Through Tropical Jungle to Elephant Island

Bangkok

• Activities:

  Arrive in Bangkok, visit the Royal Palace

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

On arrival in Thailand, you'll be collected from the airport and taken to a hotel in central Bangkok, around 10min walk (or 5 minutes by tuk-tuk) from bustling Khao San Road. The hotel is located on the Chao Praya River, an ideal starting location to take the river taxi to all the interesting attractions nearby. You’ll stay in a nicely decorated room with air-conditioning. The hotel also has a roof-top swimming pool, so you can start your trip with a dip. Suitably refreshed, you can explore your fascinating neighbourhood. Those craving an instant culture fix can head straight to the Royal Palace. This is the number one place of interest for most Bangkok visitors. The palace is only 10 mins by taxi or tuk-tuk and the doors are open until 3:30pm. Remember to dress modestly - your knees and shoulders must be covered. If you've chosen to travel in Style you'll stay in a stylish hotel with a pool overlooking the Chao Praya river.

Bangkok - Tuk-Tuk and Longtail boat tour

• Activities:

  Embark on tuk-tuk through Bangkok, travel to Thewet river pier, visit the local 'fresh market

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

It's day two of your Thailand trip itinerary and this morning you'll be met by your guide in the lobby of your hotel, and together you'll embark on an exciting drive through Bangkok by tuk-tuk. You'll travel to Thewet river pier where you will first visit the local 'fresh market and then board a classic longtail boat! Your boat journey will give you a great insight into how much the city life still revolves around the river and its network of 'klongs' (canals). In some ways it is a trip through the past where you'll see wooden houses on stilts, local folks doing their laundry in the klongs, monitor lizards suddenly swimming by, and lots of other fascinating sights. Back at the pier again your guide will return you to your hotel by tuktuk! You should be back before noon, and the rest of your day is free to explore the city.

Bangkok - River Kwai

• Activities:

  Travel to the River Kwai by minibus, stop at the Samut Sakhon 'train market', embark on a long-tail boat along the River Kwai, arrive at floating bamboo bangalow

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

On day three of your Thailand trip itinerary, you'll be picked up early this morning for the next stage of your trip; travelling by air-conditioned minibus to the River Kwai accompanied by an english-speaking guide. First stop will be the Samut Sakhon 'train market' where you'll get to try your haggling skills. Afterwards you'll continue to the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, where you'll take a train ride along a stretch of the infamous Burma Death Railway. On arrival at the small station, a tasty lunch will be served and you'll step into a longtail boat. This boat will drift along the River Kwai, deep into the thick evergreen jungle. Just fourty minutes later, you'll arrive at your floating bamboo bungalow on the river. You'll have your own room with a swimming jetty and a hammock. There's no electricity, and you'll eat an ambient dinner by the light of flickering oil lamps. Seated at long tables, you'll share the meal with your fellow travellers with a background chorus of jungle sounds. If you've chosen to travel In Style, you'll spend the next 2 nights of your Thailand holiday in a comfortable tented camp with ensuite.

River Kwai - Kanchanaburi

• Activities:

  Sail to the Erawan Waterfalls, swim at the pool

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

On day four of your Thailand holiday, you will wake from a night in the jungle and sail along the river by boat for the hour long ride to the Erawan Waterfalls (400 Baht, approx £8 entrance fee paid locally). The waterfall has seven different levels, dropping a total height of 1500m. You can reach the top in about 1½ hours depending on your walking speed, but you'll be duly rewarded for your efforts. Sparkling water cascades down into bright turquoise pools against a backdrop of smooth limestone rocks; this should be a real highlight of your Thailand trip itinerary. You'll have three hours here, so don't forget your swimming costume. At the end of the visit the guide will drop you off at your friendly hotel with pool in Kanchanburi. From here it's only a short walk to the JEATH War Museum and the Memorial Cemetery.

Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya

• Activities:

  Transfer to Ayutthaya, explore its temple complex and palaces

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

(Travel time approx: 3 hours) It's day five of your Thailand trip itinerary and after breakfast you'll be picked up from your hotel by minibus, this time without an accompanying guide, and transferred to Ayutthaya. At the end of the 3 hour transfer you will be dropped off at your accommodation; a simple but charming bungalow with private veranda. If you've chosen to travel In Style, you'll stay at a modern boutique-style hotel in Ayutthaya. You'll have the rest of the afternoon to explore the area on your own. Ayutthaya is a UNESCO world heritage site and in the 12th Century it was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Southeast Asia, with magnificent temples and palaces covered in gold. Eventually the city lost its power and the once lavish temples and palaces fell into disrepair. Wandering around the immense temple complex today you still get a sense of the city's former glory. We can also arrange an optional sunset tuk tuk tour around Ayutthaya, just let us know and we'll add it into your holiday in Thailand.

