River, Hills, Long Tail

The journey.

Day 1 · Bangkok · Into the heat

Landing late with nothing scheduled. Bangkok is best met after a night's sleep, and the first tuk tuk teaches you that traffic here is a negotiation.

Day 2 · Bangkok · The river and the palaces

The Grand Palace at opening before the coaches arrive, then Wat Pho and the canals by long tail rather than by road, which is faster and far more pleasant.

Day 3 · Bangkok · Markets, or nothing

A free day. Chatuchak on a Saturday, or a rooftop at the exact moment the light goes. Bangkok rewards wandering more than any checklist.

Day 4 · Chiang Mai · North, into the hills

A short flight, and the pace changes entirely. The first temple in the hills has almost nobody else in it.

Day 5 · Chiang Mai · Elephants, done properly

A genuine sanctuary where they are neither ridden nor made to bathe on command. We are particular about which one, and it is not the one on the billboards.

Day 6 · Chiang Mai · Cooking, or the temples

A class in the morning that starts at the market, then Doi Suthep at sunset with the city laid out below.

Day 7 · The Andaman coast · South to the sea

A flight south, then three nights where the trip stops moving and the limestone stacks come out of the water.

Day 8 · The Andaman coast · Out to the islands

Your own long tail and captain rather than a shared tour, which means reaching the good bays before and after the fleet.

Day 9 · The Andaman coast · Nothing at all

A completely free day. The sea at seven in the morning, with the boats still moored.

Day 10 · The Andaman coast · Home

A last plate of something with too much chilli in it, and a private transfer timed to your flight.

What a journey like this includes

• Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Four Seasons Chiang Mai and Trisara among the choices

• Both internal flights and every airport transfer, private

• The Grand Palace and canals with a private guide, entrance fees included

• A full day at an ethical elephant sanctuary

• A private long tail island day with lunch aboard

• Visa paperwork, breakfast every morning and a local SIM

Build this journey your way

Every day and every hotel here has alternatives, with live pricing as you choose: https://packages.tripn.in/thailand-river-hills-long-tail