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The Ultimate Family Thailand Experience

Highlights

  • Discover the vibrant city of Bangkok
  • Drift along the river Kwai on rafting adventures in the jungle
  • Get up close and personal with Asian elephants in an elephant sanctuary
  • Take a long tail boat cruise & see waterfalls and lava caves
  • Relax at the end of your holiday on the white sand beaches of Koh Kood
From £1735 *pp
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What you'll do

Overview

Discover Thailand in all its glory! Explore Waterfalls in Erawan National Park and stay on your own jungle raft on the River Kwai, spend time with elephants and enjoy incredible Thai cuisine. No trip to Thailand is complete without a trip to the Thai Islands, so end your adventure in the tropical paradise of Koh Kood.

Tour summary

Day 1-3 – Bangkok
Day 4 & 5 – Kanchanaburi
Day 6-7 – River Kwai
Day 8 – Bangkok
Day 9-11 – Koh Kood Beach
Day 12 – Bangkok

Start your ultimate Thailand holiday in the bustling, vibrant city of Bangkok, where you will be able to discover the city through the eyes of the locals as you embark on guided tours to the hidden gems many tourists miss.

Next, discover Thailand’s beautiful elephants, clear blue waterfalls and the fascinating history at the Erawan National Park Rescue Camp, before staying on the River Kwai in your very own Jungle Raft.

Finish your trip in paradise as you head to Koh Kood, to spend your remaining days in pristine waters and white sand, soaking up the sun as you reflect on a truly memorable Thailand adventure.

This beautiful weather lasts year-round, so you could enjoy a truly luxurious winter sun activity holiday in Thailand, escape the cold dark winter for a spell, relax and refresh in the warm sunshine and really get away from it all.

This adventure has been designed to suit all the family, but it is still and adventure. It is a touring holiday with a fair amount of travelling between different locations, different accommodations and includes long full days of discovery, so may not be suitable for young children, but each family is different, so you decide once you have read the detailed itinerary.

None of the activities have age restrictions and all activities are for the whole group. Of course if you prefer to sit out of an activity you are welcome to do so.

We have incorporated must-see places as well as more off the beaten track locations and we have included relaxing time at the end to wind down before you return home.

To see the full day by day itinerary of this amazing adventure scroll down the page…

*from price based on 2 adults and 2 children

Arrival Day

Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, (Bangkok International Airport), your driver will be waiting with a signboard with your name on it to transfer you to your hotel in Bangkok. The rest of the day is free to chill at your own leisure. Head out and explore the hustle and bustle of Bangkok or try some Thai cuisine.

 

Accommodation

The Grand Sathorn, Deluxe Room (or similar)

Discover Bangkok by River

Meet up with your guide who will accompany you to the nearby pier to board our long-tail boat. From here you will move down the Chao Phraya the main river in Bangkok, with amazing backdrop views of the Bangkok skyline, before making a turn to enter the klongs.

You will pass a range of local wooden stilt houses with clothes hanging to be dried in the sun, a local “7 eleven”, klong style. Feel the atmosphere of having entered the klongs. You will hear Thai music being played from the houses, you will see birds looking at the passing boats, if you are lucky, you will spot one of the sunbathing lizards.

The first stop is at the temple Wat Khun Chan where you will be inspired by the postmodern temples on one side of the klongs and the feeling of old days on the other with the beauty of the river crossing through the landscape.

From there it is onwards to the Artist Village, with old wooden walkways with artists, an old barber shop, an old grocery, vintage posters, colours of freedom, and a small stupa licking the sunlight. Feel the quietness surrounding this place. A stop will be made where you can feed the holy Catfish. It is a remarkable sight when hundreds of fish come to the surface seemingly out of nowhere!

Upon leaving the klongs you will see several houses on stilts and how locals live in these small houses on the river. Then we leave the quietness and get back to the noisy, Chao Phraya River and the majestic grand palace. Your trip will end at Pier 9 on the Chao Phraya River, from where you can visit the nearby temples on your own, continue to the shopping malls or return to your accommodation.

Accommodation

The Grand Sathorn, Deluxe Room (or similar)

Meals

Breakfast

Free Day in Bangkok

This day is yours to enjoy, whether that exploring the bustling streets and markets of the city, or simply relaxing by the pool.

The hotel staff will be happy to recommend the best places to go to explore and with atmospheric temples, incredible street food and friendly locals, there are few cities with more to discover.

