Essential Thailand

Handcrafted Travel
Daily Departure

Overview

Day 1 - 3: Bangkok - Kanchanaburi
  • Arrive in Bangkok. Sightsee the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, The Coronation Hall, etc.
  • Visit DamnoenSaduak Floating Market on a boat trip. Take a train ride on Death Railway in Kanchanaburi.
Day 4 - 5: Chiang Rai
  • Fly to Chiang Rai. Visit Chiang Rai’s attractions and explore the infamous Golden Triangle. Relax at Mae Khajan Hot spring.
Day 6 - 8: Chiang Mai - Bangkok - Departure
  • Chaing Mai City Tour: Doi Suthep, WatUmong, the lost city of Wiang Kum Kam, etc. Join an almsgiving ceremony in the morning.
  • Visit the Elephant Nature Park and enjoy the untouched countryside nature.
  • Return to Bangkok. Take the departure flight from Bangkok.

Customizable itinerary

Discover the highlight destinations of Thailand on this tour! Visit the Grand Palace and splendid Buddhist temples of Bangkok. Enjoy the half-day trip to Kanchanaburi, renowned for its spectacular national parks and the Death Railway. In Chiang Rai, visit the unique White Temple and tour to the infamous Golden Triangle – the centre of the opium trade. Join the daily almsgiving at Doi Suthep mountain, and visit Wat Doi Suthep, Wat Umong and explore the lost city of Wiang Kum Kam, “The Underground Empire”. End the tour by spending a relaxing and unforgettable time at The Elephant Nature Park.

Arrive in Bangkok, you will be welcomed by your private guide and driver, and then transferred to your hotel. Check in and enjoy your time of leisure. All meals will be on your own arrangement.

Overnight in Bangkok



Enjoy your early breakfast then take your drive straight to the Grand Palace to be one of the first visitors of the day! (just to avoid the crowds). You will explore this well-known site of Thailand which includes the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, The Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and The Funeral Palace.

You will also see the Emerald Buddha Temple (WatPhraKaew) and Wat Pho – the most extensive temple in Bangkok with a colossal reclining Buddha and the Chedi of the Kings.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant you will then board a private boat and take to the maze of canals (klongs) that snake through the city. Kick back and enjoy the ride as you pass by traditional stilted family homes and soak up the quiet river lifestyle of those who work and live on the water.

Still keen for more? Your personal guide can take you to visit to Jim Thompson’s House, an exquisite example of traditional Thai residential architecture, where you’ll find an incredible collection of Asian art.

At around 16:00 PM you will get back to your hotel and enjoy your time of leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok.
Meals: (Breakfast/lunch/_)



Depart early for the DamnoenSaduak Floating Market which is 110 km west of Bangkok. On your journey, today, you’ll pass leisurely by rice paddies and salt fields. You will make a stop en–route to visit a farmhouse and watch locals produce sugar from coconut. The tour continues with a 30-minute speedboat trip along fruit plantation to see Thai houses and the traditional way of life.

Arrive at the DamnoenSaduak Floating Market and be fascinated by boats of various shapes and sizes used by local merchants to ferry their goods. You can hire a small boat to navigate your way along the market to shop for local products.

After the market, you’ll visit a wood carving factory.

Arrive in Kanchanaburi town by midday. You’ll spend time visiting the world-famous bridge over the River Kwai, a part of the Death Railway constructed by Allied prisoners of war. You’ll have the opportunity to take a train ride on Death Railway through magnificent scenery, passing over the original wooden viaduct constructed by Allied POWs.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will leave Kanchanaburi, passing green paddy fields, villages, and temples then return to Bangkok.

Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon, check in and rest for the day.

Overnight in Bangkok
Meals: (Breakfast/lunch/_)



Morning transfer to the airport to take a short flight to Bangkok and then transfer via another flight to Chiang Rai.

Upon arrival in Chiang Rai, you will be met and greeted by your local guide and driver. Start your tour in Chiang Rai city with a visit to Wat Prakaewand King Mengrai Monument. Next, visit the White Temple, one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. The temple outside the town of Chiang Rai attracts a large number of visitors, both Thai and foreign, making it one of Chiang Rai’s most visited attractions.

Finish the tour and transfer to the hotel in downtown to check in. And free time at your leisure.

Overnight in Chiang Rai
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)



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.

