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Simply Northern Thailand

Simply Northern Thailand

From $ 795 AUD

Description

Spend seven-days on an adventure in northern Thailand. Hit the cities of Chiang Mai and Bangkok, plus spend two days in Sukhothai unearthing the history that lies in this ancient, UNESCO World Heritage-listed former capital. Meet gentle giants at the ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary and go on walking tours of Bangkok’s Chinatown and historic Sam Yot district, and cycle through Sukhothai’s Historical Park. With a flexible schedule that covers the highlights and a handy local leader to guide the way, the rest of this adventure is yours to customise. Keen to get active? Maybe a climb up the 300-or-so steps to Doi Suthep. Feel for some exciting flavors? then take the adventure into the kitchen with a cooking class – the choice is yours.

Trip Name
Simply Northern Thailand
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
7
Capacity
18
Highlights
  • Spend an unforgettable day in the company of the giants of the jungle – Asian elephants – at the ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, where you’ll also learn about animal conservation in this region.
  • Explore serene Sukhothai, where you can uncover ancient landmarks on a bike ride through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historical Park, have a picnic with a view or learn to cook some local specialties.
  • Hit the streets of bustling Bangkok, find the best street food eats in Chinatown and take in the bright colours and delightful scents of Pak Khlong Talat, Thailand’s largest flower market.
  • Choose your own adventure with plenty of free time for you to pursue optional activities and a knowledgeable leader to share their local know-how and help you sort out the logistics.
  • Eat well with no shortage of opportunities for you to try Thailand’s renowned cuisine. Try street food classics in Bangkok and see what all the fuss is about at Chiang Mai’s trendy cafes.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Chiang Mai
Sawasdee! Welcome to Thailand. Your adventure begins in Chiang Mai, also known as the ‘Rose of the North’. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe get a headstart with your exploring and visit one of the spectacular temples, try some delicious street food or walk along the riverfront. Chiang Mai is a great place to explore on two wheels, so maybe hire a bike to see the city from another angle. You could also visit Doi Suthep, a famous temple perched on a 1676 m (5499 ft) mountain of the same name. The climb up to the temple involves around 300 steps, but if you’re up for something active, the views are well worth it. If a bit of relaxation is more your thing, why not treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage. After your welcome meeting, maybe gather your new travel friends and head out for dinner – your local leader will have all the best recommendations for where to eat.
Day 2 - Chiang Mai
Today join in the drive to the ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, supported by our Intrepid Foundation partner WAP, for an encounter with these incredible creatures. During your visit, you’ll learn how this organisation supports the protection, conservation and lifestyle of free-roaming elephants in the region. You’ll watch the elephants go about their daily routines from a safe distance, observing how they graze and socialise. The sanctuary’s expert guides will chat with you about the elephants as well as the reserve’s sustainable tourism practices. After, return to Chiang Mai for some free time. You might like to book into a cooking class to learn how to make some northern Thai cuisine – what better souvenir to take home than a new recipe or two to remind you of your adventure? Speak to your local leader for more suggestions for how to spend your day.
Day 3 - Sukhothai
After breakfast, take a public bus to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Sukhothai. Arrive in the mid-afternoon, then head out on an orientation walk with your local leader. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Sukhothai was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Today, many of its impressive monuments still stand, with the park’s centrepiece being the Wat Mahathat temple complex. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore.
Day 4 - Sukhothai
This morning, explore the Sukhothai Historical Park by bike, maybe make a stop for a picnic within the park grounds if you are interested. The rest of the day is yours – maybe watch a cooking demonstration to learn how to make regional specialties like khao poep (thin sheets of rice noodle folded over meat and vegetables, served in pork bone broth), or take a Buddha amulet-making workshop led by a local artisan.
Day 5 - Bangkok
Say goodbye to Sukhothai this morning and take a local bus to Bangkok – Thailand’s bustling capital. Make sure you have a good book, podcast or your favourite playlist ready for the journey. Tonight, you’ll go on a walking tour of Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown with your leader. After, maybe join your leader to hit some street food stalls. In Chinatown, you can try dishes that blend Thai and Chinese influences like kanom pakkaad (turnip cake) and chwee kueh (steamed rice cake served with spicy sambal). Maybe gather your group to head to a local bar or two and get to know Bangkok’s nightlife.
Day 6 - Bangkok
Embark on a half-day guided walking tour of the historic Sam Yot district with your leader. This is one of Bangkok’s oldest and most culturally rich neighbourhoods, known for its long-standing communities and the vibrant daily life, which you’ll watch unfolding on the streets today. You’ll pass some of the area’s most important religious and cultural landmarks, which showcase the spiritual diversity of this area. Stop by the Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara (a significant Sikh place of worship), the Chao Mae Thapthim Shrine (an important landmark for the local Thai Chinese community) and the Buddhist temple of Wat Bophit Phimuk Worawihan. Make your way to the Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market, the largest flower market in Thailand. Browse the colourful array of fresh flowers that have been delivered from across the country, from orchids and roses to marigold garlands used for offerings and ceremonies. The sheer scale of this bustling market is a testament to the importance of flowers in Thai culture. Your afternoon is free for you to explore Bangkok your way. You could visit the trendy neighbourhood of Talat Noi or stroll down Song Wat Road to see some street art – your local leader will be on hand to give you recommendations.
Day 7 - Bangkok
With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end today. If you’d like to extend your stay in Bangkok, and it’s highly recommended you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
03-01-202709-01-2027AUD $ 820-
17-01-202723-01-2027AUD $ 820-
07-02-202713-02-2027AUD $ 795-
21-02-202727-02-2027AUD $ 795-
07-03-202713-03-2027AUD $ 795-
18-04-202724-04-2027AUD $ 795-
20-06-202726-06-2027AUD $ 795-
12-09-202718-09-2027AUD $ 795-
10-10-202716-10-2027AUD $ 795-
21-11-202727-11-2027AUD $ 795-
12-12-202718-12-2027AUD $ 820-
02-01-202808-01-2028AUD $ 860-
16-01-202822-01-2028AUD $ 860-
06-02-202812-02-2028AUD $ 860-
20-02-202826-02-2028AUD $ 860-
05-03-202811-03-2028AUD $ 835-
16-04-202822-04-2028AUD $ 835-
18-06-202824-06-2028AUD $ 835-
10-09-202816-09-2028AUD $ 835-
08-10-202814-10-2028AUD $ 835-
19-11-202825-11-2028AUD $ 835-
10-12-202816-12-2028AUD $ 860-

Accommodation

Basic Hotel (6 nights)

Transport

Public coach bus, metro

Map