• Who is this holiday for? Suitable for couples and singles looking to discover the best of Thailand
• When to go? The best time of year is November to February but all year around is possible
• Price? From £855 per person
• Type of Holiday? A guided tour of Thailand with English speaking guides

To make a reservation or for further information – Contact Us

Prana Holidays 13 day Cultural tour of Thailand is a great value holiday exploring the culture, history and culinary delights of this wonderful country. During the tour you travel as part of an international group, using 3 star hotels and with an English speaking guide. Your tour starts in the capital, Bangkok where you explore the markets and temples and discover the hidden treasures of the capital of old Siam. Travel over the infamous Burma Railway constructed during WWII by prisoners of war and visit the moving war museum. Continue north to Chiang Mai, where you have the chance to attend the famous Chang Mai Thai Cookery School and explore the famous night market. To end the tour, we head back south to the beautiful beaches of Cha-am for a few days of relaxing at the end of this great taste of Thailand.

Day 1 – Bangkok (Friday or Monday)
You will be met upon arrival at Bangkok Airport. Look for your driver who will be holding a sign with your name on it, at the side of the arrival hall. Transfer to your hotel located in the heart of Chinatown. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Overnight at Grande Ville Hotel or similar – Standard Room

Bangkok at night

Wat Arun

Northern Thai Tribes

Visit Chang Mai

Day 2 – Bangkok (Saturday or Tuesday)
This morning you will first explore China Town, one of the most authentic and vibrant areas of Bangkok with its small alleys, markets and hidden Chinese temples. You will also visit Pak Klong Talad, the colourful Flower Market. After exploring with your guide you will continue to Wat Po. This ancient temple houses the giant Reclining Buddha; at 46-metres long and 15 metres high, it is an incredible sight. Later on, we explore the klongs (canals) of Bangkok by longtail boat. You will visit the Royal Barges and Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, before transferring back to the hotel.
Overnight at Grande Ville Hotel or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 3 – Bangkok (Sunday or Wednesday)
Today we take a unique guided Bangkok cycle tour, starting and ending at the Grand China Princes Hotel. It will take you to places rarely visited by tourists. Klongs (canals) may have once earned Bangkok the title of the ‘Venice of the Orient’ but the tropical landscape and Thai-style homes will shatter all illusions of a European city. The bicycle tour takes you to very small backstreets, alleys, markets, temples and even the small streets and houses hidden below Bangkok’s highways. This day gives a true picture of daily life for the majority of people in this city. While biking along the vast network of elevated pathways (over the klongs) which are only wide enough for bicycles and motorbikes, you will discover ‘the real Bangkok’. Few cars will be seen… no traffic jams, no hassle, no shopping malls, no air conditioning, no modern-day Bangkok life. You will feel as if you are in a remote village, surrounded by people living in small houses and living off of the produce of their land. There are hardly any roads, so you are required to balance on the high concrete paths leading through this picturesque part of Bangkok. On your return to the city in the afternoon, you will not believe that you have just experienced a taste of this unique area. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure.
Overnight at Grande Ville Hotel or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 4 – Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (Monday or Thursday)
The next few days you will be travelling with an international group of travellers to Kanchanaburi Province. Early this morning, you will be picked up from your hotel by the minivan and guide and driven to the Floating Market of Damnoen Saduak, about 80km (50 miles) west of Bangkok. Your early departure this morning will mean you will get to see the best of the market. We then continue driving to Kanchanaburi town, where we board the train to Nam Tok over the infamous Burma Railway, constructed in WWII under Japanese orders by POW’s and forced labourers. Lunch is taken in Pakseang. After lunch we will take a longtail boat for a trip on the Kwai Noi River and pass mountainous jungle scenery on the way to the River Kwai Jungle Rafts. On arrival, you have the rest of the afternoon free.
Although there is no electricity at River Kwai Jungle Rafts, oil lamps create a special atmosphere. Accommodation consists of basic, though comfortable rooms with hammocks on the front porch and private bathrooms. In the evening there will be the traditional dances and music of the Mon (a modest fee is to be paid locally).
Overnight at the River Kwai Jungle Rafts
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 5 – Kanchanaburi (Tuesday or Friday)
After breakfast, you will travel by boat and then drive to visit the Erawan Waterfall. Entrance fees are to be paid locally. You will spend a couple of hours at this wonderful waterfall, where you can walk up all the way to the top and have a swim in the crystal clear water at one of the many levels of the falls. During weekends Erawan is a very popular recreation destination for locals. After lunch at the falls, we transfer to your hotel in Kanchanaburi town. In Kanchanaburi you will visit the Bridge over the River Kwai, the War Cemetery and the War Museum.