Take a long tail boat along a river. Then free shopping at Mae Sai Boarder. On the way to Chiang Mai, stop to relax at Mae Khajan Hot spring. Visit Long Neck village before driving to Chiang Mai for the night.

Overnight in Chiang Mai
Meals: (Breakfast/_/_)



Depart your hotel (Note: Takeaway breakfast from the hotel) and arrive at the foothill of DoiSuthep mountain in time to buy offerings and join the locals during the daily alms giving ceremony. This is a serene Buddhist procession where dozens of monks walk barefoot through the street collecting food and everyday items.

Continue up the mountain to WatDoiSuthep and climb the 309 steps of the Golden Naga staircase to reach its golden pagodas. After a visit to DoiSuthep, continue to discover one of the best–kept secret temples of Chiang Mai, WatPalad, known as the Temple below the Temple. This temple is a significant element of the Chiang Mai area’s history with its temple grounds aged beyond 650 years old.

Next, proceed to WatUmong, built in the 14th century, a heavily forested temple covered by moss and small plants offering a unique yet charming sense of natural decay. After a walk through its mysterious tunnels, you’ll reach the Viharn of the temple to experience your own private blessing ceremony.

After that, enjoy this lovely day with a delicious bowl of Khao Soy. This famous Northern Thai dish is a combination of coconut cream, crispy noodles and plenty of spice that is sure to delight!

Continue to visit the Three Kings Monument, followed by Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center, located in an old building of elegant architectural design built in 1927. Standing on the location of a former royal hall, the building was used as the central administrative office of Phayap administrative unit of Siam, and later as the Provincial Hall of Chiang Mai. (Note: Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center is closed on Mondays and during Songkran festival. Open from Tuesday – Sundays: 08:30 – 17:00)

Later, discover the lost city of WiangKumKam, “The Underground Empire,” one of the greatest cultural and historical significances. Following a massive flood, the city of WiangKumKam vanished without a trace. For over 200 years, WiangKumKam became a lost civilization buried under layers of earth. You’ll explore the main ancient ruined temples by bicycle: WiangKumKam, WatChedi Liam, Wat Phraya MengRai, WatKan Thom, and Koo Paa Dom.

Overnight in Chiang Mai
Meals: (Breakfast/lunch/_)



Today you will enjoy a full day visit to Elephant Nature Park; a natural home and sanctuary for elephants, buffalos, dogs, cats, birds and many other rescued animals.

Your visit will start with a picturesque drive through the rural countryside to Elephant Nature Park. You will hear the personal stories of rescued and orphaned elephants. See how they became a proud herd and free from abuse for the first time in their lives.

Many find their visit to Elephant Nature Park rewarding and very relaxing. Observe free roaming elephants (no riding), and other rescued animals enjoying the natural surroundings of our sanctuary.

Your visit helps support our regional projects and offers an invaluable opportunity of helping elephant conservation.

Overnight in Chiang Mai
Meals: (Breakfast/Lunch/_)



Enjoy your last moments in Chiang Mai then take your flight back to Bangkok and transfer via your international flight home.

Meals: (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 REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (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 suite your requirements.

Sightseeing Include?

  • Bangkok: Visit Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and observe local life along the canals during a khlong tour
  • Chiang Rai: Visit Wat Rong Khun – the White Temple
  • Golden Triangle: Visit the Hall of Opium, take a boat trip along the Mekong River, visit a local market in Laos
  • Chiang Mai: Visit the Night Market, the temples of Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang
  • Kanchanaburi: Visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum, the War Cemetery, the infamous Death Railway and the Bridge on the River Kwai

Our Services Included?

  • Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels
  • Private Vehicles and Drivers
  • Private English Speaking Guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
  • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
  • Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
  • Service Charge & Government Taxes

Our Service do not Included?

  • Your International Flights to and from Thailand
  • Personal Expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
  • Any bank fees or charges at your end
  • Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Tips for guides and drivers

Request this tour

Free service. No credit card required

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 Indochina after they have returned home. These include the ratings and comments on attractions, guides, activities, hotels and food.

Excellent
4.9/5
5 97.66%
4 2.13%
3 0.21%
2 0%
1 0%

Vietnam Luxury Vacation Review: Sightseeing, Culture, 12-Day Travel

Asia Pioneer Travel was professional, provided prompt communication before and during our trip, and offered an itinerary custom to our wish list and timeline.

