Premium Northern Thailand
Discover a land of mouth-watering food, stunning landscapes, fascinating history and incredibly hospitable locals on a 12-day Premium journey through Northern Thailand. Get to know the innermost essence of Thai culture as you travel from city streets to mountain tops. Explore the ancient temples of Ayutthaya, spend time with Lisu hill tribes, meet the experts at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and uncover the country's past in Kanchanaburi. With a local leader by your side, you'll soon see there's more to Thailand than what meets the eye.
Why you'll love this trip
Bangkok Signature Experience — Experience a different side of bustling Bangkok by rising early to visit a local temple and make merit by bringing an offering to the temple's monks.
Lisu Lodge Feature Stay — Stay at the beautiful Lisu Lodge, a community-based project that employs Lisu villagers and lets you immerse yourself in local culture while enjoying modern comforts.
Traditional rice barge dinner — Cruise the waterways aboard a traditional rice barge, watch local life pass by and enjoy a delicious meal during this Signature Experience.
Elephant Nature Park — Support an important animal welfare initiative, meet local experts and get close to incredible creatures at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai.
Benjarong ceramics — Unleash your creativity and learn about the history of Benjarong, a traditional style of painted Thai porcelain, during a visit to a ceramics community.
Itinerary
DAY 01
Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok and begin your Premium Northern Thailand adventure. Meet your group and local leader before getting introduced to the flavours, culture and energy of Thailand's capital.
DAY 02
Bangkok
Rise early for a Signature Experience at a local temple, where you'll make merit by bringing an offering to the temple's monks. Continue exploring Bangkok with visits to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, before discovering the city's waterways by electric boat.
DAY 03
Kanchanaburi
Travel onwards to Kanchanaburi and explore the region's important wartime history. Visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and Bridge over the River Kwai, then discover the local community through a Benjarong ceramics workshop.
DAY 04
Kanchanaburi
Explore Kanchanaburi's natural landscapes and wartime history. Visit Erawan National Park and the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, followed by a memorable train journey along the Death Railway.
DAY 05
Ayutthaya
Continue to Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand. Along the way, connect with local life at Baan Nong Khao through a weaving community visit before discovering Ayutthaya's historic temples.
DAY 06
Ayutthaya to Sukhothai
Travel north towards Sukhothai by train, passing through the landscapes of central Thailand. Settle into the next stage of your journey as you make your way towards Thailand's first capital.
DAY 07
Sukhothai
Experience the ancient city of Sukhothai with a morning alms offering and a visit to the Historical Park by bicycle. Later, enjoy dinner in a local home and experience the warmth of northern Thai hospitality.
DAY 08
Mae Taeng
Travel further north into the mountains around Mae Taeng. Discover local traditions through a cooking demonstration, village visit and handicraft workshop before arriving at the Lisu Lodge, your Feature Stay.
DAY 09
Mae Taeng
Enjoy another day around Mae Taeng and the Lisu Lodge, set between rice fields and fruit orchards. Experience the local community and finish the day with a memorable BBQ dinner at Mae Tamaan Base Camp.
DAY 10
Chiang Mai
Travel to Chiang Mai and spend time at the Elephant Nature Park. Meet local experts and learn about the important animal welfare work taking place at the sanctuary.
DAY 11
Chiang Mai
Continue exploring Chiang Mai and discover the creative side of the city at Kalm Village. Later, visit Doi Suthep Temple and take in views across Chiang Mai.
DAY 12
Chiang Mai
Your Premium Northern Thailand adventure comes to an end in Chiang Mai today. Enjoy your final breakfast before saying goodbye to your group and local leader.
