Family Fun in Thailand

Day 1: UK Departure
Depart on your overnight flight to Bangkok from London Heathrow

Day 2: Bangkok
Arrive at Bangkok Airport, local guide will assist you for transfer to check-in at the hotel. Day is free to relax.

Optional activity:
Asiatique Night Bazaar
Asiatique the Riverfront is themed according to the city’s architecture of old Siam, and features a very distinctive atmosphere during the night time. Divided into several sections, the Charoenkrung District counts over 1,000 boutiques, the Town square combines Eastern and Western culture with a variety of eateries, beer gardens and an outdoor activity square, the Factory District is set in a 100-year old refurbished saw-mill with over 500 fashion stores, and finally the waterfront highlights the unique setting, with international restaurants, wine bars and a panoramic view of the Chao Phraya River.
Time: 18.00 – 22.00
Note: No transfer back to the hotel

Accommodation: Anantara Bangkok River Resort & Spa

Day 3: Bangkok
After breakfast at your hotel, meet with your guide and head out for an full day of sightseeing in the City of Angels using exclusively public means of transportation. Walk to the nearest BTS Station and get on the Skytrain for a short ride to the terminal station of Saphan Taksin on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Continue by public boat to Tha Thien pier where you disembark to visit Wat Pho, the home of Thai massage and the reclining Buddha. Continue to visit the Grand Palace. The Royal Grand Palace is the nation’s landmark and the most revered royal monument and host of the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand. Appropriate dress is required. Lunch might be taken in a local restaurant nearby the palace.

Optional activity for early risers:
Enjoy a stroll in the Bangkok Central (Lumpini) Park to witness local people's activities. A favourite is morning exercise such as Tai Chi, Yoga and aerobic dance.

In the afternoon, walk or take a tuk-tuk across the royal fields of Sanam Luang to visit Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall. The exhibition displays the Thai way of life from every period of Rattanakosin and Thai tradition and beliefs with interactive light and sound performances. Board the khlong “bus-boat” and cross the city to the West. Disembark at Ratchathewi boat station for a short walk to the area shopping complex for a bit of retail therapy or simply return to your hotel by BTS.

Accommodation: Anantara Bangkok River Resort & Spa [Half Board]

Day 4: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi
Early this morning, drive south from Bangkok to the garden province of Samut Songkhram (80 kms) in the Mae Klong River delta area. Visit a unique country market along the railway tracks where a variety of goods are sold and the train travels through, bringing people to the market. Afterwards, continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market where you can stroll around the colourful floating marketplace bustling with boats and vendors selling tropical fruits and other delights.

Then drive further to Kanchanaburi where you will find the famous bridge on the River Kwai, built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II and train ride and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The restaurant is situated near the famous bridge on the River Kwai.

Continue to board a long-tail boat to the hotel.

Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation: The Float House River Kwai [Full Board]

Day 5: Kanchanaburi
Breakfast at your hotel, and depart for Erawan Waterfall, a beautiful 7-tiered waterfall, located in Erawan National Park. Walking up to see each of the picturesque falls, it is best to bring good walking shoes. Also do remember to bring your swimming suit if you wish to swim in the fall’s natural pools.
Note: Erawan waterfall is a famed attraction for locals as well as tourists, hence expect it to be busy during weekends and Thai public holidays.

On the way back, stop at a local temple for private blessing and special merit.

Dinner in Kanchanaburi.

Accommodation: The Float House River Kwai [Full Board]

Day 6: Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya
After breakfast, we leave the beautiful nature of Kanchanaburi behind and head to historic Ayutthaya. Visit some important ruined temples in the historical park. Stop lunch on the way.

Arrive Ayutthaya in the afternoon, meet Thanatharee at the pier in Ayutthaya to join the afternoon program, take a bike or walk to local community to experience the life of local people. Afterward, embark on Thanatharee, a unique teak wood boat, and dinner onboard. Accommodation in comfortable private air-conditioned twin cabins, each with 2-berths.

Overnight on Thanatharee (Ayutthaya).

