Tour overview

This 15-day adventure for travellers aged 18 to 35 runs the length of Thailand, from the temples and night markets of Bangkok and Chiang Mai to the jungle of Khao Sok and the beaches of Ko Samui and Phuket. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen, and you travel largely by overnight sleeper train, bus, ferry and longtail boat. You spend fourteen nights in hotels, resorts, hilltribe village houses, a floating rafthouse and three nights on sleeper trains. Six breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners are included.

After a welcome meeting in Bangkok and a free day for street food, markets or a Thai massage, a sleeper train carries you north to Chiang Mai, gateway to the misty highlands. From here you set off on a two-day trek, stopping at Mae Malai Market and Mok Fah Waterfall, then walking along mountain ridges to stay in hilltribe villages, with home-cooked dinners by the campfire. You return to the city by kayak on the Mae Taeng River, with the option to continue on whitewater rapids, and have a free day for a Muay Thai class, a cooking class or the temples before the train back to Bangkok.

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In Bangkok you visit Wat Pho and its 46-metre Reclining Buddha before another sleeper train takes you south and a ferry brings you to Ko Samui for three nights. A half-day island tour includes the Big Buddha, with free time for beaches, waterfalls, the nightlife or a day trip to Ang Thong Marine National Park.

From Samui you travel to Khao Sok National Park and its ancient rainforest, taking a longtail boat across Chiew Larn Lake to a rafthouse, with an evening safari looking for gibbons and langurs and a southern Thai dinner with your hosts. After a jungle hike, you visit the Khao Lak Tsunami Memorial and a Royal Thai Navy sea turtle centre on the way to Phuket.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits active, social travellers aged 18 to 35 who want to see a lot of Thailand on a budget.

Trip highlights

  • A two-day hilltribe trek (Days 4–5)
  • Kayaking on the Mae Taeng River (Day 6)
  • Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha (Day 9)
  • Three nights on Ko Samui (Days 10–12)
  • A rafthouse night in Khao Sok (Day 13)
  • A sea turtle conservation centre (Day 14)

Your route

10 stops from Bangkok to Phuket

15-day route: Bangkok – Chiang Mai – hilltribe villages – Bangkok – Ko Samui – Khao Sok – Phuket
  1. Bangkok Days 1–2
  2. Chiang Mai Day 3
  3. Hilltribe Village Days 4–5
  4. Chiang Mai Day 6
  5. Bangkok Days 7–9
  6. Surat Thani Day 10
  7. Ko Samui Days 10–12
  8. Khao Sok Rafthouse Day 13
  9. Khao Lak Day 14
  10. Phuket Days 14–15

Why choose this tour

North to south Thailand in two weeks, with a group your own age. Trekking, kayaking, islands and a jungle rafthouse.

Best suited to

  • Travellers aged 18 to 35
  • Active travellers
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers
A street food stall in Bangkok Chinatown

Day-by-day itinerary

15 days from Bangkok, Thailand to Phuket, Thailand

  1. Day 1 · Bangkok Bangkok

    A 6pm welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Bangkok Bangkok

    A free day and the night train north.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
  3. Day 3 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

    An orientation walk.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  4. Day 4 · Mae Malai Market, Mok Fah Waterfall, Mae Ma Nai Hilltribe trek

    Into the hills.

    Hotel
    Hilltribe village house
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Pong Ngan Lahu Village Hilltribe trek

    Farmland and jungle.

    Hotel
    Hilltribe village house
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Mae Taeng River, Sop Kai Village, Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

    Kayaking downstream.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

    A free day and the night train.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Bangkok Bangkok

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  9. Day 9 · Wat Pho Bangkok

    The Reclining Buddha.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
  10. Day 10 · Surat Thani, Ko Samui Ko Samui

    To the island.

    Hotel
    Resort
  11. Day 11 · Big Buddha, Na Muang Falls Ko Samui

    An island tour.

    Hotel
    Resort
  12. Day 12 · Ko Samui Ko Samui

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Resort
  13. Day 13 · Chiew Larn Lake, Khao Sok National Park Khao Sok

    A jungle rafthouse.

    Hotel
    Rafthouse
    Meals
    Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Khao Sok National Park, Khao Lak, Phang Nga Phuket

    A jungle hike and turtles.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  15. Day 15 · Phuket Phuket

    Depart at any time.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The golden chedi of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Where you stay

  • Bangkok (1 night) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Chiang Mai (1 night) Hotel
  • Hilltribe villages (2 nights) Village houses (multi-share)
  • Chiang Mai (1 night) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Bangkok (1 night) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Ko Samui (3 nights) Resort
  • Khao Sok National Park (1 night) Rafthouse
  • Phuket (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 14 nights, including 3 on sleeper trains
  • Meals 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners
  • Sleeper trains, buses and the Ko Samui ferry
  • Two-day hilltribe trek and river kayaking
  • Wat Pho and a Ko Samui island tour
  • Khao Sok longtail safaris and jungle hike
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Optional activities such as rafting and Muay Thai
  • Meals not included 8 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 11 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, Bangkok

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You are over 35
  • You want comfortable hotels throughout
  • You don't want to sleep on trains
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 4–7 and 14–15 · Lunch: Days 4–6 and 14 · Dinner: Days 4–5 and 13
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Thailand
A village among forested hills and terraced fields

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £945 per person, twin share, tour only. 71 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What ages is this trip for?

Travellers aged 18 to 35.

What are the sleeper trains like?

Air-conditioned berths with a sheet and pillow and toilets on board, but no showers.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available, except on the trains, in the villages and at the rafthouse.

Do I need a visa?

UK visitors can usually enter Thailand without a visa for short stays. Check the latest advice before travel.

How hard is the trek?

Two days of moderate walking along ridges and through farmland, with a daypack.

Who leads the trip?

A local leader travels with the group.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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