Journeys: Best of Northern Thailand

Journeys: Best of Northern Thailand

• Trip code: 490X030
• Dauer: 8
• Stil: National Geographic Journeys

Slip from the hum of Bangkok's canals into the quiet green of northern hills, where community and history meet. Watch morning light strike ancient temple spires, sit with the rhythm of monks' evening chanting, and swim in tiered, turquoise waterfalls. Cross the storied River Kwai by train, then share a home-cooked Khantoke dinner with a rural family. Discover a kingdom shaped as much by quiet devotion as by shared stories and simple human connection.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotels (7 nts)

Checklist

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Footwear (required) (Closed toe suggested)
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Smart Dress:
• Smart outfit (For evenings out)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader

Group Size Notes

Max 16, Avg 10

Highlights

Swim in the vibrant pools of Erawan Waterfall and hike through the lush jungle trails of Kanchanaburi, Share a Khantoke dinner with a local family in their rural home, Ride a cable car to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for an evening chanting ceremony and a conversation with a monk about Buddhist philosophy, Cruise the busy Chao Phraya River and quiet Thonburi waterways on a traditional longtail boat to see local riverside communities, Board a historic train to cross the storied bridge, following a wartime route framed by green, still landscapes

Introduction

Slip from the hum of Bangkok's canals into the quiet green of northern hills, where community and history meet. Watch morning light strike ancient temple spires, sit with the rhythm of monks' evening chanting, and swim in tiered, turquoise waterfalls. Cross the storied River Kwai by train, then share a home-cooked Khantoke dinner with a rural family. Discover a kingdom shaped as much by quiet devotion as by shared stories and simple human connection

Meal Budget

Plane USD100-130 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Chiang Mai
- Radtour durch Chiang Mai (1500THB pro Person)
- Night Market

Start / Finish

Bangkok nach Chiang Mai

Transport

Private bus/minivan, train, boat, plane, walking

What's Included

Dein Journeys-Highlight-Moment: Traditionelles thailändisches Abendessen, Chiang Mai
Dein Journeys-Highlight-Moment: Treffen mit Mönchen, Chiang Mai
Dein Welcome-Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group. Arrival transfer. Entrance to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre war museum and train ride. Visit to Erawan National Park. Tour at Ayutthaya Historical Park. Dinner on a converted rice barge. Sunset visit to Doi Suthep monastery. Chinatown walking tour. Visit to Wat Pho. Visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Authentic Khantoke dinner. Monk chat at Wat Suan Dok. Vannee Cooking School experience. Explore Bangkok and take a klong boat ride. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Meals Included

7 Frühstück, 1 Mittagessen, 2 Abendessen

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Bangkok

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included

Day 2 Bangkok

Step onto a boat heading down the Chao Phraya River toward Tha Tien Pier to begin your morning. Walk to the grand grounds of Wat Pho to see the massive Reclining Buddha, then take time to wander the bustling food stalls nearby. In the afternoon, board a traditional longtail boat to navigate the historic waterways, slipping from the main river into the quiet, wooden-built canals of the Thonburi district. Here, daily life unfolds right along the water's edge: laundry dries in the sun, kids splash from docks, and vendors paddle past, showing you a grounded, local side of the city before you head back for a free evening

Day 3 Bangkok/Kanchanaburi

Leave the capital behind and head toward Kanchanaburi, where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers meet. Stop near the historic Death Railway for an optional lunch at Tham Krasae, then board a local train for a moving journey through World War II history. Continue to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum to deepen your understanding through local artifacts and exhibits, before checking into your hotel along the river for an evening at your leisure

Day 4 Kanchanaburi/Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Venture into the lush canopy of Erawan National Park to find the famous seven-tiered waterfall. Spend your morning swimming in the turquoise pools, taking photos from the upper limestone ledges, or hiking the quiet jungle trails. After a morning at the falls, travel across the green plains to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. As dusk falls over the old city, climb aboard a beautifully converted 1930s rice barge for a dinner cruise. Drift past ruins and riverside villages while sharing a traditional meal, watching the stars come out over the water before checking into your hotel

Day 5 Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya/Chiang Mai

After breakfast, wander the towering stone prangs and weathered brick Buddhas of Ayutthaya Historical Park on a guided morning walk. From here, drive back to the Bangkok airport, for an afternoon flight to Chiang Mai. Arrive to a warm northern welcome, then travel to a nearby village. Step into the home of a local family for a Khantoke dinner, passing platters of sticky rice, rich hang-le curry, and crispy pork with chilli paste. After dinner, walk through the garden, sip tea, and learn more about rural Thai life before checking into your hotel

Day 6 Chiang Mai

Dive into the smells and colours of the neighbourhood market this morning, picking out fresh ginger, lemongrass, and chillies alongside local shoppers. Take your ingredients to a cooking class to learn the balance of Thai flavours, then sit down to devour the dishes you made for lunch. In the afternoon, meet with monks at Wat Suan Dok temple, before riding a cable car up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Listen to the monks' evening chanting, then join a talk at the International Meditation Center with a teaching monk about Buddhist life, the remainder of your evening at leisure

Day 7 Chiang Mai

Spend a free day exploring Chiang Mai on your own terms. Your National Geographic Expedition Leader can help you choose the right path, leaving you free to follow the community, culture, or quiet corners that call to you most. You might choose a scenic, flat cycling tour along the banks of the Mae Ping River, pedalling past fruit orchards in small riverside communities. As evening approaches, join an optional street food walk through the buzzing night market, browsing handmade crafts from local artists and sampling spicy northern snacks from sizzling woks

Day 8 Chiang Mai

Depart at any time

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Bangkok

Day 2 Bangkok

Day 3 Bangkok/Kanchanaburi

Day 4 Kanchanaburi/Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Day 5 Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya/Chiang Mai

Day 6 Chiang Mai

Day 7 Chiang Mai

Day 8 Chiang Mai