Northern Thailand Taster

Discover a land of mouth-watering cuisine, natural landscapes and hospitable locals on a 12-day Premium journey through Northern Thailand. Get to know Thai culture as you travel from city streets to mountain tops. Explore the ancient temples of Ayutthaya, spend time with Lisu hill tribes at an incredible Feature Stay, bring an offering to local monks for an insightful Exclusive Experience, meet the experts at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and uncover the country’s past in Kanchanaburi. With an experienced local leader by your side, you’ll soon see there’s more to Thailand than meets the eye.

Your Holiday Package Includes:

• $1,500 flight credit per person
• 11 night Premium Northern Thailand guided tour with Intrepid, Bangkok to Chiang Mai

Includes:

• Hotel (4 nights), resort (5 nights), lodge (2 nights)
• 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners
• Arrival airport transfer
• Tipping for accommodation, activities & transport
• Luggage transfer
• Daily breakfast & signature local meal experiences
• 24/7 on-ground support
• Select activities

Pricing is per person twin share and based on travel 03-14 December 2024

Solo traveller pricing available. Please speak to one of our travel consultants for more details

Other travel dates available, surcharges apply

Why you'll love this trip:

• Experience a different side of bustling Bangkok during an Exclusive Experience – rise early and visit a local temple where you’ll ‘make merit’ by bringing an offering to the temple’s monks
• Stay in the beautiful Lisu lodge for your Feature Stay. This community-based project employs Lisu villagers and allows you to immerse yourself in local culture while enjoying creature comforts.
• Cruise the waterways on board a traditional rice barge as you watch local life pass by and enjoy a delicious meal during an Exclusive Experience.
• Support an important animal welfare initiative, speak with local experts and get close to incredible creatures at the Elephant Nature Park.
• Unleash your creativity and learn about the history of Benjarong, a traditional style of painted Thai porcelain, with a visit to a Benjarong ceramics community.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, EcoThailand Foundation. Donations help educate school children on important environmental issues like climate change, nature appreciation, conservation and sustainability.

Itinerary:

Day 1 / Bangkok

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your journey begins in Bangkok, where you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. After settling in, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, take some time to explore Bangkok at your own pace. By day, this city is steeped with history and tradition and by night, a flood of music and neon lights take over. Watch tuk tuks zip by while khlong boats slowly wind down the Chao Phraya River. After your meeting, join your small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant where your leader will introduce you to a local food scene bursting with flavour.

Day 2 / Bangkok

Rise early for an optional Exclusive Experience away from Bangkok’s well-trodden tourist track. Join the locals for to a visit to a temple along the Chao Phraya River, where you’ll ‘make merit’ by bringing an offering to the temple’s monks – a truly unforgettable moment. After, your leader will take you for a day of sightseeing and activities. Wander Wat Po – a larger-than-life temple complex in the city that’s home of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Visit the Grand Palace and learn about the site which has been the official residence of the kings since the 1700s. Then, take a boat tour of the city's canals. The afternoon is free to rest or continue exploring – maybe check out the art collection at the Jim Thompson house or relax with a Thai massage.

Day 3 / Kanchanaburi

Unleash your creativity and learn about the history of Benjarong today – a traditional style of painted Thai porcelain – with a visit to the ceramics community. The name literally means ‘five colours’ (although it’s not unusual to see up to eight) and artists use enamel to create intricate floral and geometric designs. This morning, you’ll get to paint your own mug or teacup which will be fired and sent to you to take home as a unique and very special souvenir. There will be time to buy lunch if you wish, before you continue to Kanchanaburi to visit to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. This prisoner of war cemetery was one of the first museums to attempt to educate the public and keep the memory of the Asian and POW workers who died constructing the infamous Death Railway alive.

Day 4 / Kanchanaburi

Start your day with a visit to Erawan National Park and see the park’s famous seven-level waterfall. The falls are regarded as some of the most beautiful in the country, with glacial blue waters rushing through the forest into bamboo-shaded pools, perfect for a refreshing dip. Many Allied prisoners of war and conscripted Asian labourers were engaged here to help build a rail route to Myanmar (Burma), including the passage infamously known as Hellfire Pass. Visit the memorial museum of the pass where your leader will give you more information about this chapter in history. Take a train across a portion of this 'death railway' along the Kwai Noi River and travel over the original wooden viaduct, known as the Krasae Bridge, constructed by the allied POWs. Pass through peaceful and naturally beautiful scenery as you learn of those who lost their lives building this rail route. The evening is yours to explore the town.

