Wat Rong Khun,Chiang Mai,Thailand
Cultural Thailand
14 Days
Bangkok • Kanchanaburi • Sukhothai • Chiang Mai • Chiang Rai
A journey through Thailand’s historic capitals, cultural heartlands and mountainous north, combining Bangkok’s temples and waterways with the River Kwai, the ancient kingdoms of Sukhothai, the temples and traditions of Chiang Mai, and the mountain landscapes and ethnic communities around Chiang Rai
Wat Arun Bangkok
Day 01
Depart to Bangkok
Depart on your overnight flight to Bangkok, beginning your journey into Thailand’s history, culture and landscapes.
Day 02
Bangkok I Arrival and first impressions
Arrive in Bangkok, where you are met and transferred by our representative and taken to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your journey or take your first steps into the city. Depending on your energy, explore the neighborhood around your accommodation and experience the atmosphere of Thailand’s bustling capital.
Day 03
Bangkok I Temples, River & the Old city
Begin your exploration with Wat Arun, one of Bangkok’s most recognisable temples. Continue to the magnificent Grand Palace, followed by the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, one of Thailand’s most revered religious sites. Complete the morning at Wat Pho, home to the famous reclining Buddha, before enjoying time to discover more of Bangkok at your own pace.
Bangkok’s grand temples
Emerald Buddha & Wat Pho
Floating markets & klongs
River Kwai & historic bridge
Ancient Sukhothai
Si Satchanalai heritage
Chiang Mai’s old city
Doi Suthep mountain temple
Traditional Thai cooking
Golden Triangle & mountain villages
Day 04
Bangkok | Markets & Hidden Waterways
Experience a different side of Bangkok away from its principal monuments. Visit a floating market, an atmospheric glimpse into the city’s traditional trading culture, before taking a long-tail boat through Bangkok’s klongs — its historic network of canals and waterways. The contrast between old wooden communities, temples and modern Bangkok offers a fascinating perspective on the city.
Day 05
Bangkok → Kanchanaburi | River Kwai
Leave Bangkok by road and travel west towards Kanchanaburi. The region is closely associated with the history of the Thailand-Burma Railway. Visit the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, an important site within the area’s wartime history. The journey also provides a gradual transition from the urban landscape of Bangkok into western Thailand’s greener countryside.
Day 06
Kanchanaburi → Sukhothai | Into Thailand’s Ancient Heartland
Continue north towards Sukhothai, travelling by a combination of train and road. Sukhothai was the centre of one of Thailand’s earliest great kingdoms, and its ruins provide an atmospheric introduction to the country’s ancient architectural and artistic traditions. Arrive for a two-night stay in this historic region.
Historic Kwai River Bridge
Sukthothai
Day 07
Sukhothai | Ancient Temples & Si Satchanalai
Spend the day exploring the archaeological landscape of Sukhothai, where monumental Buddha images, elegant temple structures and ancient reservoirs recall the grandeur of the former kingdom. Continue to nearby Si Satchanalai, another important historic centre, allowing you to experience the wider cultural landscape rather than concentrating solely on Sukhothai itself.
Day 08
Sukhothai → Chiang Mai | Into the North
Travel by road towards Chiang Mai, Thailand’s cultural capital of the north and former centre of the Lanna Kingdom. As the journey progresses, the scenery changes from the central plains to the hills and forests of northern Thailand.
Arrive in Chiang Mai and spend your first evening discovering its atmospheric Night Market.
Day 09
Chiang Mai | Old City & Doi Suthep
Begin with a guided exploration of Chiang Mai’s historic old town, discovering its temples, lanes and distinctive northern Thai character. Continue to Doi Suthep, the mountain temple overlooking Chiang Mai. Its beautifully gilded architecture and elevated setting provide both a spiritual experience and expansive views across the city and surrounding countryside.
Day 10
Chiang Mai | Northern Flavours
Enjoy a more relaxed day exploring Chiang Mai at your own pace. A traditional Thai cooking workshop provides an opportunity to discover the ingredients, flavours and techniques that define northern Thai cuisine, followed by the pleasure of enjoying what you have prepared. The experience adds a personal and sensory dimension to your exploration of the region.
Day 11
Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai | Through the Mountains
Leave Chiang Mai and travel north through the mountainous landscapes of northern Thailand towards Chiang Rai. The changing scenery — from cultivated valleys to forested hills — reveals a quieter side of Thailand and sets the scene for the cultural experiences ahead. Arrive in Chiang Rai for a three-night stay.
Day 12
Chiang Rai | The Golden Triangle
Spend the day exploring the Golden Triangle, where Thailand meets Myanmar and Laos. Travel through the region with your guide, discovering its distinctive mountain scenery and the cultural influences that have shaped this frontier landscape. The day offers a very different perspective from the temples and cities visited earlier in the journey.
Emerald Buddha, Chiang Mai
White temple Chiang Rai
Day 13
Chiang Rai | Into the Mountain Communities
Travel deeper into the mountains surrounding Chiang Rai, ideally on foot, and discover some of the region’s ethnic minority villages. The experience moves beyond conventional sightseeing, offering an opportunity to encounter rural communities and the landscapes in which they live. This provides a fitting continuation of the journey into northern Thailand’s less-visited mountain country.
Day 14
Chiang Rai I Bangkok and departure
Fly back to Bangkok. Last day of local experience in Bangkok. Transfer to the international airport carrying away sweet memories of Thailand with you.