850 ReviewsRiverside pool, Stylish, Rooms with river or city views
Depart your home country on your flight to Bangkok, Thailand.
Most suited for
Families, Couples
Ideal time to visit
November – April
Experience the best of Thailand from a fresh perspective. This holiday fuses relaxation with adventure, ideal for active families.
You’ll delve into the local culture with unique experiences and dig into delicious food, all together: from gliding down canals to glittering temples and cycling through the countryside to hidden restaurants to unravelling history with a great guide at the unmissable sites.
Then, live the dream on a tropical island en famille, far from the overtouristed beaches. Bliss.
Classic Family Thailand Adventure
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Days 2 - 4
Bangkok
On arrival in Bangkok, you’ll be welcomed to Thailand by your local guide and whisked along in a chauffeur-driven vehicle to your first hotel, where you will be for a three-night stay.
After relaxing at your hotel, head out in the afternoon with your guide on an orientation tour of the energetic city, sampling street snacks (be brave!), visiting markets and learning how to use the many modes of local transport.
Your first full day in Bangkok sees you spending the morning cruising along the city’s ancient canals in your private long-tail boat. Break up the day with some downtime at your hotel before setting off on a delicious street food tour by tuk-tuk in the evening.
Day four includes a full-day tour, making the most of Bangkok’s public transport system as you visit some of the main sights, but also venture beyond the crowded streets of the metropolis to discover a secret, far quieter side of the city.
Days 5 - 7
Kanchanaburi
Hop in the car for a two-hour drive to Kanchanaburi, where you’ll begin your 3-day cycle tour through the beautiful Thai countryside.
During your time here, you’ll have the chance to explore caves, villages, waterfalls, hot springs, lakes, and some poignant World War II sights like ‘The Bridge Over The River Kwai’.
The hotel is part of the experience here, too, and includes stays at Hintok River Camp in a luxury safari tent and at The Floathouse, where you’ll sleep in a floating villa.
Days 8 - 10
Chiang Mai
After waving goodbye to The Floathouse, you’ll be driven back to Bangkok airport for your onward flight to Chiang Mai, where you’ll stay for three nights.
One of the highlights here will be a day interacting with elephants and their mahouts, learning about the incredible conservation work done to protect these endangered animals at an ethical elephant sanctuary.
While in the city, you’ll also have an expert guide for a day who will show you the city from a perspective tailored to you. Whether you want to explore the nooks and crannies of the glittering temples, find the best places to slurp noodle soup or discover the most quirky local market and haggle for a bargain – your guide will show you how!
Days 11 - 15
Ko Yao Noi
A quick flight will take you from Chiang Mai to Phuket, where you’ll take the short boat journey across to the beautiful, unspoiled Koh Yao Noi.
Here, you can revel in the beautiful marine landscape that Thailand is known for, but without the crowds that you might find elsewhere.
Spend relaxed days as a family on the beach, stretching out on the golden sand or snorkelling and swimming in aquamarine waters or splashing about in the pool (parents will love the chance to read in a hammock or even relax in the spa). While staying here, you’ll also have the option to learn how to cook local dishes or try out Thai boxing and if you’ve still got plenty of energy, then you could explore the island by mountain bike or even try out the rock climbing that Koh Yao Noi is celebrated for.
Day 16
Fly home
Today, wave goodbye to the island as you take a boat transfer back to Phuket, before flying home via Bangkok.
The best family holiday we have ever been on
This holiday had everything. Great people, food, wildlife, beaches and scenery. Experience Travel Group were exceptional from planning stage to our return home. Holly created the perfect trip for our family.
The Stern Family
22 April 2022Excellent
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Thailand Experts
Ella’s first trip to ‘The Land of Smiles’ sealed the deal. She fell instantly for the effortlessly friendly people and the banging food. Now, she spends her time helping travellers experience the Thailand she loves – from Bangkok’s hidden gardens with secret restaurants to quiet islands where you won’t be part of a pack of tourists. Phew.
“If you’re looking for a holiday with the perfect rhythm of discovery and downtime – one that’ll go down in your family history books – this trip is for you.”
Ella
Regional Expert
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of the destination. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
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West Coast Islands, Thailand
Koyao Island Resort
Tranquil, boutique, undiscovered. And what’s not to like about an infinity pool with views over the Andaman sea dotted with fantastical limestone karst islets?
Highlights
Highlights
Thatched villas,
Beachfront pool,
Watersports
Best for
Families
Friends
Couples
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Kanchanaburi, Thailand
The FloatHouse River Kwai Resort
Quality thatched-roof villas and outdoor adventures on a peaceful bend of the River Kwai.
