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Essential Thailand

8 days
Suggested Length
Private
Tour

Overview

  • Day 1 - 3: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi
    • Arrival in Bangkok, Discover the city’s cultural gems like the Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha, and Temple of Dawn.
    • Savor Thai cuisine on a tuk-tuk food tour.
    • Visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and explore history on the Death Railway in Kanchanaburi.
  • Day 4 - 5: Chiang Rai
    • Fly to Chiang Rai. Visit the city’s top attractions and explore the infamous Golden Triangle. Relax at Mae Khajan Hot spring.
  • Day 6 - 8: Chiang Mai - Departure
    • Enjoy a Chiang Mai City Tour: Doi Suthep, Wat Umong and more.
    • Take part in a morning almsgiving ceremony.
    • Explore Kata Elephant Sanctuary and the serene countryside.
    • Return to Bangkok and catch your departure flight.

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Bangkok Arrival

Welcome to Bangkok, the City of Angels.
Your guide awaits you at arrivals for a private ride to your city center hotel. This vibrant metropolis is ready to enchant you with its unique blend of tradition and modernity. Take the day to relax, and consider trying a Thai traditional massage to kickstart your holiday after your long flight.

Overnight in Bangkok

Day 2

Bangkok Highlights

Begin your exploration in Bangkok with a visit to the iconic Wat Pho, home to the magnificent 45m (148ft) reclining Buddha and the esteemed original Thai massage school. Hop into a tuk-tuk for a thrilling ride to the Grand Palace, a place of great reverence housing the famous Emerald Buddha, meticulously crafted from jade or jasper.

Savor lunch at a local restaurant, delighting in Thai cuisine. Then, embark on a tranquil long-tailed boat ride through Thonburi’s charming canals, immersing yourself in local life and pausing at the scenic Wat Arun temple.

Be sure to explore the vibrant atmosphere of  the lively Talad Kao Market, where you’ll find an abundance of culinary delights, fresh and dried fruits, and Chinese herbs. Then, return to your hotel for relaxation.

In the evening, embark on an enchanting Tuk Tuk food journey through Bangkok. Led by expert guides and Tuk Tuk drivers, savor Northeastern Thai cuisine, including spicy delicacies like papaya salad and crispy catfish. A charming detour to the flower market and Wat Pho adds a touch of magic to your evening.

Overnight in Bangkok

BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 3

Bangkok – Kanchanaburi - Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Get ready to kick off your adventure early as we head out to the charming Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, just 110 km to the west of Bangkok. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a leisurely drive past lush rice paddies and salt fields. We’ll make a cool stop on the route to check out a farmhouse where locals craft sugar from coconuts. And that’s not all – get ready for a quick 30-minute speedboat ride through fruit plantations, where you’ll catch glimpses of traditional Thai houses and ways of life.

We’ll arrive at the bustling Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, and you won’t believe your eyes – boats of all shapes and sizes, loaded with goodies, bustling about. Want to dive right into the shopping scene? You can even rent a little boat and explore the market like a local.

After the market buzz, we’re off to a wood carving factory to see the craft in action.

Around noon, we’ll roll into Kanchanaburi town, famous for the world-renowned bridge over the River Kwai – a piece of history built by Allied prisoners during World War II. Get ready for an unforgettable train ride on the Death Railway, complete with breathtaking scenery and a ride over the original wooden viaduct.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before we hit the road again. As we drive back to Bangkok, soak in the views of vibrant green paddy fields, charming villages, and serene temples.

Overnight in Bangkok

BreakfastLunch
Day 4

Bangkok – Chiang Rai

Enjoy your breakfast and check out from your hotel. Then transfer to the airport for a short flight to Chiang Rai, charming city in northern Thailand known for its stunning temples, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant local culture.

As soon as you touch down in Chiang Rai, your friendly local guide and driver will be there to give you a warm welcome. Then embark on an exploration in Chiang Rai city by visiting the impressive Wat Prakaew and paying respects at the King Mengrai Monument.

