12-Day Highlights of Thailand Tour

View of Karon beach in Phuket, Thailand

What to expect on this itinerary

Pearl-white beaches line crystal clear waters, magnificent mountains tower up from the earth, golden palaces glimmer under the sun, and grand temples share a wealth of insight. Award-winning restaurants cover the vibrant city streets, and coral reefs yearn to be explored. Thailand boasts many enchanting experiences across its diverse and tropical landscape. On this specially-curated, 12-day tour, you will explore some of the best sights and attractions that this country has to offer. Journey to the Land of Smiles and create memories that will last a lifetime as you uncover what makes this destination truly special and unique.

Countries Visited

Thailand

Places Visited

Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Phuket, Phang Nga Bay

Suggested Duration

12 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Chiang Mai – A Tranquil Arrival Amidst Nature

Thailand’s secluded beauty is best experienced in the Northern capital of Chiang Mai. The diverse landscape and isolated experiences make for an incredibly immersive and captivating stay. Upon your arrival, you will comfortably transfer to your lavish boutique resort that will be nestled at the base of Doi Suthep Mountain. Built into the mountain, your private will villa offer exceptional tranquility within nature. Picture-perfect vistas of the greater Chiang Mai area and first-class amenities make this your ideal destination to rest your head after your long flight into Thailand. You can relax in the private pool before fine dining at the distinguished resort restaurant to let the afternoon slowly slip into the evening.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Breakfast
Day 2

Chiang Mai – A Soaring Tour in a Private Hot-Air Balloon

Day 3

Chiang Mai – Share Stories with the Locals

Day 4

Bangkok – Rise to the Clouds

Day 5

Bangkok – Delve into a Cuisine of Tremendous Depth

Day 6

Bangkok – Trace Back Thailand’s Cultural Roots

Day 7

Koh Samui – Experience Luxury on Sand and Sea

Day 8

Koh Samui – Island Hop to Idyllic Hideaway Spots

Day 9

Koh Samui – Absorb an Island Steeped in Heritage

Day 10

Phuket – Cherish an Evening Supper on the Lagoon

Day 11

Phuket – Glide Across Phuket Island as a VIP

Day 12

Phuket – The Best of Phuket’s Allure

Trip Highlights

  • Uncover the country’s iconic landscapes from the unique perspectives of a private hot-air balloon flight over Chiang Mai and a VIP helicopter tour over Phuket
  • Immerse yourself into the culture of an ethnic hill tribe in the less-traveled city of Chiang Rai to uncover the age-old traditions of Thailand’s local inhabitants
  • Learn more about the country’s diverse wildlife and sustainable eco-practices while caring for elephants and an ethical sanctuary
  • Discover the tastes of Thailand as you sample dishes prepared by award-winning chefs and revered local cooks on an exclusive food tour of Bangkok
  • Craft and master Thai cuisine yourselves as you learn the secrets behind their most coveted dishes at a prestigious culinary school
  • Indulge in visits to premier landmarks and ancient temples in Bangkok to learn more about the country’s rich heritage
  • Experience a luxurious island-hop to immaculate seaside destinations off the coast of Koh Samui
  • Luxuriate at Phuket’s best-kept beach secrets as you traverse the Andaman Sea via the comfort of a lavish private vessel

Detailed Description

Chiang Mai, the first destination on your Thailand highlights tour, is a wonderfully rugged region that is complete with striking mountain ranges and sprawling jungles. Nestled at the base of the renowned Doi Suthep Mountain lies an immaculate resort that you will have the luxury of calling home for a few days. With some time to unwind, you can enjoy the first-class amenities and divine Thai cuisine before your adventurous exploits begin the following day. During your stay, you will check off iconic experiences in the Land of Smiles. A sunrise spectacle from the unique perspective of a private hot-air balloon will take your breath away. Shortly after landing, you will journey to an ethical elephant sanctuary that is set amid a luscious, jungle setting. You will enjoy more of Northern Thailand’s diverse cultural heritage and landscape the following day as you are accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who will help you discover the traditional living of an ethnic hill tribe before visiting the magnificent temple atop the Doi Suthep cave complex.

You will journey to Bangkok after your immersive stay in Northern Thailand. Here, you will delve into the rich tastes of Thailand with an enthralling food tour of the most authentic and luxurious culinary destinations that the country has to offer. You will further your knowledge of Thai cuisine at a prestigious culinary school, where you will learn the age-old traditions of their most coveted meals. The following day, you will revel in revered landmarks and uncover the sheer beauty of the glimmering golden temples. A stop at the Jim Thompson House will conclude your inspiring stay in Bangkok. Then, you will then make your way to Koh Samui, which is a magical island that shares tranquil experiences for a truly pleasurable stay. A private speed boat will transfer you to the pivotal neighboring islands as you hop your way around this paradise. You will dine on world-class cuisine and visit immaculate cultural destinations throughout your serene exploration.

