Bangkok and the eastern plains 13 Days / 12 Nights

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1   -        Bangkok – Floating Market - Kanchanaburi (L/D)
Early morning pick-up from your hotel in Bangkok. First we head to Damnern Saduak, the most famous floating market in Thailand. Upon arriving we take an exhilarating 30 minute long tail boat ride along the network of canals, where you’ll get a sense of how life used to be and for some still is even today, before arriving at the colourful market. The market is a scene of wooden canoes with traders bartering and selling. It is possible to take a short canoe boat ride along the canal to get up close to the hive of activity. Next we head to the nearby town of Nakron Pathom, to see the largest Golden Chedi in Thailand, before taking a leisurely drive to Kanchanaburi arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant by the river. After lunch we’ll continue on to visit the solemn and very moving allied war cemetery and the adjacent Thailand Burma Railway museum, before finally arriving at the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai. Time will be giving here, for walking across the bridge, snapping photos and for reflecting on what happened here all those years ago.  Then we’ll proceed to our hotel with the rest of the evening at your leisure.

Day 2   -    Saiyoke National Park – (B/L/D)
08:30 – A Full day exploring the wonderful countryside in the surrounding Saiyoke Yai National Park.
We start the morning with a short boat trip upstream along the river Kwae Noi. -  We stop to explore Kaeng  Lawa Cave, located 50 metres from the riverside of Kwae Noi. Lawa cave is the largest and finest cave in the area with fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. Once inside, we take The Lawa Cave walking trail, a 45 minute walk, which will fascinate you as you take in the limestone rock formations and the unusual ‘electric’ lighting inside the cave.

10:15 – From Kaeng Lawa Cave we continue our journey along the river heading for the beautiful Saiyoke waterfall, which cascades down from the top of the cliffs into the Kwae Noi River.

11.30 – We arrive at Saiyoke Waterfall in time to enjoy a picnic lunch with drinks, with the afternoon spent at leisure here for you to enjoy swimming in the waterfall, walking through the nearby forest or simply relaxing and taking in the beautiful surrounding scenary.

15.00 – We depart from Saiyoke waterfall and head back to Kanchanaburi, arriving back in late afternoon.

The rest of the day and evening will be at your leisure.

Day 3 – Death Railway Tour - Ayutthaya (B/L)
08.00 Start the new day with American Breakfast.
09.30 We leave the hotel behind as we take an exhilarating trip along the Kwai Noi River, to begin the Death Railway Tour.
11.00 We arrive at the village of Lum Sum to wait to board the train along this infamous stretch of track, built by the allied POW’s during the Second World War. This stretch of line will take you to the last surviving railway station from that era Nam-Tok, over the dramatic Wang pho wooden viaduct, which had to be constructed into the hillside, adjacent to the Kwai Noi River. It truly is an amazing experience as you travel along the same pieces of track laid by the allied POW’s.
12.00 - 15.00– We arrive at Namtok station; stop to have lunch before departing from Kanchanaburi province heading through the countryside for Ayutthaya via Suphan buri stopping in the city to see the newly opened Chinese Thai Museum of the Descendants, designed to present 5000 years of Chinese history, illustrating the importance of Chinese culture in Thai society today.
17.00 – 18.00 Arrive in Ayutthaya and check in to your hotel.  This evening will be at leisure.

Day 4 - Ayutthaya – Khao Yai (B/L)

7.30 Breakfast at Krungsri Hotel
09.00 – We spend the morning visiting the main temples and historic sites including Wat Srisanpetch with its ancient pagoda’s, Wat Yai Chai Mongkol famed for its giant bronze statues and Wat Chai Watthanaram.  Your guide will explain to you the fascinating history of the Ayutthaya period and how it fits in to this country’s history and culture.
Then we continue eastwards in the direction of Khao Yai National Park, briefly stopping on route to see Wat Phra Phutthabat , the temple of Lord Bhudda’s footprint before arriving at Khao Yai and our hotel in time for lunch.

After lunch and checking in at our hotel, you will have free time to explore the beauty of the park  or take an optional mountain bike trek before an evening Night Safari where you will catch glimpses of the animals in their natural habitats and maybe a tiger or two.

Day 5 Khao Yai National Park (B/L)
After breakfast, we will spend a full day exploring Khao Yai National Park. You will take an escorted trek through the park by ranger, stopping for a swim at the wonderful Haew Suwat Falls and then continuing on trekking to spot the local flora, fauna and wildlife including Gibbons, Civets, and Elephants.  A picnic lunch will be provided on route before we return back to our hotel, late afternoon, to relax for  the evening.

Day 6: Khao Yai – Pottery Village, a Bronze Age excavation site and Phi Mai (B/L)
We leave behind our trekking adventures and head into’ I-san’ on the Royal Road of discovery. As we travel you will discover the traditions of the ancient Khmer Empire, and visit the finest relics of the period.
Our first stop will be at the pottery village of Ban Dan Kwien to see the contrasts between old and new pottery making,. Then we head to Ban Than Prasat, an excavation site, which dates back to the bronze age. Then we continue on to the highlight of the day, Phi-Mai Khmer temple, designed in the same style as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, this is the best preserved example of the Khmer temples and times in Thailand. A visit to the museum located in the grounds will help your understanding of the Khmer culture.  Overnight in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Day 7  Nakhon Ratchasima - Buriram – Aranyaphrathet (B/L)
In the morning we head out back on the Khmer empire trail to visit two of the most impressive sights in nearby Buriram, Phanom Rung Historical Park, a sanctuary built on an extinct volcano, dating back over 1000 years,and Mueang Tam Stone Sanctuary, known for its mixes of Baphuan and Klang architecture, Prasat Mueng Tam as it is known is a unique Hindu style structure, with five brick pagoda’s enclosed by two walls, a lake and a small outer wall. Lunch will be taken nearby before heading south towards Sa Kaew, a provincial town close to the border with Cambodia and the crossing point at Poipet. If time and desired, we will make a stop at the bustling the border market before arriving at our hotel for the evening.

Day 8 Aranyaphrathet – Chantaburi – Koh Kood (B)
We leave Isan and the Khmer empire behind today and head south east for a few days rest and relaxation at the beautiful beach resort island of Koh Kood, a short journey by speedboat from Trat on the mainland. This island is lesser known than others in the country so Koh kood, really will provide you with total relaxation in your own piece of paradise. We will make a couple of stops on way including a visit to a a French Colonial Cathedral and a local gems market in Chantaburi, as this area was once a thriving destination for the industry, once under Colonial French control from Cambodia nearby. Then onwards to the speedboat port at Laem Sok, outside of Trat for the quickest crossing in the Gulf of Thailand to Koh Kood Island, checking in to your hotel, mid to late afternoon, with enough time to enjoy the sunset and have a swim.

Day 9 – 12 Koh Kood Island (B)
Spend the next four days, swimming, snorkeling and simply relaxing on the beach soaking up the sun.

Day 13 Koh Kood – Bangkok (B)
Depart from Koh Kood Island by speedboat and return to the mainland, before heading for Bangkok. You can choose to take a short flight back to the Capital, or alternatively a leisurely five and a half hour transfer by road, back to Bangkok. (Please advise at the time of booking).

End of Services

Price Includes
Meals as mentioned (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, Dinner = Dinner)
Tours and Entrance Fees
Transfers by Air-Con Vehicle
English Speaking Guide
Accommodation as specified based on sharing double/twin room
All Government Taxes

Price Excludes
Personal Expenses
Drinks, Alcohol
Tips