Thailand cultural discovery tour

Have a private guided tour of Bangkok today visiting the capital's key attractions: the Grand Palace, Wat Po (home to the reclining Buddha) and Jim Thompson's house. Get used to Bangkok's different forms of public transport; the Skytrain which winds its way through the skyscrapers and shopping malls, the public taxi boat, a long-tail boat and of course the ubiquitous Thai tuk-tuk. This is a fun excursion which gives you a fantastic insight into the capital, without contributing to Bangkok's already heavy traffic.

A trip along the Chao Phraya River is a must for any visitor to Bangkok. A great way to do it without adding to the noise pollution of the many long-tail boats, is to kayak along a quieter section of the channel. As well as reducing emissions, it has the added benefit of allowing you to see a different side of Bangkok as river life is key to those in the city. Later this afternoon, transfer to Bangkok's train station in time for your overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai in the north of the country.

On arrival into Chiang Mai, your private guide will meet you from the train and transfer you to your hotel, where you have a few hours to relax and freshen up. Later this afternoon, head out of the city and up to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, where you can experience a monk blessing and enjoy stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

Explore the highlights of Chiang Mai today using a mixture of local public transport. Take a long-tail boat down the Ping River, enjoy a rickshaw ride through the city, and cycle around the old forgotten city of Wiang Kum Kam.

Today you will have chance to discover the tea and coffee plantations of northern Thailand, with a visit to Mae Kampong, just outside of Chiang Mai. Enjoy a delicious local lunch and a traditional Thai massage before returning to the city late this afternoon.

Your guide will meet you after breakfast, and you will make the drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. This takes between four and five hours with stops along the way, including a chance to taste the delicious pineapple along the road. Arrive into Chiang Rai this afternoon, and relax at your hotel, perhaps heading into town for dinner.

Elephant Valley is a fantastic sanctuary in Chiang Rai, and today you will have chance to visit. Enjoy your time with the elephants, learning about the amazing work that the sanctuary does in terms of elephant care and conservation of the species, as well as exploring the surrounding countryside by bike.

From Chiang Rai head to the delightful community-based initiative of Lanjia Lodge to spend time with the Hmong and Lahu people, learning about their culture and traditions. There is also chance to plant trees at the Herbal Plant Nursery Project — an initiative set up to improve the quality of life of local people by teaching them how to grow vegetables and about the importance of the ecosystem in their village. This evening you will have dinner at the lodge and watch traditional Hmong performances. All your meals are included at the lodge.

Spend the day exploring the local villages around the lodge today. You have chance to trek to a local waterfall, visit the house of a local shaman and to enjoy the stunning scenery around the lodge with your private guide.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your hosts and transfer back to Chiang Rai in time for your flight down to Phuket. Transfer around two hours along the coast to Khao Lak, where you have the evening at leisure.

Transfer around an hour to the Khao Sok National Park today with your private guide, and head to the village of Khao Pang. Enjoy a tour around the village's organic farm and a delicious local lunch, before moving onto the next village. Enjoy a fantastic canoeing trip through the mangroves before transferring to your hotel for the evening, where dinner is included.

After breakfast, head toward Ratchaprapha Dam on the edge of the Cheow Larn Lake. Enjoy a boat ride through the striking limestone karsts, before arriving at your floating camp — home for the night. All your meals are included here.

Have an early breakfast this morning at your accommodation to start your day’s activity before the majority of other visitors arrive at the lake. Embark on a long-tail boat with your guide, spotting wildlife as you head toward the Coral Cave. Explore the cave, before returning to the mainland, where your transfer will be waiting for your onward journey.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.