 

 

Accommodation

The Grand Sathorn, Deluxe Room (or similar)

Meals

Breakfast

Bangkok to Kanchanaburi

Today your trip begins between 6:00 and 6:30. This will be a shared transfer, and you will pass by other pick-up locations before heading out towards Kanchanaburi. 130 kilometres west of Bangkok, not far from the Burmese border, you will see the Bridge over the River Kwai – made (in)famous by the 1957 Academy Award-winning film of the same name. Grim history aside, this area of Thailand is rich in culture and natural beauty. The border area with Myanmar is known for its mountainous charm that is unmatched elsewhere in the country.

Upon reaching the city of Kanchanaburi, you will get to see some of the highlights up close. Visit the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre, an interactive museum, information and research facility that presents the history of the Thailand–Burma Railway. The centre offers visitors an educational and moving experience. You will walk on the famous bridge across the River Kwai and see the Allied War Cemetery.

Around noon, you will arrive at Hintok River Camp, located near Sai Yok National Park. Situated on the Kwai Noi river, you will experience the nature and tranquility that national parks in Thailand have to offer. After check-in, lunch will be served at the camp. In the early afternoon, you will go visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum which is dedicated to Allied Prisoners of War and the Asian labourers who lost their lives at Hellfire Pass and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region during World War II. You will trek along the Hellfire Pass walking trails and return to Hintok River Camp.

The rest of the day is at leisure. You can ride around on a mountain bike (free of charge) to visit a village or farm near the camp or swim in the amazing natural pools. Finish your day with dinner at around 19:00 at the camp restaurant.

Accommodation

Hintok River Camp in a Superior Tent

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elephants and Erawan National Park

After breakfast, we will visit the Erawan Waterfall, the major attraction of the park is the 7-tiered Erawan Falls with emerald green ponds. There are also several impressive and long caves within the park, some of them deeper inside the park, a few of them along the roads around the park. The Park and the falls are named after the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology. The top tier of the falls is said to resemble an elephant head. Enjoy swimming in the fresh natural crystal-clear water.

Afterwards, we continue to elephant rescue camp where you will learn more about these majestic animals.

Learn how to prepare their food, and then you will join the elephants in a mud bath. Afterwards, walk with the elephants to the river where you can wash, swim and play with them. Do not forget your swimsuit! Walk back to the camp accompanied by the elephants. Now it is time for them to roam free and feed them snacks of delicious fruits and vegetables.

After a truly memorable afternoon with the elephants, you will be transferred back to Hintok River Camp.

Accommodation

Hintok River Camp in a Superior Tent

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Down the River Kwai

Today breakfast is served at 7:00. Today is a moving day! You will leave the Hintok River Camp behind and move to your next accommodation. At 8:00 you will board a long-tail boat which will take you on the river that runs past Hintok River Camp. You will arrive at the River Kwai Jungle Rafts at around 9:00 and you can check-in to your new accommodation. Relax or visit the local Mon village which is just a short walk from your raft. The Mon are a minority group in Thailand and are a mix of Thai and Burmese.

Lunch will be served at around noon. After lunch, you have time to explore the resort. As it is a raft and is located on the river, you can go for a dip in the refreshing water, sunbathe, book a massage (at extra cost), or simply enjoy the peace and tranquility. The resort offers different activities such as canoeing on the river, bird watching, a jungle walk, and more which you can arrange as you wish (at extra cost) directly with the resort.

In the evening you will be served dinner – please note that instead of using electricity, you will use a kerosene lamp for light. The light from the lamps will create a natural romantic ambiance.

Accommodation

River Kwai Jungle Rafts in a Raft Twin or Double Room

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Caves and Waterfalls

Wake up to a day that includes a waterfall and a cave – both located inside the National Park. But before leaving for your excursion, you will enjoy a hearty breakfast. At 8:00, you will be picked up by a long-tail boat, which will take you upstream to Sai Yok Yai waterfall.

The waterfall was made famous in 1877 where King Rama V visited the waterfall, showered in the falls and classic poetry was written to memorialize the visit.

The front of Sai Yok Yai Waterfall faces the Kwai Noi River, and the water flows from a cliff almost 10 meters above the river. The best spot to capture this beautiful waterfall is from the Sai Yok Bridge, but for those who would like to enjoy the waterfall up close you can take a boat to the fall (at your own expense). You will return to River Kwai Jungle Raft for lunch at around noon.

After lunch, you will depart on a long-tail boat to explore the Lava Cave. This is one of the most impressive caves in the National Park. It is 500 meters deep with a small entrance and with huge chambers containing large stalactites and stalagmites. In the mid-afternoon, you will return to the River Kwai Jungle Rafts for some free time.

At 19:00, dinner will be served, and the rest of the evening is free at leisure.

