01 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,220pp
Single from £1,515
Escorted tour
Best of Northern Thailand: Chiang Mai to Bangkok – 10 Days
Elephant Nature Park, a village homestay, Sukhothai by bike, Ayutthaya and the River Kwai, in a group of 10 to 16.
10 days
From £970
Tour overview
This 10-day small-group tour travels south from Chiang Mai to Bangkok through the ancient kingdoms, rural villages and river landscapes of northern and central Thailand. Groups have between 10 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You stay nine nights: two in a hotel in Chiang Mai, one in a simple village homestay, one in a resort near Sukhothai, one in Ayutthaya, two in a raft house on the River Kwai and two in Bangkok. Breakfast is included daily, with lunch at Elephant Nature Park and a home-cooked dinner in the village.
Chiang Mai, the Rose of the North, is a city of temples and night markets surrounded by forested hills. You spend a morning at Elephant Nature Park, one of the largest elephant rescue and care centres in Thailand, where elephants roam freely across wide grounds, then join a walking tour of the old city. Heading south, you explore the temple ruins of Si Satchanalai and spend the night with a family in the village of Na Ton Chan, sharing a home-cooked dinner.
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In Sukhothai, the first capital of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you discover the ruined temples and Buddha statues of the historical park by bicycle. After an optional early visit to the local market, you continue by boat and bus to Ayutthaya, the old royal capital, with its towering temples and riverside ruins.
In Kanchanaburi you visit the war cemetery and the Bridge on the River Kwai and ride the Death Railway, built by prisoners of war during the Second World War, then stay in a raft house on the river. A day at Erawan Falls brings swimming in clear turquoise pools, with optional bamboo rafting. Returning to Bangkok via the Maeklong railway market, where stalls fold back as trains pass, you finish with a guided tour of the Grand Palace and a free afternoon.
The physical rating is medium, with cycling, walking and some early starts. This tour suits first-time visitors who want to see northern Thailand's history and countryside in a short, well-paced trip. Departures need at least ten travellers to run.
Trip highlights
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Elephant Nature Park (Day 2)
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A homestay in Na Ton Chan (Day 3)
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Sukhothai by bicycle (Day 4)
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The Death Railway and River Kwai (Day 6)
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Swimming at Erawan Falls (Day 7)
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The Maeklong railway market (Day 8)
Your route
12 stops from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
- Chiang Mai Days 1–2
- Elephant Nature Park Day 2
- Si Satchanalai Day 3
- Naton Chan Day 3
- Sukhothai Historical Park Day 4
- Uthai Thani Day 4
- Ayutthaya Day 5
- Kanchanaburi Days 6–7
- Hellfire Pass Day 6
- Erawan Waterfall Day 7
- Maeklong Railway Market Day 8
- Bangkok Days 8–10
Why choose this tour
Northern Thailand's ancient capitals and countryside in a short trip. An ethical elephant visit, a village homestay and a night on the River Kwai.
Best suited to
- First-time visitors to Thailand
- Travellers short on time
- History lovers
- Solo travellers looking for a group
Day-by-day itinerary
10 days from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Bangkok, Thailand
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Day 1 · Chiang Mai Arrive in Chiang Mai
The tour starts in Chiang Mai.
- Hotel
- Hotel M or similar
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Day 2 · Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai Elephant Nature Park
Visit rescued elephants, then a walking tour.
- Hotel
- Hotel M or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 3 · Si Satchanalai, Na Ton Chan Na Ton Chan
Temple ruins and a village homestay.
- Hotel
- Ban Natonjun Homestay or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 4 · Sukhothai Historical Park Sukhothai
Explore the ancient capital by bike.
- Hotel
- Payamai Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Ayutthaya Ayutthaya
Travel by boat and bus to the old royal capital.
- Hotel
- Ayothaya Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Kanchanaburi, River Kwai River Kwai
The bridge, the Death Railway and a raft house.
- Hotel
- Boutique Raft Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Erawan Falls Erawan Falls
Swim in the falls, with optional rafting.
- Hotel
- Boutique Raft Resort or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 8 · Maeklong Railway Market, Bangkok Bangkok
Return via the railway market.
- Hotel
- W22 Hotel by Burasari or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Grand Palace Bangkok
A guided tour and a free afternoon.
- Hotel
- W22 Hotel by Burasari or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Bangkok Tour ends
The tour ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Chiang Mai (2 nights) Hotel M or similar
- Na Ton Chan (1 night) Ban Natonjun Homestay or similar
- Sukhothai (1 night) Payamai Resort or similar
- Ayutthaya (1 night) Ayothaya Hotel or similar
- Kanchanaburi (2 nights) Boutique Raft Resort or similar
- Bangkok (2 nights) W22 Hotel by Burasari or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 8 nights in hotels and a raft house, and 1 in a homestay
- Meals 9 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
- Bus transport, a river boat trip and a Death Railway train ride
- Elephant Nature Park and a Chiang Mai walking tour
- Si Satchanalai and Sukhothai by bike
- Ayutthaya, River Kwai and Erawan Falls
- Maeklong railway market and Grand Palace tour
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not included 7 lunches and 8 dinners
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a beach holiday — this is a touring trip
- You want private bathrooms every night — the homestay has shared facilities
- You want luxury — hotels are comfortable but not luxurious
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–10 · Lunch: Day 2 · Dinner: Day 3
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Thailand
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £970 per person, twin share, tour only. 15 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £1,265 (single supplement from £289).
22 Nov 2026
Twin share
£970pp
Single from £1,265
10 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,120pp
Single from £1,415
14 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
21 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,245pp
Single from £1,540
07 Mar 2027
Twin share
£1,245pp
Single from £1,540
11 Apr 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
01 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
24 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
31 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
07 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
14 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
21 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
28 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
19 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,375pp
Single from £1,664
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.
Is the elephant visit ethical?
Yes, Elephant Nature Park is a rescue and care centre where elephants roam freely, with no riding.
What is the homestay like?
A simple village home with twin mattresses, shared western toilets and fans. Larger groups may be split between nearby homes.
How much cycling is there?
A guided ride around Sukhothai Historical Park on mostly flat paths.
Does the tour need a minimum number?
Yes, departures need at least 10 travellers to run.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors do not usually need a visa for a holiday stay in Thailand. Check before you travel.
How many people travel together?
Between 10 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader.
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