Confidence Guarantee - Read more
15 days

The best of Thailand

The great, historical tour where you get to experience the Thailand of the kings. The tour is spiced with elephant visits and Northern Thailand’s beautiful landscapes and peaceful rivers. You have the option of extending the tour to include a beach holiday.

The best of Thailand
The best of Thailand
15 days

The best of Thailand

The great, historical tour where you get to experience the Thailand of the kings. The tour is spiced with elephant visits and Northern Thailand’s beautiful landscapes and peaceful rivers. You have the option of extending the tour to include a beach holiday.

HomeAsiaThailandThe best of Thailand
What is included in the price?
This package includes the following
  • Flights from the UK to Bangkok and back from Chiang Rai
  • 12 nights at 3- and 4-star hotels
  • Welcome meeting in Bangkok
  • Train ride from Ayutthaya to Phitsanulok
  • 12 x breakfast (days 3-14)
  • 5 x lunch (days 4, 7, 8, 10, 13)
  • 1 x dinner (day 6)
  • Local English-speaking guides on transfers and excursions
  • Travelling in a car or minibus with air conditioning
  • All the excursions mentioned take place in small groups of of 1–14 people, and with TourCompass’ own guests only
  • ATOL certificate
  • Emergency hotline staffed 24/7 throughout your tour
  • Departure guarantee – the tour goes ahead regardless of the number of participants

Comprehensive package of excursions:

  • The royal summer palace, Bang Pa-In
  • Boat trip in Ayutthaya and sunset at Wat Chai Wattanaram
  • Excursion to Ayutthaya Historical Park
  • Rickshaw ride in Phitsanulok
  • Cycling in the Sukhothai Historical Park
  • Guided tour of Lampang
  • Rickshaw ride in Chiang Mai
  • Excursion to the elephant-friendly ChangChill
  • Guided tour of Chiang Rai
  • Excursion to the Golden Triangle, boat trip on the Mekong River and visit to the ancient city of Chiang Saen
  • Admission fees to the sights and attractions mentioned

THE TOUR IN SHORT

The tour takes you on an exciting journey through time to Thailand’s current and former capitals.

You start out in Bangkok, where you have time on your own to enjoy the fascinating and hectic metropolis. From here, the tour continues to the historic gem, Ayutthaya, where you will go on a wonderful boat trip and experience the city’s array of fascinating temple ruins that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The train winds its way from Ayutthaya to Phitsanulok, where you will experience “flying vegetables”. The next day, you will go on a bike ride among the temple ruins of Thailand’s first capital, Sukhothai. Here, you will discover one of the country’s most beautiful temple ruins, Wat Mahathat.

Further north in mountainous Chiang Mai, an exciting guided tour of the city by rickshaw awaits you, taking you to some of the city’s traditional and untraditional sights. One of the highlights of the tour also awaits you here, namely the ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, where elephants are allowed to be elephants.

The tours ends right up north in Chiang Rai, where, among other things, you visit the white temple, Wat Rong Khun, and the Golden Triangle. Naturally, the tour is not complete without a boat trip on the famous Mekong River, right up on the border with Myanmar and Laos.

It is possible to extend the tour to include a nice beach holiday, where you can digest all that you have seen and done on the tour.

Why choose this tour

  • Join us on the wonderful round tour and discover Thailand of the Kings
  • Visit the capitals Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
  • Fall in love with the six happy female elephants in ChangChill, where elephants are allowed to be elephants
  • Discover the Golden Triangle right up north and round off with a quiet boat trip on the Mekong River

Our prices always include

  • All international and domestic flights
  • All destination transfers
  • All specified excursions and activities
  • All accommodations
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Departure from selected airport

Today you will fly to fabulous Thailand with connecting flight(s) on the way.

Day 2: Arrival in Bangkok – Welcome meeting

You land in the Thai capital, Bangkok, where you go through immigration and then pick up your luggage. A guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall, holding up a TourCompass sign, and you will be driven to the hotel in central Bangkok.