Accommodation

River Kwai Jungle Rafts in a Raft Twin or Double Room

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Last Day on the River Kwai

Your last day in the National Park starts with breakfast at 7:00. After breakfast, there is a chance for one last swim in the river before you check-out at 11:00. On the way back to Bangkok, you’ll make a stop at a local restaurant for lunch. You will then head to the Death Railway train station where you will board the train that was intended for use during the second world war – an important, although sad, part of Thailand’s history. The short train ride (about 30 minutes) takes you through magnificent scenery, passing over the original wooden viaduct on a railway built on the side of a mountain.

After the train ride, you will continue towards Bangkok and arrive at around 19:00.

Accommodation

The Grand Sathorn, Deluxe Room (or similar)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer to your beach paradise

After an early breakfast and checkout, you will set off for Koh Kood, your journey will begin by private van and you will also take a public ferry  to arrive on the island 325kms away from Bangkok.

Once you arrive, you’ll have your last few days free days to totally relax at the end of an incredible Thailand holiday, so that you’ll feel refreshed and recharged.

 

Accommodation

Overnight at Koh Kood Beach Resort, Bali House (or similar)

Meals

Breakfast

 

Pure Relaxation on Koh Kood

For the next couple of days, the only thing you have to focus on is how to get the most relaxation and enjoyment out of every hour you’re on the tropical island paradise of Koh Kood.

And with warm, crystal clear seas, stunning white sand beaches and world-class cuisine to be discovered, we’d say that this task is mad pretty easy.

 

Accommodation

Overnight at Koh Kood Beach Resort, Bali House (or similar)

Meals

Breakfast

Departure Day

Your last day in this paradise. After checkout, join-in ferry and private van transfer to BKK Airport.

We hope that your activity holiday in Thailand has been truly memorable and that you leave feeling you’ve got to know a Thailand that’s not in the guidebooks, the real authentic Thailand that many tourists don’t get to experience.

One thing is for sure, by the time you land at home, you’ll already be itching for your next trip back to this vibrant, colourful part of the world.

Meals

Breakfast

What's included

Included

  • Private Airport transfers and all transport between locations on the tour.
  • 4 nights Accommodation in Bangkok BB
  • 2 nights Hintuk River Camp FB
  • 2 nights River Kwai Jungle Rafts FB
  • 3 nights Koh Kood Beach Resort BB
  • English speaking guides on all activities
  • All entrance tickets & permits
  • Longtail boat cruise in Bangkok through the klongs
  • Visit the Thailand–Burma Railway Centre
  • Walk the Bridge over the River Kwai
  • Trek along the Hellfire Pass walking trails
  • Long tail boat cruise to Sai Yok Yai waterfall and the Lava Cave
  • Ride the death railway in Kanchanaburi
  • Visit Erawan National Park incl 7-tiered Erawan Falls
  • Feed elephants & join them for a swim at the Elephant Rescue Centre
Your local host

Martin

I have spent many years travelling through Thailand and have made many lasting memories and friendships. The region is rich in natural beauty and culture and offers one of the greatest culinary kitchens in the world. Many years have passed and I still think that the people are everything and I'm still surprised at the hospitality and friendliness. Working in travel is a passion for me and I enjoy helping our customers to enjoy all the best that Thailand has to offer.

I have spent many years travelling through Thailand and have made many lasting memories and friendships. The region is rich in natural beauty and culture and offers one of the greatest culinary kitchens in the world. Many years have passed and I still think that the people are everything and I'm still surprised at the hospitality and friendliness. Working in travel is a passion for me and I enjoy helping our customers to enjoy all the best that Thailand has to offer.

Martin image
Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

Learn More

Location

Pick up and drop off is at Bangkok airport, where your guide will meet you at arrivals to take you to your first accommodation, which means you can simply relax and enjoy the tour.

Your adventure takes you from the bustling streets of Bangkok, out of the city to Kanchanaburi, Erawan National Park and the River Kwai.

At the end of your adventure you will have a few days to relax on the beautiful island of Koh Kood, before you are taken back to Bangkok and the airport to complete your experience.

FAQs

What age is considered a child on this tour?

Children are ages 12 and under

What are the credentials of the elephant sanctuary?

Elephant Haven is supported by Lek Chailert, a world renowned elephant conservationist, the founder of Save Elephant Foundation and world famous Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. Lek is at the forefront of ethical elephant tourism both in Thailand and throughout Asia, which is seeing a growing demand for elephant camps to transition from a trekking to sanctuary model under the Save Elephant Foundation’s ‘Saddle Off’ program

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