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Central Thailand & Koh Kood

Thailand

Tour Code : TB018

17 Days. The beauty of Kanchanaburi, head through the Centrel Plains, the rice bowl of Thailand for a short taste of Isan and the Khmer Empire, before heading South to the Eastern Coast for the wonderful tropical beaches at Koh...

Bangkok

4 days

Kanchanaburi

1 days

Ayutthaya

2 days

Khao Yai

3 days

Phi Mai

2 days

Koh Kood

6 days

Day 1 Bangkok
Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel. Take and evening cruise on the Chao Phraya River with a Thai Style Buffet and a Cultural show.
Day 2 Bangkok – Floating Market - Kanchanaburi (L/D)
Early morning pick-up from your hotel in Bangkok. First we head to Damnern Saduak, the most famous floating market in Thailand. Upon arriving we take an exhilarating 30 minute long tail boat ride along the network of canals, where you’ll get a sense of how life used to be and for some still is even today, before arriving at the colourful market. The market is a scene of wooden canoes with traders bartering and selling. It is possible to take a short canoe boat ride along the canal to get up close to the hive of activity. Next we head to the nearby town of Nakron Pathom, to see the largest Golden Chedi in Thailand, before taking a leisurely drive to Kanchanaburi arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant by the river. After lunch we’ll continue on to visit the solemn and very moving allied war cemetery and the adjacent Thailand Burma Railway museum, before finally arriving at the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. Time will be giving here, for walking across the bridge, snapping photos and for reflecting on what happened here all those years ago. Then we’ll proceed to our hotel with the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Day 3 Saiyoke National Park – (B/L/D)
08:30 – A Full day exploring the wonderful countryside in the surrounding Saiyoke Yai National Park. We start the morning with a short boat trip upstream along the river Kwae Noi. - We stop to explore Kaeng Lawa Cave, located 50 metres from the riverside of Kwae Noi. Lawa cave is the largest and finest cave in the area with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. Once inside, we take The Lawa Cave walking trail, a 45 minute walk, which will fascinate you as you take in the limestone rock formations and the unusual ‘electric’ lighting inside the cave. 10:15 – From Kaeng Lawa Cave we continue our journey along the river heading for the beautiful Saiyoke waterfall, which cascades down from the top of the cliffs into the Kwae Noi River. 11.30 – We arrive at Saiyoke Waterfall in time to enjoy a picnic lunch with drinks, with the afternoon spent at leisure here for you to enjoy swimming in the waterfall, walking through the nearby forest or simply relaxing and taking in the beautiful surrounding scenary. 15.00 – We depart from Saiyoke waterfall and head back to Kanchanaburi, arriving back in late afternoon. The rest of the day and evening will be at your leisure.
Day 4 Death Railway Tour - Ayutthaya (B/L)
08.00 Start the new day with American Breakfast. 09.30 We leave the hotel behind as we take an exhilarating trip along the Kwai Noi River, to begin the Death Railway Tour. 11.00 We arrive at the village of Lum Sum to wait to board the train along this infamous stretch of track, built by the allied POW’s during the Second World War. This stretch of line will take you to the last surviving railway station from that era Nam-Tok, over the dramatic Wang pho wooden viaduct, which had to be constructed into the hillside, adjacent to the Kwai Noi River. It truly is an amazing experience as you travel along the same pieces of track laid by the allied POW’s. 12.00 - 15.00– We arrive at Namtok station; stop to have lunch before departing from Kanchanaburi province heading through the countryside for Ayutthaya via Suphan buri stopping in the city to see the newly opened Chinese Thai Museum of the Descendants, designed to present 5000 years of Chinese history, illustrating the importance of Chinese culture in Thai society today. 17.00 – 18.00 Arrive in Ayutthaya and check in to your hotel. This evening will be at leisure.
Day 5 Ayutthaya – Khao Yai (B/L)
7.30 Breakfast at Krungsri Hotel09.00 – We spend the morning visiting the main temples and historic sites including Wat Srisanpetch with its ancient pagoda’s, Wat Yai Chai Mongkol famed for its giant bronze statues and Wat Chai Watthanaram. Your guide will explain to you the fascinating history of the Ayutthaya period and how it fits in to this country’s history and culture. Then we continue eastwards in the direction of Khao Yai National Park, briefly stopping on route to see Wat Phra Phutthabat , the temple of Lord Bhudda’s footprint before arriving at Khao Yai and our hotel in time for lunch. After lunch and checking in at our hotel, you will have free time to explore the beauty of the park or take an optional mountain bike trek before an evening Night Safari where you will catch glimpses of the animals in their natural habitats and maybe a tiger or two.
Day 6 Khao Yai National Park (B/L)
After breakfast, we will spend a full day exploring Khao Yai National Park. You will take an escorted trek through the park by ranger, stopping for a swim at the wonderful Haew Suwat Falls and then continuing on trekking to spot the local flora, fauna and wildlife including Gibbons, Civets, and Elephants. A picnic lunch will be provided on route before we return back to our hotel, late afternoon, to relax for the evening.
Day 7 Khao Yai – Pottery Village, a Bronze Age excavation site and Phi Mai (B/L)
