (265 km).
Nestled in a peaceful corner of the lower northern region, the small town of Uthai Thani is surrounded by lush mountains with a diverse ethnic mix. Our sightseeing here includes Wat Tha Sung (Crystal Temple) and a short cruise on the Sakae Krang River.
We then drive another 3 ½ hours to arrive at the hotel in Sukhothai.
Day 7/Wed: Sukhothai (B/L)
The modern city of Sukhothai is very small with a population of 37,000 as of 2022. 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 whole morning exploring the ancient ruins inside the historical park. The afternoon is set aside for relaxation or exploration on your own.
Day 8/Thu: Sukhothai – Sri Satchanalai – Chiang Rai (B/L/D)
After breakfast we head north and arrive at a village called Ban Na Ton Chan 1 ½ hours (90 km) later. This small village in Si Satchanalai district is a little gem of innovation in promoting immersive and ecologically sustainable tourism. The village is backed by lush mountains and rice paddies. Many of its 200 families are engaged in traditional arts and crafts in additional to farming.
After a tour of the village, we continue our overland journey for another 360 km (5 ½ hours) to Chiang Rai, the northernmost major city in Thailand. Chiang Rai as a city traces its history to 1262 CE when King Mangrai made it the capital of his kingdom known as Lan Na.
Day 9/Fri: Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai (B/L/D)
Our sightseeing today begins at the magnificent Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. It unique design mixes contemporary and classic styles.
We then proceed to the Golden Triangle (70 km/1-hour drive to the north) where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. A name reportedly coined by the CIA, the Golden Triangle covers area of approximately 950,000 square kilometres and is notorious for its narcotics industry. Our visit is safe and the focus of our excursion is the pristine scenery and the life of the local hilltribes.
Day 10/Sat: 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 is set aside for rest and relaxation. A visit to the Elephant Rescue Center can be arranged upon request. You’ll have the pleasure watching the elephants taking baths in conditions close to their natural habitat and interact with the gentle giants.
The afternoon walking tour following lunch includes Warorot market by Ping River and the old city centre.
We spend the rest of the day visiting 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 and the night view of Chiang Mai from here is simply spectacular.
Day 11/Sun: Chiang Mai – Bangkok (B/D)
We fly back to Bangkok midday and enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner tonight.
Day 12/Mon: Bangkok – Returning Home (B)
Your Thailand tour ends this morning. Transfer to the airport any time for return flight.
Hotel List
| City/Location | Night | Hotel/Resort | Category |
| Bangkok – first stay | 3 | Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit | Luxury |
| Kanchanaburi | 1 | River Kwai Rosotel | Luxury |
| Sukhothai | 2 | Legendha Sukhothai Resort | Luxury |
| Chiang Rai | 1 | The Legend Chiang Rai | Luxury |
| Chiang Mai | 2 | Melia Chiang Mai | Luxury |
| Bangkok – 2nd stay | 1 | Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit | Luxury |
|
Dates & Prices
discount available
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$/US$ |
| 2025 | |||
| 02-Jan | 13-Jan | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 09-Jan | 20-Jan | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 16-Jan | 27-Jan | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 23-Jan | 03-Feb | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 30-Jan | 10-Feb | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 20-Feb | 03-Mar | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 27-Feb | 10-Mar | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 06-Mar | 17-Mar | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 13-Mar | 24-Mar | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 20-Mar | 31-Mar | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 27-Mar | 07-Apr | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$1450 |
| 03-Apr | 14-Apr | $5330/$3950 | $1960/$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.
Immunization
Visitors may be asked to show proof of vaccinations against COVID-19 prior to or on arrival. This information will be updated regularly to reflect the fluid nature of COVID control requirements.
We are not aware of any other inoculation requirements and we suggest you visit the websites of your national government’s disease control centre and pertinent embassies in your country for the latest. We recommend all of our 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 loud 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