Elephants and Rafts, Thailand

Get right into the heart of the countryside with this adventurous holiday to Bangkok and northern Thailand. After some cultural sightseeing in Bangkok, we head north to Chiang Mai and into the hills to enjoy a jungle trek, elephant ride and a bamboo river rafting trip, spending 2 nights in remote hill-tribe villages and learning about the ways of life in rural Thailand.

This is one of our more active family tours in Thailand, but is still suitable for children aged 7 and over. We start in Bangkok staying in a high standard family-friendly 5-star hotel to allow you to relax in comfort for your first few days. While in Bangkok, we tour the huge Grand Palace complex, and have an optional afternoon boat trip around the surprisingly green and peaceful canals of the Thonburi area of the city.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1
We will meet you from your flight into Bangkok airport and transfer you to your Hotel. The remainder of today is free for you to begin exploring this amazing city.

Day 2
After an early lunch we will begin our tours with visits to the Grand Palace complex and the Royal Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Tonight we join the 2nd class sleeper train to Chiang Mai.

Day 3
After arriving into Chiang Mai and checking into your hotel we begin our walking tour of Chiang Mai. We will visit the highly revered Doi Suthep Temple and Chiang Mai Zoo. Tonight we enjoy dinner in a restaurant by the river.

Day 4
This morning we leave Chiang Mai and head to Huay Nam Dang National Park. Before we start trekking we visit a local village to pick up fresh supplies and visit a waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip. Today's trekking is for 2 hrs through forests and hilly terrain. We spend tonight in bamboo huts at a Karen hill-tribe village.

Day 5
After a simple breakfast we have 3 hours of trekking, along the way your guide will tell you about the local flora and fauna and about the local villages. We arrive at an elephant camp at around lunch time, after lunch we have a 1 ½ hr elephant ride to a rafting camp. After river swimming and dinner tonight is spent in a bamboo hut.

Day 6
After breakfast we begin rafting down river approximately 25km. We will make stops along the way at local hill-tribe villages. The thrilling trip travels through steep valleys and mixed forests where you can hear the wildlife all around you. After lunch we return to Chiang Mai. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 7
We leave today free for you to relax or to explore Chiang Mai further. We have optional trips available today to visit an elephant conservation centre or take a Thai cookery course. Tonight we take the overnight sleeper train back to Bangkok.

Day 8
Upon arrival back in Bangkok we transfer you to your hotel. This afternoon we take a cruise along one of Bangkok's many canals. We head out into Bangkok's surprisingly rural western suburbs. Here you will observe the daily lives of the people who live along the canals. We will also visit an orchid farm and the Royal Boathouse.

Day 9
You have time for some last minute shopping or sightseeing before we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Our Family tours in Thailand use a wide range of different accommodation from basic bamboo huts and tree-houses to luxurious 5-star hotels. The itinerary has been designed so that you switch between these to maintain a balance of comfort and adventure.
Note: For our group departures, we will advise you of the hotel to be used on the tour about 2 weeks before departure. If you have
specific requirements for hotels, then please request a private or tailor-made tour.

Hotels used on this tour (subject to availability):
Bangkok (4-5-star):
• Bangkok Marriot Hotel (deluxe resort view room).

Chiang Mai (3-4-star):
• Empress Hotel (superior room).

Chiang Mai Trekking:
• Accommodation whilst trekking is in traditional communal bamboo huts, and a mattress, sheet and mosquito net is provided.
A sleeping bag is required, and this can be hired cheaply from Chiang Mai if you wish.

sleeper train:
• The sleeper trains in Thailand are of a good standard and popular with tourists. Each carriage has its own steward who ensures
the train is kept clean and tidy, and from whom meals & drinks can be ordered to your seat. There is also a separate restaurant car.
Each carriage will sleep approx. 40 people. On either side of the carriage there are two seats facing each other, with a window and
small table. In the evening, the steward will convert these seats into beds for you, which have a pillow, sheets and a blanket, and a
curtain for privacy.