Tantalizing Thailand
Tantalizing Thailand
Tantalizing Thailand
12 Days Starting and ending in Bangkok, Thailand
Visiting: Bangkok, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2790-2024
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This budget-friendly tour through Thailand highlights the country’s rich history, delicious cuisine, fascinating cultures, religious monuments, and much more!
In Bangkok—Thailand’s current capital—visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha; the Temple of the Reclining Buddha built in 1832; and the Grand Palace, the royal residence established in 1782 where you’ll see the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist sculpture. In Sukhothai, Thailand’s 13th-century capital, visit Sukhothai Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ruins of palaces, temples, and homes. But that’s not all…in Chiang Mai explore a night market by tuk-tuk and visit an amazing elephant sanctuary to learn about the conservation efforts of orphaned and rescued elephants.
Travel to the “Golden Triangle,” where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet and visit a local tea plantation. You’ll also visit several interesting hill tribes in the mountains near Chiang Rai.
Your trip to Thailand is rich in experiences, sights, and welcoming people you’ll long remember!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Bangkok, Thailand
Location: Bangkok
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Silom
Welcome to Thailand’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 2 : Bangkok
Location: Bangkok
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Silom
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Bangkok is an exhilarating blend of historic and religious monuments, chic modernity, exciting shopping, and friendly culture. An exciting day of sightseeing is ahead. Take in the city’s principal landmarks such as the splendid Temple of the Golden Buddha and the spectacular Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. You will also visit the gleaming Grand Palace, Thailand’s most sacred monument, and the spectacular Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Day 3 : Bangkok
Location: Bangkok
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Silom
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is yours to explore Bangkok at leisure. You may opt to join an optional excursion to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya or cruise on the Chao Praya River. Or, stimulate your senses and try local cuisine made with fresh Thai herbs, selecting sweet, rich, or spicy sauces to please your palate at the outdoor food markets and quaint local cafes.
Day 4 : Bangkok - Sukhothai
Location: Sukhothai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sriwilai Sukhothai
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a bit of time at leisure this morning then fly to Sukhothai, Thailand’s 13th-century former capital. Enjoy dinner at your resort.
Day 5 : Sukhothai
Location: Sukhothai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sriwilai Sukhothai
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, visit Sukhothai Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the temples and monasteries, including Wat Si Chum with its stunning seated Buddha. The afternoon is yours to relax or further explore the park. Lunch and dinner are served at your resort.
Day 6 : Sukhothai - Chiang Mai
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Moevenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, drive to Chiang Mai. This evening, join your Tour Director for a tuk-tuk ride and orientation walk through the lively night market.
Day 7 : Chiang Mai
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Moevenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, visit the revered Buddha statue at Wat Phra Singh and Wat Doi Suthep, a temple tucked away in the mountains. For the final ascent to the temple, you can take a tram car or walk up the Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase, with more than 300 steps. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy this dynamic city.
Day 8 : Chiang Mai - Elephant Sanctuary - Ban Thaton
Location: Chiang Mai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Maekok River Village Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, travel out of the city to visit Elephant Nature Park, established in the 1990’s to provide a sanctuary for rescued and orphaned elephants. You will hear the personal stories of the elephants and see how they became a proud herd and free from abuse for the first time in their lives. Walk with staff and the elephants (no riding) and watch them bathe and play in the river. After lunch at the sanctuary, continue to Chiang Dao Cave, the most famous cave system in Thailand. Explore this beautiful cave system filled with stalagmites and stalctites that continues for miles below the surface. Lastly, make your way to your resort in the hills of Ban Thaton.
Day 9 : Ban Thaton - Doi Mae Salong - Chiang Rai
Location: Chiang Rai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy breathtaking vistas as you journey to Doi Mae Salong where you’ll visit a green-tea plantation. Next, visit several fascinating hill tribes including the Yao, Lisu, and Akha, known for gorgeous headdresses decorated with silver coins. This fascinating cultural excursion enables you to interact with the locals and experience their daily lives and be taught their rich heritage and history. Continue to Chiang Rai.