Highlights
Highlights
River villas,
Pristine nature
Best for
Families
Couples
Gallery
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tamarind Village
A charming small hotel located in the heart of Chiang Mai’s old city with lovely facilities.
Highlights
Highlights
Lovely location,
Candlelit dinners,
Gorgeous pool
Best for
Couples,
Families
Gallery
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Bangkok, Thailand
Riva Surya Bangkok
Ideally located right on the Chao Phraya River, this hidden gem of a hotel is great value.
Highlights
Highlights
Best for
Families
Couples
Friends
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences in Thailand
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
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Bangkok
Evening Street Food Tour in Chinatown, Bangkok
ETG’s Chinatown Night Walking tour is a fascinating culinary journey through one of Bangkok’s liveliest and most diverse districts.
Guided by a local expert, the tour takes you to seven eateries, ranging from air-conditioned restaurants to simple street food stands, where you will sample a range of this 200-year-old area’s heritage dishes. With a minimum of 11 well-considered dishes to sample, you will likely be quite full by the time you get to the end!
The menu will likely include steamed Dim Sum, Chinese herbal drinks, Chinese Bun, “Guau Jab” (a unique, peppery noodle soup), Lychee Ice Cream, Grilled King Prawns, Succulent Duck Cheek and Black Sesame Dumplings with Ginger Tea.
Bustling with activity, Chinatown is one of Bangkok’s most photogenic neighbourhoods. The tour lasts for approximately three hours, starting at 6pm, when this 24-hour district is just getting into full swing.
Between each tasting location, you will go on behind-the-scenes adventures to get a closer look at this unique neighbourhood: you will meet the food bazaar’s lively characters, hear memorable stories, and visit religious and cultural landmarks.
The tour can be taken privately, with a guide meeting you at your hotel, or as part of a group (if you would prefer to share the experience with other food lovers). The tour has been superbly researched to ensure you get the chance to taste some of the city’s best and safest street food from vendors with decades of experience and repeat customers.
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Bangkok
Discover Bangkok's Hidden Garden
Set on the banks of a small canal, Poomjai Garden is a welcome oasis right in the heart of the city.
What sets Poomjai apart is its commitment to sustainable practices and its unique collection of flora and fauna not typically found elsewhere in Bangkok. It is a fantastic environmental project that also functions as an organic farm and restaurant.
On your visit, you’ll join a guided tour of the grounds, learning about the diverse plant life and the range of animal species supported here. As part of the experience, you’ll also participate in a Thai dessert workshop. You’ll be provided with all the necessary ingredients and instructions to create a selection of delicious Thai desserts, such as Khanom Bua Loi (Small rice dumplings in a sweet coconut cream) and Khanom Tako (Thai pudding with a coconut topping).
An immersive experience where you can support a fantastic little project while enjoying a delicious lunch in a lovely garden setting.
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Chiang Mai
After Dark Vespa Tour in Chiang Mai
Get ready to explore Chiang Mai nightlife like a true local. This evening tour is designed to give you an immersive experience of the city’s rich culture and hidden gems for food and drinks.
Hop on the back of a Vespa for a journey through the winding backstreets and residential neighbourhoods of Chiang Mai. Your guide will lead you to a local restaurant that is tucked away from the tourist trail, where you can dig into some delicious treats and mingle with the locals.
Next, you’ll stop at a small shop where you’ll learn how to make a beloved northern Thai dish. Roll your sleeves up for a hands-on food experience that will tantalise your taste buds.
As the night progresses, you’ll make your way to the banks of the Ping River, where you’ll be greeted with a lively atmosphere of bars and restaurants
The tour wraps up with a nightcap at a live music bar. You’ll experience Chiang Mai’s best local talent in action as you join the crowd. All in all, this will be a memorable evening with flowing music, food, and drinks.
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Bangkok
Cycle in Bangkok's 'Green Lung'
Take a short boat trip across the Chao Phraya River to Bangkrachao (or Bang Kra Jao), a jungly area nicknamed the ‘Bangkok’s Green Lung’. Sleepy Bang Kra Jao feels worlds away from the city’s energetic streets and is the perfect place for a peaceful two-hour bike ride.
Tropical plants and lush trees surround the roads in Bang Kra Jao, creating an urban sanctuary in the city centre. Cross over canals and admire the mangrove forests that line the waterways and pass traditional Thai houses and golden temples rarely visited by tourists. Stop to chit chat with people as you go, visit markets selling an array of fresh produce and refuel with snacks at one of the many street stalls en route.