We leave behind our trekking adventures and head into’ I-san’ on the Royal Road of discovery. As we travel you will discover the traditions of the ancient Khmer Empire, and visit the finest relics of the period. Our first stop will be at the pottery village of Ban Dan Kwien to see the contrasts between old and new pottery making,. Then we head to Ban Than Prasat, an excavation site, which dates back to the bronze age. Then we continue on to the highlight of the day, Phi-Mai Khmer temple, designed in the same style as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, this is the best preserved example of the Khmer temples and times in Thailand. A visit to the museum located in the grounds will help your understanding of the Khmer culture. Overnight in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Day 8 Nakhon Ratchasima - Buriram – Aranyaphrathet (B/L)
In the morning we head out back on the Khmer empire trail to visit two of the most impressive sights in nearby Buriram, Phanom Rung Historical Park, a sanctuary built on an extinct volcano, dating back over 1000 years,and Mueang Tam Stone Sanctuary, known for its mixes of Baphuan and Klang architecture, Prasat Mueng Tam as it is known is a unique Hindu style structure, with five brick pagoda’s enclosed by two walls, a lake and a small outer wall. Lunch will be taken nearby before heading south towards Sa Kaew, a provincial town close to the border with Cambodia and the crossing point at Poipet. If time and desired, we will make a stop at the bustling the border market before arriving at our hotel for the evening.
Day 9 Aranyaphrathet – Chantaburi – Koh Kood (B)
We leave Isan and the Khmer empire behind today and head south east for a few days rest and relaxation at the beautiful beach resort island of Koh Kood, a short journey by speedboat from Trat on the mainland. This island is lesser known than others in the country so Koh kood, really will provide you with total relaxation in your own piece of paradise. We will make a couple of stops on way including a visit to a a French Colonial Cathedral and a local gems market in Chantaburi, as this area was once a thriving destination for the industry, once under Colonial French control from Cambodia nearby. Then onwards to the speedboat port at Laem Sok, outside of Trat for the quickest crossing in the Gulf of Thailand to Koh Kood Island, checking in to your hotel, mid to late afternoon, with enough time to enjoy the sunset and have a swim.
Day 10 - 13 (B)
At your own lesuire to enjoy the stunning beach with lots of optional activities to choose from
Day 14 Koh Kood – Bangkok (B)
Depart from Koh Kood Island by speedboat and return to the mainland, before taking the short flight to Bangkok
Day 15 Bangkok (B)
"A full day city tour of Bangkok starting at the Grand Palace built by King Rama I when he ascended the throne in 1782 This Grand Palace is almost identical in every detail to that of the Royal Palace in the former capital of Ayutthaya, which had fallen to the Burmese. After spending the early morning at the Palace we move onto Wat Pho just a short walking distance from the temple, Wat Pho is one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples housing a gigantic gold plated reclining Buddha with beautifully in laid mother-of-pearl soles. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called Thailand's first University. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple educate people on varied subjects; for example, literature, warfare, astronomy, meditation, and Thai traditional massage. Note: When going to the grand palace please do not wear shorts or sleeveless T-Shirts, long trousers and proper foot wear are required. Walk down to the Chao Phraya River where you will have lunch before taking a scenic boat trip down the river. After lunch head to the house of Jim Thomson an American who stayed in Thailand after the war and set up the Jim Thompson Thai Silk company revitalising the whole Silk industry Jim Thompson stayed in Thailand for 22 years after the war and became one of the most popular post-war legends of Thailand and Asia unfortunately he disappeared without a trace in 1967 whilst on holiday in Malaysia. Jim Thompson's House is one of the best preserved examples of the traditional Thai house and architecture in the city showing a remarkable display of antiques and artworks from all over the Southeast Asian region. Mid afternoon head back to your hotel where you can relax, returning to your hotel."
Day 16 Bangkok (B)
Free at leisure to shop for some great souvenir in Bangkok
Day 17 Bangkok - Depart
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight
 

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All of our itineraries are tailor-made - click on a price below to see what you can expect at each budget level

The quoted price exludes any international flights but includes all internal flights while on the tour. Tour costs are based on two people travelling and sharing a room. The price quoted may vary depending on the time of year and the final itinerary. If you have a specific budget please get in contact with us so we can make a proposal.


Medium: Price from
£2,420

 

Deluxe: Price from
£2,800

 

Luxury: Price from
£3,150

 


For a lower or higher budget contact us for a tailored made solution

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For a lower or higher budget contact us for a tailored made solution

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Tailor-made holidays designed for you. Our expertise in the region through our local offices and contacts on the ground means great planning, expert up to date knowledge and value for money, creating the perfect trip to meet your budget and requirements.