Transport

OVERNIGHT TRAINS: Overnight sleeper trains in Thailand are air-conditioned and have sleeping berths down both sides of the carriage. The carriage is multishare, with are curtains that close over the beds. A sleeping sheet and a pillow are provided, and our luggage travels in the carriage with us. There is a western and Asian-style toilet located at the end of the carriage, but no showers. Carriage lights staying on during the night, so an eye mask is a good thing to bring with you, as is warm clothes as the air conditioning can be cold. For more on overnight trains in Thailand and around the world: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/overnight-train-travel-around-the-world/ Private vehicle , Overnight sleeper train , Songthaew , Tuk-tuk , Shared Boat , Public bus

Accommodation

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS: Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on a different Intrepid trip than your own. CHECK-IN TIME: Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION: If you’ve purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. Hotel (6 nights), Overnight sleeper train (3 nights), Hilltribe Village House (multi-share) (2 nights), Resort (2 nights) Rafthouse (1 night)

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Others

Bangkok - Orientation Walk Chiang Mai - Night Bazaar & Anusarn Market Chiang Mai - Orientation Walk Huey Nam Dang - Hilltribe Trek – 2 Days Hilltribe Trek - Mae Malai Market Visit Hilltribe Village - Home-cooked Dinner Hilltribe Trek – Mok Fah Waterfall Sop Kai Village - River Kayaking Bangkok - Wat Pho Ko Samui - half day guided tour Khao Sok National Park – Longtail Boat Wildlife Safari Khao Sok National Park - Rafthouse Stay Khao Sok National Park – Waterfall Hike Khao Lak - Tsunami Memorial Phang Nga - Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center

Meals

7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Not included:

Flights

Flights are not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Others

Other activities and services are not included.

Optional

Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB250 Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500 Bangkok - Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure - THB2900 Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure - THB2500 Chiang Mai - Thai massage - THB200 Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex (Entrance) - THB50 Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour - THB990 Chaing Mai - Cooking at Home Cookery School - THB1400 Chiang Mai – Zipline (from) - THB1900 Mae Taeng - Whitewater Rafting - THB1800 Chiang Mai - Muay Thai Class (Thai boxing) - THB460 Chiang Mai - Chuan Chom Vocational Training Centre - Massage (from) - THB250 Chiang Mai - Wat Chedi Luang Temple - THB40 Chiang Mai - ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary - THB1900 Chiang Mai – Whitewater Rafting - THB1800 Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon (Entrance) - THB300 Chiang Mai - Wat Prasingh Temple - THB40 Bangkok - Jim Thompson’s House - THB200 Bangkok - Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) - THB200 Ko Samui - Thai Massage - THB300 Ko Samui - Thai Cooking Class - THB2300 Ko Samui - Day trip to Koh Tao - THB2400 Ko Samui - Ang Thong Marine Park tour - THB2500 Ko Samui - Samui Elephant Sanctuary - THB3500 Phuket - Phi Phi & Koh Khai Island Day Trip - THB3500 Phuket - Banana Beach & Koh Mai Ton Day Trip - THB2500 Phuket - Similan Day Trip - THB3500 Phuket - Surin National Marine Park Day Trip - THB3500 Phuket - Elephant Sanctuary - THB3500

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Bangkok
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Bangkok

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to keep you occupied – maybe take a walk around Chinatown and explore the vibrant streets or head to the magnificent Grand Palace. Tonight, it’s time to dig into some traditional tastes of Thailand. Bangkok is known for its street food, so maybe head out with your leader and check out some roadside stalls around the Sukhumvit area. Later, maybe discover Bangkok’s nightlife and head out to one (or more) of the best local bars. Ask your guide for directions or grab your new travel mates and attempt to navigate the BTS skytrain and MRT subway.
Day 2 Day 2: Bangkok - Overnight Train
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Bangkok - Overnight Train

This morning, you have a free day in Bangkok before your overnight train this morning. Maybe start off with a relaxing Thai massage – the perfect way to limber up and start your day. Then, maybe check out Talad Noi by bike, take on the Bangkok Temples or book yourself on the River of Kings Urban Adventure (just see urbanadventures.com). After your day exploring, hop on an overnight train up to Chiang Mai.
Day 3 Day 3: Chiang Mai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Chiang Mai

Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning and transfer to your guesthouse. Then, you’ll head out on an orientation walk to get your bearings. Chiang Mai is the perfect entrance to the Thai highlands, with misty mountains and colourful hillside villages waiting to be explored. This will be your base for the next few days, as you’ll return here after your hillside trek. Today, you’re free to relax or explore the city. Maybe get active and go ziplining or cycle around the city. Take on a cooking class to learn some local flavours (and pick up some mad skills to take home) or just wander around on foot and visit Doi Sethep Temple and a couple of the cool cafes around the area. Tonight, why not get your group together to go bar hopping or explore the night markets in the happening Nimman area?
Day 4 Day 4: Chiang Mai - Hilltribe Trek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Chiang Mai - Hilltribe Trek

This morning at around 8 am, leave Chiang Mai and head to Mae Malai Market to stock up on some delicious fresh snacks for your trek. Then, visit Mok Fah Waterfall for a cheeky dose of natural beauty. Sit down for some lunch to refuel with your group at a local restaurant, then continue to the starting point of today’s hike. Your destination for this evening is the Mae Ma Nai Hilltribe Village. Walk along the mountain ridge and take in the views of the natural forest and remote scenery. When you arrive, enjoy a local home-cooked dinner by the campfire to celebrate a successful day. Later, take a walk around the village and chat with the locals. This is a really special opportunity to experience rural Thai life first-hand!
Day 5 Day 5: Hilltribe Trek
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Hilltribe Trek

The best thing about being deep in the jungle in the morning is waking up to the natural sounds of wildlife calls. After breakfast, begin today’s trek through the storybook landscape of farmland and jungle, exploring other hilltribe villages and seeing how life differs between them. Your whole trek is the perfect nature photo op, so make sure you’ve got your camera handy! Enjoy lunch along the way and reach Pong Ngan Lahu Village this afternoon. After two long days of hiking, relax your legs and soak in some natural scenery before an included home-cooked dinner tonight.
Day 6 Day 6: Chiang Mai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Chiang Mai

The Mae Taeng River awaits you this morning, as you head off on a kayaking adventure towards Sop Kai Village. Paddle downstream as you’re immersed by gorgeous surroundings for 2 to 3 hours, taking in the lush green scenery. From here, you can choose to head back to Chiang Mai via private transfer and enjoy a leisurely evening or opt to take to the rapids for some whitewater rafting. Paddle further down the river and get the adrenaline pumping before you head back to Chiang Mai for the night. When you arrive, maybe refresh and recharge or head out to explore the Wat Prasingh and Wat Chedi Luang temples in your free time. Tonight, ask your leader for the best spots for a pad thai or a khao soi.
Day 7 Day 7: Chiang Mai - Overnight Sleeper Train
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Chiang Mai - Overnight Sleeper Train

Today is a free day to explore Chiang Mai and you’re spoilt for options. Maybe take the chance to learn one of the world’s legendary martial arts, Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) this morning. Spend 1.5 hours learning the basics of Muay Thai with the pros, plus how to adapt yourselves to be the weapons and the guard. You could also visit the Chiang Chill Elephant Sanctuary and witness these majestic animals roaming the valley and chilling in nature. Or maybe stop by Chuan Chom Vocational Training Center for lunch or a massage. Here, you’ll learn about the work that they do to train the women from the correctional institution with skills to go back to society. Later, board an overnight train for Bangkok.
Day 8 Day 8: Bangkok
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Bangkok

Your train is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok early this morning. When you arrive at the station, say goodbye to the members of your group who are leaving today and head to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free until a second group meeting at 6 pm tonight. Bangkok is a huge, buzzing metropolis, so while you wait for the meeting, why not make the most of the city’s bustling markets, grab some spicy noodles from a street cart or relax with a Thai massage. After your meeting, get the new gang together and head out for dinner or ask your local leader for the best spots to soak in some local nightlife – cocktail, anyone? 
Day 9 Day 9: Bangkok - Overnight Train
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Bangkok - Overnight Train

Today, you’ll explore some of Bangkok’s most famous sights. Take the skytrain to Taksin station, then hop on a public boat on the Chao Phraya River to see the temple complex of Wat Pho, which houses the famous 46-m-long statue of the Reclining Buddha. Soak in the gorgeous scenery and then head back to Tha Tien Pier. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to discover more of the city, like the Grand Palace or Jim Thompson House. Tonight, you’ll head south on an overnight train to Surat Thani.
Day 10 Day 10: Ko Samui
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Ko Samui

Arrive in southern Surat Thani this morning and then board a bus and ferry to Ko Samui. From here, it’s waterfalls, swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling all day, every day (for the next two days). When you arrive, you’ll go on a half-day guided tour of the island on a songthaew (traditional Thai bus) with your group and local leader and see the iconic 15-m Big Buddha along the way (Wat Phra Yai). Due to the gorgeous scenery and natural wonders, the island of Ko Samui has been a tourist hotspot for decades. This afternoon, maybe relax in the waterfalls at Na Muang. Tonight, feast on a delicious curry and then join in the party atmosphere in Ko Samui’s famous nightlife.
Day 11 Day 11: Ko Samui
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Ko Samui

