Highlights of Thailand
From idyllic emerald green islands and rainforest trails brimming with exotic wildlife to the bright lights of Bangkok, our small group tours to Thailand will show you all of the must-see sights as well as the paths less-travelled. Here are just a few of the highlights of our trips to Thailand.
Bangkok
All of our Thailand tours begin in the bustling city of Bangkok. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of brightly coloured tuk-tuks zipping through the crowded streets, streetside food stalls bursting with delicious Thai food, and Khlong boats bobbing along the sprawling web of canals and waterways. Follow your tour leader to visit the sacred Emerald Buddha at the ornate gold-gilded Grand Palace, or take a train to explore the dazzling lights of Bangkok's Chinatown.
Elephant conservation
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with a visit to the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai on our Best of Northern Thailand Tour. One of Thailand's largest elephant conservation centres, the park provides vast swathes of land for elephants to roam in, as well as a nursery and hospital to care for sick and abandoned elephants. Spend some time watching elephants in their natural habitat and take a walk along the river to see them cool off and wash in the shallow waters.
Khao Sok National Park
As the setting sun casts a warm glow over the awakening rainforest, head out into the night for a walk along the lush trails of Khao Sok National Park, one of the oldest jungles in the world. Follow your local guide on our Simply Thailand Tour to learn about the diverse flora and fauna and keep your eyes peeled for elephant, tiger and Malaysian sun bear. During the day, you'll have the chance to paddle down the river on a canoe to explore rocky inlets and jagged islands. Glide along the calm aquamarine waters and float under the shadow of soaring limestone mountains and verdant woodland hillsides.
Idyllic island hopping
Climb aboard a private long tail boat for a laid back cruise along Phang Nga Bay to the island of Koh Yao Noi on our Thailand Islands Tour. Floating in and out of the craggy karst islands, we take our time to enjoy the idyllic scenery of turquoise blue water, emerald green forests and golden sand beaches on this island-hopping trip around the southern archipelago. Relax under a palm tree, take a dip in the warm clear water and switch off from reality. If you fancy a bit of adventure, take a ferry to Phi Phi island (famous as the setting for the film 'The Beach') to explore towering limestone cliffs that jut out of the water. Or swim along the 80-metre limestone tunnel of Emerald Cave to discover a secluded beach encased by near-vertical cliffs and a magnificent aquamarine pool.
Friendly locals
Immerse yourself in the local culture with a trip to the small rural settlements of Natonchan on our Northern Thailand Tour. Set in a landscape carpeted by a blanket of lush rice paddies, this remote village is brimming with activity and incredibly skilled artisan workers creating bamboo cups and chopsticks. Wander along the streets to meet local villagers as they show you their handmade wares and learn about their daily lifestyle and culture. Spend a night in a local homestay - expect a warm welcome from your friendly hosts, and feast on a delicious meal of home-cooked dishes.
Family adventures
Inspire the kids and get them away from their screens on our Thailand family holidays. Paddle through the evergreen rainforests of Khao Sok National Park, look out for gibbon swinging through the canopy and camp overnight in a remote jungle lodge. Go island hopping in Thailand's north archipelago to relax and play on the palm-fringed white sandy beaches. Dive into the crystal clear turquoise waters of Koh Phangan to discover colourful coral reefs and a vibrant display of fish, ray, turtle and small sharks, and head to Khanom for the chance to see pink dolphin gliding along Taled Bay.
Solo travel in Thailand
Our Thailand holidays are suitable for solo travellers too; at least half of the people on our tours are usually travelling on their own. Our small group tours are a great way to meet like-minded people and make new friends. Plus, you can let us look after all of the logistics so you can explore Thailand with ease and without any of the hassle.
Best time to go to Thailand
Thailand’s climate is typically hot all year round, hovering around the early 30°C’s, with high levels of humidity. Temperatures dip a little from November until April making it a more pleasant and thus more popular time to visit, but the monsoon rains can have a significant effect on when is the best time to visit the different regions of Thailand.
Monsoons
There are two monsoon seasons to be aware of as detailed below. Be prepared for some short yet heavy tropical downpours during the monsoon seasons, but rest assured that they usually only last a few hours and can actually help to clear the air making it feel a little more comfortable in the evening.
Northern, Central and South West Coast
For tours in northern Thailand and along the Andaman coast on the west of Thailand’s southern peninsula, the winter months of November, December, January and February tend to boast the best of the warm and dry weather which is perfect for
trips to the pristine white-sand beaches of Krabi and Koh Lanta.
South East Coast
For Thailand trips covering the south-east Gulf coast, such as our
Family Thailand Jungle Adventure, the weather is generally good throughout the year. You’ll find drier weather here than in the north and the west during April, May and June.
Thai New Year
Coincide your trip to Thailand with the Thai New Year on 13 April to join in with the Songkran Festival celebrations. Although temperatures will be very hot, you’ll quickly cool down as festival-goers flood the streets with water-pistol fights! The mass soaking is said to wash away one’s sins or bad luck and is an act of purification - a great way to start the new year!