Overnight at Kasem Island Resort or similar (Fan Room)
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 6 – Kanchanaburi via Ayuthaya to Chiang Mai (Wednesday or Saturday)
After breakfast we drive to Ayuthaya where you will take lunch at a riverside restaurant before visiting Wat Chai Mongkol, famous for its leaning Chedi and Buddha galleries. This afternoon you will be transferred to Ayutthaya railway station for your trip on board the night train to Chiang Mai.
Overnight on board train. 2nd class sleeper.
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 7 – Chiang Mai (Thursday or Sunday)
Upon arrival in Chang Mai, we transfer to our hotel, where we will have breakfast. The morning is free to relax and enjoy the pool at the hotel. After lunch at a nice local restaurant, we visit the fascinating Tribal Museum. Here we learn about the different hill tribes which live in this mountainous part of the country. Later, we visit Chiang Mai’s most famous temple, Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. Perched on a 1200 metre high mountain, it offers a great view over Chiang Mai and its surroundings.
Overnight at Pornping Hotel or similar – Superior Room
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 8 – Chiang Mai (Friday or Monday)
This morning you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School where you will spend the day learning about traditional Thai cooking. The day starts with a visit to the market to learn about and pick out the freshest local spices and produce. Today’s course focuses on an introduction to Thai ingredients and curry pastes. Be prepared to impress friends and family on your return. The dishes may include: Chiang Mai Curry, Panaeng Curry, Fried Fish with chilli and basil, Sweet and Sour Vegetables, Spicy Glass Noodle Salad, Black Sticky Rice Pudding and fruit tasting. The cooking class will last from approximately 10:00-14:00. After a lunch of your own creation, you’ll return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening free to relax or explore on your own.
Overnight at Pornping Hotel or similar – Superior Room
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 9 – Chiang Mai (Saturday or Tuesday)
A free day to enjoy the amenities of your hotel or explore more of Chang Mai.
Overnight at Pornping Hotel or similar – Superior Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 10 – Chiang Mai via Bangkok to Cha-am (Sunday or Wednesday)
This morning we transfer to Chiang Mai airport and fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok with Air Asia (Economy class). On arrival in Bangkok we transfer by private car to Cha-Am beach. Enjoy a different world of long, often empty, white sandy beaches, great seafood, blue skies & lazy days. This is Thai beach culture at its best.
Overnight at Long Beach Cha-am or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 11 – Cha-am (Monday or Thursday)
A day free for the beach or to explore the area. Take a break from lazing on the beach to visit Royal palaces, amazing Temples or go for a walk in the surrounding hills. If you like to play golf, you will be spoilt for choice, with six world class courses within a short distance.
Overnight at Long Beach Cha-am or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 12 – Cha-am (Tuesday or Friday)
Your final day is free to relax and enjoy the Thai beaches, food and culture.
Overnight at Long Beach Cha-am or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 13 – Cha-am to Bangkok (Wednesday or Saturday)
We check out of the hotel at noon (12.00) and meet your private driver for the transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) in plenty of time for your international flight home.

Chang Mai Night market

Northern Tribes

Cultural Thailand

Experience Thailand

Costs per person excluding flights to Thailand
Min. 2 people travelling from £855 per person (twin/double rooms)
Single room supplement from £190 per person

Flights
We do not sell flights but can give advice on times and routes.

The price includes:
Accommodation as per mentioned
English speaking guide during sightseeing
Entrance fees (unless mentioned)
Domestic flights as indicated
Meals where indicated
Sightseeing as indicated
Transportation as mentioned in the itinerary

The price does not include:
International flights to Bangkok
Airport taxes payable locally
Alcoholic drinks
Compulsory Christmas’ Eve and New Year’s Eve dinner (if applicable)
Travel Insurance
Any optional Tours
Personal expenses
Tips
Transportation not specifically mentioned
Visa fees
Water during meals

When to go?
If you can avoid the rainy season (July to October), it would probably be best, but if you can’t, the rain isn’t permanent – it comes in bursts and cools things down after it has gone! The weather in Thailand is reasonable most times of year, although it certainly gets hot during the summer. November through February are the coolest times of year and there is certainly less rain then than at other times in the year. However, Thailand is a big country with a diverse landscape. There is somewhere to visit whatever time of the year you visit the kingdom.

Return to top