Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART LONDON
You will depart the UK for the trip of a lifetime! If you have booked flights with us (option available for Bucket Lister + trips only), we’ll provide all the information you’ll need to meet your guide. If you are arranging your own flights, have a safe journey!
DAY 2: ARRIVE BANGKOK
On arrival in Bangkok you’ll make your way to the accommodation. If you have booked transfers through us, we’ll send you the details before your trip.
Your hotel is located close to the hustle and bustle of the Khao San Road – one of Bangkok’s liveliest areas, and the perfect place to kick off your adventure.
DAY 3: BANGKOK CITY TOUR
Following orientation by your local expert guide, you will begin a fun and fascinating Electric Scooter tour of the city. You’ll experience some of the incredible highlights of Bangkok, whilst also being considerate of the environment.
The tour will include a stop for a traditional street food lunch; the perfect way to watch daily life.
In the evening, there will be a fun official group ‘welcome dinner’ at a traditional restaurant within easy walking distance of the hotel.
DAY 4: FLIGHT TO CHIANG MAI
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight north to Chiang Mai.
On arrival in Chiang Mai, you’ll be transported straight into the jungle where you’ll spend your afternoon meeting & getting to know the national animal of Thailand: the elephant!
DAY 5: TREKKING BEGINS
Wake up to a hot coffee and relax to the jungle sounds that surround you.
Following breakfast, it’s a quick drive deeper into the jungle to begin the trek along the beautiful Mae Puey River.
After a delicious local lunch, the trek continues to Huai Waterfall, where you can take a dip and freshen up before venturing further on to Haui Hoi Village. Your transport will be waiting to return you to the guesthouse, where you can freshen up and prepare for another jungle dinner.
Today’s trek is roughly 5 hours, straightforward and of average difficulty. Although mainly level ground, you’ll be up and down the countless hills that wind their way through the valleys.
DAY 6: JUNGLE TREK
Today’s beautiful trek will take roughly 6 hours, spread throughout the day.
You’ll venture along the Mae Wang River, eventually reaching Pha Mon Village, having passed through the farms and rice paddies that dominate this region.
During the day you’ll visit a local hill-tribe community & learn about their deeply invested cultures and traditions.
DAY 7: BAMBOO RAFTING
A short morning trek to the iconic Mae Wang Waterfall this morning from where you’ll begin a leisurely and relaxing bamboo rafting experience along the beautiful Mae Wang River.
Following a final jungle lunch we’ll return to Chiang Mai. We’ll take a trip to the epic Night Bazaar, one of the most iconic locations in the city. Teeming with local artisans and craftspeople selling unique handmade items, this area is also a great place to people-watch and dine on mouthwatering local delicacies.
DAY 8: KHAO SOK
Today we’re heading to yet another beautiful jungle location – the oldest evergreen rainforest on the planet. Khao Sok National Park surrounds the man-made Cheow Lan Lake and is a sight to behold.
You’ll be flying south to the town of Surat Thani from where it’s a 60-minute transfer to the park and your accommodation, where you can check in and freshen up.
This evening you’ll be taking an equally fascinating and spooky night safari! As the sun goes down, the jungle really comes alive.
DAY 9: PHUKET - PATONG
Following breakfast and check-out, you’ll be chauffeured further south and across the Sarasin Bridge, onto the island of Phuket and your resort.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure – maybe exploring or relaxing.
DAY 10: TOUR OF PHUKET
To really understand the mix of cultures here on Phuket, you need to get underneath the skin and past the tourism. So today you’ll be taking a guided tour that we lovingly call the FAT tour! This actually stands for Food, Art, Town as these are what you’ll be experiencing today on this eclectic island.
DAY 11: KOH LANTA
From the largest island in Thailand, today you head further south to the more traditional island of Koh Lanta: a mecca for sun worshippers and water lovers alike.
You’ll depart from Mai Khao and transfer south to the pier at Rassada. Here you’ll board your ferry to Koh Lanta. Sit back and take in the stunning views of the Andaman Sea as you approach island number two!
Once the boat docks at Koh Lanta your transport will be waiting to drive you to your accommodation for the next four nights. You’ll have the afternoon to relax.
DAY 12 - 14: TIME TO CHILL, DIVE OR WHATEVER YOU LIKE!
You have three days here on Koh Lanta Island.
You might want to sign up for a 3-day open water dive qualification course or, if you are already qualified, join a few fun dives within the Koh Lanta National Park area.
If diving’s not your thing, Lanta Island has many other activities to keep you busy.
DAY 15: BACK TO BANGKOK
Back to Bangkok today.
Following check-out, you’ll depart the island for the quick boat crossing to the mainland where your drivers will be waiting to drive you north to Krabi International Airport. Here you’ll catch a flight back to Bangkok.
Once landed you’ll be transferred to your hotel for your final night in Bangkok: perfectly located to allow easy access to shopping, restaurants and bars.
DAY 16: TIME TO FLY HOME 🙁
Sadly, today is the end of the adventure. Depending on your departure flight you may have time for some final sight-seeing or shopping before you say goodbye to the Land of Smiles.
Food & Accommodation
- Day 1 FlightBreakfast
Lunch Dinner - Day 2 3* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 3 3* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 4 Basic Lodge - TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 5 3* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 6 Hill Tribe Traditional Hut – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 7 3* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 8 Hotel - TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 9 3* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 10 3* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 11 2* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 12 2* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 13 2* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 14 2* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 15 3* Hotel – TwinBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 16 FlightBreakfast Lunch Dinner
What’s the Food Like in Thailand?
