Classic Thailand
Customizable private tour with flexible start date
10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
Overview
Highlights
- Discover the history, culture and beauty of Thailand
- Explore bustling Bangkok, famous for its temples and local cuisine
- Cruise the famous River Kwai with its magnificent scenery, flora and birdlife
- Step back in time to uncover the harrowing story of the notorious Death Railway
- Indulge your senses on the sunny island of Phuket
- Full day tour to explore the scenic Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park
- Activities and accommodations can be tailored to suit your taste and budget
- Private guided excursions and transfers to enrich your experience
This classic Thailand tour uncover the history, culture, and beauty of one of the most enticing countries in Southeast Asia. Explore Bangkok’s must-see sights, temples, floating markets, traditional shops, street vendors and local eateries, before taking a riverboat journey along the Kwai River to Kanchanaburi’s historic WWII sites, museums and memorials, the Death Railway, and the infamous bridge over the River Kwai. You will then fly south to Phuket for some rest and relaxation at an island resort, meeting and interacting with elephants before visiting the islands, caves, and paradise beaches of the Andaman Sea.
City Tour
Explore Bangkok’s most important cultural sights by foot, tuk-tuk and long-tailed boat on a customizable private tour that takes you through some of the city’s top attractions, including Wat Pho − the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and Wat Arun −Temple of Dawn. Explore the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods, including Chinatown and Yaowarat Road, wander the shops, meet the food vendors, and sample the local cuisine. Visit the 100-year-old Damnoen Saduak floating market, outside of Bangkok, before returning to the city for a night market food tour in the evening, where you will meet the food vendors and sample the local cuisine.
Kwai River Cruise
Roughly two hours north-west of Bangkok lies Kanchanaburi, a destination for pilgrims from all the countries involved in the WWII Death Railway. This bustling town stretches to the tranquil banks of the famous River Kwai, which is rich with magnificent scenery, flora and birdlife. Travel to Kanchanaburi by road on your tour to the Bridge over the River Kwai from Bangkok. Stop along the way to admire Phra Pathom Chedi, which is Southeast Asia’s largest pagoda. Visit the JEATH War Museum, a realistic depiction of a prisoner of war camp. Board the RV River Kwai, a classic river vessel, which blends modern comfort with colonial-era design, and journey the storied River Kwai on a three-day cruise. Discover poignant war memorials and gilded riverside temples, watch for wildlife, and sleep onboard in a private teakwood cabin.
Historic war sites
Visit the poignant Donrak War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, the final resting place of over 6,000 allied prisoners of war, as well as the interactive Thailand-Burma Railway Center Museum, which tells the harrowing story of the notorious Death Railway. Ride a local train over the dramatic wooden trestle Wampo Viaduct and explore centuries-old Khmer ruins that have been excavated from thick tropical forest. Marvel at the fantastic rock formations of Kaeng Lava Cave, Tramp the Hellfire Pass, then stand atop the bridge over the River Kwai, now a reconstruction of the original bridge, which was repeatedly bombed and subsequently destroyed by Allied aircraft.
Phuket and the Andaman coast
Fly south to Phuket for some rest and relaxation at an island resort. Interact with the beautiful elephants at the Retired Elephant Park and then take a full day tour by speedboat of the towering limestone cliffs and jungle-covered isles, caves and paradise beaches of the scenic Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park.
Please note, this classic tour is just a sample itinerary, and the featured excursions, activities, and accommodations and transport herein can be tailored to suit your taste, budget and time availability in accordance with your personal wishes.
Itinerary & Prices
AVAILABILITY
Welcome to Bangkok!
Welcome to Bangkok, the adventure for your senses!
Your guide will meet you at the arrivals and lead you to your private car. Relax and enjoy the ride to the city center – approximately 1 hr, depending on which airport you arrive at.
Once at the hotel, take time to rest and acclimatize, your adventure starts tomorrow morning!
Meals: (x)
Essential Bangkok
After breakfast your guide will pick you up for the drive to Wat Pho – one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. Wat Pho houses the famous 45m (148ft) reclining Buddha (as well as the original school of traditional Thai massage).
From here, take a tuk-tuk ride via Pak Klong Talad Flower Market towards the spectacular Grand Palace, home to the most revered Buddha image in Thailand – the Emerald Buddha. Continue with a walk to the pier for a long-tailed boat ride along the famous “klongs” (canals) of Thonburi. Stop at Wat Arun, once the grand royal temple to King Rama II.
After lunch at a local restaurant, cross the river and drive to Chinatown for a first-hand look at Old Bangkok. Walk along Yaowarat Road with shops selling everything from gold and garments to antiques and musical instruments. Explore the bustling Talad Kao market where a variety of food, fresh and dry fruits, and Chinese herbs are on offer before returning to your hotel.