The next stop is something truly special – the White Temple. This dazzling temple, located just outside Chiang Rai, is famous all around Thailand. People from near and far come to see its beauty, and you’re about to be one of them!

Our adventure wraps up with a comfortable ride to your downtown hotel, where you’ll check in and have some well-deserved free time to do as you please.

Overnight in Chiang Rai

Breakfast
Day 5

Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai

Breakfast at the hotel and check out, then start the tour to visit the infamous Golden Triangle renowned for centuries as the centre of the opium trade. From a hilltop viewpoint, marvel at the splendor of the mighty Mekong joining with the Ruak and forming the actual “Triangle” with Laos Burma and Thailand.

Next up, hop aboard a traditional long-tail boat for a scenic river journey. After that, enjoy some leisurely shopping at Mae Sai Border before we hit the road for a four-hour drive to Chiang Mai.

Along the way, we’ll make a refreshing pit stop at Mae Khajan Hot Spring to unwind. Don’t miss the chance to visit the fascinating Long Neck village, a unique cultural experience.

Finally, we’ll continue our drive to Chiang Mai, where we’ll settle in for the night.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

BreakfastLunch
Day 6

Chiang Mai: Monks,Temples & Local life

Begin your day with an early start, heading to Doi Suthep Temple to witness monks descending from the mountain for their daily alms, a visually captivating ritual.

Next, journey up the mountain to Wat Doi Suthep, founded in 1383 AD and among Northern Thailand’s most sacred temples. Explore its pagodas, statues, and enjoy panoramic city views before returning for lunch.

In the afternoon, start at the iconic Tha Phae Gate, then ride through the old city’s narrow lanes to picturesque forest-lined roads. Pause by Wat Phra That Doi Khama, serene 7th Century Buddha and visit an artisan craft village. Immerse in the bustling Chiang Mai market scene before concluding with a visit to Wat SrisuphanSilver Temple”, Thailand’s most stunning temple, offering incredible photo ops and a local snack.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

BreakfastLunch
Day 7

Chiang Mai: Tea Plantation & Elephant Pantara Sanctuary

Morning
After breakfast, we’ll depart from Chiang Mai for an approximately one-hour drive to Kanta Elephant Sanctuary.

On our way, we’ll make a brief stop at Araksa’s Tea House. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the intricate processes involved in nurturing young tea plants. You’ll even try your hand at picking tea leaves and witness the art of tea processing, from kneading to roasting.

Following the demonstration, you can savor a refreshing cup of iced or hot tea along with a delightful Thai snack.

Lunch will be a delightful affair featuring home-style Thai cuisine prepared with locally sourced and organic ingredients.

Afternoon Our adventure continues as we embark on a short drive to Kanta Elephant Sanctuary. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted by the staff. We’ll take a stroll through the sanctuary to understand the elephants’ environment and history. Don traditional clothing and prepare some delicious fruits for our gentle giants.

The highlight of the day is meeting with the elephants. You’ll have the chance to feed, interact, and play with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat while learning about their behavior and background. Don’t forget to capture memorable moments with the elephants through photography.

We’ll then accompany the elephants to a serene water pond, where they can cool off, and you can observe them in their element.

As our day comes to a close, we’ll take a break for tea, coffee, and seasonal fruit, and bid a fond farewell to the elephants. Afterward, we’ll make our way back to Chiang Mai, approximately a 50-minute drive.

The tour concludes at your hotel, leaving you with cherished memories of this unforgettable experience.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

BreakfastLunch
Day 8

Chiang Mai - Departure

Once you’ve enjoyed a satisfying breakfast at the hotel, your driver arrives to transfer you to Chiang Mai Airport. From there, you’ll either catch your departure flight directly or we’ll arrange a local flight back to Bangkok, where you’ll then catch your connecting flight back home. Safe travels!

