Summary
Short description
Combine buzzing Bangkok with the history of the River Kwai and the wildlife and beaches of Khao Sok National Park
Highlights
- Begin with Bangkok, a heady mix of ancient history and 21st-century neon
- Contrast the capital's city sights with a cruise along the historic River Kwai
- Head south to explore the wildlife-rich rainforest surrounding Elephant Hills
- End with a day of sun and relaxation on the beaches of Phuket
In Brief
- 2 Nights Bangkok
- 3 Nights River Kwai cruise
- 1 Night Bangkok
- 3 Nights Elephant Hills
- 2 Nights Phuket
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
History & culture | Natural world | River cruise | Wildlife
Offering a flavour of three very different regions of Thailand, this tailor-made tour explores the vibrant capital Bangkok, before setting sail on a cruise along the River Kwai, a region famed for both its scenery and historical significance. Then, transfer to the south of the country to explore the rainforests and wildlife surrounding the luxurious Elephant Hills Tented Camp in the beautiful Khao Sok National Park, just north of Phuket. The tour concludes with a full day of relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Phang Nga Bay.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
Depart UK
After making the most of your included airport lounge access, board your overnight flight to the Thai capital.
Days
2-3
Bangkok
Arrive into Bangkok, where you will be met and transferred to your riverside hotel. Spend the rest of your day at leisure, or dive head first into your Thailand adventure and head out onto Bangkok's bustling streets. The next day you'll enjoy a morning tour of the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple, two of Bangkok's most impressive historic sites. In the evening you'll take a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. The following day is free for you to enjoy the city at your leisure.
Stay: Anantara Riverside, Bangkok
Meals: B
Days
4-6
River Kwai
Depart your hotel early in the morning as you head overland to Kanchanaburi, stopping along the way at Phra Pathom and the Khao Noi Cave Temple and Tiger Cave Temple nearby. Next you'll head to the fascinating JEATH War Museum before boarding the RV River Kwai for a three-night cruise. The famous bridge at Kanchanaburi and a number of poignant Second World War memorials including Hell Fire Pass on the infamous Death Railway are among the sites visited along the way over the next three days, as well as an abundance of pretty waterfalls, springs, gorges and the odd rapid.
Stay: RV River Kwai (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Bangkok
This morning sees the end of your cruise along the River Kwai, but not before you've visited a nearby temple for the ritual offering of food to the resident monks. After breakfast you'll be met off the ship and transferred by coach back to Kanchanaburi where you'll visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum, Donrak War Cemetery and the world-famous bridge over the River Kwai. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before for your transfer back to Bangkok where you'll check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Stay: Anantara Riverside, Bangkok (Superior)
Meals: B L
Day
8
Khao Sok National Park
Fly to Phuket and transfer to Phang Nga province, passing small rural villages en route. Glimpses of rural life in tropical southern Thailand can be seen along the way and, on arrival, you'll explore the mangrove forest, rich in bird, plant and animal life as you canoe down the Sok river. Then, arrive at Elephant Hills Camp and enjoy a delicious Thai lunch, before spending the afternoon in the company of some of the inhabitants at the Elephant Hills sanctuary. Learn the secrets of the mahouts, prepare and feed one of the elephants its lunch and watch them bathe before you scrub and wash them clean – a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to get up close to these incredible animals. Return to the camp and enjoy a relaxing evening with a presentation, dance performances and cooking demonstration before cocktails, dinner and retiring to your luxury accommodation.
Stay: Elephant Hills Camp, Khao Sok National Park (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Days
9-10
Khao Sok National Park
Wake up to the sounds of birds and gibbons calling out from the surrounding forest before you head out to explore the fig tree channel by speed boat. Surrounded by sheer mountains and rainforest-clad hills, its surrounds are the perfect environment for spotting wild elephants, rare Asian ox, monkeys, an incredible array of birds and even tigers and leopards. Then, you'll have the chance to canoe through the mangroves and spot wildlife from a classic Burmese Junk, enjoying lunch on board. Look out for colourful jungle birds and macaques playing in the canopy overhead. You'll also visit the nearby Floating Tented Camp, set on the edge of the rainforest over the calm waters of Cheow Larn Lake. Day 10 sees you set out on a long-tail boat for a cruise on the lake itself as well as visiting a local market in Takhun to immerse yourself in true rural Thailand. Then, enjoy lunch and the chance to explore the Rainforest Camp, the sister property of Elephant Hills, with canoes before returning for your final evening.
Stay: Elephant Hills Camp, Khao Sok National Park (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Days
11-12
Phuket
This morning, enjoy a jungle trek through the unique rainforest environment, along limestone mountains and cliffs covered in tropical vegetation. Sometimes hornbill can be seen flying high overhead or reptiles spotted basking in the sun on the riverbanks. In the afternoon, return to Elephant Hills for your onward transfer to your hotel on Phuket's Andaman coast. It's here you'll spend two days soaking up the sun and relaxing on powder-white beaches.
Stay: Akyra Beach Club, Phuket (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
13-14
Depart for home
Transfer to Phuket Airport for your flight to Bangkok and your international onward connection or extend your stay in southern Thailand.
Please note that all itineraries as above are dependent on the local conditions and may change in their order due to this.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
14-day tailor-made holiday
from £3,775 pp incl. flights
Superior
May - Jun / Aug - Oct
from £3,775 pp. incl. flights
Jan - Apr
from £4,635 pp. incl. flights
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights between London, Bangkok & Phuket
- Private airport transfers
- 5 nights accommodation staying in 4* (Superior) hotels on a B&B basis
- Private tour of the Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha temple in Bangkok & group dinner on Anantara River Cruise
- 4 day/3 night RV River Kwai small group tour, including all meals, transfers & sightseeing (Departs every Monday)
- 4 day/3 night Elephant Hills Nature Safari, including accommodation, all meals, group transfers & sightseeing
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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