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18 Days Itineraries Thailand

Saffron & Silk: Elegant Thailand

Most suited for
Couples, Families
Ideal time to visit
November – April

Trip Highlights

Sail down Bangkok's Chao Phraya River and explore life along smaller klongs (canals)

Connect with villages at a community project in Northern Thailand

Stay at the country's most elegant hotels with top-notch service

Saffron & Silk: Elegant Thailand

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

Depart your home country on your flight to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Days 2 - 5

Chiang Mai

On arrival, your guide and driver will welcome you to Thailand and whisk you to your first gorgeous hotel. Unwind after your flight and enjoy the pool, spa and restaurants or simply kick back in your suite, before taking a stroll around Old Chiang Mai to get acquainted with this much-loved town.

It’s worth rising early at least once during your stay as dawn is a magical time of day here. Monks in saffron robes emerge from their monasteries to collect alms. After witnessing this serene ceremony, spend your day visiting temples and pagodas and sample some of the area’s most delicious and traditional street food.

You’ll also have the opportunity to live life as a Thai, learning how to cook with a local in their home and gaining a fascinating insight into village life.

Days 6 - 7

Chiang Rai

Meet your driver and guide and head towards Chiang Rai (around 3 – 5 hour journey), stopping en route to see the sights along the way and passing beautiful scenery.

Stay for three nights in The Golden Triangle in a luxury resort with excellent facilities.

Positioned at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak Rivers, this mountainous region is the meeting point of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the beautiful Northern Thai countryside. Spend two full days indulging in spa treatments, take a cooking class or even pay a visit to the nearby elephant camp.

Days 8 - 10

Bangkok

Today, fly south to Bangkok. On arrival, meet your local guide and hop in a chauffeur-driven car to your next beautiful hotel where you will stay for three nights. Spend time enjoying the riverside pool or dining in the Thai restaurant. During your stay, you’ll have time with your guide to explore the bustling flower markets before taking to the water and venturing deep into the Klongs (canals) on a private boat. An evening culinary tour is also a tasty way to learn about the culture and history of this interesting part of the Thai capital.

There is also time to enjoy the colour and charm of the floating markets. Escape the city for a few hours and pass by serene landscapes, villages and boats laden with produce before ending your day at a rooftop bar with a cocktail in hand to watch the sunset over the city.

Days 11 - 15

Koh Yao Noi

From Bangkok, fly south to Phuket where you will travel by boat to the unspoilt island of Koh Yao Noi.

Spend five nights completely and utterly relaxed in your luxurious private pool villa overlooking the ocean and Phang Nga Bay. Treat yourself to the resort’s incredible spa treatments, individual dining options or opt for hiking, cooking classes, kayaking or simply a wander along the beach. Not only is your resort totally luxurious, so are your surroundings.

Six Senses Yao Noi
Day 16

Fly home

Today, it’s sadly time to wave goodbye to Thailand. Take a boat back across to Phuket, where your driver will drop you off at the airport. Fly to Bangkok to catch your flight home.

ETG look outside the box

They always come up with things that no one else seems to, that's why they are so good. They are original and trying their best to show you the real country and people and not the facade. Great listeners, always a smile and a good banter... exceptional service and insight.
Susan
25 July 2025

Excellent850 Reviews

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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.

“These indulgent and immersive hotels are sure to blow your socks off. And don’t even get me started on the special experiences…”

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.

137 Pillars, Chiang Mai exterior

Chiang Mai - Luxury

137 Pillars

Bangkok - Luxury

The Siam

Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle - Deluxe

Anantara Golden Triangle

Six Senses Yao Noi

Koh Yao - Ultimate

Six Senses Yao Noi

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.

Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, Thailand

Forest to Fork: A Day in Rural Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, Thailand

Chef Gee Dinner or Cooking Experience

Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, Thailand

Chiang Mai Food Tour by Electric Tuk Tuk

Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand

Evening Street Food Tour in Chinatown, Bangkok

Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand

Discover Bangkok's Hidden Garden

Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, Thailand

After Dark Vespa Tour in Chiang Mai

Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand

Overnight Sleeper Train in Thailand

Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand

Cycle in Bangkok's 'Green Lung'

Elephant and his carer at ethical sanctuary Chang chill in Chiang mai

Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, Thailand

ChangChill Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

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.