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Essence of Thailand 

09 NIGHTS | 10 DAYS

From Bangkok’s glittering temples and colourful floating markets to ancient Ayutthaya, the Golden Triangle and the mountain culture of Chiang Mai, Essence of Thailand brings together the country’s defining experiences in one private 10-day journey.

FROM

AUD $2,749

Image by John Thomas

Core

  • Quality 3 star accommodation

  • Comfortable private or shared transfers

  • Essential sightseeing & key attractions

  • Experienced local guides

  • Daily breakfast & selected meals

  • All standard entrance fees included

  • A well-planned itinerary with time to explore

  • Best for: Travellers seeking great value without missing the highlights

Signature

  • Upgraded 4-star accommodation

  • Everything included in Core

  • Additional curated local experiences

  • More included meals & dining experiences

  • Enhanced sightseeing and cultural activities

  • Added convenience and comfort throughout

  • Special Holidayscapes Signature Experiences

  • Best for: Travellers wanting a richer experience with extra comfort and inclusions

Prestige

  • Premium 5 star accommodation

  • Everything included in Signature

  • Exclusive or private experiences where available

  • Premium dining & special destination experiences

  • Additional activities and enhanced inclusions

  • Priority upgrades and added comforts where available

  • Special touches designed to make the journey memorable

  • The highest level of inclusions in the Holidayscapes range

  • Best for: Travellers wanting to experience more with fewer compromises

Day 01

WELCOME TO THAILAND | ARRIVAL IN BANGKOK
Travel Time: Approx. 30 minutes
 

Arrive at Bangkok Airport, where you will be welcomed and privately transferred to your hotel.
 

Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, giving you time to relax after your journey or begin exploring Bangkok independently.
 

Highlights: Bangkok arrival • Private airport transfer • Leisure

Overnight: Bangkok
 

Prestige enhancement: Welcome refreshments including fresh fruit and young coconut water.

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Day 02

BANGKOK | Palaces. Temples & River Life

Travel Time: Approx. 3 Hours 20 Mins.
 

Begin your discovery of Bangkok at the magnificent Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, home to Thailand’s revered Emerald Buddha.
 

Continue to Wat Pho, famous for its enormous Reclining Buddha, before visiting Wat Traimit, home of the Golden Buddha.
 

In the afternoon, experience Bangkok from the water as you cruise along the Chao Phraya River and traditional canals, passing local riverside communities before stopping at beautiful Wat Arun.
 

Highlights: Grand Palace • Emerald Buddha • Wat Pho • Wat Traimit • Chao Phraya River • Wat Arun

Overnight: Bangkok
Meals: As per selected tier
 

Core: Standard long-tail boat experience; breakfast included.

Signature: Upgraded to a private long-tail boat experience.

Prestige: Adds a buffet lunch at Bangkok Sky Restaurant, plus sunset refreshments after the river experience.

Day 03

BANGKOK - KANCHANABURI | Markets & Historic Railway

Travel Time: Local touring


Leave Bangkok behind for colourful markets and the historic landscapes of Kanchanaburi.


Visit the famous Maeklong Railway Market, where stalls sit directly beside an active railway line.
 

Continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market for a boat journey through the canals.
 

After lunch, travel to Kanchanaburi and explore its World War II history, including the cemetery and railway museum.
 

Take a short journey on the historic railway through scenic countryside before transferring to your hotel.
 

Highlights: Maeklong Railway Market • Floating Market • Death Railway • Kanchanaburi

Overnight: Kanchanaburi
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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Day 04

KANCHANABURI - AYUTTHAYA | Ancient Thailand

Travel Time: Approx. 2 Hrs. 30 mins.
 

Travel to Ayutthaya, the former royal capital of Siam and today one of Thailand’s most important historical destinations.
 

Explore significant sites including Wat Phu Khao Thong, the ancient palace, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit and Wat Lokaya Sutha, home to an impressive reclining Buddha.
 

Highlights: Ancient Ayutthaya • Historic temples • Royal ruins • Reclining Buddha

Overnight: Ayutthaya
Meals: As per selected tier
 

Core: Temple sightseeing; lunch at own expense.

Signature: Adds an included local lunch and a sunset traditional long-tail boat experience around Ayutthaya.

Prestige: Includes lunch, the sunset boat experience and dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 05

AYUTTHAYA - BANGKOK - CHIANG RAI | Royal Summer Palace

Travel Time: Local Touring
 

After breakfast, visit beautiful Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, built during the Ayutthaya era and featuring an unusual blend of Thai, European, Chinese and Khmer architectural influences.
 

Return to Bangkok and continue to the airport for your domestic flight north to Chiang Rai.
 

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
 

Highlights: Bang Pa-In Summer Palace • Flight to Chiang Rai • Northern Thailand

Overnight: Chiang Rai
Meals: As per selected tier

Core: Breakfast.

Signature: Breakfast.

Prestige: Adds an included local lunch.

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Day 06

CHIANG RAI | Temples, Art & River Life

Travel Time: Approx. 5 Hrs.
 

Discover the quieter atmosphere and distinctive culture of northern Thailand.
 

Visit a local market before exploring Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Phra Singh.
 

Continue to Baan Dam – the Black House, the extraordinary collection created by Thai national artist Thawan Duchanee.
 