Ayutthaya - Khao Yai National Park

• Activities:

  Travel to Pak Chong town and visit Khao Yai National Park

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

(Travel time approx: 2 hours) Today we'll arrange a train ticket for you to the small town of Pak Chong where you'll arrive around lunchtime. A quick phone call to the lodge and a staff member will come and pick you up, or you can take a taxi to your accommodation (15 minutes drive, approx £2.50). The lodge is located just outside the park. It’s an eclectic mix of buildings with an open-air restaurant, herbal sauna and a pool with a small waterfall. Rooms are spacious, the furniture’s a bit dated but it's full of typical Thai charm. Around 3.30pm you'll head off to one of the most thrilling natural spectacles of your Thailand travels. Together with a small group of other travellers you’ll hop into a minibus and make your way to the bat cave. Around dusk the sky slowly turns orange and that’s when the bats leave the cave. Huge swarms of bats swirling above your head against an orange sky, chased by birds of prey trying to catch a fresh bat supper.

Khao Yai National Park

• Activities:

  Take adventure in Khao Yai National Park, hike through dense jungle and watch various kinds of birds and animals

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

At the crack of dawn on day seven of your Thailand trip itinerary, you’ll set off in a small open minibus (songthaew) with your guide and fellow travellers. Today it's time for some jungle adventure! Once you’ve paid the entrance fee to this protected National Park (approx £5 per person) you’ll follow the winding road through the jungle. Don’t be surprised when the driver slams the breaks and the guide ushers you out of the bus. Whip out your camera to spot a toucan perched on a branch by the side of the road. Further along, a noisy bunch of macaque monkeys are running riot in the trees and if you peer up high in the branches you might spot a couple of gibbons. You’ll stop off for lunch at a waterfall famously featured in the film 'The Beach'. Though most of it was actually shot on Ko Phi Phi, the waterfall scenes were filmed in Khao Yai. After lunch your guide will take you on a 2 hour hike through the dense jungle, to a viewpoint at 1300m overlooking the rainforest. At the end of the day just as the sun is setting, you’ll get ready for your jungle drive. It's not a zoo and the animals are wild but with a bit of luck you’ll spot deer, monkeys, wild cats, porcupines and perhaps even elephants.

Khao Yai National Park - Ko Chang

• Activities:

  Transfer to Koh Chang island, settle in your thatched bungalow

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

(Travel time approx: 5 hours) After breakfast there's time for a final dip in the pool before continuing with your Thailand travel experience. From Khao Yai you'll be transferred to the ferry port of Trat where you'll board the boat over to the island of Ko Chang; the next destination on your Thailand trip itinerary. This ferry runs all day, leaving about once an hour, and the crossing takes only half an hour. When you arrive, you'll take another songthaew to your accommodation. This is extremely easy to arrange yourself and the 20 minute journey will cost just £1-2. After you have settled in to your thatched bungalow in its lush green garden, you can take a dip in the azure waters. The resort stands on its own small private beach to the east of the island. From the swimming pool or the deck of your seaview room, you can listen to the gentle lapping of the waves and the calls of tropical birds. If you've chosen to travel in Style you'll stay in a resort and spa, right on the beach.

Ko Chang - Free time

• Activities:

  Lounge in a hammock, swim in the sparkling, snorkel around the coral gardens, stay on Ko Chang beach, enjoy Thai massage

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

Days 9 and 10 of your Thailand trip itinerary are free for you to do as much or as little as you like. Why not arrange yourself a day trip over to Ko Mak, it's very easy to arrange locally. Boats leave from Ban Bang Bao Pier on the south side of the island, for the short ride (approx 2 hours) over to Ko Mak. Lounge in a hammock for the day, swim in the sparkling sea and feel the sand between your toes. Try lunch at one of the many little restaurants where freshly caught seafood is the speciality. You could also snorkel around the coral gardens (gear available for hire), or just stretch out on the beach. At low tide, it's possible to walk across to the nearby island of Ko Kham, which has beautiful coral reefs and coconut palms. If you don't fancy anything this energetic, then you can simply stay on Ko Chang beach and unwind with a Thai massage, or book a table at the restaurant on the beach. At dusk they'll fire up the barbecue, and you can sit on the candlelit beach, cold beer or tropical drink in hand as you listen to the lapping of the waves.