Accommodation: Thanatharee Barge [Full Board]

Day 7: Ayutthaya - Sukhothai
Rise early to join activities like preparing some traditional Thai Sweets – “Khanom” or offering food to the monks on their morning alms round. After breakfast, continue with the bike to explore another village to learn what they do as home industrial. Later, continue on the transfer departing Ayutthaya for Sukhothai. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

Arrive Sukhothai in the late afternoon.

Visit Sukhothai Historical Park, which was once a walled city surrounded by moat. Explore the main historical site by tram.

Accommodation: The Legendha Sukhothai [Half Board]

Day 8: Sukhothai - Lampang - Chiang Mai

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart up north to Lampang with a stop on the way at a village in Sri Satchanalai, Baan Na Ton Chan, and walk through the charming small village. Experience the heartbeat of Thailand on this experiential tour that seeks to bring travelers and locals together while exposing a side of the country that is rarely seen by visitors. On the visit, you will pick fruit alongside locals, see what it is like to work in a rice paddy field and generally get an idea of how communities in this region are adopting sustainable living practices. Observe the innate craftsmanship of the country when you visit the home of a wooden toy manufacturer and a local silk weaver.

Stop on the way at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, one of the most spectacular temples in Thailand dating back to 1486. You will have the opportunity to take a horse cart ride through the town. Also visit Wat Pong Sanook, a temple awarded by UNESCO for Culture Heritage Conservation providing an inspirational model of community-led conservation in saving a unique Lanna temple.

Continue driving to the northern capital, Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort [Half Board]

Day 9: Chiang Mai - Lisu Lodge
Depart your hotel at 06.00 AM and arrive at the foot Hill of Doi Suthep Mountain, in time to buy offerings and join the locals during the daily alms giving ceremony. This is a serene Buddhist procession where dozens of monks walk barefoot through the street collecting food and everyday items. Continue up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and climb the 309 steps of the Golden Naga stair case to reach its golden pagodas. Proceed to Wat Umong, built in the 14^th century, a heavily forested temple covered by moss and small plants offering a unique yet charming sense of natural decay. After a walk through its mysterious tunnels you reach the Viharn of the temple to experience your own private blessing ceremony. After this, you have the option to return to the hotel for a late breakfast, or Take away breakfast from hotel. Or enjoy this lovely day with a delicious bowl of Khao Soy. This famous Northern Thai dish is a combination of coconut cream, crispy noodles and plenty of spice that is sure to delight!

Depart for Lisu Lodge, Arrive at Lisu Lodge. A traditional welcome drink will be served followed by a briefing. We will propose a choice of activities and you can decide how you want to spend the afternoon. Our Lisu guide will take you for a walk through the village. You will start from the Ton Lung temple to view the herbal garden and visit some local families with a stop for a cup of tea and a spot of traditional medicine at the shaman’s house. Return to Lisu Lodge for a tasty Thai Lunch.

Afterwards you have a choice of activities: Guided bike tour around the Lisu Lodge area, steam bath, massage

Time at leisure until the Thai dinner with a traditional Lisu dance show.

Accommodation: Lisu Lodge [Full Board]

Day 10: Lisu Lodge - Hmong Hilltribe Lodge
Depart from Lisu Lodge to Mae Rim District, stop on the way for a visit to an orchid nursery, where more than 50 types of beautiful orchids bloom all year round. Here, you will also be able to see numerous colorful and rare butterflies.

Lunch and change the transportation to the modern pick-up truck or similar car. Drive through the hilly road via some hilltribe village, where you can find a comfortable lodge which is surrounded by beautiful lush jungle and rice terraces.

In the evening, enjoy with barbecue dinner and cultural presentations.

Accommodation: Hmong Hilltribe Lodge [Full Board]

Day 11: Hmong Hilltribe Lodge - Chiang Mai
Breakfast and depart for Chiang Mai.

Check-in at the hotel in Chiang Mai and free time to relax at leisure.

