Highlights
- Explore Bangkok's famous temples and markets
- Discover the Burma Railway and River Khwae Bridge in Kanchanaburi
- Hang out with the elephants in Chiang Mai
- Cruise around Khao Sok National Park by long-tail boat
- Relax on the pristine shores of Phuket
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bangkok | Bangkok |
| Day 2 | Grand Palace & Wat Po, Long-Tail Boat Ride | Bangkok |
| Day 3 | Mae Klong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market | Bangkok |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Kanchanaburi, River Khwae Bridge & Burma Railway | Kanchanaburi |
| Day 5 | Visit the Erawan National Park & Mon Villages | Kanchanaburi |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Chiang Mai via Bangkok | Chiang Mai |
| Day 7 | Visit the Baan Chang Elephant Park, Explore Chiang Mai | Chiang Mai |
| Day 8 | Explore the Doi Inthanon National Park | Chiang Mai |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Khao Sok National Park via Surat Thani | Khao Sok National Park |
| Day 10 | Boating & Hiking in Khao Sok National Park | Khao Sok National Park |
| Day 11 | Khao Sok Mist Boat Safari, Transfer to Phuket | Phuket |
| Day 12 | Family Beach Day in Phuket | Phuket |
| Day 13 | Phuket Free Day: Island Hopping, Ziplines & Waterparks | Phuket |
| Day 14 | Depart Phuket |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok
Day 2: Grand Palace & Wat Pho, Long-Tail Boat Ride
After breakfast, discover Bangkok's best spots and colorful splendor with a private family tour. Start from your hotel, where your guide will show you the city's dazzling Flower Market, filled with multicolored blooms. Next up is one of Bangkok's must-see landmarks, the Grand Palace, the official residence of successive Kings of Siam (later Thailand) from 1782 until 1925. Your expert guide will show you around the immense complex of ornate buildings, halls, and gardens as you and the kids hear fascinating tales of the country's culture and history.
Don't miss the adjoining Wat Phra Kaew, the most important Buddhist temple in the country, where the kids will see the famous Emerald Buddha, a revered 26-inch (66 cm) high statue carved from a single piece of jade. Take a break from the heat and let the kids decide where to lunch (the city's numerous street food options make dining a fun choice for the kids). Afterward, leave the bustle of the city behind with a long-tail boat ride across the canal to see traditional Thai houses along the waterfront and get a taste of typical rural life.
Day 3: Mae Klong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
After breakfast, get ready to experience Thailand's famous markets. Relax as you take a 1.5-hour private transfer to the famous Mae Klong Railway Market. Browse the colorful stalls, and pick up some tasty street eats to munch as you and the kids weave through the narrow lines and stalls on the railway track. Older kids will love the thrill of watching the lightning speed at which the vendors pack up their wares and get off the tracks as the train approaches. Enjoy the thrum of excitement as you watch in awe from one of the trackside cafés as the train passes.
Now you've persuaded the kids that markets in Thailand are anything but boring, make your way to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market the traditional way, by long-tail boat. Cruise the slender canals, and negotiate boat to boat as you peruse the vendors' floating stalls piled high with goods ranging from clothes to kitchenware, exotic fruits, street food, and snacks. Be sure to snap plenty of pics as you and your family participate in a centuries-old Thai tradition before your guide returns you to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 4: Transfer to Kanchanaburi, River Kwhae Bridge & Burma Railway
Get ready for the next leg of your trip as you transfer three hours northwest to Kanchanaburi. Sitting at the junction of where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai meet to form the Mae Klong River, the town is known as the construction site for the Burma Railway and the River Khwae Bridge. Families with older children can spend a meaningful day exploring the town's dark World War II history. Visit the Hellfire Pass Museum and learn about the Allied prisoners of war and civilian laborers who lost their lives during the railway's construction and the survivors' stories.
Break for lunch and pay your respects at the Hellfire Pass Memorial before riding along the railway's historic tracks to Krasae Cave. Then, walk with the kids over the infamous bridge before a peaceful boat ride along the river. At the end of the afternoon, pay tribute to those who died during the railway's construction with a visit to the Don Rak War Cemetary. Journey back to your hotel on a long-tail boat as you reflect on the day's experiences with the kids.
Day 5: Visit the Erawan National Park & Mon Villages
Wake up at leisure this morning but don't dally too long as the beauty of the Erawan National Park awaits. Make sure to bring your swimsuits, as, after a guided tour of the park, you will head to the turquoise pools and stunning cascades of the seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall. Take a dip with the kids in the serene waters and relax before exploring the large stalactite and stalagmite-filled Lawa Cave in Saiyok National Park. You may also see some of the tiny resident khun kitty bats!