Day 10 : Chiang Rai - Golden Triangle Excurion
Location: Chiang Rai
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Drive to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town to visit the Hall of Opium, built to educate people on the 5,000-year history of opium and help combat illegal drugs. Stop at the Golden Triangle view point, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Here you’ll take a boat ride on the Mekong River to enjoy spectacular views of the Laos countryside and river life along both sides of the riverbanks. After lunch, return to Chiang Rai and enjoy some time at leisure.
Day 11 : Chiang Rai - Bangkok
Location: Bangkok
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Silom
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to Bangkok and transfer to your hotel near the international airport. Prepare for departure tomorrow or journey into the city for independent exploration.
Day 12 : Bangkok
Location: Bangkok
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Silom, Sriwilai Sukhothai, Moevenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai, Maekok River Village Resort, The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa, and Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, each offering unique amenities and convenient locations for exploring Thailand.
-
Fully Guided
The tour includes a fully guided experience with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides.
-
Meals
Breakfast-11, Lunch-5, Dinner-2
-
Transport
Travel through Thailand with a mix of flights, coach rides, and tuk-tuk rides, ensuring a comfortable and scenic journey from bustling Bangkok to the serene countryside and historic sites.
What's Not Included
-
Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping and gratuities are not included in the tour package.
-
International Travel
International travel to and from Thailand is not included in the tour package.
UNESCO Sites
Historic Town of Sukothai
Small Group
Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Asia tour dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
Mode of Transport
Travel through Thailand with a mix of flights, coach rides, and tuk-tuk rides, ensuring a comfortable and scenic journey from bustling Bangkok to the serene countryside and historic sites.
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of transportation will be used during the tour?
Travel through Thailand with a mix of flights, coach rides, and tuk-tuk rides, ensuring a comfortable and scenic journey from bustling Bangkok to the serene countryside and historic sites.
-
What types of accommodations are included in the tour?
You will stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Silom, Sriwilai Sukhothai, Moevenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai, Maekok River Village Resort, The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa, and Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
-
Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 2 dinners.
-
Will there be any opportunities to interact with local cultures?
Yes, you will visit several fascinating hill tribes including the Yao, Lisu, and Akha, known for their gorgeous headdresses decorated with silver coins. This cultural excursion enables you to interact with the locals and experience their daily lives and rich heritage.
-
What activities are planned at the Elephant Sanctuary?
At the Elephant Nature Park, you will hear the personal stories of the elephants and see how they became a proud herd free from abuse. You will walk with staff and the elephants (no riding) and watch them bathe and play in the river.
-
What are some of the key historical sites included in the tour?
The tour includes visits to the Temple of the Golden Buddha, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and Sukhothai Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
-
Is there any free time during the tour for personal exploration?
Yes, there are several opportunities for personal exploration, including a free day in Bangkok and free afternoons in Sukhothai and Chiang Mai.
-
What is the Small-Group Discovery option?
Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Asia tour dates, limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. These tours include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides, ensuring health and safety as a top priority.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1961
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Cosmos is committed to minimizing our impact on the environment and to reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. In this endeavor, we have implemented policies to support this mission and are working carefully to enhance our products with this mission and our values combined. We are committed to complying with all relevant legislation and/or regulations.
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
All guests are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for travel through February, 2023. Beginning March 1, 2023, while we highly recommend vaccination, we will no longer require it. We ask all guests to comply with airline and destination requirements, which still may apply. To check your destination requirements for your travel dates, view the Latest Travel & Health Restrictions for Travel.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
2024 Jan
2025 Feb
2025 Mar
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025 Jan
2026 Feb
2026 Mar
2026 Sep
2026 Oct
2026 Nov
2026
Sunday - Thursday
Nov 10, 2024 - Nov 21, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Nov 24, 2024 - Dec 05, 2024Sunday - Thursday
Jan 12, 2025 - Jan 23, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Feb 16, 2025 - Feb 27, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Mar 16, 2025 - Mar 27, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 09, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 23, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Nov 09, 2025 - Nov 20, 2025Sunday - Thursday
Jan 11, 2026 - Jan 22, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Feb 01, 2026 - Feb 12, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Feb 15, 2026 - Feb 26, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Mar 01, 2026 - Mar 12, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Mar 15, 2026 - Mar 26, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Sep 27, 2026 - Oct 08, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Oct 11, 2026 - Oct 22, 2026Sunday - Thursday
Nov 08, 2026 - Nov 19, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Cosmos requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of cosmos charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.