The Highlights of Thailand in Short Time - 7 Days
Tour Code: TL-7D6N-1
A classic tour which takes in some of Thailand’s most important destinations, this a week journey through the ‘land of smiles’ visits the country’s capital Bangkok, its second city of Chiang Mai, then Chiang Rai, plus the Elephant Care experience.
Start ~ Bangkok, Thailand
Finish ~ Bangkok, Thailand
Physical rating: 2 out of 5
The Itinerary
On arrival at Bangkok Airport, you will be welcomed to Thailand by EMH tours’ representative and then transferred to the hotel to check in and relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Meal is not included on this day.
Morning tour of Bangkok: After breakfast you will be taken on a tour of the city. Walk through the morning flower markets to explore real Thai lifestyle. Then board a long-tailed boat to Thonburi, in the west of Bangkok, situated on the right side of the Chao Phraya River. Its many canals had originally given Bangkok the name “Venice of the East.” Passing along the canals in the boat gives you a first-hand impression of the scenic life along Bangkok‘s waterways. You will also visit the majestic Royal Barges and the Temple of Dawn. Return to the hotel to make your own arrangements for lunch.
Afternoon tour to the Grand Palace & Wat Pho: This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel for a tour which includes three of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Traimit with its invaluable Golden Buddha (5 ½ tons of solid gold); Wat Pho, the largest temple in Bangkok, with the colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings, and the Grand Palace which is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient Siamese architecture and has been the residence of the Kings of Thailand for over two centuries. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Morning tour to the Floating Market: After an early breakfast set off for the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which is situated 70 miles west of Bangkok and is a very attractive place for visitors to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying fruits & vegetables from small boats. You will also see traditional Thai houses as well as see how the way the people here live and travel by boats. The tour includes a visit to Nakorn Pathom, site of the highest Chedi in Thailand called “Phra Patom Chedi” which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.
Afternoon free: This afternoon you are free to relax or to make the most of Bangkok’s excellent shopping opportunities.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai. The flight time is approximately 1½ hours. On arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be welcomed to Chiang Mai and then transferred to the hotel to check in. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax at your hotel, or explore the local area independently.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
The tour begins with early morning pickup from your hotel in Chiang Mai and travels north-east to the province of Chiang Rai. Enjoy a quick stop at Mae Kajan, a bubbling hot spring where you can soak your feet and relax before the day of sightseeing ahead.
Continue onto the White Temple, also known as Wat Rong Khun, an impressive feat of intricate architecture depicting a gleaming white vision of heaven. The temple was inspired by the theme of angels and life after death, and the pool surrounding the building depicts the small river between earth and heaven.
After the temple, enjoy a traditional lunch served at a local Thai restaurant. Following lunch, visit the Black House Museum, known by the locals as Baan Dam Museum, owned by Thawan Duchanee, a well-known Thai artist. Discover this mysterious place that holds over 10,000 items of fascinating wood crafts, silverware, and antiques, collected from Thailand and the rest of the world.
Finally, visit the Choui Fong Tea Plantation, famous for its high quality traditional teas cultivated in the agricultural center of Thailand. From the top of a nearby hill, admire the stunning view across the tea fields and soak up the glorious countryside atmosphere before returning to the city.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
This half-day package to KANTA ELEPHANT SANCTUARY offers visitors an enjoyable opportunity to spend quality time with elephants in their natural home, as well as gain an insight into their history and behavior, and create cherished lifelong memories of their time spent with these amazing animals with friendly, happy elephants in a safe and sustainable environment.
On the morning of your visit, you will be picked up from your hotel and will drive for approximately 50 Mins through scenic agricultural areas before arriving at the Sanctuary. Learn a little about the elephants, before changing into our uniform.
After being allocated bananas and sugar cane to feed to the elephants, you will walk with your guide through the Sanctuary, where you will find free-roaming elephants and hear their individual stories. You can touch, feed, photograph, and interact with the elephants at your leisure while you learn about their lifestyle and behaviors. After you have met all the elephants, observe elephant get muddy for a healthy cosmetic mud treatment to their skin. Next, you will walk with the elephants to a nearby river, observe them while they wade through, play in the water, swim and you have a chance to join them in the water.
Once the elephants are clean, you can take some final photos with them, and then it will be time to part ways with your new friends and change into some dry clothes. Finally, eat some seasonal fresh fruit, before enjoying once again the impressive rural scenery as you drive back to Chiang Mai.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast and free time until time to go to the airport for departure flight. Then, transfer you to the Airport according to your flight departure time.
