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Everything is an immersive moment in this vibrant country of contrasts.
If you’re wondering what it takes for a country to earn the nickname the Land of Smiles, you’ll find the answer on this small group Adventure Tour of Thailand. Go off the beaten path to discover that the locals are as nice as it gets, each regional dish hits a spicy-salty-sweet high note, and that everything from ancient sites to local fishing villages recall a history that goes back thousands of years.
Your tour package includes
12 nights in handpicked hotels
12 breakfasts
4 lunches
4 dinners with beer or wine
1 cooking class
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Included highlights
Grand Palace
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Organic Thai farm visit
Ayutthaya Historical Park
Oolong tea plantation
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Explore the region on a series of stops at local cultural sites.
Ride through canals and villages on a long-tail boat to arrive at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
See the varied stalls, where locals sell food and goods, before sampling a local specialty
Explore the Maeklong Railway Market, built on an active train line, where vendors regularly pick up their stalls to allow trains to pass
Continue on to a local organic farm to learn about the eco-friendly practices
Sample freshly picked fruit and a refreshing coconut drink
Take part in a hands-on planting workshop with the local farmers
Chiang Rai2 nights
Day 5: Ayutthaya Historical Park & flight to Chiang Rai
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to Ayutthaya, Thailand’s capital from 1350 to 1767, for a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya Historical Park.
Learn about Ayutthaya’s role as the second capital of the Siam Kingdom
Tour the ruins of palaces and monasteries, which are decorated with beautiful statues of the Buddha draped in saffron robes
See the giant reclining Buddha at Wat Lokayasutharam
Learn why Ayutthaya is referred to as The Venice of the East with its various canals and rivers
Then, transfer to the Bangkok airport and fly to the mountainous provincial town of Chiang Rai, where buddhist shrines and the ruins of ancient civilizations, dot the hills. Once you arrive, sit down for an included dinner with your group.
Day 6: Mekong River cruise & oolong tea plantation tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tasting
Spend today exploring the waterways, villages, and markets outside of Chiang Rai.
Board a long-tail boat and venture past hill tribe villages along the Mekong River
Visit the Golden Triangle, where the three countries of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos meet on the Mekong River
Enjoy an included lunch overlooking the Mekong River
Head to an oolong tea plantation in Mae Salong for a guided tour with an expert
Sample three different kinds of local tea at the Choui Fong Tea shop while admiring views of the terraced tea plantation
Chiang Mai3 nights
Day 7: Chiang Mai via Wat Rong Khun, Doi Suthep & cooking class
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy the stunning scenery as you stop at some of the region’s most impressive temples and historic sites on your way to Chiang Mai.
Stop at Wat Rong Khun, the otherwordly “White Temple”
Visit Doi Suthep, the regal mountain overlooking the city and home to some of the most deeply loved symbols in the kingdom
Take a cable car to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a major temple and pilgrimage destination during the important Buddhist holidays of Makha Bucha and Visak
Opt to take a one-hour hike down a well-marked trail with many stairs or ride the cable car back to the base of the mountain
Continue on to Chiang Mai and take part in a Thai cooking class this evening.
Prepare four Thai dishes with culinary chefs in a secluded village known for its stunning rice fields
Enjoy the meal you cooked for dinner alongside your fellow group members
Day 8: Chiang Mai Night Market
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
Spend a free day in Chiang Mai or add an excursion.
Tonight, join your Tour Director to explore the Chiang Mai Night Market, just outside the ancient walls of the old city. You’re in for the best night market experience in Thailand.
Sample various regional cuisine specialties made by local vendors
Enjoy free time to shop and taste more street food at your leisure
Mae Kampong Hill Tribe: Village Visit & Hike
From $79 per person
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of ChangChill elephant sanctuary
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Drive through the countryside and visit ChangChill, an organization at the forefront of elephant welfare and responsible tourism in Chiang Mai.
Hear how the organization works with World Animal Protection to create a safe living environment for the elephants and an educational experience for visitors
Learn about Asian elephants as you watch them roam freely during a hands-off elephant exploration walk
Help prepare medicine and food for the elephants
Chat with the mahouts, or elephant caretakers, and enjoy an included vegetarian meal overlooking the elephants’ natural bathing spot
Enjoy a free evening in Chiang Mai or add an excursion.
Lanna Family Home-Hosted Dinner
From $115 per person
Phuket Island3 nights
Day 10: Buddhist monk visit & flight to Phuket
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, visit the Wat Suan Dok Buddhist temple where you’ll meet a resident monk to discuss Buddhism, ask questions, and learn how the monks of the temple live.
This afternoon, fly to Phuket, where crystal blue water and powder white sand await you. Sit down for an included dinner with your group.
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Ao Phang Nga Bay & Talu Island canoeing
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Depart Phuket Island and spend today boating around the surrounding tropical island paradise on a guided sightseeing tour.
Board a speedboat and cruise around Ao Phang Nga Bay National Park, known for its towering limestone rock formations
Visit a Muslim fishing village on Koh Panyee Island and experience the local lifestyle
Sit down for an included lunch in a floating restaurant
Head to Talu Island and explore sea caves by canoe with experienced local paddlers as your guides
Visit the iconic Khao Phing Kan, or “James Bond Island”
Day 12: Free day on Phuket Island
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day on Phuket Island or add an excursion.
Phi Phi Islands Cruise, Snorkeling & Lunch
From $115 per person
Bangkok1 night
Day 13: Flight to Bangkok
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Fly to Bangkok this afternoon and spend free time exploring the city at your leisure.
Tonight, celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers during a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your early morning flight home, or continue your tour in Cambodia.
