12-Day Family Tour to Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui Island
This is a diversified tour in which you can learn about the Thai culture and history by visiting the palace and temples in Bangkok, feeling the damage caused by World War II to Asians via the legendary bridge over the River Kwai, reviewing Thailand's past glory in the ruins of Ayutthaya, and interacting with elephants to unlock a harmonious way for humans and elephants to get along with each other in Chiang Mai. An experience to make and release a floating lantern will let you discover more about the traditional Thai festival, Loi Krathong. Stay on the charming island of Koh Samui to enjoy some relaxing family time. All of these activities will show you and your kids a new world. Find a new and diversified Thailand — this is everyone's original intention when choosing to visit Thailand.
Days
12
Price
from US$2,999 p/p
Best For
Family
Best Time
Jan. to Aug.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
Excellent Trip Planning by Alisa Liu at Asia Highlights
Alisa did a wonderful job! She was very detail oriented, extremely responsive and answered my questions very promptly. She incorporated all of the places we wanted to visit and was able to book hotels, airline tickets and special event tickets (to the Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival which was sold out when I tried booking on my own.) Alisa was great to work with and I recommend that others use her for their trip planning. More
Effie, Sep 2024
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Excellent experience in Bangkok
Ying was our guide in Bangkok. She was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. She knew exactly how to move us through crowds quickly so that we could see all we wanted to say and made good recommendations for other things we were interested in. I would not hesitate to recommend Ying or anyone that helped us at Asia highlights More
Dr. Meshagae Hunte-Brown, Aug 2024
|
Excellent travel advisor, itinerary and tour guides
Miss Tanny, our guide in Bangkok, was personable and very patient. She kept us informed of the day's activities and kept us entertained with her sense of humor. Miss Lisa, our Phuket guide, was very polite and soft spoken. The young people in our group relate well with her. More
susan edwards, Jul 2024
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Tour Highlights
Itinerary Details
Below is the detailed tour itinerary, which is designed to provide inspiration for your Thailand tour. We will follow your requests and assist you to customize your dream journey to Thailand.
After arriving at the airport, your guide will wait for you, holding a sign with your name on it, and then transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day to yourself, adjusting to the jet lag or wandering around your hotel.
A Palace, Temples, and Ancient Canals
You will start your trip after breakfast and will visit some landmark sites in Bangkok, which include Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the Temple of Dawn. Experience Bangkok's local transportation – the long-tail boat and Thai tuk tuk – to feel what it's like to be a local.
Have lunch at a local Thai restaurant.
Maeklong Railway Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
You will visit two unique markets in Thailand. After breakfast in your hotel, you will be driven for about 2 hours from Bangkok to reach Maeklong Railway Market where the market vendors are all set up on the railway. A few times a day, the train runs directly through the market.
Then, you will continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which is the most popular floating market in Thailand. The market vendors there are all on the river and it will change your perception of traditional markets. Fresh fruits, vegetables, clothes, and souvenirs can be bought there.
Have lunch in a local Thai restaurant.
Bridge over the River Kwai
The bridge over the River Kwai was built by prisoners of war during World War II and was supervised by the Japanese. You will take an hour's train ride along the Death Railway on the River Kwai. Your guide will tell you about its history in detail so you can learn about the misfortune brought by the war and cherish the peaceful world we have now.
Relax in Erawan National Park
Erawan National Park is a famous national park in Thailand. The most popular site in the park is Erawan Falls. You will have a special experience in this mysterious natural world. Trek and swim with your family there, enjoying the beautiful scenery and discovering the footprints of wild animals.
Have lunch in a local Thai restaurant.
Magnificent Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
After breakfast, you will be driven to Ayutthaya and discover an ancient capital of Thailand. First, visit Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, which is the closest of the five palaces in Thailand. It is also the largest and most beautiful one in Ayutthaya.
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace was built in 1632 by the king of Ayutthaya. After Ayutthaya was captured by neighboring countries, the capital moved south, and Bang Pa-In Royal Palace was abandoned for 80 years. From 1881, Rama IV and Rama V successively carried out restoration works and a large-scale expansion, which was completed in 1896.
Walk Through the Historical Ruins in Ayutthaya
Take a walk through the ruins in Ayutthaya Historical Park, which was the capital of the ancient Ayutthaya Kingdom. You will visit two typical temples: Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. You will see a Buddha head among the tree roots in Wat Mahathat.
After your trip, board the overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai Spiritual Tour with Two Sacred Temples
Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you will meet your guide and driver in the train station and be transferred to downtown Chiang Mai. After breakfast, you will begin your Chiang Mai city tour, visiting two landmark sites: Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Wat Chedi Luang is the home of the Emerald Buddha and it attracts many visitors every year. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was built in 1382 and is one of the most holy Buddhist temples in Thailand. Buddhism is the most important religion in Thailand so many locals go there for pilgrimages.
Have lunch in a local Thai restaurant.
Enjoy some free time in the afternoon.
You will be driven for about 1½ hours from Chiang Mai to reach Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. It is surrounded by spectacular forest landscapes in the mountainous village of Karen. You will learn about the elephants' daily lives as well as having a close interaction with them. You will feed, bathe, and brush the elephants.
Create and Release Thai Krathong (Floating Lanterns) and a Riverside Dinner
You will learn about Loi Krathong (a floating lantern festival), which happens on the night of the November full moon. The local people will release their krathongs to float down the river and make wishes to hope that everything will go better in the new year.
This offers you the opportunity to experience the local culture and traditions of Loi Krathong.
Making and releasing a lantern at a riverside restaurant will be an unforgettable moment for you and your family. First, your guide will show you how to design and make a Thai lantern with traditional materials. Then, you will make your own lantern and, after that, taste some delicious northern Thai dishes while enjoying the view of the sunset. Finally, you will release your lantern once it's dark — please don't forget to make some wishes.
You will meet your guide and driver at your hotel, then you will be transferred to the airport and fly to Koh Samui. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will wait for you at the airport gate and transfer you to your hotel by the beach.
These days are free for you to enjoy your leisure time by the beach in Koh Samui.
Enjoy a refreshing breakfast in your hotel. Say goodbye to Koh Samui and your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back to Bangkok. You can leave Thailand via Koh Samui or Bangkok. We wish you a pleasant journey!
Price Includes
Price from: $2,999 (Tour code: gh-ah-56)
Trip Notes
Every element of the tour above can be tailored. Feel free to tell us your ideas and we will be happy to make adjustment for you.
Customizing the Tour — According to Your Needs
This tour is very flexible. We are happy to alter the itinerary with you, to extend or shorten it to suit your schedule. For example, you can extend your tour for 1 day to explore Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai or shorten 1-2 day on the beach.
About the Internal Transportation
We recommend taking an overnight train with a first-class sleeper cabin from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai, as it is a great way to integrate the local life — please tell us if you don't like it.
Accommodation
Various types of accommodation are available, including famous 5-star hotel chains, 4-star hotels in the best locations, good value 3-star hotels, or boutique hotels that reflect the style of the region. Whatever your accommodation preferences are, our travel experts will seek out and find the perfect one for you.
Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.