Afterward, you'll transfer to the Mon Village in Kanchanaburi, where the traditional lifestyle and customs of the Mon people, originally from Myanmar, are preserved. Kids of all ages will be fascinated to see the traditional houses raised on poles to protect against the monsoon floods. Visit the village's school and see the temple before returning to your accommodation. The rest of the evening is yours to spend as you wish.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Transfer to Chiang Mai via Bangkok
Enjoy breakfast with the kids and then, depending on your flight timings later, either savor the idyllic beauty of Kanchanaburi for a while longer or head straight to Bangkok airport, where you'll board your flight to Chiang Mai. Nicknamed the "Rose of the North," the largest city in northern Thailand is known for its natural beauty, fascinating Lanna culture, historic temples, and vibrant food scene. Transfer to your accommodation, settle in, and if energy levels allow, explore the city's quaint Old Town, where you can relax with a cold drink. Soak up the laidback atmosphere before heading out to dinner.
Day 7: Visit the Baan Chang Elephant Park, Explore Chiang Mai
The elephant is synonymous with Thailand and Thai culture, both as the country's national animal and as a symbol of Buddhism. This morning, you and your family will travel out of the city to Baan Chang Elephant Park, where you and the kids will meet these highly empathetic creatures in their natural environment.
Create extraordinary memories as, after dressing in the traditional clothing of a mahout (elephant keeper), you and the kids spend time looking after these gentle giants as you prepare fruit snacks for the elephant, walk with them to a clean water pond, and learn about their behaviors. There'll be plenty of opportunities to capture the broad smiles of your little ones as they come away enthused about elephant protection and conservation and with some four-legged friendships they'll never forget.
Day 8: Explore the Doi Inthanon National Park
Set your alarm clock this morning as you won't want to miss your early start to the Doi Inthanon National Park. Named after the country's highest peak and part of the Thanon Thong Chai Range, Doi Inthanon stands at 8,415 ft (2,565 m). Pass by paddy fields as you ascend into the mountains with your local guide. Visit the majestic Wachirathan Waterfall, where kids will love the refreshing spray from the cascades as you stop to take in the thundering falls and marvel as its mist lingers above the jungle canopy.
Stop at the Twin Pagodas, a viewpoint with panoramic views over the mountaintops, and capture the moment with a family pic before heading back down the mountain. Enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel late afternoon. The evening is yours to spend as you wish.
Day 9: Transfer to Khao Sok National Park via Surat Thani
It's time to head south! After breakfast, make your way to Chiang Mai's airport and board your two-hour flight to Surat Thani, located close to the mouth of the Taki River on the Gulf of Thailand and the gateway to Thailand's breathtaking islands (Ko Samui, Ko Tao, and Ko Pha Ngan), hidden parks, and stunning white-sand beaches.
Upon arrival, transfer to the Khao Sok National Park, an area teeming with flora and fauna, limestone mountains peppered with caves, and the oldest evergreen rainforest in the world. It's also chock full of giant lakes and dense forests, ideal for canoeing and jungle trekking, with plenty of adventure for active teenagers. Stroll the nature trails, discover the jungle's fascinating biodiversity, or jump into the Khao Sok River for a refreshing dip before heading out to dinner with the family.
Day 10: Boating & Hiking in Khao Sok National Park
Day 11: Khao Sok Mist Boat Safari, Transfer to Phuket
The early start this morning is well worth it as you and the kids take a boat ride across the lake searching for wildlife. It's a moment to remember as you sail the calm waters to the backdrop of the atmospheric mist that drifts along the water and shores of the jungle. Return to your accommodation and enjoy a Thai breakfast of khao tom (a savory rice porridge) or pancakes before enjoying one last dip in the lake.
In the afternoon, you'll swap the Khao Sok National Park for Phuket's stunning beaches and family-friendly waters. It's around a three-hour drive, so pack snacks and settle in for the ride as you take a private transfer to your accommodation.
Day 12: Family Beach Day in Phuket
After breakfast, spend the day relaxing on the serene shores of Phuket as you explore the island's various beaches. If you're searching for peace and tranquility, make for the sands of Mai Khao Beach or Kamala Beach, both perfect for little ones. Older kids will love Karon Beach, which has plenty of activities and a busier vibe, while next door, Kata Beach, is great for swimming and snorkeling and has the benefit of incredible sunsets.
Day 13: Phuket Free Day: Island Hopping, Ziplines & Waterparks
It's your last day full day in Thailand, and the day is yours to do as much or as little as you wish. Head inland for a sightseeing tour to visit Wat Chalong and the Phuket Big Buddha; set off on a family island-hopping adventure as you tour Phi Phi Island, James Bond Island, and the crystal clear waters and colorful marine life of the Similan Islands. Join the kids for a swim and snorkel among the colorful coral reefs, or spend the day touring the turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, and sandy beaches of Phang Nga Bay.
Day 14: Depart Phuket
Sadly, it's your family's last day in Thailand. After breakfast, transfer to the airport and catch your flight home. Safe travels!
More Great Thailand Itineraries
Map
