shot from behind of floating market trader wearing traditional wicker hat with boat full of colourful fruit and veg.

Highlights of Thailand

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

14 Days

Prices Start from

£3,910pp(ex. flights)

From the jungles of Chiang Mai in the north to the tropical islands in the south, this holiday encompasses everything a first-time visitor to Thailand could wish for.

Easily adapted to suit a couple in pursuit of romance, culture and adventure or a family holiday that fulfils parents and kids in equal measure.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Long Tailed River Boat, Bangkok, Thailand 1

Capital of 'The Land of Smiles'

Explore Bangkok’s canals and floating markets by private long tailed boat.

Elephants Doi Suthep National Park Chiang Mai 2

Elephant Conservation

Spend time assisting elephant conservation efforts in Chiang Rai.

Portrait of hill tribe woman wearing colourful beaded and pink feathered headwear. 3

Hill Tribes and Temples

Visit indigenous hill tribes and mountain top temples in lush northern Thailand.

Ko Tapu Island, Thailand 4

Idyllic Beaches

Relax on the beach or go sailing and diving off the beaches of Phuket.

Why we like it

Get under the skin of Bangkok with our fabulous guides, wake at dawn to witness the monks at alms in Chiang Mai and head north to explore remote hill tribes and help with elephant conservation. A stay at the Four Seasons Tented Camp offers adventure and luxury in a beautiful riverside setting before heading to the white sandy beaches and James Bond scenes of Phuket. Some of our team have lived in Thailand so we have used our insider to ensure this holiday not only comprises of the essential sites but also includes a few surprises.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Bangkok

  • Day 2 - 3

    Bangkok

  • Day 4

    Bangkok - Chiang Rai

  • Day 5

    Chiang Rai

  • Day 6

    Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai

  • Day 7

    Chiang Mai

  • Day 8

    Chiang Mai - Pai

  • Day 9

    Pai

  • Day 10

    Pai - Chiang Mai - Phuket

  • Day 11 - 13

    Phuket

  • Day 14

    Phuket - Bangkok

Day 1

Bangkok

Day 2 - 3

Bangkok

Long Tailed River Boat, Bangkok, Thailand

Explore Bangkok’s canals and floating markets by private long tailed boat.

Day 4

Bangkok - Chiang Rai

Day 5

Chiang Rai

Elephants Doi Suthep National Park Chiang Mai

Spend time assisting elephant conservation efforts in Chiang Rai.

Day 6

Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai

Day 7

Chiang Mai

Day 8

Chiang Mai - Pai

Day 9

Pai

Portrait of hill tribe woman wearing colourful beaded and pink feathered headwear.

Visit indigenous hill tribes and mountain top temples amidst the lush scenery of northern Thailand.

Day 10

Pai - Chiang Mai - Phuket

Day 11 - 13

Phuket

Ko Tapu Island, Thailand

Relax on the beach or go sailing and diving off the beaches of Phuket.

Day 14

Phuket - Bangkok

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Tuk tuk in motion speeding through streets of Bangkok.
Tuk tuk in Bangkok
Wat Benjamaborphit, Bangkok, Thailand
Wat Benjamaborphit, Bangkok
Side shot of floating market trader wearing traditional wicker hat with boat full of colourful fruit and veg.
Floating market trader
Sky train coming towards the camera with busy Bangkok street below.
Sky train, Bangkok

The Buzz of Bangkok

Start your Thailand holiday amidst the canals and temples of Bangkok. This vibrant city is bursting with sites, from the soaring spires of the Grand Palace to the explosion of colour at the flower market and the constantly busy waterways, teeming with barges and boats going about their daily business. Join one of our local guides to explore the city using all forms of local transport from tuk tuk to river taxi, on foot and sky train.

Elephant spraying water in river.
Asian elephant
Close up of Asian Elephant slit by evening sunshine.
Asian elephant

An Elephant Education at Four Seasons Tented Camp

While Four Seasons Tented Camp provides easy access to the temples of Chiang Rai and is right on the border with Myanmar, a stay here is all about the resident elephants. Numbers of Asian elephants in Thailand have declined rapidly over the past 50 years and the camp works alongside the Golden Triangle Elephant Foundation to adopt and rescue elephants from the city streets. Learn about the lives and behaviour of these intelligent and incredibly social animals, with time to bathe, feed and walk with some of the camp’s herd – a humbling and magical experience.