Spend a free day today however you’d like – swimming, lazing in the sun or actively exploring. You may like to take an optional day tour to Ang Thong Marine National Park by either slow boat or speedboat. The park is an archipelago of over 40 islands in the Gulf of Thailand, featuring pristine beaches, jungle, mangroves and limestone mountains rising out of the sea. Swim at popular Ko Mae Island and check out the saltwater lagoon of Thale Nai (Emerald Lake). For a quieter experience and some great snorkelling opportunities, head to the nearby islands of Ko Tao and Ko Nang Yuan. Ko Samui is also home to an elephant sanctuary, and you can come close to these gentle giants if you please. Watch them bathe, roam the fields and socialise with other elephants, knowing they are in a caring and peaceful environment.
Day 12 Day 12: Khao Sok National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Khao Sok National Park

This morning, head from Ko Samui to Khao Sok National Park (don’t forget your camera today, this place is gorgeous!). Take a songthaew and an early ferry from Samui Pier to Don Sak Pier. Then, jump in a private vehicle to Chiew Larn Lake, where you’ll hop in a traditional longtail boat for a calm sail to your raft house. Keep your eyes out for wild bull elephants, gibbons and spectacled langur (dusky leaf monkeys). Khao Sok National Park is the wettest spot in Thailand with some of the oldest jungles in the world. See loads of amazing limestone rock faces and, if you’re lucky, monkeys playing here and there. Later, take an evening safari with your group, where you’ll head by longtail boat deep into the jungle, looking (and listening) out for more animals. After, you’ll head to your raft house accommodation and be greeted by your welcoming hosts. Enjoy a homecooked traditional southern Thai meal with the locals and take the opportunity to get to know their lifestyles and stories before falling asleep to the relaxing sound of the jungle outside.
Day 13 Day 13: Khao Sok National Park - Phuket
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Khao Sok National Park - Phuket

This morning you’ll wake up in the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. Your awesome jungle raft house sits right inside the park, so you’ll have time this morning to catch the mist drifting along the lake as you search for wildlife in the jungle on a longtail boat. Before lunch, take a jungle hike around the park, and depending on the season, maybe see cascading waterfalls or head up high to a panoramic viewpoint. If you’re lucky there might be a glimpse of elephants, hornbills and langur monkeys. After, you’ll say goodbye to the jungle and make your way to Phuket. Along the way, visit the Khao Lak Tsunami Memorial for some sobering history of the area’s past tsunamis and their victims. Then head to the Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Phang Nga. Learn about how the Navy rescues eggs from surrounding beaches, where the necessary environment is no longer guaranteed, and about their environmental efforts to not only ensure the conservation of turtles but also to preserve the environment with local communities, schools, universities, government organisations and other NGOs. Later, check in to your accommodation and enjoy a free evening in Phuket to grab a couple of drinks, watch the sunset and hit the beach.
Day 14 Day 14: Phuket
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Phuket

Today is a free day in Phuket, giving you a full 24 hours to beach hop and immerse yourself in all the sun-soaked coastal views around you. Maybe take a day trip to Phi Phi and Koh Khai or head to the white sands of Banana Beach on Coral Island to bliss out somewhere new. Speaking of day trips, why not set off for glorious Similan for some bright azure waters and snorkelling options. Tonight, maybe hit the beach bars and have a few cocktails with your travel buddies to toast to a trip well-travelled.
Day 15 Day 15: Phuket
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Phuket

Your adventure comes to an end this morning, and with no activities planned, you’re free to leave the accommodation at any time. If you’d like to stay in Thailand for longer (we wouldn’t blame you), just speak to your booking agent. Pull up a towel, catch some rays and relax into the day. You deserve it!

+12

15 days tour

Real Thailand (From Bangkok To Phuket)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Real Thailand (From Bangkok To Phuket)

Day 1: Bangkok

Day 2: Bangkok - Overnight Train

Day 3: Chiang Mai

Day 4: Chiang Mai - Hilltribe Trek

Day 5: Hilltribe Trek

Day 6: Chiang Mai

Day 7: Chiang Mai - Overnight Sleeper Train

Day 8: Bangkok

Day 9: Bangkok - Overnight Train

Day 10: Ko Samui

Day 11: Ko Samui

Day 12: Khao Sok National Park

Day 13: Khao Sok National Park - Phuket

Day 14: Phuket

Day 15: Phuket

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