Finally, the wait is over. Today, you fly to wonderful Thailand with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You land in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, go through immigration and pick up your luggage. In the arrivals hall, your guide will be waiting with a TourCompass sign, and from here you will be driven to your hotel in downtown Bangkok.

At the end of the afternoon, there is a welcome meeting at the hotel. Here, your guide will tell you about Thailand, including things that you need to be aware of and respect. They will also answer any questions, and go through the programme for your tour. Your guide will then take you on a short walk in the area around the hotel, and point out the nearest ATM, pharmacy etc.

After the meeting, you can head out into Bangkok’s lively streets, where unique dining experiences await, from street food stalls to modern fusion restaurants, before you return to the hotel for a good and well-deserved night’s sleep.

There are no scheduled excursions today, so you can take the day at your own pace.

Start with a cup of coffee and a good breakfast before you head off for an adventure – either on your own or on one of our exciting optional tours, which you can read more about below.

When moving around Bangkok, you don’t have to worry about the traffic, because several different means of transport are available for exploring the city. Many people use tuktuks, but the river taxis are also popular, and they account for a significant part of public transport as they dock at many of the city’s major attractions. In addition, there is also the Bangkok Mass Transit System, or BTS Skytrain, which winds between the city’s high-rise buildings, and which is a good, fast and cheap way to get around.

The 372 km long Chao Phraya River divides Bangkok into east and west. The eastern part of the city is considered central Bangkok, with popular areas such as Sukhumvit, Silom, and Chinatown having a high concentration of shopping malls, good eateries and local markets. It is also on the eastern side that you will find the historic part of Bangkok, which is home to the famous royal palace, the Grand Palace, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew. If you are looking for quieter and greener surroundings, visit the parks Lumpini or Benjakitti.

You can also choose to explore the west side of the river, where you will find a completely different side of Bangkok without skyscrapers and honking tuktuks. Here, you will encounter the more traditional Bangkok and a maze of canals where people live in stilt houses.

In the evening, it is almost a must to visit one of the city’s sky bars, the ideal venue for having a cold drink and enjoying the sunset.

You can also visit the neon-lit Chinatown or the Asiatique The Riverfront shopping area, which in addition to shops also has a variety of entertainment and restaurant venues.

After breakfast, you check out, and then leave the Thai capital and drive on to the next destination on the tour, Khao Yai National Park, which is located 140 km northeast of Bangkok. Sit back and take in all the impressions that whizz by.

Khao Yai National Park is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and is one of the country’s least visited national parks. Khao Yai was established in 1962 as Thailand’s first national park, and today covers an area of more than 2,000 km² lying 250-1,350 metres above sea level.

The park consists of six different types of forest, grasslands, a mountainous terrain and quiet rivers. One of the park’s big draws is all the waterfalls such as Haew Suwat and Haew Narok, which are like small oases.

The height differences in the park as well as the many types of forest have resulted in considerable biodiversity in both the fauna and flora. You can see, for example, elephants, bears, gaur oxen, muntjacs, serows, giant squirrels as well as macaques and gibbon monkeys. If you love birds, you can really look forward to it, because the park is home to no less than 440 different bird species, including Thailand’s largest population of hornbills, as well as red-tailed redstarts, white-browed fantails and coral-billed ground cuckoos. There are also lots of reptiles here – more than 80 different species!

In other words, Khao Yai is one of Thailand’s most impressive and all-round natural gems.

When you arrive at your accommodation, the rest of the day is at your leisure. You can sit out on your terrace or balcony with a good book and enjoy the sound of chirping birds, you can explore the stunning surroundings or take a refreshing dip in the pool.

In the evening, you can admire the sunset that colours the sky in the most beautiful shades of red and orange.

You wake up to an absolutely fantastic calm, which is only interrupted by the birdsong.

Late in the morning, you are picked up by your guide and driven towards Khao Yai National Park itself. Before reaching the park, you stop off for lunch at a local eatery.

For the day’s excursion, we recommend that you wear good hiking shoes and quick-drying clothes that cover both your arms and legs. You can also bring a small backpack for drinks, snacks and other personal items.

You will be driven into the national park, where you and your guide will meet an experienced ranger who knows the park like the back of his hand. A hike along one of the park’s most beautiful trails now awaits. The hike is 1.2 km long, and lasts 45-60 minutes. The route is one of the shortest and easiest in the national park, and is suitable for people of all ages. The trail winds through rainforest and dry forest to the small waterfall, Kong Kaew, which is located at the end of the trail. Along the way, there is every chance that you will see gibbon monkeys swinging from tree to tree as well as the beautiful hornbills.

You walk back to where you started, and are then driven to the Haew Narok waterfall, which is one of the most beautiful in the park. It consists of three levels, and has a total drop height of about 150 metres, making it Khao Yai’s tallest waterfall. It is about one kilometre from the car park down to the waterfall, and you walk via a nature trail and down some steps through the lush forest. Be aware that it can be very slippery during the rainy season, and the route is not suitable for the walking-impaired.