In the afternoon, there is a welcome meeting at the hotel, when the guide tells you about Thailand and what you should respect and be aware of. The guide will also answer any questions you may have and run through your tour itinerary. You will then go on a short walk in the area around the hotel, when the guide will point out cash machines, pharmacies, good places to eat, etc. Finally, you will be offered a welcome drink in the hotel’s rooftop bar, which affords spectacular views of the Bangkok skyline at sunset.

After the meeting, you are guaranteed to be hungry, and you can choose to eat at the hotel or head out into the lively streets of Bangkok, where unique dining experiences await you – from bustling street kitchens to modern fusion restaurants.

Day 3: Bangkok

After, hopefully, a good and long night’s sleep, you wake up to Thailand’s hectic and fascinating capital, which is home to around 12 million people.

There are no excursions planned, so you can choose to explore the city on your own or purchase one of our extra excursions.

When it comes to getting about in Bangkok, you needn’t worry about the notorious traffic, as the city offers a wide range of transport options other than buses, tuk tuks and taxis. You can also take The Sky Train, which winds its way between the city’s high-rise buildings and is a good, fast and cheap way of travelling. River taxis are often a hit and they take you to many of the city’s major sights.

Bangkok is divided into east and west by the Chao Phraya River, which starts south of Bangkok and flows 372 km to the city of Nakhon Sawan. The eastern part is considered central Bangkok, with the popular areas of Silom Road and Sukhumvit and their countless restaurants, markets, shopping centres and sky bars.

It is also on the eastern side that you will find most of Bangkok’s major sights such as the lavish royal palace, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew. A few miles further east, you will come to Jim Thompson’s House. After World War II, the young American revived the Thai silk trade, which awarded him the Order of the White Elephant. In 1958, he built his incredibly beautiful teak house, which today serves as a museum and memorial to the Silk guru, who disappeared without a trace on a trip to the highlands of Malaysia in 1967.

After walking the streets of Bangkok, you will probably need a break from the heat and noisy traffic. If this is the case, you can visit Lumpini Park and Benjakitti Park or the island, Bang Krachao, which is often referred to as “Bangkok’s jungle”.

You can also head over to the west side of the river and experience a completely different Bangkok, without beeping tuk tuks and glass and steel skyscrapers. You will encounter a more authentic Bangkok and a maze of canals here, where houses stand on stilts and postmen make their deliveries by boat.

In the evening, there is no better place to watch the sun go down than from one of the capital’s many sky bars. You could, for example, make your way to Lebua Sky Bar, which is known from the film “The Hangover Part II”. Please note, however, that there is a dress code.
Then you could take a tuk tuk to the neon-lit China Town and eat at one of the many street kitchens, or visit Asiatique, an outdoor shopping and entertainment area where there are also several restaurants.

If, on the other hand, you need some peace and quiet, you can settle down at one of the quiet restaurants along the river, where you can also enjoy a cold Singha beer, with all the boats gently sailing past.

However you decide to spend the day, we guarantee that you won’t get bored!

Day 4: The royal summer palace, Bang Pa-In – Sunset in Ayutthaya

Today, you’ll be heading to Ayutthaya, 85 km north of Bangkok. You check out after breakfast and are picked up from the hotel by your driver and guide.

On the way to Ayutthaya, you’ll make a stop at the royal summer palace Bang Pa-In, which is set in a well-kept, 19-hectare garden with flowers, lakes, pavilions and fountains. The palace was originally built in the early 17th century by King Prasat Thong. It has, however, since been restored and extended multiple times, and most of the buildings you see are from the reign of King Chulalongkorn. The palace is built in various styles, with the king’s predilection for European architecture particularly evident.

After the visit, you will be driven the last 30 minutes to the charming historic gem, Ayutthaya, which served as the capital for no fewer than 417 years from 1350 to 1767, and was founded by King Ramathibodi I.

Upon your arrival at the hotel, you check in and after that you can have a little rest.