Meals: (B, L)
Floating Market and Evening Street Food
Early morning starts with a 2hr drive to the 100-year-old Damnoen Saduak floating market (100km/62mi from Bangkok.)
This vibrant, most famous of local markets features numerous small boats laden with colorful fruits and vegetables, paddled by Thai women wearing bamboo hats. It’s one of the only places to see this traditional way of buying and selling goods in Thailand. Almost always crowded with hundreds of sellers, buyers, and tourists, it’s one of the most photographed places in Thailand.
There is no lunch is included in this tour, but there is plenty of opportunities to enjoy a snack at the market.
Arrive back in Bangkok in the afternoon and rest before the evening food adventure!
Your guide will pick you up again in the early evening for your night food exploration at Chinatown. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes adventure indulging in the local sights and flavors of this “foodie” neighborhood.
There is a good chance to see the local cooks at a work station (cooking station) and hear their stories through your guide. Sample delicious treats from some of Bangkok’s favorite street vendors, local eateries, and/or in restaurants nearby before returning to your hotel around 10 pm.
Meals: (B, D)
Khmer architecture and train ride
Breakfast on board while cruising upriver on the Kwai Noi River to Muang Singh.
Visit a boarding school nearby the bank of the Kwai Noi River built under the patronage of H.R.H. Crown Princess Sirindhorn for refugee children.
Visit “Prasat Muang Singh“, historical park with Khmer architecture from the late Lopburi period, some 700-800 years ago. The extensive ruins of the temple beside the River Kwai Noi are a potent reminder of the vast expanse of the Khmer empire. The ancient border town of Muang Singh, “City of the Lions”, was probably established as a trading post.
Continue by coach to Tha Kilen Train Station. Take a 3rd class train to Saphan Tham Krasae passing over the long wooden viaduct.
Arrive at Saphan Tham Krasae and visit Krasae Cave situated on the bank of the Kwai Noi River, an excellent viewpoint.
Return to the boat with a short stop at Sai Yok Village located right on the riverbank, upriver from Wang Pho Bridge.
Lunch on board while cruising upriver. Afternoon at leisure on the boat. Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals: (B, L, D)
Hellfire Pass
Start the day with a lovely breakfast on board.
Step ashore and walk uphill to visit Kaeng Lava Cave. From the landing a short trail leads to the cave which boasts admirable stone draperies and concretions in large chambers. The stalactites and stalagmites are a spectacular creation by nature.
Continue by coach to Hellfire Pass, a part of the Death Railway cut through the stone mountain. Trails lead to Hin Tok Bridge and Konyu Cutting where a plaque commemorates the ordeal of Australian and British POW’s who undertook the hazardous work in precarious conditions at the aptly named pass.
Lunch at a local restaurant in Saiyoke National Park area, passing Sai Yok Yai Waterfalls. Back to boat and cruising upriver. Afternoon at leisure on the boat. “Farewell Dinner” and overnight on board.
Meals: (B, L, D)
River Kwai Bridge and transfer to Phuket
Elephants and a Famous Show
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up by the guide and you’ll take a short ride to the Elephant Retirement Park.
Experience the amazing half-day elephant care program and full immersion into the life of the elephants living at the Elephant Retirement Park Phuket. Learn about the history and culture of the elephants, prepare their food / healthy treats, take part in feeding time, mud and sand spa, bathing time, and lots more.
In the evening – a touch of bohemian lifestyle at the spectacular Simon Cabaret Show or magical Phuket Fantasea Show and Dinner.
Meals: (B, D)
James Bond Island and Paradise Beaches
Full-day tour by private speedboat to explore Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park, famed for its rock formations rising out of the sea. On arrival, explore some of the area’s fascinating caves by inflatable canoe accompanied by an expert guide.
Visit Hong Island as well as Dark Cave, Mangrove Cave leading to a lagoon with mangroves, and Diamond Cave, named for a glittering flowstone inside.
Cruise to James Bond Island (Khao Tapu) famous for being featured in the film “The Man with the Golden Gun”.
Continue to Panyi Island noted for its picturesque village built over small pilings and extending out across the water and inhabited mostly by Muslim fishermen.
After a tasty Thai set lunch at a local restaurant, swim at Lawa or Naka Island before returning to Phuket and your hotel.
Evening at leisure to discover famous restaurants and bars of Phuket and watch the unforgettable Patong Beach sunset.
Meals: (B, L)
Departure
Accommodations
CRUISES & LODGES
RV River Kwai
Thailand’s first inland cruise ship combines the romance of the colonial era with modern luxuries.
20 Guests
10 Cabins