The view of the waterfall is amazing, especially during the rainy season (about mid-May to mid-October) when the water flow is at its peak. From the vantage point, you can watch the water cascading down the cliffs, creating a landscape that is both dramatic and picturesque. The area is also a popular spot for observing the wildlife, including wild elephants, which are often seen near the waterfall or on their way to the salt cliffs along the trails.

Back in the car, you will be driven to the Pha Trom Chai viewpoint, which is located about 1,300 metres above sea level. From here, you can enjoy the view of the national park, which stretches as far as the eye can see.

In the late afternoon or early evening, you will be driven to the Khao Yai Visitor Centre, from where you will set off on an evening safari. You ride with a ranger in a high-seated pickup truck, from where you can experience the park’s wildlife after sunset. The trip is 10 km long and lasts just over an hour.

You will then be driven back to your hotel.

Today, you say goodbye to the beautiful nature experiences in Khao Yai and move on to Sukhothai, where the wings of history await.

After breakfast and check-out, you will be picked up at the hotel. The trip to Sukhothai takes about 6 hours. The journey there includes a lunch stop at a local restaurant. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the views from the vehicle or take a little nap.

Sukhothai was Thailand’s first capital back in the 13th century. The country, which was then called Siam, was ruled by King Ramkhamhaeng, who invented the Thai alphabet, among other things. Sukhothai is often considered to be a golden age in Thai history, and its heritage has had a major impact on Thai culture, language and religion.

The ancient Sukhothai kingdom can be found in the Sukhothai Historical Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and which you will visit on tomorrow’s excursion.

On arrival at the hotel in Sukhothai, you will check in, after which the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Today, an exciting day awaits with full focus on Thailand’s history.

The first visit is to Sukhothai Historical Park. The best way by far to explore the park is by bicycle – so this, of course, is what you will do.

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to the park, where your bicycle is already waiting.

The park is surrounded by an old city wall and moat. Covering an area of 70 km², you will see the ruins from the old royal palace and impressive Buddhist temples, which offer a wonderful insight into one of Thailand’s golden ages. The largest and most significant temple is Wat Mahathat, which stands next to the ruins of the royal palace. The temple is known for its majestic stupas that once housed relics of the Buddha. Among other things, you also experience the Wat Si Chum temple, which is famous for its gigantic seated Buddha statue, one of the largest in Thailand.

Sukhothai Historical Park offers not only a journey back in time but also a serene and scenic experience. Between the ruins, you will find beautiful lotus lakes, lush gardens with ancient trees and tranquil ponds, which all contribute to the harmonious atmosphere.

After an exciting visit, you will be driven to a local restaurant for lunch.

From here, the tour goes to Si Satchanalai, where you visit Si Satchanalai Historical Park, which is an important archaeological park located just over an hour’s drive from Sukhothai. The park is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and is beautifully located on the Yom River.

The Si Satchanalai Historical Park contains the remains of the ancient city of Si Satchanalai, which was the second-most important city in the Sukhothai Kingdom. Here, you will find the ruins of no less than 134 monuments dating from the Sukhothai period. Among the most notable temples are Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, known for its magnificent stupa, and Wat Chang Lom, which is known for its large bell-shaped stupa surrounded by 39 standing elephant statues at the base, representing strength and power.

The park thus offers a fascinating insight into Thailand’s former civilisation and architecture, surrounded by lush landscapes and characterised by its peaceful atmosphere.

Today, you are going to head further north to the city of Chiang Mai.

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Phitsanulok, which is about an hour and a half drive from Sukhothai. On arriving in Phitsanulok, there is time for lunch before being driven to the city’s train station. At 13:22, the train departs for Chiang Mai, which takes about 6 hours. We recommend that you bring drinks and snacks for the journey.

At 19:30, you arrive in the mountainous north of Thailand’s second-largest city, Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is an incredibly beautiful city located in a valley surrounded by mountains, including Doi Inthanon, the highest point in Thailand. Chiang Mai is also the former capital of the old Lanna kingdom, which existed from 1292 to 1775. Therefore, you will find that there are many influences from this era around the city.

On arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be picked up and driven to your hotel – a drive which takes just under 15 minutes.

You can choose to have dinner at the hotel or look for a good place to eat out in the city, where you’ll find both cosy restaurants and really delicious street food.

Today, an exciting bicycle ride awaits in historic Chiang Mai, which is a great way to experience the city.