Thai food is one of the world’s most celebrated cuisines — fresh, flavour-packed and incredibly varied. Expect a balance of sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours, with dishes built around rice, noodles, fresh herbs, vegetables and fragrant spices.
You’ll eat everything from classic street food favourites like pad thai, green and red curries, tom yum soup and papaya salad, to freshly grilled seafood on the islands and regional specialities as you travel north. Meals are typically light but satisfying, and food is widely available wherever you are.
Not a fan of spice? No problem — most dishes can be made mild, and guides are always happy to help translate preferences. Vegetarian options are easy to find, and Thailand is one of the best destinations in Asia for meat-free travellers.
Whether it’s a market stall in Bangkok, a family-run restaurant in the north, or beachside dining with your feet in the sand, food in Thailand is a genuine highlight of the trip.
How Difficult Is It?
How Difficult Is The Best of Thailand?
The Best of Thailand trip is designed to be easy to moderate in activity level, making it perfect for a wide range of travellers who want comfort, culture and a bit of adventure without it feeling overwhelming. You won’t need specialist fitness or training — but a reasonable level of mobility and energy will help you enjoy every experience to the fullest.
Most days involve gentle sightseeing on foot, short walks, and transfers by comfortable transport. You’ll explore vibrant cities, explore markets, wander temple grounds and take in coastal scenery at a relaxed pace. Walking distances are usually short to moderate, and there’s plenty of time built in to rest, take photos or simply soak up the surroundings.
Some activities, like bamboo rafting, short jungle walks or beach explorations, may involve uneven ground, steps or unpaved paths, but these are short bursts rather than strenuous hikes. If you’re comfortable walking up to a few kilometres on varied terrain and happy to be on your feet for a couple of hours at a time, you’ll find the trip very manageable and thoroughly enjoyable.
What's Included?
What’s Included on the Best of Thailand
This trip is designed to let you experience the very best of Thailand without worrying about the logistics. From buzzing cities and ethical wildlife encounters to jungle trekking and island time, we take care of the essentials so you can focus on the adventure.
- All accommodation throughout the trip
- Daily breakfast, plus selected lunches and dinners as outlined in the itinerary
- All transport within Thailand as outlined in the itinerary (this excludes international airport arrival & departure transfers – unless added to your booking, or if you have added Group Flights to a BL+ trips)
- Internal (return) flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Internal flights from Bangkok to Surat Thani, and from Krabi to Bangkok.
- Expert local guides and activity guides throughout the trip
- Ethical elephant sanctuary experience near Chiang Mai
- Guided jungle trek and overnight village stay
- Snorkelling and island activities where included in the itinerary
- All listed excursions, entrance fees, and activities
- Support from The Bucket List Company before and during your trip
- UK Bucket List Company Leader on all BL+ and TB departures
- Access to the Vamoos app with full itinerary, packing lists and key trip info
What's Not Included?
What’s not Included on the Best of Thailand
There are a few costs you’ll need to budget for separately, mostly relating to travel to Thailand and personal spending.
International flights
Flights to and from Thailand are not included.
Airport Arrival & Departure transfersThese are excluded from the base cost of your trip but can be added to your booking. If you are booking Group Flights with us on a BL+ trip, then these transfers are included automatically.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory and must cover adventure activities.
Visa
Visa fees (if applicable) are not included.
Meals not listed
Any meals not specified in the itinerary.
UK Leaders on BL Trips
BL trips will not have a UK Bucket List Company Leader present.
Personal expenses
Souvenirs, additional activities, laundry, and personal spending.
Tips
Tips are not included – trip-specific guidance will be provided.
Optional activities
Any optional extras not listed as included in the itinerary.
Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to enter Thailand?
Because entry requirements can and do change, and because we have clients of many nationalities, we always recommend checking this with your own government’s website. Be sure to allow enough time to apply for any visas or permits required; don’t leave your checks until the day before!
What vaccinations do I need?
These change, so it is important that you check with either a travel health clinic or your doctor’s surgery. You should allow plenty of time for this process, as some vaccines need multiple doses. The TravelHealthPro website is another useful source of information – https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries
How can I avoid roaming charges but still use my phone?
Your mobile provider might have reasonably-priced roaming add-ons, so it is worth exploring these. Or you could buy an eSim; these are often much cheaper than add-ons and are easy to activate and use. See our article for more information – https://thebucketlistcompany.co.uk/unlock-seamless-connectivity-with-esims-the-ultimate-travel-companion/
How do the monthly payments work?
If you choose to pay for your trip monthly your payment plan will start the month after your booking is made, and will end a minimum of 28 days prior to departure. After deposit, the outstanding balance will be divided by the number of months available and we’ll charge this amount each month to the card of your choice. If you have a preferred date of the month for payments to be taken just let us know. If at a later date you wish to add an extra experience to your trip we can modifiy your payment plan to accommodate this.
Can you cater for different diets?
When you book you will receive a link to your portal, where you can fill in your passenger information, including dietary and medical requirements. These will be shared with our guides and providers (including airlines if you have also booked flights). Please provide this information as quickly as possible, so we can make any necessary arrangements for you.
Whilst we do our utmost to ensure your needs are met, in some locations options for very specific diets may be extremely limited; we therefore suggest bringing some suitable snacks.
If you have a severe food allergy please ensure you carry your medication at all times, and that we are made aware. We will pass this information on, but a conversation with your in-country guide on arrival will help them give you the best possible guidance regarding suitability or otherwise of foods.
If you have specific concerns we always suggest contacting us to discuss before booking.
Will there be an internal flight on this trip?
There will be an internal flight, which is included in the trip cost. The luggage allowance for this will be slightly lower than for international flights, but will be confirmed once the flight is booked.
