Train Tracks through Thailand

Itinerary

Itinerary:
Chiang Mai - Bangkok - River Kwai - Ko Phangan - Bangkok
Duration:
13 days / 12 nights (flexible)
Price:
From £ 1,364.- per person (excluding flights)
When to go:
December - August

This Thailand holiday from north to south is packed with activity and great for those who prefer to avoid domestic flights. You’ll be travelling like a local, using overnight sleeper trains for the longest parts of the journey. Your trip starts with a few nights in Chiang Mai, the cultural capital of the north. As well as getting to know this vibrant city, you’ll get up close to the elephants rescued by Elephant Nature Park. You’ll then travel south to explore Bangkok for a couple of days, before taking a train ride over the ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’. You’ll then travel south to Surat Thani, where you’ll hop on a ferry and cross over to the tropical paradise of Koh Phangan.

Days 1-3 – Elephant Encounters in Chiang Mai

When you arrive in Chiang Mai, you’ll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city. With a laid-back, spiritual atmosphere, Chiang Mai is a walkable city scattered sacred temples and shrines. Next you will learn all about the gentle giants at the Elephant Nature Park. You’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the park an hour away. You will learn all about the issues faced by elephants in Asia and the personal stories of those rescued by the park. You will have the chance to observe these majestic animals and aid in their rehabilitation before returning to Chiang Mai in the early evening for another night in the city.

Days 3-6 – Bangkok

In the evening, you’ll make your own way to the train station to catch the overnight sleeper train to the buzzing capital of Bangkok. You’ll arrive early the next day and be met by your driver who will transfer you to your accommodation for two nights. Your hotel is tastefully decorated and has a swimming pool – perfect for those hot days. Your time here is free to do as you wish. You’ll be centrally located with lots to see and do within walking distance, but it’s a very easy city to get around by taxi or public transport. Those craving an instant culture fix can head straight to the Royal Palace, the number one place of interest for most Bangkok visitors.

Days 6-8 – The River and the Railway

After an early breakfast you’ll start your trip to the River Kwai as part of a small group. First you will visit a market before heading to the Hellfire Pass Museum where you can learn all about the haunting history of this region. In the afternoon a longtail boat will take you upstream to your accommodation for the night, a floating raft house lit by flickering oil lamps.

After a peaceful night’s sleep in your floating hut you’ll visit the spectacular Erawan Waterfalls. As you climb, you can take a plunge in one of the clear pools to cool off. Next it’s time to board the train for a trip across the Burma ‘Death’ Railway. During the ride you’ll see panoramic views of the River Kwai and visit the Bridge over the River Kwai. You’ll spend the second night of this trip in a small, cosy riverside resort in Kanchanaburi.

Days 8-12 – Shimmering Bays and Secluded Beaches

Today you’ll catch a bus back to Bangkok, where you’ll have enough time to get dinner and grab some snacks before catching the overnight sleeper train south to Surat Thani. On arrival the following morning, you’ll be transferred to the port to catch the ferry to the idyllic island of Ko Phangan. We’ll arrange for you to be collected from the ferry port and transfer you to your resort with a swimming pool, where you’ll spend the next few days.

The famous full moon parties are held on the other side of the island at Had Rin Beach, so they won’t impact you during your stay. Your time here is free to do as you please! If you’re feeling energetic, you can hike up to the island’s highest point – Kao Ra. This breathtaking viewpoint is located at an altitude of 627m. Alternatively you can sit back and relax on the beach with a local beer, or we can arrange a longtail boat trip around the island.

Days 12-13 – Departure

At the end of your stay we’ll arrange your transfer back to the ferry port where you will catch the boat back to the mainland, the final journey on this Thailand Shoestring trip will be back to Bangkok by overnight sleeper train. When you arrive back in the capital you will make your own way to the airport for your international flight home.