Late afternoon, when most of the day tourists have headed back to Bangkok, you will set off on a scenic long-tail boat ride around Ayutthaya Historical Park, which is located on an island surrounded by the three rivers Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Pa Sak. You will make a few stops along the way and everything is timed perfectly so that you reach the absolutely amazing Wat Chai Wattanaram temple complex, which is reminiscent of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, at sunset. You go ashore and the guide gives you a tour and tells you about the history of the temple. The sight of the sun disappearing behind the complex is absolutely stunning. Especially if there are a few clouds in the sky, colouring it red-orange and almost pink and violet.

Early evening, you will be driven back to the hotel and the rest of the evening is yours.

Accommodation:
Day 5: Ayutthaya Historical Park

Today, you will experience the historical and most revered temple ruins of Ayutthaya. Some are relatively well preserved, others are almost gone, destroyed by the Burmese army in 1767, but that does not make them any less interesting!

The guide will pick you up from the hotel, and you will be driven to the first visit of the day, which is Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon Temple, located on the east bank of the Pa Sak River, so not inside Ayutthaya Historical Park itself. A little off the beaten path, it offers a more intimate experience. The temple originally served as a monastery for a group of monks prior to the Burmese destruction. Restoration work did not begin until many years later – in the 1950s – which is why the temple appears so incredibly well-preserved today. Unlike many other temples in Ayutthaya, monks still live here to this day.

The tour then heads into Ayutthaya Historical Park itself, which consists of 67 temples and Buddha statues. In 1991, part of the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The first temple you visit is Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (UNESCO), which was the largest and most beautiful temple built next to the king’s palace. Monks were denied access here due to the royal status of the temple, which is especially famous for its three large chedis and small chapels. You might notice the similarity with Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok, which is inspired by Wat Phra Sri Sanphet.

The tour then continues to Wat Mahathat (UNESCO), which was also built close to the king’s palace, and he performed important ceremonies here. The temple was the seat of the Supreme Patriarch of Buddhism while at the same time home to various Buddha relics and was therefore considered one of Ayutthaya’s most important temples. When you see the ancient columns, chedis and Buddha statues, you can easily imagine how beautiful this would once have been! Today, the temple is best known for the Buddha head embedded in a tree. It is still unclear how the head ended up among the roots of the tree, but it is believed to have happened in connection with the mass destruction and flooding of the area and the rapid growth of the vegetation that followed.

The last visit is to Wat Lokayasutharam, which is famous for its reclining Buddha, Phra Budhasaiyart. The statue is made of brick and covered with plaster and is absolutely huge – it is 37 metres long and 8 metres high. It is the second largest statue in Thailand after the reclining Buddha in Bangkok.

After an exciting and educational day among Ayutthaya’s ancient temples and Buddha statues, you will be driven back to the hotel, where the rest of the day is your own.

Accommodation:
Day 6: Train from Ayutthaya to Phitsanulok – Rickshaw ride in Phitsanulok

After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and driven to Ayutthaya station, where you will take the train to Phitsanulok, the former capital and one of Thailand’s oldest cities. The train ride takes about 3.5 hours, and we recommend that you bring some water and snacks for the journey. On your arrival in Phitsanulok, you will be met by a guide and driven to the hotel to check in.

In the afternoon, you will go on a guided rickshaw ride in the city. Your visits will include the Folklore Museum, which has Thailand’s largest and most interesting collection of ceramics, kitchen and agricultural implements, as well as musical instruments that nicely reflect the traditional lifestyle and creativity. You then proceed to the Buddha Casting Foundry, which specialises in bronze Buddha statues in all sizes.

The tour rounds off with a nice dinner at a restaurant by the river, where the chefs are known for throwing vegetables high into the air while preparing the dish “Phak Bung Loi Fa” – it’s quite the show! After dinner, you will be driven back to the hotel.

Accommodation:
Day 7: Phitsanulok – Cycling in Sukhothai Historical Park

You will be picked up from the hotel and driven to Sukhothai, which was Thailand’s first capital back in the 13th century. The country – then known as Siam – was ruled over by King Ramkhamhaeng, who invented the Thai alphabet among other things. The ancient Sukhothai can today be found in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spread over an area of 70 m2, you will find both ruins of the ancient royal palace and several Buddhist temples. The largest and most impressive temple is Wat Mahathat, which is located next to the ruins of the royal palace. Between the ruins, you will find lotus lakes, ancient trees and a network of canals that supplied water to the city. The absolute best way to explore the park is by bicycle – so naturally, that is what you do.

