Days 1 & 2 – London to Bangkok

Direct flight to Bangkok from London Heathrow for a 2-night stay.

Day 3 – Railway Market

Visit the famous Railway Market with a local guide, travelling out by local train and ferry. The stalls here occupy a narrow stretch of train track. Every time a train passes, it sounds the horn, and all the sellers pick up their wares in a matter of seconds. It is quite a spectacle!

Day 4 – Kanchanaburi by Rail

Early morning train from Thonburi station to Nam Tok. After lunch at a local restaurant (included), transfer to the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre & Memorial Walking Trail (option to remain at Sai Yok Noi Waterfall). Later, transfer to our hotel for a 1-night stay.

Day 5 – Bridge on the River Kwai

Watch the train travel over the Kwai Bridge – a great photo opportunity – before a visit to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre (optional). Enjoy some time at leisure before an afternoon train back to Bangkok for an overnight stay, this time close to the old main station.

Day 6 – Train to Hua Hin

Depart on a morning train from Bangkok to Hua Hin for a 2-night stay. Once the train crosses the river, the scenery is largely rural and a huge contrast to the hustle and bustle of the capital. Afternoon at leisure to unwind or explore. Hua Hin is known for its attractive sandy beach, great seafood restaurants and lively night market.

Day 7 – Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand

Enjoy a whole day at the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, a rescue centre for elephants, tigers, bears and monkeys, among others. A Thai buffet is included, served overlooking one of the elephant enclosures. The elephants here have mainly been rescued from tourist elephant riding camps and cannot be released back into the wild.

Day 8 – Train to Chumphon

Continue south on a morning train to Chumphon for a 2-night stay.

Day 9 – Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan

An early morning start for a trip over to the beautiful islands of Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan by high-speed boat. Time to relax and enjoy the views, with an option to swim or snorkel, if you wish. Lunch is included and it is also possible to take a short walk up to a popular viewpoint.

Day 10 – Continue to Surat Thani

Free time to explore Chumphon followed by afternoon train to Surat Thani for a 2-night stay.

Day 11 – Khlong Roi Sai

Sightseeing in Surat Thani includes Wat Phra Borommathat Chaiya, a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site, and the Srivijaya-style City Pillar Shrine. This afternoon, we’ll cruise the peaceful canals of Khlong Roi Sai – a traditional community whose main form of transportation is still by boat. Lunch is included.

Day 12 – South to Hat Yai

A whole day’s travel to Hat Yai today, (by rail as far as Trang), our southernmost point, for a 2-night stay.

Day 13 – Songkhla Sights

Explore the sights of nearby Songkhla, the Old Town showcases the city’s multicultural heritage. Have lunch at a local restaurant and stop off at the Central Mosque of Songkhla Province. On our return to Hat Yai, visit the vibrant Floating Market, known for its excellent street food stalls.

Day 14 – Fly to Chiang Mai

Free time in Hat Yai before we fly direct to Chiang Mai in the north for a 3-night stay.

Day 15 – Temples & Thai Cookery

Chiang Mai is home to 36 Buddhist temples (Wats), our introductory tour will see us visit 3 of them: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Suan Dok and Wat Chedi Luang. Lunch is included today, and we cook our own evening meal at a Thai cookery school.

Day 16 – Doi Inthanon National Park

Embrace nature with a full day’s tour to Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s largest peak and a wide variety of wildlife. We stop at some of the main sights, from temples to waterfalls, and take the Ang Ka Luang Nature Trail – a short circular boardwalk route through magical, very dense, mossy, lush forest.

Day 17 – Train to Ayutthaya

Take a morning train to Ayutthaya, arriving early evening for a 1-night stay. The journey travels through some of Thailand’s most beautiful landscapes, including lush forests, mountains, and rural countryside.

Day 18 – Ayutthaya Temples

Enjoy a morning visiting some of the Ayutthaya Temples before returning to Bangkok on an afternoon train for a 1-night stay. Wat Phra Si Sanphet is located within the Royal Palace complex and is considered the most important in Ayutthaya. Another important temple is Wat Chai Wattanaram, inspired by Khmer architecture and offering a unique glimpse into the region's artistic influences.

Days 19 & 20 – Bangkok to London

Day at leisure before a late check out and evening transfer back to the airport for a direct flight home. The metro system is a great way to get around the city, as are the local ferries that run across and down the river.