They helped us focus on highlights of areas which we would have spent considerable time researching and organizing without their help. Their attention to detail in information shared ahead of time, as well as step by step planning of transportation, meals, lodging, and sightseeing options offered a stress-free vacation- optimizing our time and energy on experiencing everything beautiful Vietnam has to offer!
The landscape, scenery, and customs of Vietnam are stunning and diverse. Each area we visited offered its own unique beauty. Absolutely amazing!!!
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Rachel Faust - USA
Mar 8, 2023
From: 5

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sightseeing, Rice Fields, Boat Rides, 18-Day Trip

We started searching for our tour for Vietnam / Cambodia back in October 2022 to start the tour in the first week of January 2023. We selected this travel agency, and contact name provided to us was Elly. She was extraordinary with her communication with us. Excellent English speaking language capability & excellent in communication on Whats app and email communication. We went back & forth few times to arrange the tour we wanted. She was very accommodating in arranging our schedule. We requested automobile tour for both countries, just for two of us.

We requested SUV FOR OUR COMFORT AND  WE GOT IT!
We requested to get the high end hotel in each city and she gave us choices and not only that but send videos of each hotel for each City and then waited for us to decide which hotel we select. All the Hotels turned out to be one of the best we would expect to be. M/s Elly, personally came to visit with us on the evening of our first day tour. Very respectful and asked if she could do anything for us.I had requested before in our communication, if she would arrange for power converter for us, since my camera chargers are all in 110. So brought two power converters for us! Something, not everyone will do this kind of service. So all the kiddos to her!

as to the drivers in each city were very courteous, very professional and very careful in how and where they have to do driving.

our Guides in each city were so friendly, courteous and knowledgeable in where ever we visited. How ever wish two guides in Hue An and Ho Chi Minh City spoke English more clearly.

We only wish we had one extra day in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, , however, there is so much to see in the world! Perhaps next time will visit Vietnam.

As to Cambodia, same thing to express about site seeing and our Guide and drivers. Guides and drivers really made our travel thro’ the countries where we do not speak that language, made it so comfortable and enjoyable.

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Sudhir D - USA
Mar 3, 2023

Outstanding!

Hi Lam…hope you don’t mind me contacting you directly. My wife Barb  & I (Paul) have just arrived home after completing a great tour of Vietnam which was organised through your company Asia Pioneer Travel.

We want to tell you personally how impressed were were with the level of service that we received…it was amazing and the best that we have experienced anywhere. After we made initial contact with you, you handed us over to Chloe to arrange the trip which she did in very quick time and the amount of detail that she went to was fantastic. From the moment that we walked out of Hanoi airport on arrival to see our guide waiting, we knew that we were in for a great trip. The drivers & guides were fantastic and Chloe was in contact by email constantly making sure that everything was going to plan & that we were happy. At one stage we need to vary the itinerary by extending accommodation & changing air tickets and Chloe did that without any fuss or bother.

We also met some wonderful Vietnamese people along the way and Ive got to say that they are our kind of people, very generous & friendly.

Enough of my ramblings, thanks for a great visit to Vietnam, and a special thank you to Chloe for looking after us in such a terrific manner…she is a very special caring lady.

Kind regards & I hope that we have the opportunity to use Asia Pioneer Travel again….Paul & Barb Little from Newcastle Australia

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Paul & Barb Little - Australia
Mar 2, 2023

Superbly organised and very flexible

We travelled to Vietnam for two weeks, booking the whole trip through Lizzie at Asia Pioneer, including hotels, excursions, trips, guides and internal flights. Lizzie was so helpful and flexible, accommodating changes to our schedule until the last minute, especially as we missed our connecting flight in Dubai and arrived a day later than planned (our fault). Nothing was too much trouble, including getting my wallet back to me after I left it in the car taking us to the airport.

We started in Hanoi in the North and worked our way south to Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon), taking in Ha Long with its amazing sea stacks and sleeping on a boat, then to Sa Pa on the overnight sleeper train from Hanoi, with its wonderful countryside and rice terraces. Afterwards, we went to Hoi An for three days of relaxation. Hoi An probably my favourite place and three days are enough to cover it. Then onto Hue, the original capital, my least favourite place and then finally on to HMC, which was a real contrast to the North.

The 3-star hotels that Lizzie picked were very good and comfortable, and the guides were very knowledgeable. I would definitely use Asia Pioneer again for future Asia trips.

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Alex Miller - United Kingdom
Mar 1, 2023