Classic Thailand with Elephant Hills Jungle Safari Extension

Depart on your indirect, overnight flight to Bangkok International Airport.

On arrival into Bangkok you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. The day will be at leisure to settle in and explore your new surroundings. Originally a small harbour village, Thailand's vibrant capital infuses grand Buddhist architecture within an ultramodern metropolis interspersed by aromatic food markets and waterways that unite this Venice of the East.

Today's full day tour takes you through Bangkok's Khets to the city's colourful flower market where beautifully scented jasmine buds are hand made for temple offerings. Visit Wat Pho, home to one of the country's longest and most impressive reclining Buddha images, before visiting Thailand's most important landmark, The Grand Palace. The royal complex displays European-inspired halls partitioned by tranquil gardens, ornate pavilions representing 200 years of successive Kings and the magnificent golden chedi of Thailand's most sacred temple - Wat Phra Kaew. In the afternoon board a traditional long-tail boat to navigate Bangkok's khlongs, where local wooden-stilted houses line the banks. Pass the domineering Wat Arun temple, encrusted with porcelain mosaics that reflect the sunlight with a lustrous glow. In the evening, Take a great experience with an enchanting dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River on Grand Pearl. You will enjoy various Thai classical dances and live music band on board with sumptuous Buffet dinner of Thai and International Cuisine.

This morning, leave Bangkok to visit the famous floating market of Damnoen Saduak, a man-made river network populated by wooden canoes piled high with colourful produce. En-route, pass mango and lychee plantations and make a brief stop at a coconut farm to learn how the nuts are harvested and manufactured into a variety of products by hand. On arrival at the floating market, observe local traders paddling their fragile boats whilst preparing fragrant dishes within teetering woks. Continue west to the historical jungle town of Kanchanaburi to visit the humbling war cemetery and nearby Thailand-Burma railway museum which documents the brutal Japanese occupation and harrowing conditions faced by prisoners during World War II. Enjoy lunch at a floating restaurant near the infamous railway bridge that inspired Pierre Boulle's novel and the film - the Bridge Over the River Kwai. Transfer to the city of Ayutthaya for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Start your day at the ancient royal monastery of Wat Yai Chaimongkhol to see impressive constructions built after King Naresuan's victory over the Burmese in 1592. Visit Ayutthaya's UNESCO historical park, an ancient royal capital that was once considered one of the region's most illustrious cities. Wander the Summer Palace, surrounded by rivers and lakes, the beautifully landscaped grounds boast romantic European style architecture, commissioned by the Royal family and still used on special occasions. After your guided tour depart Ayutthaya and journey through rural Thailand past typical Thai houses, peanut plantations and farmers working on the verdant rice paddies. A lunch stop will be made before continuing on to Sukhothai for your overnight stay.

One of Thailand's most impressive UNESCO sites awaits this morning - the ancient Sukothai Historical Park. The peaceful surroundings contain ancient ruins hidden amongst lakes of lotus flowers, a stunning setting crafted during the country's golden era of religious architecture that formed the blueprint of quintessential Thai style. Continue north to Si Satchanalai Historical Park where you will see one of the largest monasteries, Wat Chang Lom. The main bell shaped Stupa is surrounded by 39 elephant sculptures. After having lunch near the Yom River, continue your drive to Chiang Mai nestled in the mountains of Northern Thailand.

Take the morning to relax before travelling north of Chiang Mai to visit Kanta Elephant Sanctuary in the afternoon. Change into traditional clothing and prepare fruits for the animals before feeding them and watching them in the water. This evening you can enjoy some free time to relax or experience a local tuk tuk ride to the nearby famous night market - head out after 7pm to explore the many stalls, restaurants and bars with live music and delicious street food.

After being collected from your hotel this morning, you will visit a local market to learn how to choose fish, meat and vegetables whilst at the same time learning about the herbs and spices that are needed and used in Thai cooking. From the market you will proceed to The Best Cooking School where you can try your hand at cooking some of the most famous food and desserts in the country. This afternoon, your guide will take you to Doi Suthep, a nearby mountain, for panoramic views over the city's vast tropical plains. Near the summit discover Wat Phra That, Northern Thailand's holiest shrine, where kneeling worshipers gather around the dazzling golden dome to light aromatic incense and lay lotus flowers before immaculate icons of the Buddha. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before sampling a traditional evening at a Khantoke dinner and show. Enjoy a performance by local Lanna dancers while eating food served on large platters to share at low tables. A Khantoke platter usually consist of 9 small dishes such as Hang Ley Pork Curry, Fried Crispy Chicken, boiled vegetables and sticky rice.