Inclusions and activities
Destinations
Bangkok · Kanchanaburi
Ayutthaya · Sukhothai · Mae Taeng · Chiang Mai
Meals
11 breakfasts
4 lunches · 6 dinners
Transport
Train · Private mini van
Longtail boat · Songtheaw · Bicycle
Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights) · Resort (5 nights)
Lodge (2 nights)
Premium inclusions
- Arrival airport transfer
- Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
- Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
- 24/7 on-ground support
Included activities
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Bangkok — Welcome Dinner
- Bangkok — Grand Palace
- Bangkok — Wat Pho
- Bangkok — Temple Merit Making
- Bangkok — Khlong Electric Boat Canal Tour
- Benjarong — Ceramics Workshop
- Kanchanaburi — Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
- Kanchanaburi — Bridge over the River Kwai
- Kanchanaburi — Erawan National Park Visit
- Kanchanaburi — Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
- Kanchanaburi — Train trip on Death Railway
- Baan Nong Khao — Weaving Community Visit
- Ayutthaya — Temple Visit
- Ayutthaya — Traditional Rice Barge Dinner Cruise
- Ayutthaya — Train to Phitsanuloke
- Sukhothai — Morning Alms Offering
- Sukhothai — Historical Park Visit and Bike Ride
- Sukhothai — Dinner in a local home
- Muang Kued — Cooking Demo
- Muang Kued — Village Visit and Handicraft Workshop
- Mae Taeng — Mae Tamaan Base Camp BBQ Dinner
- Chiang Mai — Elephant Nature Park Half Day Trip
- Chiang Mai — Kalm Village
- Chiang Mai — Doi Suthep Temple Visit
- Chiang Mai — Farewell Dinner
Optional activities
- Bangkok — Jim Thompson's HouseTHB 250
- Bangkok — Thai MassageTHB 300
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in the destinations you visit.
Before you book
Is this trip right for you?
You will visit several temples on this trip, which requires a level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. The heat can be challenging, especially in April and May, so please pack accordingly.
This trip includes a leisurely cycling tour around Sukhothai Heritage Park, so a level of confidence on a bike is required. The roads are quiet with minimal traffic, and the tour takes place within the park's confines.
Important notes
Please review the Essential Trip Information before booking, as trip details may change across seasons. A flexible deposit of $400 is available when the trip departs 56+ days from now.
Visas
Please check the applicable visa and entry requirements for Thailand before you travel.
Accommodation notes
Your Feature Stay is at Lisu Lodge, set between rice fields and fruit orchards. The lodge features traditional Lisu-style decorations, modern comforts and valley views.
Joining point
Joining point details are provided in the Essential Trip Information for this trip.
Dates and prices
| Departs | Returns | Availability | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 22 Sep 2026 | Sat 3 Oct 2026 | Sale Last minute | $4,660 $3,961 |
| Tue 13 Oct 2026 | Sat 24 Oct 2026 | 4 spots left | $4,875 |
| Tue 20 Oct 2026 | Sat 31 Oct 2026 | Sale Last minute | $4,990 $3,992 |
| Tue 27 Oct 2026 | Sat 7 Nov 2026 | 2 spots left | $5,210 |
| Thu 29 Oct 2026 | Mon 9 Nov 2026 | Spots available | $4,895 |
| Tue 3 Nov 2026 | Sat 14 Nov 2026 | 2 spots left | $5,350 |
| Tue 10 Nov 2026 | Sat 21 Nov 2026 | 3 spots left | $5,350 |
| Thu 12 Nov 2026 | Mon 23 Nov 2026 | Spots available | $5,140 |
| Tue 17 Nov 2026 | Sat 28 Nov 2026 | Fully booked | — |
| Thu 19 Nov 2026 | Mon 30 Nov 2026 | Spots available | $5,060 |
Reviews
Great trip, good itinerary, and excellent guide. Thank you Intrepid and thank you Tour Leader Nok for sharing your home with us.
My wife and I took a two week Premium tour in Thailand. We thoroughly enjoyed it and the organisation was perfect from the beginning to the end.
This was an outstanding, stress-free trip with excellent hotels, delicious meals, and a perfectly sized group. Nok made the experience even more memorable with her warmth, knowledge, and outstanding communication. She went above and beyond to ensure my shrimp allergy was always accommodated, making me feel safe and cared for.
Intrepid is the best way to see Northern Thailand.
Nia was an incredible leader, his knowledge of and his love for his stunning Thailand was for all to see, not only for us in the group but also the staff of hotels etc along the way. Well done Nia, 5 stars and an elephant stamp.