Extension to Cambodia
You haven't really seen lost cities until you've been to Cambodia, where Angkor Wat astounds with out-of-this-world architecture and history. Fly to Siem Reap and get an insider's peek at this renowned religious monument and other fascinating ruins alongside your Tour Director.
Siem Reap2 nights
Day 14: Flight to Siem Ream & sunset at Angkor Wat
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, and uncover the best of this area alongside your Tour Director.
Enjoy an included lunch of local Cambodian specialties
Set off at sunset to tour the temples of Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and an outstanding example of Khmer architecture
Learn how this monument honors both Hinduism and Buddhism
Later, sit down for an included dinner.
Day 15: Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Spend the day exploring temple ruins with your Tour Director.
Walk through Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Kmer Empire and home of the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the Bayon Temple
Sit down for an included lunch
Explore the 12th-century Ta Prohm temple, now largely reclaimed by the jungle
Bangkok1 night
Day 16: Cambodian Landmine Museum & flight to Bangkok
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Enter the Cambodian Landmine Museum, an organization dedicated to the removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance, or UXO, from Cambodia.
Watch a short film about Aki Ra, a former Khmer Rouge child soldier who founded the museum
Take a guided audio tour of the museum to learn about the organization’s de-mining projects and community development initiatives
Learn how the revenue from your visit supports relief projects for those harmed by landmines and UXO
Later, fly back to Bangkok for a farewell dinner with your group.
Flight home
Day 17: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your early morning flight home.
I was wowed from day one on this tour! Noom was the best tour guide ever! He made sure our every need was met and then some! 10 stars for Noom! Great job! 👏 I also met some forever friends on this tour. Normally, after a week on vacation I’m ready to go home. After almost 3 weeks in Thailand and Ca...
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5.0 star rating
Incredible trip
3/3/23 by 1st-time traveler Wendy
My husband and I just got back from this incredible trip. There was such a great variety of sights to see and other activities. This trip exceeded our expectations!
Noom was an amazing tour director and he made our trip so much fun.
We also did the Cambodia extension which was short but sweet. Sar...
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5.0 star rating
So much, things to see and fun
2/10/23 by 10th-time traveler Mary
So much more than I could imagine
More options! Some folks too tired to go on let them go back to the hotel and I’ll carry on.
Show more reviews
Traveler photos
Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok
This stylish hotel is located in the heart of Bangkok. Guests enjoy the rooftop sundeck and dining, fitness center, and steam room. Nearby you’ll find...
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Phowadol Resort & Spa
This countryside resort is located in the peaceful city of Chiang Rai. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, the Bodhi Tree Spa, relaxing atmosphere. Nearby ...
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Eastin Tan Hotel Chiang Mai
This modern hotel is located in the Nimmanhaemin area of Chiang Mai. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, fitness center, and on-site restaurant. Nearby you...
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Crest Resort & Pool Villas
This luxury resort is located on Tri Trang Beach in Phuket. Guests enjoy the large outdoor pools, private beach area, and extensive spa village. Nearb...
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Angkor Paradise Hotel
This classic hotel is located in Siem Reap’s city center. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, sun terrace, and on-site restaurant. Nearby you’ll find Angko...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter Thailand (and Cambodia on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens traveling to Thailand.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Cambodia on the tour extension. You may choose to obtain your Cambodia visa at the port of entry (you will need $30USD and two passport-sized photos), by applying directly to the Cambodian consulate, or by using a visa provider, such as our partner company, VisaCentral.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TAT.
You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across uneven terrain with some hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own luggage at times, as well as getting in and out of pick-up trucks and small boats.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Bangkok. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Small boats rides and a flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai to Phuket and Phuket to Bangkok are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes one round-trip flight between Bangkok and Siem Reap).
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for detailed information regarding baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights. We recommend that you limit your baggage to under 44lbs to avoid charges on included flights within Thailand.
One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 total inches (length + width + height).
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing. Please note that you will be required to remove your shoes at all Buddhist religious sites.
Waterproof shoes or sandals, a swimsuit, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended for outdoor activities.
Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit temples or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure as the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
Drink bottled water only. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TAT.
Traditional Thai cooking uses market-fresh ingredients seasoned with a mix of herbs, spices, and condiments such as chili peppers and fish sauce. The main staple is rice. Most meals include a soup, a curry, a steamed or fried dish, and a salad.
On the tour extension, international influence is evident in the Khmer cuisine of Cambodia, where full flavor is created through the mix of herbs and spices such as sweet basil, Asian coriander, mint, lemongrass, and pepper. The base of almost all Cambodian dishes is rice or noodles, served with a curry, soup, or vegetable stir-fry. Grilled freshwater fish is popular, and the fermented fish paste known as prahok is a traditional seasoning.
Thailand (plus Cambodia on the tour extension) operates on 230 volts.
Thailand uses Types A, B, C, or O plugs with two flat pins, two flat and one rounded pin, or two or three rounded pins, respectively.
Cambodia uses Types A, C, or G plugs with two flat pins, two rounded pins, or three flat pins, respectively.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in Asian hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
You will use the Thai baht in Thailand (plus the Cambodian riel on the tour extension).
On the tour extension in Cambodia, U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere, though change may be given in riel. Most hotels, restaurants, shops, taxis, buses, and airlines list their prices in U.S. dollars, but small transactions (less than a dollar) are usually conducted in riel. Always carry small amounts of riel for motorcycle taxis, snacks, and other small purchases.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director, $3USD per person per day for your driver, and $2USD per person per day for your bus attendant.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.
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