Best of Thailand (12 days)

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

Best of Thailand Tour Itinerary

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 our 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 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, one of Southeast Asia’s most important collections of Thai art and historical artefacts.

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 board a long-tail boat for an hour-long cruise along the picturesque Chao Phraya River and the khlongs (canals) of Thonburi on the west bank. Along the way, we’ll have opportunities to observe and photograph traditional homes and temples lining the waterways.

If time permits, we’ll stop in Bangkok’s historic 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 Si Sanphet (the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace), Bang Pa-In 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 military 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 town of Sukhothai lies on the Yom River, a tributary of the Chao Phraya, approximately 430 km north of Bangkok. Its main attraction is Sukhothai Historical Park, about 13 km west of the town. The park preserves the ruins of the ancient capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom, which flourished during the 13th and 14th centuries. Together with the nearby historic towns of Si Satchanalai and Kamphaeng Phet, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The kingdom reached the height of its influence under King Ram Khamhaeng (traditionally dated 1279–1298). He is credited with promoting Theravada Buddhism and developing an early form of the Thai script, although historians continue to debate aspects of these achievements. At its height, Sukhothai exercised influence over a considerable part of what is now Thailand and neighbouring regions.

We spend the morning exploring the ancient ruins inside the historical park.

After lunch, we drive approximately four 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 the 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 grounds offer 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 200 km (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)
After breakfast, we drive approximately one hour north (70 km) to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. Once one of the world’s most notorious opium-producing regions, the Golden Triangle has a complicated history shaped by geography, ethnic conflict and the international narcotics trade.

Our visit includes a boat ride and the Hall of Opium, a museum devoted to the history of opium cultivation, trade and its social consequences.

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 Thailand vacation ends this morning. Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Hotel List

Dates & Prices

Prices are per person based on double occupancy.

Thailand Tour – Know Before You Go

Passport

Your passport must have at least one blank visa page and remain valid for at least six months beyond the end of the tour.

Visa & Arrival Card

Canadian, American, British and Australian passport holders do not need a visa for this 12-day tour. Thailand currently permits eligible visitors from these countries to enter visa-free for up to 60 days. Travellers of other nationalities should verify their requirements before departure.

Most foreign visitors must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within three days before arrival. Registration is free through the official website: https://tdac.immigration.go.th.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are routinely required for travellers arriving directly from Canada or the United States. Yellow fever vaccination documentation may be required for those arriving from or transiting through certain countries.

We recommend consulting a healthcare professional about hepatitis A and other travel vaccinations.

Food & Drinking Water

Avoid drinking tap water. Bottled water is provided throughout the tour. When dining independently, choose reputable restaurants and exercise reasonable caution with uncooked food and street food.

Carry hand sanitizer and some toilet paper or tissues, as public washrooms may not always provide them.

Currency & Credit Cards

Thailand’s currency is the Thai baht (THB). There is no need to obtain baht before departure. Cash can be withdrawn from local ATMs.

Major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and shops, but smaller establishments and street vendors often prefer cash. Carry a modest amount of local currency for personal expenses.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Thailand?

November through February generally offers the most pleasant weather for this itinerary, with lower humidity and relatively little rainfall in Bangkok and northern Thailand.

March and April can be very hot. Northern Thailand may also experience seasonal smoke and haze during these months.

What Should I Wear?

Lightweight, breathable clothing and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Bring a light jacket for cooler evenings in northern Thailand.

When visiting temples and royal palaces, dress modestly. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and footwear may need to be removed before entering certain buildings.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering emergency medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption.

Laurus Travel offers a transferable credit for cancelled deposits under its applicable booking conditions. Please consult our Terms & Conditions for details.

We recommend arranging appropriate insurance before substantial cancellation penalties take effect. Contact us if you would like assistance obtaining a quotation.

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

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