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Slooooow Thailand

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Slooooow Thailand

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Largely weaving around the busier parts of Thailand, this holiday combines some beautifully located boutique hotels with an adventure in a quiet region of Northern Thailand that is far from the tourist trail. We’ve teamed up with local experts in responsible tourism to delve into an enchanting side of Thai life that is easy to miss if you stick to the trodden path. 

You won’t miss the beaches and cultural sites that have made Thailand famous, but you’ll do it whilst largely dodging the crowds, taking in remarkable scenery and getting a genuine flavour of local life. 

Highlights Include:

  • Making sticky coconut rice and enjoying a traditional dinner with the community whilst staying in a self-sufficient, organic farming village in the north.
  • Discovering waterfalls and birdlife in the bamboo forests of Doi Luang National Park.
  • Marvelling at the picture-postcard views from your beachside hammock on sleepy Koh Yao Noi.
  • Enjoying deliciously authentic food cooked by a local family - Northern Thai cuisine is known to be some of the best in the country!

As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We can tailor it completely to suit your budget, pace and style. To find out more about how this suggested itinerary could inspire your own holiday, fill in the form below.

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Thailand.

DAYS 2 & 3 CHIANG RAI

Kick-off your holiday in Chiang Rai, a sleepy city that lies on the banks of the Kok River. Here you can visit one of the most extraordinary temples in Thailand, adorned with gleaming white sculptures depicting death, gore and Golem - see how many other film characters you can spot in their striking ivory forms! By night, your guide will take you to eat, drink and haggle your way through the wonderful night market, which is less hectic yet equally atmospheric as those in Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

You’ll also explore the remarkable rural area around the city by bicycle or on foot. Take in dramatic hills, unusual cave temples and fields of pineapple, stopping for a slice of the freshly-picked fruit along your way. By night, you’ll stay at a gorgeous boutique resort with astounding panoramic mountain views.

DAYS 4 - 7 PHAYAO ADVENTURE

Depart Chiang Rai south by road with your guide and spend the next three days exploring the neighbouring Phayao Province. This is a pocket of Thailand that’s truly untouched by mass tourism; a stay here will reveal a side of the country you didn’t know existed.

Phayao itself is a lovely town centred around an expansive lake. Here you’ll be taken to a local restaurant for an authentic bowl of KhaoSoi, a tasty Northern Thai speciality, before a Thai-style punt on the lake and a visit to a little-known temple. The surrounding countryside is, in a word, blissful; you’ll meet local people who will introduce you to the rural way of life, and your guide will take you to a mesmeric hidden mountain spot.

Whilst travelling through the province you’ll stay in some wonderful homestays as a guest of the friendly communities. Eat authentic and mouth-watering home-cooked meals, garnished with Thai basil you can pick yourself from the garden. You can pitch in making a famous local dessert, KhaoKhuob, made of sticky rice with coconut wrapped in banana leaves, before dining with your host family.

You’ll also have the chance to explore the waterfalls and birdlife in the bamboo forests of Doi Luang National Park.

DAYS 7 - 9 CHIANG MAI

Contrary to the theme of the rest of the itinerary, this part of the holiday sees you firmly on the map at a lovely hotel right in the heart of historic Chiang Mai. This is somewhere where being in the centre of things really enhances the experience.

During your stay, you’ll have a chance to explore the city sights with our Chiang Mai signature tour. Tasting the local street food and observing Buddhist monks collecting their alms at dawn, you’ll get a strong sense of Thai culture and tradition. You’ll also visit a sanctuary for rescued elephants.

DAYS 10 - 14 KOH YAO NOI

Board a direct flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket where you’ll transfer by boat to the peaceful island of Koh Yao Noi. Koyao Island Resort is a beach retreat in beautiful surroundings. This is the perfect place to experience the famous beaches of Thailand and the picture postcard image of limestone cliffs rising out of the sea. Your time here is simply for relaxing and enjoying beach life; you can enjoy traditional Thai massage in the outdoor Sala, take a canoe to hidden coves or swim and snorkel in the Andaman Sea.

DAY 15 FLY HOME

Depart Thailand for your flight back to the UK.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, our holidays typically cost between £4,000 and £6,000 per adult depending on trip length and time of year as well as the hotels and flights involved. We offer child and seasonal discounts. You can read our ultimate guide to holiday costs in Asia for more in-depth information.

To start your journey, talk to one of our friendly consultants today.

Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 to create your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

  • International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
  • Accommodation as described
  • Privately guided tours and transfers
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences 
  • Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.) 
  • 24-hour in-country backup while away
  • Your dedicated travel expert in the UK 

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Ban Dok Bua Homestay

Ban Dok Bua Homestay, Phayao

An authentic homestay with a lovely Thai family set amidst the beautiful countryside with comfortable rooms and delicious food.

Koyao Island Resort

Koyao Island Resort, Ko Yao Island

Tranquil, boutique, undiscovered. And what’s not to like about an infinity pool with stunning views of the Andaman sea?

Phu-Chaisai

Phu-Chaisai, Chiang Rai

A colourful, comfortable, occasionally eccentric hilltop hideaway resort. Great panoramic views of the northern mountains.

Rachamankha

Rachamankha, Chiang Mai

Delightful boutique hotel in the centre of Chiang Mai, within the walls of the old city.

Tai Lue Resort

Tai Lue Resort, Phayao

A small, comfortable property well located in Phayao, a short walk from town and close to beautiful scenery.

Map showing Hotels & Experiences associated with 'Slooooow Thailand'

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A taste of Thailand on this mouthwatering journey into local cuisine. Live-long-in-the-memory food experiences as luxurious as your accommodation.

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020 7924 7133 Get in touch

Call
  • Destinations
    • South Asia
      • Sri Lanka
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    • South East Asia
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Indonesia
      • Borneo
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  • Holidays in Thailand
    • Essential Holidays
    • Family Holidays
    • Luxury Holidays
    • Hidden Thailand
    • Multi-Country Holidays
  • Guide to Thailand
    • Thailand Guide
    • Weather & When to go
    • Hotel inspiration
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  • Info on Thailand
    • Northern Thailand
      • Overview
      • Chiang Mai
      • Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle
      • Mae Hong Son
      • Pai
    • Isan
      • Overview
      • Loei
      • Nakhon Phanom
      • Udon Thani
      • Phanom Rung
    • Central Thailand
      • Overview
      • Ayutthaya
      • Bangkok
      • Kanchanaburi
      • Erawan National Park
      • Khao Yai National Park
      • Lopburi
      • Phitsanulok
      • Sukhothai
    • Central Beaches & Islands
      • Overview
      • Hua Hin & Cha-Am
      • Koh Chang
      • Koh Kood
      • Koh Samet
    • Southern Thailand
      • Overview
      • Ao Phang Nga National Park
      • Khao Sok National Park
      • Trang
    • Western Beaches & Islands
      • Overview
      • Phuket
      • Koh Lanta
      • Koh Lipe
      • Koh Phi Phi
      • Koh Yao
      • Khao Lak
      • Koh Jum
      • Koh Ngai
      • Krabi
    • Eastern Beaches & Islands
      • Overview
      • Khanom
      • Koh Samui
      • Koh Pha-Ngan
      • Koh Tao
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