Ko Chang - Free time

• Activities:

  Lounge in a hammock, swim in the sparkling, snorkel around the coral gardens, stay on Ko Chang beach, enjoy Thai massage

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

Days 9 and 10 of your Thailand trip itinerary are free for you to do as much or as little as you like. Why not arrange yourself a day trip over to Ko Mak, it's very easy to arrange locally. Boats leave from Ban Bang Bao Pier on the south side of the island, for the short ride (approx 2 hours) over to Ko Mak. Lounge in a hammock for the day, swim in the sparkling sea and feel the sand between your toes. Try lunch at one of the many little restaurants where freshly caught seafood is the speciality. You could also snorkel around the coral gardens (gear available for hire), or just stretch out on the beach. At low tide, it's possible to walk across to the nearby island of Ko Kham, which has beautiful coral reefs and coconut palms. If you don't fancy anything this energetic, then you can simply stay on Ko Chang beach and unwind with a Thai massage, or book a table at the restaurant on the beach. At dusk they'll fire up the barbecue, and you can sit on the candlelit beach, cold beer or tropical drink in hand as you listen to the lapping of the waves.

Ko Chang - Ko Samet

• Activities:

  Travel to Ko Samet, stay in a comfortable resort on Noi Na beach

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

(Travel time approx: 2 hours) Today you'll make your own way to the ferry port on Ko Chang for the ferry and bus over to the next destination on your Thailand trip itinerary; Ko Samet. The journey should take around 2 hours and will drop you off at the pier on the mainland. After a short ferry crossing (paid locally) you’ll make your own way by “songthaew” to your resort. As Ko Samet is part of a large National Park there is a compulsory £5 entry fee per person which is payable once you arrive (correct as of Oct 2012). Your comfortable resort sits on the north of the island on Noi Na beach. We've handpicked your resort which offers lovely bungalows set within the lush greenery of the resort. If you're travelling In Style you stay a little closer to the action on Hat Sai Kaew beach. Your accommodation is set back from the beach so you will be able to take a break from the party and relax in the quiet surroundings. Once you’ve settled in, you can take a dip in the resort’s pool or take a walk alongside the crystal clear sea. In the evening you can eat locally caught fish in the resort's restaurant with views over the shimmering moonlit sea.

Ko Samet

• Activities:

  Free day at your leisure

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

The next few days of your Thailand trip itinerary are free for you to do as you please. You can spend your days on the beach just outside the resort, snorkelling in the water or being sent to sleep by the sound of the gently crashing waves. If you would like to see more of the island, you can amble along the winding paths from your resort to nearby deserted beaches. On one of the evenings you could enjoy a typical Thai meal of curried fish and spring rolls on the busy beach of Hat Sai Kaew. After your dinner you’ll be able to witness the spectacular fire show which this area is known for.

Ko Samet

• Activities:

  Free day at your leisure

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

The next few days of your Thailand trip itinerary are free for you to do as you please. You can spend your days on the beach just outside the resort, snorkelling in the water or being sent to sleep by the sound of the gently crashing waves. If you would like to see more of the island, you can amble along the winding paths from your resort to nearby deserted beaches. On one of the evenings you could enjoy a typical Thai meal of curried fish and spring rolls on the busy beach of Hat Sai Kaew. After your dinner you’ll be able to witness the spectacular fire show which this area is known for.

Ko Samet - Bangkok

• Activities:

  Take a dip in the azure sea, catch a ferry to the mainland, head back to Bangkok

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

(Travel time approx: 3 hours) This morning you have your final chance to take a dip in the azure sea before leaving the island to continue your Thailand holiday to your final destination. You'll catch a ferry to the mainland and head back to the capital of Bangkok by bus. You'll arrive back in the city around mid afternoon and have the rest of the day free to do any last minute shopping or sightseeing. You will stay in the same comfortable hotel near Khao San road where you started your trip.

Bangkok departure

• Activities:

  Departure

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

You'll say goodbye to Thailand today as it's time to head back home. You'll make your own way to the airport at the end of your trip. Just ask reception and they can help you with the arrangements.