Style : Group tour
Island-sea-ocean-water-sky-clouds-1973839

Thailand Explorer

Ritz Tours
4.5 . Great
96%
Travel Style: Array Full on
Physical Level: All or most of day hiking or biking, hills included. 3- Moderate
Lodging Level: The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays. Luxury (5*)
12 days
From: $ 1,600 $ 133 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • Explore Bangkok
  • Visit Bang Pa In
  • Visit Chiang Mai
  • Visit Phuket

Short Description

Discover the best of Thailand on this unforgettable 12-day tour that uncovers the many facets of this endlessly fascinating country. Dip into the glittering palaces, floating markets, and bustling streets of Bangkok; meet elephants and tribal hill peoples in jungle-bound Chiang Mai—Thailand’s northern capital; and finish with time to rest and recharge surrounded by the white sands and turquoise seas of idyllic Phuket.

Style Group tour
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
The highest level of comfort and service. All accomodations are in four or five star hotels, boutique lodges or high-end homestays.
Lodging Level Luxury (5*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions All internal ground transport
Start City Bangkok
End City Phuket

Itinerary

DAY 1:USA—Bangkok

Your voyage begins with an international flight from the US to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand

DAY 2: Bangkok

Meet your tour representative at the airport arrivals hall and transfer to your downtown hotel. Check in for four nights and enjoy the remainder of the day at your own leisure—perhaps recharging at the hotel pool, or diving into the bustling city to discover its enticing restaurants, shops, and markets.

DAY 3: Bangkok

Today enjoy a guided introduction to Bangkok, one of Asia’s most captivating metropolises. Topping the sights is the Grand Palace, a sprawling 18th-century complex of residences and temples that were home to the kings of Siam and Thailand for 150 years. Stroll around the courtyards to view the gilded buildings, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, regarded as Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist shrine. You’ll also view the elegant Marble Hall—another Bangkok showpiece. While you’re exploring, stop for a delicious restaurant lunch and then transfer back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure you enjoy a Welcome Thai set dinner at your hotel tonight.

DAY 4: Bangkok – Damnoen Saduak- Bangkok

This morning, head for Damnoen Saduak, one of Thailand’s most popular floating markets, and a fascinating window into local life. Gaze at lush paddy fields and salt farms en route, and on arrival, ride a boat along noisy canals packed with fruit, vegetable, and handicraft vendors. Spend time here soaking up the atmosphere and browsing for souvenirs and street foods before returning to Bangkok after lunch and getting more time to spend as you wish.

DAY 5: Bangkok – Bang Pa In - Ayutthaya - Bangkok

After breakfast, leave Bangkok and venture north to UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya, where a cluster of ruined temples, stupas, and monasteries mark what was once the medieval capital of Siam. Stroll the ruins, set on an island formed by three rivers—and stop, too, to see Bang Pa-in, a palace and garden complex that was once a summer retreat of Siam’s kings and their consorts. Admire the glittering, Thai-style lake pavilion with its multi-colored tiled roof, spires, and porches; and view the other ornate European-and Chinese-style halls that sprinkle the picturesque lawns. Having explored both Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-in, step aboard a modern riverboat and relax as you cruise back to Bangkok along the Chao Phraya river, enjoying the views and a delicious buffet lunch served on board as you sail. This evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.

DAY 6: Bangkok – Chiang Mai

This morning, check out of your Bangkok hotel and transfer to the airport for your short flight to Chiang Mai, often dubbed Thailand’s ‘Rose of the North.’ Surrounded by lush mountains, this history-steeped city was the capital of the independent Lanna kingdom until the mid-16th century and is rich in attractions, from Buddhist temples and national parks to tribal hill villages and elephant sanctuaries. After checking in at your hotel, sit down to a Welcome “Khantoke” dinner—where a selection of small dishes are served together on a pedestal tray— and a cultural show at a local restaurant.

DAY 7: Chiang Mai

Relax over breakfast before journeying into Chiang Mai’s mountains to visit the Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary, a jungle camp dedicated to the welfare of rescued elephants. Observe these magnificent animals as they’re fed and walked in the forest, and learn where they came from and how they’re cared for. Following lunch at a local restaurant, visit two tribal villages—homes to the Big Earring and Long Neck Karen community whose women wear spiral neck rings—and shop for handicrafts as you learn about their ancient cultures. After returning to Chiang Mai, enjoy the remainder of the day as you please.

DAY 8: Chiang Mai

Today, pay a visit to Chiang Mai’s premier attraction: the Buddhist Temple of Wat Doi Suthep. Crowning the top of Doi Suthep mountain, this revered and lavishly decorative shrine has 14th-century origins and is one of Thailand’s most important places of worship. After delving into the temple, drink in its stellar views over Chiang Mai before sitting down to lunch at a local restaurant. Then, continue to a Thai handicrafts village to seek out traditional handmade souvenirs such as hand-painted umbrellas and silks.

DAY 9: Chiang Mai – Phuket

Meet your tour guide after breakfast and travel to the airport for your flight to the island of Phuket, in south Thailand. Basking in the Andaman Sea, this gorgeous gem is famous for its rainforest-coated interior and palm-lined beaches fringed by luxury hotels and seaside resorts. After a transfer to your hotel, enjoy free time this afternoon to unwind in the island’s idyllic surroundings. This evening, dinner is served at your hotel.