You will be driven to our partner’s office, where you will be supplied with a bicycle and bicycle helmet. After a quick briefing, it’s time to pedal off and experience the charm of the city. The route is easy and flat, so it is suitable for most. You cycle through Chiang Mai’s small and quiet streets to the fine temple Wat Inthakhin Sadue Mueang, known for its 700-year-old, white Buddha statue. The bike ride continues past the Three Kings monument to the city gate, Tha Phae Gate, which was where vendors brought goods into the city in the old days. Here, the guide will tell you more about Chiang Mai as a former trading centre. You continue to the nearby market Somphet, where you will have time to walk around and take in the atmosphere. You will also have the opportunity to taste the colourful fruits and sweets. After this, Wat Chiang Man awaits, which is Chiang Mai’s oldest temple. It is here that the 1,800-year-old crystal Buddha and the 2,500-year-old marble Buddha are kept. Finally, visit the city’s largest and iconic monument, Wat Chedi Luang, which was once home to the Emerald Buddha, which is now well preserved in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

After a 3-4-hour cycle ride, you are back where you started, and a well-deserved lunch awaits you. Lunch consists of the dish khao soi, a spicy noodle soup and a speciality of northern Thailand. Lunch is served at the restaurant Naree De Klang Vieng, which is run by inmates from the women’s prison Klang Vieng. Thanks to the prison’s excellent rehabilitation project, the women, who have typically been convicted of selling or producing drugs, have the opportunity to train in various service professions that will prepare them for a new life outside the prison walls. The food and service are second to none!

You will then be driven back to your hotel, where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

There are no excursions planned today, and you can enjoy Chiang Mai on your own and at your own pace. There is lots to see and do, and the city is also the perfect starting point for excursions. You can read more about our exciting optional tours below.

In the evening, stroll around the old town and take in the sight of the illuminated temples and monuments. Or how about a visit to one of the city’s popular night markets, where you can shop for souvenirs and try some of the many delicious street food dishes?

Today, you leave Chiang Mai and head for the city of Chiang Rai, which borders Laos and Myanmar.

Chiang Rai was the first capital of the Lanna Kingdom, which consisted of Thailand and Laos, before power was transferred to Chiang Mai. Today, Chiang Rai is a small, tranquil city known for its lush nature and beautiful temples. The scenic landscapes and mountains that surround the city are also home to several ethnic minorities.

On the way to Chiang Rai, you will visit the impressive temple Wat Rung Khun, also known as the White Temple. The temple dates from 1997, and was designed by local artist Chalermchai Kosimchai. The temple has many surprising details, and it differs from Thailand’s many other temples, partly because the temple is not very old, and partly because everything is kept in white and silver.

The tour continues to Chiang Rai city centre, where you will have lunch.

Next, you will visit the temple of Wat Phra Kaew, which is one of the oldest temples in the city. It is not known exactly when it was built, other than that it was at the end of the 14th century. The temple has a very special significance, because it was here that the important Emerald Buddha was discovered in 1434 after a lightning strike in the temple’s stupa, where it was hidden. Today, there is only one copy here, while the original can be seen in Bangkok.

The final visit of the day is the Rai Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, which houses an extensive collection of Lanna artifacts and art showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Lanna Kingdom. In the park, you can also discover traditional Lanna-style teak buildings and beautiful gardens.

You will be driven to the hotel, and the rest of the afternoon and evening is at your own leisure. You can enjoy the hotel’s facilities or go explore Chiang Rai’s picturesque streets. If you like, pay a visit to Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, which is known for its vibrant atmosphere and its large selection of shopping, entertainment and street food, where the hot pot in particular is a must-try. You can choose to take a taxi or do the trip on foot, which takes about 30 minutes.

Today, an exciting day awaits on the outskirts of Chiang Rai.

You will be picked up from the hotel and driven to the Mae Sai border. Here, you are just a few metres from Myanmar. You visit the popular border market, where you can buy everything between heaven and earth.

Back in the vehicle, you will be driven a little further north to the Golden Triangle, where rice fields lie side by side. The Golden Triangle actually covers a large area that also extends far into Laos and Myanmar. The area was once notorious for its extensive production and trade in opium. Fortunately, it is now under control in Thailand, and today the local minority groups instead grow rice, coffee and other crops in the lush and mountainous landscape. You visit a vantagepoint here, where, in addition to Thailand, you can look over to both Myanmar and Laos. It is a very special experience being able to stand here and look at three countries at once.

Lunch is enjoyed at a local restaurant with a fine view of the Mekong River, which originates in Tibet and runs almost 5,000 km through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

After lunch, you go on a boat trip down the Mekong River, where, in addition to Thailand, you have Laos on one side and Myanmar on the other.

Before heading back to Chiang Rai, you visit the ancient city of Chiang Saen, where traces of human civilisations have been found as far back as the 7th century. Today, it is a quiet and friendly town with beautiful tall trees, wonderful temple ruins and city walls that testify to how important a trading town it once was.

After a fascinating day, you are driven back to the hotel, where you can enjoy your last evening in northern Thailand.

The time has now come to wave goodbye to Thailand. You will be picked up at your hotel and driven to Chiang Rai International Airport, from where you fly to Europe with connecting flight(s) along the way.

You land at the chosen airport after a wonderful and eventful journey.