Thailand Family Holiday: Bangkok to Chiang Mai – 8 Days
Canals, waterfalls, a sleeper train, elephants and a village visit for families with children aged five and over.
Tour overview
This 8-day family adventure is designed for families with children aged five and over, travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with waterfalls, ancient ruins, an overnight train and elephants along the way. A local leader looks after the group, which numbers no more than sixteen, and family rooms are arranged where available. You stay seven nights: one in Bangkok, two in a floating rafthouse resort, one on a sleeper train and three in Chiang Mai. Breakfast is included daily, along with two lunches.
After a welcome meeting in Bangkok, your family learns to fold lotus petals at the flower market, then explores the city's canals by electric boat and makes a keepsake at an artist's house. A private transfer takes you to Kanchanaburi and a floating rafthouse resort for two nights, with a day at Erawan National Park, where seven tiers of waterfall tumble into turquoise pools that are perfect for a swim.
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In Ayutthaya, the old capital of Siam, a guided tour of the World Heritage ruins includes the Buddha head entwined in tree roots at Wat Phra Mahathat, and a hotel day room with a pool lets everyone freshen up before the overnight sleeper train north. Waking in Chiang Mai, you explore the old town and climb the 300-step stairway to the temple of Doi Suthep for views over the city.
A day at the Chang Chill elephant experience lets you watch free-roaming elephants graze and bathe from a respectful distance, with lunch near the mud pit. On your last full day you visit the village of Ban Hua Tung in the Chiang Dao Valley to walk through a community forest protected by monks, see basket weaving and share a home-made lunch with the villagers.
The physical rating is low. This holiday suits families who want an easy, varied introduction to Thailand with plenty for children to enjoy.
Trip highlights
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A Bangkok canal tour by boat (Day 2)
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A floating rafthouse resort (Days 2–3)
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Swimming at Erawan Falls (Day 3)
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The ruins of Ayutthaya and a sleeper train (Day 4)
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Doi Suthep temple (Day 5)
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An ethical elephant experience (Day 6)
Your route
6 stops from Bangkok to Chiang Dao
- Bangkok Day 1
- Kanchanaburi Days 2–3
- Erawan National Park Day 3
- Ayutthaya Day 4
- Chiang Mai Days 5–8
- Chiang Dao Day 7
Why choose this tour
Designed for families, with plenty for children to enjoy. A rafthouse, a sleeper train and elephants in one week.
Best suited to
- Families with children aged 5 and over
- First-time visitors to Thailand
- Families who enjoy nature
- Families on a budget
Day-by-day itinerary
8 days from Bangkok, Thailand to Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Day 1 · Bangkok Bangkok
A 5pm welcome meeting.
- Hotel
- Nouvo City Hotel
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Day 2 · Bangkok flower market, Chao Phraya River, Kanchanaburi Kanchanaburi
Canals and a floating resort.
- Hotel
- Boutique Raft Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Erawan National Park Erawan Falls
Swim in turquoise pools.
- Hotel
- Boutique Raft Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Ayutthaya, Wat Phra Mahathat Ayutthaya
Ancient ruins and the night train.
- Hotel
- Overnight sleeper train
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep Chiang Mai
A mountain temple.
- Hotel
- De Charme Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Chang Chill Chang Chill
Elephants in the wild.
- Hotel
- De Charme Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 7 · Ban Hua Tung Chiang Dao
A village visit.
- Hotel
- De Charme Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 8 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai
Depart at any time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Bangkok (1 night) Nouvo City Hotel
- Kanchanaburi (2 nights) Boutique Raft Resort
- Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
- Chiang Mai (3 nights) De Charme Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 7 nights, including a sleeper train
- Meals 7 breakfasts and 2 lunches
- Private minibus transfers and the sleeper train
- Bangkok canal tour and flower market
- Erawan Falls and Ayutthaya guided tour
- Doi Suthep, Chang Chill and Ban Hua Tung
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 4 lunches and 7 dinners
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a beach holiday
- You want most meals included
- You don't want to sleep on a train
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £945 per person, twin share, tour only. 65 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 holiday for?
Families with children aged 5 and over.
How are families roomed?
Twins for two, triples where available for three, and usually two twin rooms for four or more.
Is the elephant experience ethical?
Yes, you watch free-roaming elephants from a distance. There's no riding or bathing.
What is the sleeper train like?
Air-conditioned berths with curtains, a sheet and pillow, and toilets on board.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors can usually enter Thailand without a visa for short stays. Check the latest advice before travel.
Who leads the holiday?
A local leader guides and supports your family throughout.
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.
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