After the visit to the park, you will be driven to a local restaurant where lunch is enjoyed.

You then head to the hotel where you will be staying the night. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please.

Day 8: Sukhothai – Guided tour of Lampang – Chiang Mai

After breakfast, you check out before being picked up and driven to Lampang, which is a good 3 hours north of Sukhothai. On the way, you will visit the incredibly beautiful Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang Temple, located on a small hill surrounded by an 8th century fortification wall. The temple is a unique example of the special Lanna architecture, and with its many beautiful buildings is guaranteed to seduce anyone.

You will then be driven the last stretch to Lampang, where you have lunch at a local restaurant.

Lampang is located in scenic surroundings on the River Wang. The city is not overrun by tourists and has therefore largely retained its Thai character.

Today, you will be going on a guided tour of the old quarter. The tour is on foot and takes around 2 hours. You start at the White Bridge, which was built in 1894 and was Thailand’s longest bridge at that time. From here, you continue to the Rassada market and make a stop at the wonderful Mon temple, Wat Pratu Pong. The tour continues to the old wooden house Baan Sao Nak from 1895, which today serves as a museum. The building reflects the traditional Lanna building style, incorporating elements from both Northern Thailand and Myanmar. You continue to the city’s main temple, Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao. The temple was built between the 14th and 15th centuries and is considered to be Lampang’s most important temple as it houses the famous Emerald Buddha. It is even said that the temple’s 50-metre-high stupa contains one of Buddha’s hairs. The tour ends at Lampang’s ancient city wall.

Back at the White Bridge, you say goodbye to Lampang and then head for the mountainous north to Thailand’s second largest city, Chiang Mai, arriving late afternoon. Chiang Mai is also the former capital of the ancient Lanna kingdom (1292–1775), so you will discover many influences from this era around the city.

This evening, you might like to visit the city’s famous night market where you can buy fresh fruit, fragrant spices, various Thai specialities and souvenirs.

Accommodation:
Day 9: Chiang Mai – Guided tour of the city by rickshaw

Today, an exciting guided tour of the city by rickshaw awaits you.

You will be picked up from the hotel in a rickshaw and driven around the streets and alleyways of Chiang Mai to some of the city’s known and lesser known sights.

The first visit is to Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in the city. The temple was built in the 13th century, and since then, several other buildings have been added, hence the different architectural styles of the complex. It is especially famous for its Buddha statue in crystal, which is said to have healing powers.

From here, you will be driven to a somewhat untraditional place, namely “Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institution”, which is a women’s prison. The inmates here are trained in various services to give them the skills they will need to help them find jobs upon their release. Opposite the prison is the actual training centre, which is guarded, where the women receive training in Thai massage and in catering.

The tour continues to the breathtaking Wat Phra Singh Temple, located inside the walls of the ancient city. Built in 1345, it is probably one of the city’s most revered temples after Doi Suthep. The iconic Lanna style is evident in its elegantly curved roofs and stunning carvings. Wat Phra Singh is especially known for its elegant Wihan Lai Kam assembly hall, which houses the important Lion Buddha (Phra Singh). Colourful murals from 1870 are also to be found here, providing a detailed insight into the lives of the locals several hundred years ago.

The charming artisan village of Puak Tam, best known for its beautiful brass ornaments, then awaits you.

The last visit of the tour is to Wat Chedi Luang Temple, built between 1385 and 1402. The main feature of the temple is its massive pagoda, which was originally 80 metres high and more than 60 metres wide. Unfortunately, the upper section was destroyed in 1545 after an earthquake, and today only the ruins remain. Wat Chedi Luang is also known for having housed the famous Emerald Buddha, which can now be experienced in Bangkok.