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Chiang Mai
ChangChill Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
ChangChill is an ethical elephant sanctuary in the hills, roughly 90-minutes west of Chiang Mai. We love this sanctuary as it has a strictly hands-off policy, meaning you can observe the elephants in their natural element, relaxing, eating, playing and interacting exactly as they would in the wild.
Many visitors to Thailand want to experience elephants on their trip but don’t know how to do so in an ethical way. Although there has been progress in prioritising elephant welfare in Thailand over the past decade, there are still parks with questionable practices, such as riding the elephants or chaining them up when not in public. ChangChill’s philosophy is that “elephants can simply be elephants”, so they are free to roam around their eight acres of land without being disturbed by humans.
ChangChill (meaning ‘relaxed elephants’) offers half-day or full-day packages, including plenty of chances to see the sanctuary’s elephants in their natural environment. After a quick introduction to the organisation and a safety briefing, you are led into the forest to search for the elephants. This trekking can be challenging, so isn’t suitable for anyone with mobility issues. The expert guides will teach you about elephant behaviour and conservation as you trek through the jungle, before reaching a mud pit where elephants like to roll around and cool down on hot days.
The day continues with more chances to see the elephants going about their business and getting to know the mahouts and the Karen tribe they originate from. In between observing the elephants, your guides will show you how to prepare some healthy snacks for them and give you a crash course in Thai herbs picked straight from their organic garden.
We thoroughly recommend ChangChill to anyone who wants an educational elephant experience with the confidence of knowing that both the elephants and their carers are treated well.
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Important FAQs about Thailand
At Experience Travel Group, we’ve been crafting immersive holidays in Thailand for around 20 years and some of our team live there. Our in-depth local knowledge, long-standing partnerships and network of specialist local guides, we can really help you under the skin of the country and discover her secret sides.
Over the years, we’ve developed enriching experiences that bring together cultural depth and give you the freedom to explore. Think hands-on food adventures in Bangkok’s backstreets, access to peaceful beaches, countryside stays where local life still ticks to its own rhythm, or journeys into the mountainous north to meet the hill tribes – all bespoke to you.
With our expert planning and on-the-ground support, you can get into holiday mode knowing everything’s covered – while still having the freedom to discover Thailand your way. We don’t do cookie-cutter trips. Every holiday is personal, every route considered, and every detail designed to show you a side of Thailand that most visitors miss.
So come with us, to the Thailand we know and love.
In general, November to April is the most popular time, with warm, dry weather across most of the country – ideal for both exploring and beach time. But Thailand’s seasons aren’t as simple as they look, and with a little know-how, there’s somewhere worth visiting year-round.
The Andaman Coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta) is at its sunniest between November and April, while the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) comes into its own from February to August when the west coast monsoon winds bring in rain to the west coast. With its mountains and cooler breezes, Northern Thailand is best for trekking and outdoor adventures from November to February.
Travelling during the “green season” (roughly May to October) can be rewarding: fewer crowds, greener landscapes, and lower hotel rates. Rain tends to arrive in short, heavy bursts rather than all day, leaving plenty of sunshine in between. National parks are glorious at this time, with waterfalls in full flow. During late August and September, Thailand often experiences flooding, so this time is usually best avoided, though even then, you can still visit many of the beach destinations very happily.
The months of April and October are the turning points worth considering for great-value travel, with fairly reliable weather. In April, the Songkran New Year festival is a joy to be part of, if you don’t mind getting a soaking from a water pistol (or water blaster!). The rates fall dramatically compared with March. While Songkran marks the start of the rainy season, it has not fully kicked in. It can be a good time to travel throughout the country for those who can put up with some serious heat and humidity. In October, the rains tend to fall away as Thailand returns towards the settled November weather.
So while November to March might be the sweet spot for most of Thailand, there’s always a way to plan a Thailand holiday that fits your timing – and often, going slightly against the grain can mean quieter beaches, great value and a richer experience.
Every ETG holiday is designed to feel seamless, immersive and stress free. We’ll arrange international flights (if you’d like us to), your drivers and guides, and stays in characterful hotels we know and trust.
You’ll experience the country in a way that’s completely bespoke to you – from quiet moments to big adventures – all planned by our specialists. And while you’re away, our local team is on hand 24/7, so you’ll always feel well looked after.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Thailand
Tempted to discover the very best of Thailand, far from the tourist traps?
Our experts spill their secrets in The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Thailand.
Download your complimentary copy for an insight into the country’s highlights, hot hotels and unusual experiences to inspire your next great adventure.