Later, take a boat journey along the Mae Kok River and experience the surrounding northern landscapes.
 

Highlights: Chiang Rai market • Wat Phra Kaew • Wat Phra Singh • Black House • Mae Kok River

Overnight: Chiang Rai
Meals: As per selected tier

Core: Breakfast; lunch at own expense.

Signature: Adds an included local lunch.

Prestige: Includes breakfast, lunch and a northern Thai dinner.

Day 07

CHIANG RAI - GOLDEN TRIANGLE - CHIANG MAI  | Golden Triangle & Mekong River

Travel Time: Approx. At Leisure
 

Travel north to historic Chiang Saen, located beside the Mekong River.
 

Visit the Opium Museum to learn about the region’s complex history before continuing to the famous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet.
 

Enjoy lunch followed by a boat journey along the Mekong River.
 

Later, continue through the northern countryside to Chiang Mai.
 

Highlights: Chiang Saen • Opium Museum • Golden Triangle • Mekong River • Chiang Mai

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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Day 08

CHIANG MAI | Old City & Doi Sutherp

Travel Time: Approx. At Leisure

Explore the cultural heart of northern Thailand.
 

Walk through Chiang Mai’s historic Old City, visiting Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao and Wat Chedi Luang.
 

Continue through traditional streets by rickshaw and explore bustling Warorot Market.
 

Later, travel into the mountains to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of northern Thailand’s most important temples, with sweeping views across Chiang Mai.
 

Highlights: Chiang Mai Old City • Historic temples • Rickshaw • Warorot Market • Doi Suthep

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meals: As per selected tier
Core: Breakfast.

Signature: Includes an escorted Khantoke Dinner and traditional cultural show.

Prestige: Includes a local lunch.

Day 09

CHIANG MAI - MAE SAPOK | Trekking, Waterfall & Bamboo Rafting
Travel Time: Approx. At Leisure


Travel into the countryside surrounding Chiang Mai for a full day of outdoor exploration.
 

Journey by local vehicle towards the Mae Sapok area and trek through forest landscapes to a Karen community.
 

Continue through the jungle to a waterfall where, conditions permitting, there is time for a refreshing swim.
 

Enjoy a picnic lunch before completing the experience with a gentle bamboo rafting journey along the river.

Return to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.
 

Highlights: Northern countryside • Karen community • Jungle trekking • Waterfall • Picnic lunch • Bamboo rafting

Overnight: Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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Image by Patrick Konior

Day 10

CHIANG MAI | Farewell Thailand

Travel Time: Approx. 5 Hrs.


Enjoy breakfast and free time according to your flight schedule.
 

Transfer privately to Chiang Mai Airport for your onward journey.
 

Highlights: Final morning • Private airport transfer • Farewell Thailand

Meals: Breakfast
 

Standard hotel checkout is around midday, with late checkout subject to availability and additional cost.

ADDITIONAL

TIER UPGRADES | Signature | Prestige


Signature

  • 4★ accommodation throughout

  • Private long-tail boat experience in Bangkok

  • Included lunch in Ayutthaya

  • Sunset long-tail boat experience in Ayutthaya

  • Included lunch in Chiang Rai

  • Khantoke Dinner & traditional cultural show in Chiang Mai

  • More meals included overall

  • Higher hotel comfort and room standard

  • Better overall balance of comfort and inclusions 
     

Prestige

  • Predominantly 5★ accommodation

  • Welcome fruit and fresh young coconut water on arrival in Bangkok

  • Bangkok Sky Restaurant buffet lunch

  • Sunset refreshments after the Bangkok river experience

  • Sunset welcome drink in Kanchanaburi

  • Dinner included in Ayutthaya

  • Local lunch included before flying to Chiang Rai

  • Northern Thai dinner in Chiang Rai

  • More included meals overall

  • Upgraded room categories, including a One Bedroom Suite in Ayutthaya

  • Higher-end hotel selection in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai

  • More premium service touches throughout the journey

Core

3★ Selected Hotels
Shared or Standard Sightseeing
Comfortable Transfers
Essential Attractions
Airport Transfers

FROM

AUD $2,749

per person on twin-share basis

Great Experiences | Exceptional Value

Signature

4★ Superior Hotels
Private Sightseeing
Premium Private Transfers
Additional Experiences
Enhanced Dining Inclusions

FROM

AUD $3,259

per person on twin-share basis

More Comfort | More Exepriences

RECOMMENDED

Prestige

5★ Luxury Hotels
Private Touring with Chauffer
Premium Airport Transfers
Exclusive premium Experiences
Premium Dining Experiences

FROM

AUD $3,949

per person on twin-share basis

Luxury Accommodation & Experiences

Tour Inclusions & Important Information. Everything you need to know about what’s included, what’s not, and key travel conditions.

Travel Month
Core (AUD pp)
Signature (AUD pp)
Prestige (AUD pp)
Notes
Nov - Mar-27
2749
3299
3999
Pricing p.p. in AUD on twin-sharing basis
Apr - Oct-27
2749
3259
3949
Bangkok–Chiang Rai domestic flight is additional and subject to airline fare changes. Hotel festive/peak-period supplements may apply.
Image by Helena Lopes

PRIVATE

GROUP TOURS

Travelling with friends or family? We can curate this fantastic tour as your own private group experience, tailored to your group’s travel dates and requirements.

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