Meals: Breakfast
~ 6 nights accommodation
~ enjoy daily breakfast at hotels
~ flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
~ professional English speaking tour guides
~ tours and programs as described
~ sightseeing tours by air-conditioned private vehicles
~ entrance fees for mentioned visits
~ return airport transfers
~ enjoy exploring Thailand as per itinerary
~ Visa fee
~ Meals not specified in the “Inclusions” section
~ Personal insurance and other personal expense
Do I need a visa to visit Thailand?
Australian tourists can get a visa exemption for:
- up to 30 days, if you arrive through one of the international airports
- up to 15 days, if you enter through a land border (restricted to 2 entries per calendar year)
For longer stays, or if you’re travelling other than for tourism, you’ll need to apply for a visa before you travel.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice, so it’s important that you check for the latest information. Please contact the nearest Embassy or consulate of Thailand for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality.
Do I need any vaccinations before visiting Thailand?
No vaccines are required in order to enter Thailand but some are recommended for protection against disease. Visit your doctor or travel clinic for advice and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.
Can I drink the tap water in Thailand?
Drinking tap water isn’t recommended in Thailand. Avoid drinks with ice and make sure to peel fruit before eating it. Help the environment and try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, fill a reusable water bottle with filtered water. Your tour guide or hotel can tell you where to find filtered water.
What is currency in Thailand?
The official currency in Thailand is the Baht.
Euro, British Pounds, US Dollars and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks or at any one on of the numerous exchange booths that line the streets of the big cities. You may also choose to purchase currency in advance, though it’s possibly not necessary as ATMs can be found everywhere with the exception of the hill tribe areas of Chiang Rai and if enroute between Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong border if crossing to Laos. It is not common to pay with a credit card at restaurants, cafes or shops for small purchases and if you do often there will be a surcharge applied or minimum charge required. It’s advisable to request bank notes in smaller denominations, as it can sometimes be hard to get change from large notes and smaller notes are handy for smaller purchases and gratuities.
What do foods and drinks cost in Thailand?
- A market fruit shake = 25 THB
- Bottle of local beer = 100 THB
- Market stall meal = 40 – 100 THB
- Dinner at a nice restaurant = 350 – 1000 THB
What’s the food like in Thailand?
Thai food is some of the most popular in the world. Overflowing with flavour, fresh ingredients and plenty of variety, this well loved cuisine is a must try for any traveller visiting Thailand. Pad Thai, Green Curry, Som Tam, Tom Yum Gai… almost certainly everyone has a favourite.
A typical Thai meal will contain rice or noodles, a soup dish, meat or fish and fresh vegetables. Seasonings such as salty, sweet, sour and spicy are usually incorporated somehow and Thai people tend to eat from lots of small dishes instead of having one meal.
You will also find street stalls offering a variety of food that can be eaten on the go, from satays and spring rolls to fruit and sticky rice treats. You could say variety is the spice of life in Thailand!
Is tipping customary in Thailand?
Tipping isn’t customary in Thailand, but feel free to leave restaurants, driver or service workers a small tip if the service has been particularly good. It’s always appreciated.
What’re the toilets like in Thailand?
Squat toilets are most common in Thailand, although Western-style flushable toilets can be found in your hotels and tourist areas. It’s a good idea to carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer, as they are not always provided.
Is WiFi widely available in Thailand?
Internet can be accessed at hotels and internet cafes in large cities and tourist areas but is limited in rural and remote areas.
Can I use my mobile phone while in Thailand?
Mobile phone coverage is generally good in Thailand’s urban areas, but may not be available on some of the islands and in more remote and areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.
What sort of sockets are used in Thailand and what is the voltage?
Standard voltage is 220 volts. Primary sockets generally require the 2 flat prong plugs (type A) and the 2 round pin plugs (type C). We recommend that you pack a universal travel adaptor. You will need a voltage converter and a plug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances.
Weather overview
Thailand essentially has three seasons – rainy, cool and hot. The hot dry season starts in March and stays until May. This is followed by the rainy season from May to October. Frequent rains do occur during this time, but generally in short sharp bursts which are sometimes quite spectacular to witness – so certainly bring some waterproof clothing for this time of year. The cool season then lasts from November to February. With dry days and temperatures that are still very warm, this is considered the best time to visit.
Don’t forget you can modify this tour. Whether you enjoy travelling as a part of a small group with other like-minded travellers, or perhaps you are looking for your very own private journey, we have the right option for you. Click on talk to us button to send us your enquiry.