Optional group activity 1:
Flight of the Gibbon
Observe jungle life from a unique perspective. Once reserved for a selected group of scientists and primates, this an exhilarating experience to tree surf through the rainforest canopy using zip lines and sky bridges.
Time: 13.00-16.00
Note:
Round-trip transfer.
Program is not suitable for children below 5 years of age or 100 cm in height. The max. weight is 130kg.

Optional group activity 2:
Cooking Class at Baan Hongnual. Depart to Sarapee district in a Lanna-style teak house. Learn the art of Thai cooking from master cooks in a typical Thai kitchen. Roll up your sleeves and try your hand at cooking famous food and desserts of the country. Gather herbs and local vegetables from the garden and prepare them to create various types of mouth-watering dishes. During the course, you will gain a sound knowledge about local herbs and ingredients.
Time: 16:00 – 21:00

Accommodation: RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort [Breakfast]

Day 12: Chiang Mai - Phuket - Khao Sok
Depart to Chiang Mai airport for a direct flight to Phuket.

Upon arrival at Phuket Airport, you will be picked up and drive to Khao Sok's National Park entrance and headquarters. After a short briefing, we start hiking up and down the main dirt track in Khao Sok. This track winds through enormous bamboo forest, old growth trees and strangler figs. With a bit of luck we might see dusky langurs, long-tail macaques, hornbills, small lizards and more.

We hike at a leisurely pace with a short break from time to time so that anyone reasonably fit can enjoy this hike. From time to time we get off the main track and go down across hiking trails towards the Sok River, if there’s enough water you may even go for a refreshing dip. Keep in mind that the trails are very basic, be prepared to climb occasionally across rocks and tree trunks! At the ranger station at Bang Hua Red we stop for a (cold!) drink(*) if you like. After this relaxing break we follow the main dirt track back to the park headquarters.

Return to Anurak Community Lodge between 16:30 and 17:30.

Accommodation: Anurak Community Lodge [Half board]

Day 13: Khao Sok
Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy a full day Chiew Lan Lake tour which will give you not only the opportunity to marvel at the magnificent fairytale like scenery with the opportunity to spot wild life in their natural habitat as well. This one day, join in tour starts with a 9am pick up from Anurak Community Lodge. As part of a small group of like minded adventure and nature enthusiastic travellers, you will be transported to the lake pier some 40 minute drive from the lodge. Once on the lake your local guide will take you on a jungle hike, leading up to a cave or a view - point (depending on the weather conditions). You will have the opportunity to swim in the lake before lunch at the floating raft houses that will capture your imagination with their rustic charm. Afterwards return to the lodge between 17:30 and 18:30.

Accommodation: Anurak Community Lodge [Full board]

Day 14: Khao Sok - Phuket - Departure
After breakfast, your pick up will be at 9:00AM to relax and take in the majestic scenery while gently floating down the Sok River this morning. The journey starts a few kilometres upstream taking you past the towering cliffs of Khao Sok! Half way down the trip you will have a stop for swimming and a coffee break (depending on the season)! You will then return to your canoe and continue paddling downstream. On the way your expert guide will show you brightly coloured birds, and you may also see monkeys, monitor lizards or even a snake or two resting high up in the tree canopies. Our guides come from the local villages and although their English language skills may be limited, they more than make up for that with their infectious enthusiasm for the unique natural environment and their desire to share their knowledge with visitors.

Elephant Experience:
The Elephant Bathing and Feeding Experience will give you a great opportunity to get close to those beautiful and gentle giants. Spend 1 magical hour feeding and bathing an elephant. This is the least harmful experience for the elephant, and the best for you to interact with these majestic animals. By offering this ‘low’ impact experience we support the elephants and contribute to their ethical upkeep.

After the Elephant Experience you will be driven to Phuket for your onward flight via Bangkok to Heathrow.

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Tour Excludes

Visas, other meals were not mentioned in the programme, drinks, overweight luggage, personal expenses, travel insurance, tips & gratuities

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These itineraries are samples of itineraries we have created for our guests. Speak to one of our travel experts at 020 7843 3531 or email at info@clevelandcollection.co.uk to create your perfect holiday based on your travel requirements.

* This is a guide price, based on travel in low season