Next, you will be driven to a local restaurant where you can enjoy the traditional dish, Khao Soi, which is a spicy curry soup consisting of meat, noodles and vegetables – a true speciality in northern Thailand.

The tour ends after this, and you are driven back to the hotel where the rest of the day is yours. You might like to walk down to the Ping River, where there are several cosy restaurants.

Accommodation:
Day 10: The elephant-friendly ChangChill

Today, one of the absolute highlights of the tour awaits you.

About an hour and a half’s drive south-east of Chiang Mai is the popular ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, which is a haven for 6 happy female elephants. This is where elephants are allowed to be elephants.

When ChangChill opened in 2017, it was a big, important step, the like of which had not been seen before in Thailand. They were 100% elephant friendly with the support of the worldwide organisation, World Animal Protection, among others. This means that at ChangChill, the elephants are allowed to live as naturally as possible by letting them roam freely around the valley, graze, bathe in the river, have dust and mud baths and socialise with each other. As a visitor, you cannot interact with the elephants but you can observe them from a distance and see them express their natural behaviour on their own terms.

The day starts with an introduction to the project itself, and then you head into the forest with the guide, where you can see the elephants from a distance. The guide will tell you about all six female elephants and about Asian elephants in general, including about their appearance, how much they eat, weigh, sleep, etc.

After the walk, refreshments will be served on the observation platform, and you may be lucky enough to see the elephants enjoying a mud bath – something they love doing on hot days. Mud baths protect their skin from both the sun and insects. When their skin begins to feel dry, they bathe in the river to remove the dry mud, with much splashing and spraying in the process. A wonderful experience to behold!

At lunchtime, you help fill the elephants’ feed tubes with either corn, sugar cane or bananas. While you are being served your own vegetarian meal up in the pavilion, you can see the elephants enjoying theirs below.

The six female elephants are cared for by so-called mahouts, who are from the Karen tribe. After lunch, you will visit the local cultural centre, where you will learn about the history and traditions of the Karen tribe. The Karen women are incredibly skilled at crafts – especially weaving – and if you’re up for it, you can have a go on one of the old-fashioned weaving looms.

You will then visit ChangChill’s own herb garden and learn about which plants, leaves, roots and herbs are used as medicine for elephants and humans alike. Many of these are also highly nutritious. Despite eating around 120 different plant species, it is said that elephants only absorb 40% of nutrients and therefore need extra in the form of supplements. The next activity involves making elephant snacks using ingredients from the herb garden. The guide will tell you more about the importance of the ingredients as well as general information about the elephants’ diet and health.

Finally, the elephant keepers will answer any questions and tell you about their day-to-day work and the role of the mahout in Thai culture and history.

A fantastic day with the six happy female elephants has now come to an end, and you will be driven back to the hotel in Chiang Mai, where the rest of the day is your own.

Accommodation:
Day 11: Chiang Mai

There are no excursions planned, so you can choose to relax by the pool, explore Chang Mai on your own or purchase one of our exciting extra excursions, which you can read more about below.

Day 12: Chiang Mai – Guided tour of Chiang Rai

Today, you will be leaving Chiang Mai and heading further north to the city of Chiang Rai, which borders Laos and Myanmar. Chiang Rai was originally the capital of the former Lanna Kingdom from 1262 to 1275. Today, it is a small, quiet city known for its lush scenery and beautiful temples. The scenic landscapes that surround the city are home to several ethnic minorities.

Upon your arrival in Chiang Rai, you will go on a guided tour of the city. The first visit is to the impressive and highly photogenic Wat Rong Khun Temple, built by local artist Chalermchai Kositpipat in 1997. The temple has many surprising details and it is completely white!
It’s then time for lunch (not included).

The tour continues to Wat Phra Kaew Temple, one of the oldest temples in the city. It is not known exactly when it was built other than that it was in the late 14th century. The temple has a very special significance as it was here that the sacred Emerald Buddha was discovered in 1434 after lightning struck the temple’s chedi, where it was hidden. Today, it is just a copy, while the original can be seen in Bangkok.