Back of two young hill tribe girls walking through long deep green grass.
Hill tribe children
Tea plantations on angkhang mountain, chiang mai
Tea plantations, Chiang Mai
Portrait of giraffe woman wearing many gold rings around her elongated neck.
Giraffe woman, Thailand
Person hiking through canyon above treeline.
Hiking in Thailand

Trekking and Hill Tribes of the North

Hike through lush mountain jungles and visit remote hill tribe communities. Once famed for their opium trade the north is now renowned for skilled weaving, traditional farming and coffee plantations. End your day with a trip to a remote waterfall or gently drift through river scenery aboard a traditional bamboo raft, passing riverside villages and buffalos cooling in the shallows.

Rear of person in red lifejacket kayaking on emerald water surrounded by jungle covered cliffs.
Kayaking in Thailand
Umbrrellas Chiang Mai, Thailand
Umbrella painting
Father and son sat in traditional tuk tuk.
Father and son in a tuk tuk
Yellow boxing ring ropes with pair of red muay thai boxing gloves hung on them.
Thai boxing

Thailand for Families

Parents travelling with children couldn’t wish for a more welcoming country. For older children, join one of our entertaining guides for a street food tour of Bangkok by tuk tuk, attend a Thai boxing match, learn more about the ancient Thai art of tattooing and explore Chiang Mai by Segway. For younger children try umbrella painting in Chiang Mai as well as snorkelling and kayaking off the beaches of Phuket. This holiday works well between November and April but if travelling during the northern hemisphere summer, swap Phuket for the island of Samui to avoid heavy rains.

Station View, Eastern & Oriental Express, Bangkok, Thailand
Eastern and Oriental Express train

Eastern & Oriental Train - A Possible Extension

For those with more time on their hands a lovely way to begin or end this holiday would be a journey between the contrasting cities of Singapore and Bangkok aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express Train. Over four days this signature rail journey passes through Malaysia, weaving its way through gently unfolding rural landscapes, past temples, tea plantations, colonial cities, ancient villages and historic monuments.

A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £3,910 Per person

When to travel

Thailand in January

Throughout January, Thailand will experience average temperatures of 27°C with very little rainfall, ideal for a winter sun destination to Thailand’s beaches on the west coast. January can be less humid than February and March, yet still experiences daily sunshine.

Thailand in February

February will bring guaranteed sunshine to most of Thailand with January through to March being the best time to visit the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan with temperatures averaging 25°C.

Thailand in March

Temperatures in March begin to rise so the entire country will experience sunshine and warm weather. When visiting Thailand’s cities, such as Bangkok, sightseeing may be less comfortable with the higher humidity levels during the day yet pleasant temperatures in the evenings.

Thailand in April

Thailand will experience very hot temperatures throughout the country. Cooler temperatures will be experienced in northern regions with an average of 29°C and occasional rainfall in western regions.

Thailand in May

May will bring marginally cooler temperatures throughout Thailand than previous months with more chances of rainfall, particularly in western regions yet higher chances of daily sunshine in the east.

Thailand in June

Prior to the monsoon season, June can be a great time to travel to Thailand with fewer crowds yet will still experience daily sunshine. Average temperatures can range from 25°C to 32°C.

Thailand in July

From July to October, Thailand will experience the monsoon, bringing most of the country’s annual rainfall during this period.

Thailand in August

As the peak on the monsoon season, September will bring heavy rainfall throughout Thailand yet eastern regions experience monsoon rains later than the rest of Thailand.

Thailand in September

September will experience similar temperatures and humidity levels to August but depending on the region of Thailand, some areas will see less frequent rain showers even though it is likely to rain daily. Flooding may occur in some regions if the monsoon rains were particularly heavy in previous months.

Thailand in October

As the monsoon season begins to end, October will experience less frequent rainfall and lower levels of humidity making it an excellent month for sightseeing and visiting the countryside to view the lush, green vegetation.

Thailand in November

Thailand benefits from great weather year-round, with the best time to visit is from November to March. During these months, day temperatures are more bearable and there is less chance of rain.

Thailand in December

December is one of Thailand’s peak months with lower humidity levels and comfortable temperatures throughout the country, allowing for opportunities to explore the entire country.

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


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