Today, begin your assent of northern Thailand's mountainous regions, through mist-coated fern forests to the charming town of Thaton. Board a traditional long-tail boat for a tranquil cruise along the Kok River; traverse slow moving waters to a chorus of cicadas to observe the thatched bamboo huts of the northern hill tribes dotted throughout the picturesque countryside. Disembark and drive to the infamous Golden Triangle, a mountainous range where Thailand, Laos and Burma converge which was once a prolific area for opium production. Continue to your hotel for a night in the laidback city of Chiang Rai.

This morning visit the stunning Wat Rongkhun, an art instillation in the form of a temple. Designed by visual artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, its striking white exterior is mixed with mirror fragments to create a mesmerising effect symbolising the Buddha's purity. Wander to the temples entrance over a sea of sculpted hands reaching out in desperation and admire the interior murals, an incongruous mix of traditional Buddhist images with modern icons including Superman, the international space station and George Bush. After lunch head to Chiang Mai Airport for your flight to Bangkok, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a farewell dinner.

Transfer to Bangkok airport for your flight to Phuket. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Elephant Hills for your unforgettable Tented Jungle Camp experience in the heart of Khao Sok. After lunch, your adventure begins with a tranquil jungle river canoe trip down the Sok River. Drift gently along the water, surrounded by towering limestone mountains and cliffs blanketed in lush, tropical vegetation. Keep your eyes peeled for hornbill birds soaring overhead and reptiles basking in the sun along the riverbanks. From your canoe, you’ll glimpse some of the last remaining areas of primary rainforest—a timeless world, virtually untouched for thousands of years.

After your canoe safari, you’ll continue to the elephant park for the awe-inspiring elephant experience. Here, you’ll have the rare opportunity to see, touch, and learn about Thai elephants up close while gaining insight into the conservation efforts of Elephant Hills. Your guide will introduce you to the life of the mahout, the devoted caretaker of the elephants. You’ll help prepare feed for the elephants including special supplements essential for their digestion and health which will be placed at feed stations for the elephants around their free roaming area. This immersive encounter offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to connect with Asia’s largest land animal in a respectful and meaningful way.

As the day draws to a close, return to your safari tent to unwind and enjoy the panoramic views of jungle-covered mountains. Relax at the club bar with a wide selection of drinks available before enjoying the optional evening entertainment. Dinner is served in the open-air restaurant nestled beside the rainforest—an atmospheric and memorable dining experience surrounded by the sounds of nature. Retire for the night in your comfortable tent.

Wake up to the soothing sounds of nature, with birds calling from the bushes just outside your tent. As the sun rises and the morning mist lifts from the rainforest-covered mountains south of Elephant Hills, the echoing calls of gibbons fill the valley—an enchanting start to your day.

Today, you'll embark on an unforgettable journey to explore Cheow Lan Lake by traditional long-tail boat. This stunning man-made lake is surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains and rainforest-clad cliffs that rise majestically from the water and stretch far into the horizon. The breathtaking scenery has drawn comparisons to Guilin in China and Halong Bay in Vietnam, yet it remains a hidden gem, known to few and visited by even fewer. Spanning over 60 kilometres from north to south and dotted with more than one hundred islands, the lake is a vast and tranquil wonder.

In the 1970s, the area served as a remote refuge for communists and students resisting the military dictatorship, which helped preserve its untouched natural beauty. As you cruise across the emerald waters, take in the spectacular surroundings and enjoy a refreshing swim—don’t forget your swimwear. Towels will be provided at the local floating raft house, where you'll stop for lunch and some well-deserved relaxation.

In the late afternoon, return for dinner and a restful night in your tent. With a day full of discovery and experiences behind you, let the gentle chorus of jungle insects and frogs lull you into a peaceful sleep under the rainforest canopy.

Begin your final day at Elephant Hills with a wholesome breakfast, fuelling up for an immersive adventure into the heart of the jungle. Today, you’ll explore the rainforest on foot giving you an incredible opportunity to witness the wonders of nature up close.

As you walk slowly through the lush undergrowth, you’ll encounter an astonishing variety of exotic plant life: towering tropical hardwood trees with massive roots, delicate orchids, palms, ferns, bamboos, mosses, and much more. High above, hornbills may soar between the treetops, gibbons call to one another across the canopy, and if you're lucky, you might spot a macaque or leaf monkey swinging through the branches. Brilliant butterflies flit through the air, adding vibrant colour to the green world around you. Every walk through the rainforest is different, and each moment reveals something new. Take your time—look, listen, and learn—and you’ll begin to uncover the hidden secrets of this ancient jungle.

After your morning exploration, return to the camp to enjoy a Thai buffet, offering a final taste of the local cuisine. Following lunch, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.