Breakfast

Useful information

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services. Please click on Design your trip (above) and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suit your requirements.

Includes Excludes
Accommodation with daily breakfast Travel insurance
Meals, drinks, and items specifically mentioned in the itinerary Any bank or transaction fees
Private, air-conditioned vehicles for all tours and airport transfers International flight tickets to/from the region
Private English-speaking tour guides in each destination Entry visas
Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary Meals, drinks, and items not mentioned in the itinerary
Internal flights Laundry, phone calls, and other personal expenses
All operational service charges and government taxes Tips and gratuities

Reviews On Our Service

We are committed to giving our customers unforgettable experiences in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and beyond, not just something staged for tourists. Read reviews written by our customers about their experiences in Asia after they have returned home. These include the ratings and comments on attractions, guides, activities, hotels and food.

Excellent
4.98/5
Based on 2339 reviews

Abigail B

Jan 30, 2026
Friendly, reliable, organized
Me and my family planned a trip to Southeast Asia using asia pioneer travel and I could not recommend it enough. Our travel agent was Jessie Le and she was just the best. This was my groups first time in...

Sofie

Jan 27, 2026
From Start to Finish: A Flawless Vietnam Tour
We found Asia Pioneer Travel through Google and what a stroke of luck! From the very beginning, our travel designer Maris Dang did an outstanding job. After asking us a few questions about our wishes and travel style, she quickly...

Francis H

Jan 27, 2026
Thailand and Vietnam
Jessie Le was an amazing coordinator and made our trip unforgettable. We had one driver who couldn’t make it and she had another there in minutes.I would highly recommend her again for traveling,

Shanden S

Jan 22, 2026
Fantastic Trip in Vietnam
We just returned from an incredible 18-day trip through Vietnam, organised by Asian Pioneer Travel, and we couldn’t be happier! Our journey started in Hanoi for the New Year’s Eve celebrations, then continued to Sapa, Hue, Hoi An, Phu Quoc,...

Divi001

Jan 21, 2026
An thoroughly enjoyable holiday in Vietnam supported by a very good Travel Agency.
My family and me recently spent a week in Vietnam (from 23 Dec 2025 to 28 Dec 2025) touring the north of the country (covering Hanoi, Ha Long Bay) and the south (covering Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta). It...

Karen F

Jan 13, 2026
Maris is an asset to your company with very good communication skills both written and verbal
Maris Dang was our tour organiser from Asia Pioneer Travels. From start to finish she was very polite, professional, prompt and very clear in her communication. She has very good writing skills too. There were no gaps in the arrangements...

Kelly M

Jan 13, 2026
A Wonderful Trip with Teens
My kids and I had a fantastic trip to Vietnam and Cambodia over Christmas! The trip was customized to our family and incorporated a wonderful selection of activities and sites! Our travel agent, Maris, was incredibly responsive and was available...

Michele C

Jan 10, 2026
Excellent service and experience!
Chloe was our travel advisor and was very easy to work with. She took into consideration all of our interests before providing an itinerary and carefully crafted it based on where Christmas and NYE fell. Our itinerary was a mix...

Scott H

Jan 10, 2026
Incredible Vietnam Holiday
Incredibly thankful to the team at Asia Pioneer Travel for a wonderful 10 day holiday. Thanks to Jessie, the guides, the drivers and everyone else who truly went out of their way to make the trip memorable. If you want...

Christine G

Jan 6, 2026
A perfectly planned Vietnam adventure
Wanting to see as much of Vietnam as possible, we chose a tailor-made tour with Asia Pioneer Travel, and it exceeded all expectations. The itinerary was superb, including domestic flights, and everything ran seamlessly from start to finish. We were...

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Unforgettable Memories

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The beautiful memories we shared during that time are truly precious, and we will cherish them forever.

Essential Thailand

Essential Thailand

08 days

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