Northern Thailand is a traveller’s dream come true! Wander through lively cities, misty highlands, and hidden gems few ever see. From floating jungle rafts and golden temples to cooking classes and Pai’s night markets, adventure is waiting at every turn!
Includes
8 Days Contiki Guided Holiday
7 Nights hotel accommodation: 5 nights in Hotels, 1 night in Special Stay, 1 night in Overnight Train
Meals: 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner
Transport by private coach, overnight train
Expert Trip Manager, Driver and Local Guides
Optional free time add on experiences (additional costs apply)
Included experiences
Visit the Bridge on the River Kwai
Stay in a Jungle Raft
Relax at Erawan Waterfalls
Bike around Ayutthaya
Befriend Rescued Elephants at Elephant Nature Park MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience much more!
Excludes
Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature
Extras
You have to be between the age of 18 and 35 years old to travel with Contiki
Additional costs apply for optional free time add on experience
Due to circumstances beyond our control, there's always a tiny chance that your accommodation may need to change at the last minute. We can't guarantee what happens in the world around us, but we can guarantee that, in the event of an impromptu accommodation change, your new stay will be just as comfortable as you were promised - if not more!
Secure your spot today with a deposit from as low as R1000* and pay the rest 60 days before departure
Highlights
7 Night accommodation
9 Meals
Included experiences and sightseeing
Itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok
Bangkok
The heat and hustle of Thailand's capital will hit you the moment you land in this high energy city. After checking into our hotel you're free to do some DIY exploring, treat your muscles to a soothing massage or just lie by the pool soaking up the first rays of that sweet Thai sunshine. Later we'll rendezvous as a group back at base so you can hear what's in store for the trip, then the night is yours to take to the streets for some authentic Pad thai and nightlife on Khao San road.
Stay: Nouvo City Hotel (or similar)
Day 2: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Bangkok
The Royal Palace and its 61 acres of incredible buildings will be number one on today's to do list. We'll start the day early, with so much to see there's no time to waste. Just listing today's sites gives us the butterflies, and we'll take it all in with our Local Guide leading the charge. Armed with more Local knowledge than we know what to do with, get ready to explore.
Kanchanaburi
Bangkok, you've been a dream, but the show must go on! Fast becoming a must-visit in this part of the world, we make tracks to our next destination, the sleepy town of Kanchanaburi to really get local. Next up, we'll visit the WWII Cemetery and the Bridge on River Kwai. There's nothing like getting some local transport to keep things interesting, so we'll pop into a boat along the River Kwai where we'll reach our home for the night, the The Jungle Raft Hotel, Kanchanaburi. Rooms lit by candle light are what you'll be greeted with, followed by a delicious included dinner of local specialities at dusk. You can even jump in the river directly from your room. Amazing! Because of course here at Contiki we like to keep things a bit special. Tonight as we watch the sunset over the landscape we'll no doubt be toasting our first full day on the trip and contemplating just how good life is.
Stay: River Kwai Jungle Rafts (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai
Kanchanaburi
We’ll start our day with a visit to the breathtaking Erawan Falls, one of the most famous National Parks of Thailand, made up from seven levels of incredible waterfalls. Take a quick dip in the emerald-hued ponds, dive into the clear waters & get an unreal FOMO Insta shot before we head off to our next stop Ayutthaya.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
We’ll make a stop in the UNESCO listed city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of Kingdom of Siam before being destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th Century. We'll grab bikes & ride past ornate temples, towering spires and beautiful palaces. Later, we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Overnight Train to Chiang Mai
Lay back and relax this evening, as we journey towards Chiang Mai.
Stay: Overnight Train
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4: Chiang Mai to Pai
Overnight Train to Chiang Mai
We'll pull into Thailand's northern capital of Chiang Mai bright and early...
Chiang Mai
...But we're going to keep this adventure going as we roll on into Pai this morning.
Pai
Prepare to fall in love with this picturesque mountain town. The rest of the day is yours to explore this traveller's paradise your way. Head out on foot or by bike, and adventure down Pai's little streets that pack some punch. Be sure to head out to experience Pai by night - an experience to rival that of its big sister Khao San Road in Bangkok.
Stay: Baan Krating Pai Resort (or similar)
Day 5: Pai
With another full day in this charming town, be sure to have a strong shot of Thai espresso from one of the local cafes to get up and get going again. Just try to save some juice in the tank for an optional afternoon Muay Thai skills class with an expert, before we head out for our final night in Pai.
Stay: Baan Krating Pai Resort (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Pai to Chiang Mai
Pai
This morning we're Chiang Mai bound, but we're treating ourselves on the way with a visit to the Elephant Nature Park. This park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre that not only provides a sanctuary for the elephants, but gives us the once in a lifetime chance to get up close to these gentle giants.
Chiang Mai
Tonight, there's a chance for you to spend the evening zipping around on a Vespa as we explore the small streets and alleyways of Chiang Mai. We’ll see some iconic street art and monuments in between food stops at family restaurants and street vendors. Taste the amazing flavours of Tom Kha Gai and BBQ skewers before topping it all off with some live music in the market district. Just ask your Trip Manager for the best tips on where to head and what to do.
Stay: The Empress Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Chiang Mai
Today is yours to make the most of the laid-back city of Chiang Mai. Maybe head out into the city's heart on foot and explore the old town, or treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage. Later this evening, you have the chance to dabble in the art of authentic Thai cooking so you can wow everyone back home with a mean Pad Thai.
Stay: The Empress Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: End Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai
This morning we say fond farewells before going our separate ways. Dry those tears, because no doubt we'll make big plans to reunite somewhere special soon.
Want to see more of Thailand? Check out Total Thailand for the full trip.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Terms & conditions
Prices are per person twin share/multi share as per itinerary, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website. Contiki reserves the right to validate bookings and will remove any additional offers added online that are not combinable. Savings and discounts are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice and have already been included in the advertised price. Offer is not transferable to other dates. Offer can be removed at any time without prior notice. Trips are valid for travellers aged 18-35 years. Normal penalties apply for full cancellation without rebooking or cancellations within 60 days of departure. R1,000 per person deposit is the land only deposit and excludes any additional deposits or flights if applicable (this excludes any applicable taxes, included flight costs, National Park fees, festival tickets, port taxes, extra accommodation, and optional experiences). R1000pp deposit secures your booking, valid for new bookings only and land portions of the trip price only with full payment due 60 days prior to departure. This deposit policy may change or be withdrawn at any time without notice. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure, please enquire with one of our agents. Pentravel is not responsible for technical or system errors that may interfere with or otherwise prohibit the use of the promotion. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.