Slooooow Thailand

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.