It’s time to step away from your everyday, and catch your flight to Chiang Mai.
Most suited for
Families, Couples
Ideal time to visit
November - April
This is Thailand as you’ve always imagined it (temples glowing in the morning light, elephants in the hills, remote beaches fringed by jungle) but experienced in a way that feels fresh, personal and a little more off-beat.
This route covers the best of the north and the south, and is a journey that gently veers away from the obvious, offering moments of true connection, wild beauty and cultural depth.
You’ll explore ancient cities and rainforest canopies, float on lakes, cook with locals, and unwind in places that still feel wonderfully under the radar.
Whether you’re travelling as a couple or a family with older children, this is a classic Thai adventure with just the right twist.
Classic Thailand with an ETG Twist
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
Chiang Mai
Your guide and driver will welcome you to Thailand. Settle into the leafy backstreets of Chiang Mai’s Old City, where peaceful temples, lively markets and some of Thailand’s most flavour-packed food co-exist. One morning, explore by electric tuk-tuk, hopping between temples and food stalls with your guide, meeting families preparing banana-leaf parcels, pork skewers and delicate dumplings.
You’ll also head into the hills for a day at ChangChill, an impressive ethical elephant sanctuary focused on hands-off observation. Between experiences, visit hidden temples, lovely craft shops and tucked-away cafés.
Days 5 - 6
Chiang Mai countryside
Just 45 minutes from the city, this is a place where life runs in the slow lane and visitors are welcomed warmly into the fold. Harmony@Huailan Home Ecolodge is a modern, Karen-run community project offering genuine immersion without the need to trek or camp. You’ll stay in a cosy, solar-powered lodge by a lake, with lovely hospitality and seriously good food (BBQ dinners are a highlight).
Over two days here, you might ride in a motorbike sidecar, join in with cooking or craft activities, walk through the forest with your host, or simply sit and talk. You’ll have the chance to learn about local life from the people living it in a relaxed, low-key way.
Days 7 - 9
Khao Sok
Set off from your homestay and fly south to Surat Thani, then continue into the wild heart of Khao Sok National Park. Misty jungle, limestone cliffs and tangled forest set the scene.
Spend two nights in a raised treehouse-style lodge, waking to birdsong and heading out by kayak, on guided walks or an atmospheric night safari.
Finish with a night on Cheow Lan Lake, staying at a floating resort, swimming off your deck and soaking up the stillness, surrounded by jewel-coloured emerald-green water.
This is always a hit with teens and couples after a little adventure.
Days 10 - 13
Koh Phra Thong
Head north by road to Kuraburi Pier, then take a boat across to Koh Phra Thong, one of Thailand’s last truly off-grid islands. There are no crowds or beach bars here, just wide-open coastline, wild savannah and a deep sense of calm.
Your base is Baba Ecolodge, a thoughtfully designed collection of wooden villas set between beach and jungle. You have free rein to be as active or as relaxed as you’d like. Either spend your days hiking the surreal savannah at sunrise, kayaking mangroves, snorkelling with local fishermen, or simply swinging in a hammock with a cold drink.
Couples relish the quiet, while families love the chance to unplug and roam.
Days 14 - 15
Bangkok
From the pier, journey back to Ranong Airport and fly north to Bangkok for your final nights.
After days of space and stillness, the capital feels exhilarating. Ancient towers and gleaming skyscrapers rise side by side, incense drifts through food-filled streets, and pockets of riverside calm sit moments from the buzz.
Spend your time exactly as you please, whether that’s sipping rooftop cocktails, meandering down canals or exploring hidden neighbourhoods with your guide.
(If you’d rather end on a gentler note, travel instead to Khao Lak for relaxed beach time, spa treatments and a slow final night before flying home from Phuket.)
Day 16
Fly home
Today, it’s sadly time to wave goodbye to Thailand. Your driver will take you to the airport for your onward flight home.
Epic Trip in Thailand
From the moment we started conversations... we knew we would be in safe hands. ETG's first hand knowledge of all the destinations and experiences mean that they can bespoke the perfect trip for you. We experienced Thailand from a different perspective... with great guides. I work in hospitality and it’s all about the small details and surprise and delight moments which [they] get. Book with ETG you won’t regret it!
Simon
21 August 2024Excellent
850 Reviews
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 from £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays from £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.
“This is a brilliant way to see Thailand properly. You mix classic places like Chiang Mai and Bangkok with quieter community stays, ethical wildlife and a truly off-grid island. It feels varied, grounded and refreshingly away from the crowds.”
Ella
Thailand Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
We’ve handpicked boutique hotels and unique stays that balance comfort, character, and connection to place. Full details will follow separately.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