The last visit is to Rai Mae Fah Luang Art and Culture Park, located in a large landscaped garden with plants from northern Thailand. The museum is known for its large collection of Lanna artefacts.

You will then be driven to your hotel to check in, and the rest of the day is yours to do whatever you please. You might like to visit the city’s local market, which buzzes with life.

In the evening, you can sit yourself down at one of the restaurants along the Mae Kok River, which flows through the town.

Day 13: The Golden Triangle – Boat Trip on the Mekong River – Visit to the Ancient City of Chiang Saen

You can’t do Chiang Rai without visiting the historic Golden Triangle area. You will therefore be picked up from the hotel and driven a little further north, where rice fields lie side by side. The Golden Triangle actually covers a large area, extending far into Laos and Myanmar. The area was previously notorious for its extensive production of and trade in opium. Fortunately, Thailand has got it under control and today the local minority groups grow rice and other crops in the lush, mountainous landscape instead.

You will visit a vantage point affording views of both Myanmar and Laos. There is also a small market where you can buy souvenirs.

Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant with breathtaking views of the Mekong River, which has its source in Tibet and flows nearly 5,000 km through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

You will then go on a wonderful boat trip down the river – a must do.

Before the tour returns to Chiang Rai, you will visit the ancient city of Chiang Saen. Traces of settlement have been found here dating as far back as the 7th century. Today, it is a quiet, cosy city with lovely tall trees, beautiful temple ruins and city walls that testify to its former importance as a trading town.

Back in Chiang Rai, you can enjoy the last evening and do that last bit of shopping.

Day 14: Departure day

Sadly, the time has come to say goodbye to Thailand. You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Chiang Rai airport, from which you will fly home to Europe, with connecting flight(s) on the way.

Day 15: Arrival back home

You land at the selected airport after a lovely, adventure-filled holiday.

Combine with
Choose from the options below
Beach holiday extension to Khao Lak
3 nights

Dream of an exotic beach holiday with the peace and quiet you need to just enjoy life? Then Khao Lak is the perfect choice!

Khao Lak is located around 100 km north of lively Phuket, but the atmosphere and life on Khao Lak are of a completely different world. It is quiet here, and more authentic, and yet you have everything you need – from stunning scenery to good restaurants.

Khao Lak consists of several connected beach areas that together comprise this gorgeous holiday paradise, with blue waters on one side and lush, unspoilt rainforest on the other.

You will stay in a quiet area by the pristine Bang Sak beach, and behind the hotel, parallel to the coast, is the main street where you will find restaurants, street kitchens and small markets.

You can look forward to some lovely, relaxing days here, whether you choose to spend them on the lovely sandy beach or by the hotel pool. If you wish to explore the area around Khao Lak, you can, for example, visit the local villages and learn about local life, head off on adventure in the nearby Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park or sail out and snorkel at the surrounding paradise islands. The possibilities are endless!

When would you like to travel?
Departure dates
All prices shown are per person
Special offers for groups of 6 or more. Request a quote today for more info.
REVIEWS
Travellers' tales
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL
Good to know
Asia
Laura Arundell Trelborg

Laura loves to travel and is extremely passionate about helping others achieve their travel dreams.

Opening hours
Monday-Thursday 9-15
Friday 9-13
WHY TRAVEL WITH TOURCOMPASS?
Why people choose us
  • Personal service by travel experts with first-hand knowledge
  • Dedicated booking team ensures a smooth journey
  • 24/7 assistance while on tour
  • Well-planned itineraries with thoughtfully selected highlights
  • All tours include flights, transfers and accommodations
  • Various options available to tailor your tour
  • Accommodation in great locations
  • Carefully selected local guides with comprehensive knowledge
  • Favoured by thousands of guests since 2006
  • All tours tried and quality checked by our own team
  • Long-term relationships with an extensive network of partners
  • We guarantee you the best prices
  • Excellent working relationships with our partners ensure the best quality and prices
  • We optimise our logistics and processes so you only pay for what matters the most
  • ATOL protected
  • Member of ABTA
  • Personal liability insurance
EXPLORE
Check out all our exciting destinations