From GBP £
EARLY BIRD 20%
£2,475
£1,980
From USD $
EARLY BIRD 20%
£3,350
$2,680
Duration
11 Days
Starts
Bangkok
Ends
Chiang Mai
Thailand rewards those who go beyond the obvious. This 11-day vegan tour takes you from Bangkok’s hidden waterways and temple-lined skyline, west to the jungle rivers of Kanchanaburi and the historic Bridge on the River Kwai, through the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, and north to the mountains above Chiang Mai for time with rescued elephants and hill tribe communities.
Thailand packs an extraordinary amount into a relatively small country. Ancient temples, contrasting cities, modern glass skyscrapers sharing space with centuries-old shrines, wide highways and cobbled streets, jungles, rivers, mountain communities, and one of the world’s great street food cultures, all a short journey apart. This tour connects them in a way that makes sense, moving at a pace that allows time to fully experience each place rather than simply pass through it.
Striking a balance between Thailand’s key sights and the hidden, unexpected experiences that rarely make it onto a group itinerary, this tour delivers both. A Bangkok most visitors never see, an overnight stay in a floating bungalow on the River Kwai, a morning on Koh Kret, a quiet Mon island community in the Chao Phraya that most travellers never find, time at Elephant Nature Park, one of the world’s most respected elephant rescue sanctuaries, and an overnight stay in a Karen hill tribe village in the northern mountains above Chiang Mai.
Every meal is plant-based. Breakfast is included every day, along with a number of group meals throughout the trip. For the remaining meals, your tour host arranges an optional group meal at every mealtime, giving you the flexibility to eat with the group or head out and explore independently.
* Group meals when you want them
Breakfast is included every day, along with several group meals during the trip.
Every lunchtime and evening, your Tour Host will arrange a group meal if one isn’t already included. You’re free to join and pay only for what you eat and drink, or head out to explore the local cafés and street food.
No strict meal schedules offers better value, more freedom and flexibility, while still giving you the option to enjoy a social, organised meal whenever you choose.
Just across the river from Bangkok's skyscrapers lies a different world entirely. Bang Krachao is a lush, car-free peninsula of mangrove forests, palm gardens and quiet local communities, protected from the city's noise and traffic, and known as Bangkok's Green Lung for good reason.
We spend the day on bikes, winding through elevated wooden paths above the mangrove forest, past local temples, traditional workshops and village gardens where life moves at its own pace. Lunch is a leisurely, plant-based affair eaten at the forest's edge, one of those simple meals that somehow tastes better for where you're sitting.
It's a day that puts the city in perspective, and a reminder that Bangkok contains more than most visitors ever find.
A classic Bangkok day begins at the Grand Palace, home to the sacred Emerald Buddha, before continuing to Wat Pho to see the magnificent reclining Buddha. Covering 46 metres in length and covered in gold leaf, it is one of the most iconic sights in the city.
The Grand Palace itself is a sprawling complex of golden stupas, mirrored mosaics, and orange-tiled roofs. The architecture is a breathtaking display of traditional Thai design, with every surface decorated in intricate patterns that shimmer in the tropical sun.
Cross the river to the striking Wat Arun as the light begins to soften. Known as the Temple of Dawn, its porcelain-encrusted spires are a masterpiece of Thai craftsmanship. We then weave our way back to the hotel by tuk tuk through the city’s backstreets, a lively and memorable way to experience the energy and history of Bangkok.
We leave Bangkok and head west to Kanchanaburi, a province where history and natural beauty sit side by side.
We begin with a walk across the historic Bridge on the River Kwai, then board a slow train that follows the cliff edge above the Kwai Noi River. The track curves across the wooden Wampo Viaduct, with steep drops on one side and dense forest on the other. It’s not a long journey, but it’s hard to forget. If time allows, we’ll stop at a nearby waterfall for a chance to cool off in the clear water.
By late afternoon, we arrive at our overnight stay, floating wooden bungalows set directly on the water’s edge, surrounded by jungle on all sides. The shift in pace is immediate. Relax on your private deck, watching the river drift past, or in the spacious shared gardens, taking in the sounds of the jungle. It’s a setting far removed from daily life.
Despite the setting, the bungalows are fully equipped with electricity, air conditioning, and WiFi, so we get the atmosphere without sacrificing comfort.
As the sun begins to set, you can join an optional sunset raft experience, drifting gently along the river as the light fades and the valley grows still.
Dinner is served by the river, with the sound of the water and jungle all around.
Leaving Kanchanaburi behind, we stop to visit the deeply moving Hellfire Pass Memorial. Here, Allied prisoners of war once worked through the night by torchlight, and the site offers a powerful and respectful insight into this history through the memorial museum and the pass itself. We continue on to Ayutthaya, the former royal capital of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore its vast ancient temple grounds, including Wat Maha That with its iconic Buddha head entwined in banyan roots, and the grand ruins of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. As the day draws to a close, the temples take on a different atmosphere in the softer light, offering a memorable end to the day before staying overnight in Ayutthaya.
This morning brings a shift in pace with a visit to Koh Kret, a small island community in the Chao Phraya River north of Bangkok, rarely seen by most travellers. Explore the local market, learn traditional pottery techniques from the Mon people, and discover a quieter side of daily life along the river.
Later, we head to the airport for our flight to Chiang Mai, the "Rose of the North." The air is cooler and the pace is slower than the capital. Upon arrival, we meet as a group for an evening meal, a gentle orientation walk through the Old City will help you get your bearings in this vibrant northern hub.
Spend the morning at Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary in the Mae Taeng Valley. A half-day here gives us the opportunity to observe and learn about these animals in a responsible and respectful environment.
In the afternoon, we explore the spiritual heart of Chiang Mai. We visit three contrasting temples: the shimmering Silver Temple (Wat Sri Suphan), the 700-year-old forest monastery of Wat Umong with its unique tunnel passageways, and finally Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Set high on the mountain as the light begins to fade, the city stretches out far below, simple, still, and quietly memorable.
The north of Thailand has its own distinct culinary identity. Today we explore those flavours first-hand with a hands-on vegan cooking class, learning to prepare classic Thai dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, from aromatic curries to traditional noodle dishes.
Later, we travel into the surrounding hills to meet Karen communities. You’ll gain a deep insight into local traditions, crafts, and ways of life that remain closely connected to the land. We spend the evening in the community, allowing for a slower, more immersive cultural exchange and a chance to experience the stillness of the northern mountains.
Waking up in the hills, we take part in a traditional rice farming experience, working alongside local farmers and learning seasonal techniques in the fields. It is a tactile, grounding way to understand the agricultural rhythm that has defined Thai life for centuries.
After returning to Chiang Mai, the afternoon is left free to explore the city at your own pace or catch up on some last minute souvenir shopping. Whether you want to explore the backstreets of the Old City, browse the famous craft markets, or find a quiet vegan café to reflect on your journey, this is your time to enjoy the Rose of the North at your own pace.
Eleven days, five destinations, and more plant-based food than you ever thought possible, we hope this trip has given you a new perspective on Thailand and whetted your appetite to return again for a more in depth and off the beaten track visit.
After breakfast, your journey comes to a close with onward travel from Chiang Mai. Take a final moment to reflect on a journey that has taken you from the hidden canals of Bangkok and the history of the River Kwai to the mountains and communities of the north. Your Tour Host will be on hand this morning for any last-minute questions or onward arrangements.
If you're not ready for the adventure to end, extend your stay with one of our carefully planned add-ons. Whether you want beach time, mountain air, or a short hop into Cambodia to visit the ancient Angkor Wat, a tour extension give you a simple way to keep travelling without the hassle of planning it yourself.
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