Day 5 / Ayutthaya

This morning, head to Ayutthaya – one of the ancient capitals of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the way, visit Baan Nong Khao CBT Village – an agricultural village famous for its Pha Khao Mah hand-weaving. Visit the community’s museum, a palm sugar field and a local house to see how desserts featuring this famous Thai ingredient are made (of course, you’ll also get to sample these sweet treats)! Watch the weavers at work as they use more than 100 colours of yarn to create traditional Thai clothing, then carry on to Ayutthaya. When you arrive, explore the 13th-century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat and the rows of Buddhas beheaded by the Burmese. Look out for the displaced Buddha head suspended in the roots of a Banyan tree – one of the country’s most photographed images. Tonight, the past will come to life as you board a traditional rice barge and tuck into a delicious Thai dinner.

Day 6 / Ayutthaya to Sukhothai

Today, you’ll leave Ayutthaya and travel to the town of Phitsanulok by train. Sit back, relax and watch the scenery roll by. When you arrive, change to a private vehicle and continue the comfortable journey to Sukhothai, arriving at approximately 5 pm. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries. You may like to relax by the pool or unwind with a Thai massage. For dinner this evening, maybe ask your leader where you can get a bowl of Sukhothai’s famously tasty noodles.

Day 7 / Sukhothai

Sukhothai, established in the 13th century, was one of the first ancient capitals of Siam. Start your day with an optional alms offering before visiting the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical park, which captures the Golden Age of Thai civilisation. The park spans the ruins of the town and you’ll rent a bicycle and to tour the grounds in the best way. As you ride, your leader will teach you about the history of this former metropolis and its fascinating structures. Have a picnic lunch in the grounds of Sukhothai Park, then the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the town at your own pace. Tonight, regroup and head to the home of a local, where you’ll sit down to a homecooked dinner.

Day 8 / Mae Taeng

Travel from Sukhothai to the Mae Taeng region- sitting between rice fields and fruit orchards, you’ll find Lisu Lodge, your Feature Stay accommodation. The lodge is a community-based project that trains and employs Lisu villagers from the nearby hill tribe and aims to preserve their cultural heritage. The Lisu people are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group and one of the six main hill tribes of Northern Thailand. Meet the villagers and learn more about the Lisu way of life. The lodge offers guestrooms decorated in the traditional Lisu style with modern comforts. Featuring unforgettable views of the surrounding hillside and valley, this is a great opportunity to soak in the beauty of Thailand and rub shoulders with the locals. Tonight, you’ll sit down to a delicious dinner of Thai favourites mixed with traditional Lisu dishes.

Day 9 / Mae Taeng

After breakfast at Lisu Lodge, it’s just a quick trip to Muang Kued Village where you’ll meet with a local villager and enjoy a private guided tour. Learn about village life, the reforestation of the surrounding area and how produce is grown in the village orchards. Explore the organic farm and choose the ingredients for a cooking class where you’ll learn how to cook traditional Thai food. After lunch, join the villagers for a chance to learn how to weave palm leaves to create ornaments and accessories. Tonight, you’ll have a barbeque dinner at the nearby Mae Tamaan Base Camp.

Day 10 / Chiang Mai

Travel to the Elephant Nature Park – a unique project that provides sanctuary for elephants and other animals. Be greeted by an expert local guide and learn the stories of the rescued elephants and the issues they face in South-East Asia. Feed the elephants from a viewing platform, walk with the expert staff to watch elephants bathe and play, and enjoy a vegetarian buffet lunch. When you arrive back in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon, the evening is yours to enjoy your way. You may want to visit the vibrant Night Bazaar or take a stroll around the old town which is bounded by moats. Your guide can give you recommendations on where to go for dinner.

Day 11 / Chiang Mai

Start your day with a caffeine hit at a sustainable social enterprise with a focus on all things coffee. From here, you’ll drive to the famous temple complex of Doi Suthep. Take in stunning views along the scenic and winding mountain road which brings you to an impressive 300-step Naga-guarded stairway. The rewards justify the ascent to the top, with one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand and panoramic views of the city. Return to Chiang Mai where you’ll have time to relax before an exclusive farewell dinner cooked by a local chef. Dine on traditional northern Thai food like kao soy (yellow wheat noodles in a curry broth, traditionally served with chicken or beef), as you reminisce about the wonderful adventures you’ve had in Northern Thailand.

Day 12 / Chiang Mai

With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you would like to extend your stay in Chiang Mai, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Prices listed are per person in AUD, based on twin occupancy, including all discounts unless otherwise stated. The offer is subject to availability at time of booking and shown on the lowest category available at the time.  Fares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice. Prices/Offers are correct as at 03-10-2024 and can be withdrawn without notice.   Cabin categories include prepaid government fees and port taxes unless otherwise stated.  Hotels may charge resort fees not included in this package, payable direct upon check in. Visas are not included.  Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.