DAY 10: Phuket

After breakfast, set off on a full-day tour to Phang Nga Bay in the north of the Strait of Malacca and one of southern Thailand’s most photogenic areas. Begin at Phang Nga province to see its Buddha Cave Temple (Suwannakuha), nicknamed the “Monkey Temple” for its colonies of monkeys; and then visit the Ao Phang Nga National Park for a longtail boat ride across its green waters famous for their 40 limestone karsts, evergreen mangroves, caves, and cliffs. Soak in the bay’s beauty from your boat and sail by “James Bond Island,” a limestone pinnacle that featured in the movie “The Man with the Golden Gun.” After lunch at a stilted Sea Gypsy village, return to Phuket.

DAY 11: Phuket

Today is yours to spend any way you wish—either lazing by the pool or enjoying independent shopping and sightseeing. You may want to consider an optional day trip to the Phi Phi Islands—an archipelago of paradise-like islets, a short speedboat ride away across the Andaman Sea. Cruise to several of these astonishingly beautiful gems to see their exquisite bays, forested rock pinnacles, powder-white shores and nodding palms, and to swim and snorkel in their fish-filled, aquamarine waters.

DAY 12: Phuket – USA

Today brings your vacation in Thailand to a close with a transfer to the airport and your outbound flight back to the USA.

 

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 1,600
Price Per Day: $ 133 per day

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194 Ritz Tours Travel Reviews & Ratings

96%
4.5 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 130
Great 38
Average 18
Disappointing 5
Terrible 3
Value
4.5
Guide
4.5
Activities
4.5
Lodging
4.5
Transportation
4.5
Meals
4.5

Thailand Explorer

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Company Reviews

Our family had an amazing time in Japan…

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Our family had an amazing time in Japan under Ritz Tour arrangement. The hotel locations are very close to shopping mall and subway that made everything so much easier. The lunch and dinner were all very gourmet which had a variety of authentic Japanese cuisine experiences. The itinerary with the Shinkensan was my top reason to pick this tour which fitted well with the schedule and my two boys love it. All other sight seeings in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka were very informative with the well prepared patient tour guide, Hiro. Our return flight was cancelled unexpectedly couple hours before we left the hotel. Ritz Tour manager Lilian in US (weekend in US) and local tour guide went above and beyond to help us situated. It was truly a blessing! Not to mention the Ritz Tour Agent, Olga was so patient to address all our questions promptly before the trip. We will definitely recommend to any growing busy family with a peace of mind to enjoy a vacation. Two thumbs up!
Read more

My daughter and I went on a wonderful private tour of Bali

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
My daughter and I went on a wonderful private tour of Bali and Singapore in May. Our guide, Annie and driver, Wyn, picked us up at the airport and then again each day at the hotel and took us sightseeing. The hotels were lovely 4 and 5 star hotels. We went to many temples and palaces in Ubud then drove to Nusa Dua famous temples and stayed at the Hotel Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua where they had beautiful pools and the beach. We flew to Singapore where Jeffrey picked us up and took us on a full day of sightseeing including Marina Bay Sands, temples , Mosques and museums. We had plenty of free time another day for shopping and other tours such as a beautiful nighttime River Cruise to see the lights on the huge buildings and having a Singapore Sling at the famous Raffles Hotel.
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Our family had an amazing time in Japan…

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Our family had an amazing time in Japan under Ritz Tour arrangement. The hotel locations are very close to shopping mall and subway that made everything so much easier. The lunch and dinner were all very gourmet which had a variety of authentic Japanese cuisine experiences. The itinerary with the Shinkensan was my top reason to pick this tour which fitted well with the schedule and my two boys love it. All other sight seeings in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka were very informative with the well prepared patient tour guide, Hiro. Our return flight was cancelled unexpectedly couple hours before we left the hotel. Ritz Tour manager Lilian in US (weekend in US) and local tour guide went above and beyond to help us situated. It was truly a blessing! Not to mention the Ritz Tour Agent, Olga was so patient to address all our questions promptly before the trip. We will definitely recommend to any growing busy family with a peace of mind to enjoy a vacation. Two thumbs up!
Read more

Nathan our tour manager and our bus…

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Nathan our tour manager and our bus driver Domenic were excellent. Also, you folks do an excellent job of planning the itinerary. You did the same with our Japan trip we took in 2018. We definitely will use Ritz for a future trip. Thank you!
Read more

Ritz Tours are so professional and…

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Ritz Tours are so professional and friendly. I’ve used them for Greece and Bali. I’ll be using again when I go to China 2024. I’ve referred many of my friends to the tours.
Read more

Amazing Trip through Japan!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
My husband and I took our 2 boys on the Japan tour through Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Mt Fuji, and Osaka with Ritz Tours this past July 2023. It was my 5th trip with Ritz and I had great experiences in the past, so I expected the same. Again, Ritz did not disappoint. Our local tour guide, Hiro, was very good, informative and organized! Our boys loved him as well as Japan! The hotels were very good and in excellent locations. The meals included were also excellent. We plan on going with Ritz again for our next trip!

Natalie T.
Read more

Details

Flight & Transport Inclusions

All internal ground transport

Group Size

Intimate Group - 12 max

Trip ID#:

ThaiExpRit

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