Ancient Thailand

A comprehensive tour visiting the ancient Thailand Kingdoms of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the Bridge over the River Kwai and the fascinating scenery and temples of northern Thailand. Add a Thai beach extension for relaxation.

Ancient Thailand can be taken as a Standard or Superior tour with the differing hotels highlighted in the following itinerary. When the same hotel is used, room category will be variant dependent on the Standard or Superior option.

OVERVIEW OF TOUR
•   Tour of the spectacular Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha.
•   Long-tail boat ride to a floating market.
•   Visit the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai and journey on the 'Death Railway.'
•   Take a trip to the Don Rak war cemetry and Jeath Museum.
•   Explore Autthaya's ancient ruined temples andAkha hill tribe majestic palaces.
•   Take a scenic boat trip Chao Phraya River.
•   Visit ancient Sukhothai with its giant Buddha statues.
•   From Chiang Mai ascend into the mountains to see an Aktha hill tribe village.
•   Climb the 290 steps in Chian Mai leading up to the famous Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep.
•   Take a trip to a Chiang Mai elephant camp.

       

Guide

•   Accompanied by an English speaking local guide from departure on Day 4 to departure from airport on Day 12.
•   Extensions are unescorted, however assistance will be available from our local representatives.

MEAL PLAN
•   Breakfast Days 5-12 and lunch on Days 4-11.
•   Breakfast included in Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui extensions.

ACCOMMODATION
•   A choice of 3½ star (Standard) or 4½ star (Superior) accommodation. 
•   Hotels outside of the city are fairly basic and often the best available standard.
•   On occasion it may be necessary to use alternative accommodation due to local availability, weather and road conditions.

GROUP SIZE
Up to a maximum of 12 people.

MINIMUM NUMBERS
This tour is subject to a minimum number of passengers (Please call for details).

GRATUITIES
Tipping is at your discretion.

TRAVEL TIPS
Take a light sweater as the evenings in the northern parts of Thailand can get cooler.

NB
On certain dates the Grand Palace in Bangkok closes for royal celebrations, in which case you can enjoy a guided city tour of Bangkok instead.

DAY 1 - LONDON TO BANGKOK
Fly Thai Airways from Heathrow to Bangkok, arriving the following day for two nights at the Majestic Grande.

DAY 3 - BANGKOK
Half day tour of the spectacular Grand Palace and temple of the Emerald Buddha.

DAY 4 - BANGKOK TO RIVER KWAI
A long-tail boat ride to the floating market of Damnoen Saduak. Visit the Nakorn Pathom temple, Phra Pathom Chedi and the cultural Rose Garden. Drive to Kanchanaburi on the River Kwai (approx. 142 miles). Two nights at the Felix River Kwai Resort.

DAY 5 - RIVER KWAI
See the famous Bridge over the River Kwai and journey to Wang Po on the ‘death railway’. After lunch visit Hellfire Pass and Jeath Museum (approx. 103 miles).

DAY 6 - RIVER KWAI TO AYUTTAYA
Visit the Don Rak war cemetery before driving east to Ayutthaya. See stunning temples including the Buddhist monastery of Wat Chaiwatthanaram and Wat Mongkol Bophit. Overnight in Ayutthaya (approx. 196 miles) at the Kantary Hotel.

DAY 7 - AYUTTAYA TO PHITSANULOKE
Drive north to Lopburi visiting the Sacred Three Spired Pagoda and Monkey Temple. Continue to Uthai Thani which runs along the Sakae Krang River. Cruise on a traditional rice barge before driving to Phitsanulok (approx. 202 miles). Overnight at the Amarin Lagoon Hotel (Standard tour) or Ayara Grand Palace Hotel (Superior tour).

DAY 8 - PHITSANULOKE TO SUKHOTHAI
Visit Wat Maha Dhat and see its revered Buddha statue. Continue to ancient Sukhothai (approx. 59 miles) and discover magnificent temples, monasteries and giant Buddha statues. Stay at the Ananda Museum Gallery Hotel (Standard tour) or Sukhothai Treasure Resort & Spa (Superior tour).

DAY 9 - SUKHOTHANI TO CHIANG RAI
Journey to Phrae through a large teak forest. Visit Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkhon Khiri, with its reclining Buddha, stunning golden pagoda and Lanna-style paintings. Drive through tropical mountain scenery to Chiang Rai (approx. 264 miles). Overnight at the Dusit Island Resort (Standard tour) or Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort (Superior tour).

DAY 10 - CHIANG RAI TO CHIANG MAI
Continue to the ancient town of Chiang Saen on the banks of the Mekong River and visit the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet. Continue to the Opium Museum and enjoy lunch at Mae Sai on the Burmese border. Drive to Chiang Mai (approx. 177 miles) with two nights at the Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel (Standard tour) or Le Meridien Chiang Mai Hotel (Superior tour).

DAY 11 - CHIANG MAI Morning visit to an elephant camp plus optional hour-long elephant-back safari through the forest. Discover exquisite orchids at an orchid farm and visit the butterfly enclosure. After lunch see artisans at work in San Kamphaeng. Optional traditional Thai dinner.

DAY 12 - CHIANG MAI TO LONDON
Drive to Doi Suthep and climb the 300 steps (or use the cable car) to the hilltop temple Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, for panoramic views of Chiang Mai. Transfer to the airport and fly Thai Airways via Bangkok to Heathrow, arriving the next day.

YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS

DAY 12 - CHIANG MAI TO THAI BEACH

Fly to Bangkok then transfer for four nights at your chosen beach resort, either by road for Pattaya and Hua Hin or fly to Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui.

PATTAYA
Stay at the Cosy Beach in a Superior seaview room.

HUA HIN
Stay at the Evason Hua Hin in an Evason room.

PHUKET
Stay at Dewa in a Junior suite.

KRABI
Spend one night in Bangkok before transferring to Krabi to stay at Aonang Villa in a Superior room.

KOH SAMUI
Stay at Rocky’s Boutique Resort in a Deluxe garden room.

DAY 16 - BANGKOK TO LONDON
Return to Bangkok by road from Hua Hin or Pattaya and return flight from Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui to connect with your Thai Airways flight to Heathrow.