Next, you will make your way to the tropical island of Phuket. Boasting a collection of pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, you will be whisked away to paradise, where you will stay in an ultra-luxurious resort that will provide you with an enchanting spa treatment at its leading wellness center. The next day, you will capture unforgettable vistas of the greater Phuket region as you soar across the sky in a VIP helicopter. You will witness more of the picturesque seascape from the comfort of a luxurious private speed boat as you tour hideaway beaches and snorkel the vibrant coral reefs. Your Thailand trip will culminate with a private tour of Phuket’s most significant cultural and heritage sites. If the beautiful sights and attractions were not enough, you will share in exquisite, award-winning meals alongside marvelous sunset views to finish off your vacation in absolute style. Consider learning more about our travelers’ best Thailand travel experiences by reading their Thailand travel reviews.

Starting Price

$4,300 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 650 reviews

Thailand Travel Review: Krabi, Chiang Mai, Elephant Sanctuary, 2-Week Trip

Zicasso’s travel agency was a phenomenal agency to work with. They were professional, attentive, easily accessible, and very informative. They went above and beyond in making our trip go as smooth as possible, including easy airport transfers and directions. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone traveling to Thailand!

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Thailand Vacation Review: Koh Samui, Elephant Sanctuary, 3-Week Trip

Our trip was to Thailand for almost three weeks. It was a fantastic country to visit. Everything went perfectly right from the start. We are seniors (I'm 90) and, of course, needed help getting around. Zicasso and our travel company made our trip perfect. The guides were amazing. Everything was on time. I can't say enough about how well the whole trip went.

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Vietnam, Thailand Tour Review: Mekong Delta, Chiang Mai, Ha Long Bay, Koh Samui, Hoi An, Cooking Class, Elephant Sanctuary, 3-Week Trip

Jon and I want Zicasso’s travel specialist to know how much we enjoyed and benefitted from the wonderful itinerary, great seats on domestic flights, caring and thoughtful tour guides, and more. What a great trip!

We spent three weeks in Vietnam and Thailand. The highlight of the trip was the wonderful guides and the unique itinerary. Great care was taken to arrive at destinations before the crowds and fast-track entrance with a personal guide with knowledge of the culture and history.

With six domestic flights throughout Vietnam and Thailand, we experienced the best of both countries. We loved the cooking classes and elephant sanctuary. Thank you for taking such good care of us.

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Thailand, Vietnam Trip Review: Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hoi An, Ha Long Bay, Krabi, Elephant Sanctuary, Motorbike Tour, 2 Weeks

It was the best vacation ever!!! Zicasso’s travel specialist and the team made traveling halfway around the world to six locations in two countries seamless and a spectacular experience at every turn! Ten stars for all of your efforts to make this a very special experience for my wife and me.

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Thailand Vacation Review: Bangkok, Food Tour, Kayaking, Waterfall Hikes, 2 Weeks

Initially, I was hesitant to plan a private trip to Thailand, as we have always used organized, small-group tours. Since we were traveling as a family group of five adults, each with a very different agenda, I figured it was worth looking into. Zicasso was great and provided three itineraries, but it was one travel specialist who really listened to what we wanted and provided what turned out to be an absolutely perfect experience.

The whole itinerary was so well thought out. Days with heavy physical activities were balanced with a calmer day following. The itinerary was arranged to accommodate specific markets and events we wanted to experience. Our travel specialist or a team member checked in with us every night to let us know pick-up times and the names of our drivers and guides. Choosing hotels alone can be a daunting task and the travel specialist made great choices for us, with our floating hotel in Thailand being an absolute highlight.

As a traveler, I have learned to expect the unexpected and be flexible, yet this trip went perfectly, from communication to airport pick-ups to the guides and the itinerary itself. We were able to enjoy Thailand and our time together without any of the stress that usually accompanies a trip like this. The only thing that could have made this experience better would have been if we could have stayed longer.

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Thailand, Vietnam Vacation Review: Lan Ha Bay, Cruise, 2 Weeks

Our trip planning and experience with Zicasso’s travel specialist was perfect from start to finish. The travel specialist was knowledgeable, professional, listened to our needs and wants, and offered valuable suggestions. The handoff to another team member was seamless—he followed up on all the little details (visas, etc.) so we didn't have to. Our domestic coordinator contacted us periodically to check in and give us reminders, but wasn't obtrusive.

The itinerary was catered to our pace; the hotels were all fabulous and within walking distance to other activities that we might want at the end of the day.

Our guides were all knowledgeable, friendly, and made the experience feel personal. Exactly what we were looking for. They were flexible with our schedules and offered suggestions for other experiences when asked (where to have dinner, massages, etc.).

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

30,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews