Historic temples & the River Kwai

Touch down in the buzzing capital of Thailand, where you’ll be welcomed by an airport representative. Then, transfer to the hotel.

Bangkok is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, located in the heart of the country. It offers a variety of unique experiences, from its impressive temples and lively culture to its exciting night markets and world-renowned cuisine. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure and begin discovering this fascinating city. Overnight stay in Bangkok.

Breakfast at the hotel. Head to the meeting point* and discover the city and its temples on an exciting guided tour!

Your first stop is Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temple, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, commonly referred to as Wat Phra Kaew. Along the way, stroll through the amulet market, Rattanakosin Island’s famed spiritual marketplace. Next, explore the Grand Palace complex, a symbol of the city and the former official residence of the Kings of Thailand from the late 18th century until the mid-20th century.

Afterwards, pass through Tha Thien Market, a riverside market known for its dried seafood, traditional shophouses, and vibrant local atmosphere. Continue to Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), home to one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in the world, measuring over 46 metres (150 feet) in length.

To finish the tour, visit Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), one of Bangkok’s most iconic riverside landmarks, known for its towering spires adorned with intricate decorations. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Bangkok.

*Meeting point: Big Country Vacation office, ground floor of River City Bangkok (23 Soi Charoen Krung 24, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100).

**Optional Michelin Guide Street Food Tour by Tuk-Tuk: Bangkok’s food scene is calling, and it’s ready to show you its very best on this group tour. Your guide will take you to some of the city’s most iconic local street food stalls, where you’ll discover beloved dishes such as fishball egg noodles, Chinese-style Pa Tong Go Savoey doughnuts, crab fried rice served with lime and chillies, and the flavour-packed rolled noodles at Nai Ek — a truly otherworldly experience. 

Breakfast at the hotel. You’ll have a free day to relax or explore the city at your leisure.

If you’d like to continue learning about the culture of this region, consider a visit to Thailand’s most iconic marketplaces. We recommend visiting the Maeklong Railway Market and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.* Overnight stay in Bangkok.

*Optional Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: Explore the Maeklong Railway Market, located next to active railway tracks, then enjoy shopping and dining at Thailand’s Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your local guide at the hotel and set out in the direction of Kanchanaburi. On your way, you’ll first stop at the iconic Wat Bang Kung, an ancient temple enveloped by banyan tree roots and branches that have been growing around it for years.

Afterward, continue on to explore two of Thailand’s most iconic marketplaces.

First, visit Maeklong Railway Market, aptly named because it sits directly on active railway tracks. Watching this 100-metre-long market operate in harmony with passing trains is a fascinating experience.

Known in Thai as Talat Rom Hup, or “umbrella pulldown market”, it’s famous for its fresh seafood and the sudden flurry of activity that occurs when a train approaches. Vendors swiftly retract their awnings and goods, only to reopen moments later as if nothing happened.

Next, continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, an exciting destination. You might recognize it from the canal chase scene in The Man with the Golden Gun, starring Roger Moore as James Bond. Sample local dishes, discover new flavours, and admire the colorful boats serving as floating stalls.

Finally, make your way to the renowned “Bridge over the River Kwai”. Stroll across it, pay a visit to the POW Cemetery, where prisoners who lost their lives during the bridge’s construction are buried, and journey back in time with a visit to the JEATH Museum (named after Japan, England, America/Australia, Thailand, and Holland), where photographs and wartime artifacts bring the past to life.

Board a train along the original Death Railway, and if time allows, you may also enjoy a scenic long-tail boat ride on the picturesque River Kwai. After this memorable and enriching experience, transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay in Kanchanaburi.

Distance covered today: 124 miles.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ayutthaya with your knowledgeable guide. UNESCO-listed and the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya is a historic city waiting to be discovered. As part of the journey, you’ll enjoy a scenic cruise around the picturesque island of Ayuttahaya on a traditional long-tailed boat, and lunch at a local restaurant. Along the way, marvel at the Wat Prasrisanpetch temple, the awe-inspiring Viharn Mongkol Borpitr, and Wat Chaimongkol.

Afterward, transfer to your hotel in Ayutthaya. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure. Overnight stay in Ayutthaya.

Distance covered today: 143 miles.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch your flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. When you arrive, transfer to the hotel. The rest of the days is free to explore at your leisure. Overnight stay in Chiang Rai.

Distance covered today: 50 miles.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day today to explore Chiang Rai at your own pace. There’s plenty to discover, but for a day you’ll never forget, we recommend adding either a private full-day trek and bamboo raft experience* or a private full-day sightseeing tour in Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle** to your itinerary. Overnight stay in Chiang Rai. 

*Optional full-day trekking and bamboo raft experience: Pickup from your hotel is arranged to take you on a 4-5 hour adventure. Begin with a scenic walk to the largest waterfall in Chiang Rai, followed by a short drive to a traditional Thai village for a delicious lunch. Afterward, trek through the picturesque jungle, passing awe-inspiring landscapes, rice farms, pineapple plantations, and rubber farms. Conclude the day with a fun bamboo rafting adventure,  immersing yourself even more in the natural beauty of the region.

**Optional full-day sightseeing tour in Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle: This thrilling day trip takes you beyond Chiang Rai to explore its enchanting surroundings. Visit Doi Mae Salong, where you’ll enjoy a tea tasting experience and learn about the tea-making princess at a local factory. Dive into local culture at a hill tribe market and explore a traditional hill tribe village.

Travel to a panoramic viewpoint for panoramic views, then visit the iconic “Golden Triangle” of the Mekong River, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet—an area historically known for the opium trade.

Continue to the Opium Museum located in Chiang Saen and explore the ancient city, discovering its ruins, temples, and archaeological sites.

Please note: You may only choose one optional tour on this day.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you'll travel from Chiang Rai to Ciang Mai, enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

Begin your day with a visit to the renowned White Temple, or Wat Rong Khun. Then continue to Khun Korn Waterfall, nestled within Khun Korn Forest Park. Your journey today continues with scenic drives through the mountains. Before reaching Chiang Mai, you’ll stop at Wiang Pa Pao hot water springs and a private coffee plantation.

Once you arrive in Chiang Mai, check in to the hotel and freshen up before heading out to visit the marvelous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a temple built in 1383 and considered the most sacred in northern Thailand. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a unique private blessing before returning to the hotel. Overnight stay in Chiang Mai.

Note: The duration of the tour may be affected by factors such as traffic conditions and the time spent at each location.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is a free day for you to explore Chiang Mai at your own pace. We recommend joining a Chiang Mai city and temples tour* for the full experience. Overnight stay in Chiang Mai.

*Optional Chiang Mai city and temples tour: Visit Chiang Mai’s incredible temples. Explore the old part of the city within its ancient walls and discover five of northern Thailand’s most sacred temples.

First, visit Wat Phra Singh, built in 1345, home to a Buddha image over 1,500 years old. Next, explore Wat Jed Yod, followed by Wat Chiang Mun, and the centuries-old Wat Chedi Luang, believed to be the first temple to house the famous Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Finally, visit Wat Suan Dok, built in the Sri Lankan style and serving as the resting place of the Chet Ton Dynasty.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Bangkok. When you arrive, transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure and discover more of this exciting city. Overnight stay in Bangkok.

Breakfast* at the hotel. Unfortunately, this thrilling journey is coming to an end, but you’ll carry home all the memories you’ve collected along the way. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.**

*If your return flight departs early in the morning, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast.

**Depending on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in Canada the following day.