12 Day itinerary in Thailand, Asia
This 11-day trip offers the perfect combination of adventure, elephants, culture, Thai cooking class, historical sites, beaches, national parks, local interactions, and treehouse bungalows, with an experienced, English-speaking tour guide! Our team organises everything that you need, including acco... Read More
By Steve and Danny
Physical Difficulty
Recommended Age
Operated in
GUIDANCE
starting point
trip type
trip attributes
Hiking
Rural home stays
Indigenous culture
Visit markets
Meet local people
Historic & cultural landmarks
Nature & Wildlife
Water & Coastline
Start
Night
End
2D/1N at a top-rated ethical elephant camp, living as a mahout
2-nights in Khao Sok National Park at a boutique treehouse resort
3-nights in white-sand, tourism-free Koh Mook Island
2-nights in picture-perfect Phuket
2D/1N at a top-rated ethical elephant camp, living as a mahout
2-nights in Khao Sok National Park at a boutique treehouse resort
3-nights in white-sand, tourism-free Koh Mook Island
2-nights in picture-perfect Phuket
2 travellers
Accommodation Categories
Your Adventure Begins in Chiang Mai!
Touch down in Thailand! Welcome to the 'Land of Smiles'. Start things off in the jungle foothills of Chiang Mai - Thailand's fourth-largest city! Upon arrival, we provide private transfer to our hotel located on the edge of this ancient yet chilled-out city. Once you've checked in, grab a bite to eat at one of the many delectable restaurants near the hotel or tuck in early and rest up after your inbound flight. Tomorrow, the adventure truly begins.
Guide: Included for the day
Accommodation:
Captivating Tour of Charming Chiang Mai!
After breakfast, we'll head out for a walking tour of this charming city. Once the capital city of the ancient Siam Empire, Chiang Mai is dripping in history, yet has embraced the modern. With its cafe-lined streets and celebrated restaurant scene, the city has somewhat of a European feel to it. A fascinating intersection of ancient history and modern life blends together here in the bustling streets of Chiang Mai. This evening, for those with the energy, we'll take a walk to the buzzing night Bazaar to check out the arts and crafts of the local artisans. A great place to people watch, buy some one-off gifts, grab a cold drink and pick your way around the countless food stalls. Then we sit down for a group meal to sample some of Thailand's speciality dishes.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Overnight Elephant Sanctuary Experience!
For many, today is the big day! We'll transfer for approximately 1-hour in into the jungles surrounding Chiang Mai and off to one of our supported elephant camps. We highly vet any sanctuary we visit and only partner with the most ethical elephant camps; we have a strict policy of no riding, "shows" for tourists, or pokers to prod and control these gentle giants. Once we've arrived at the camp, we'll receive a briefing from the team, an introduction to the stars of the show and learn more about our plan for the next two days. Whilst we're here we'll be helping out with the upkeep of the camp, from cleaning to washing to repair work to preparing meals for the elephants. There won't be much downtime but being in the company of these majestic beasts will keep you energised and buzzing from the moment you meet them! Please be aware that the work that needs to be completed here will depend on several factors including the requirements of the camp, the weather, the number of people in the group and more. We will update you on your plan as early as we can and make sure you're properly prepared to make the most of your time here.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Elephant Sanctuary - Day 2/2
Day 2 spent with this happy herd of elephants. Swimming, bathing, walking through the Thai jungle, these are unforgettable experiences that will stick with you for a lifetime! Please remember, we do not, in any way, support elephant riding, or the forcing of elephants to 'put on a show' for visitors. However, you will have the opportunity to get up very close to these animals in a safe and responsible way - for both you and the elephants.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation:
Jungle Trek in Khao Sok National Park Wildlife Reserve
Khao Sok National Park is a nature reserve of dense virgin jungle, towering limestone karst formations and the man-made Cheow Lan Lake. It’s home to rare species such as the giant parasitic Rafflesia flower, hornbill birds, gibbons and even tigers! But not to worry, these elusive creatures stay hidden deep in the reserve to ensure they rarely cross paths with visitors. We explore the park along the vast hiking trails, with a guide to explain the history of the park and point out different wildlife along the way. After an adventurous few days, we're off for beach time tomorrow. You can enjoy the jungle views from the treehouse terrace at sunset, enjoy some local beers or beverages, or tuck in early to prepare for tomorrow's guided jungle trek through the reserve.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Time for Island Time - Koh Mook Island!
From the jungles of Khao Sok National Park, we head further south to the quiet and hugely underdeveloped island of Koh Mook. Here, the fishing and farming industries play the most important role as these are the two main sources of income for the local community. The only way on and off the island is by ferry, adding to the mystique of the place. There are no cars here, only motorcycles with side cars and bicycles. Many liken Koh Mook to destinations such as Koh Samui, and even some areas of Phuket, around 30-years ago. But don't worry, you're not stepping back in time, you're blazing a trail! Once the wonders of Koh Mook gets out, travellers will be arriving in droves to experience this wonderful island and slow-paced lifestyle it offers. The white-sand beaches will leave you speechless. Settle in, this is home for three unforgettable days.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation:
Island Tour, Cooking Class, Beach! - Koh Mook Island
Tourism has yet to make a big impact on Koh Mook. - making for exceptionally quiet mornings. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and soak in this serene scene before activities later today. The way of life is very relaxed, the people are genuinely inquisitive of visitors, and warmly welcoming to visitors. Today, you'll learn about the lives of the locals, which is an amiable and fascinating mixture of Buddhist and Muslim cultures. You'll join a cooking lesson on how to whip up the local delicacies, and (for those brave enough) visit the magical Emerald Cave.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Peaceful Day in Pure Paradise - Koh Mook Island
By now, you are brimming with energy, reconnected with nature, and officially in love with Koh Mook. Enjoy your breakfast and then make this day as adventurous or relaxed as you'd like. Grab a massage, go for a trek in the lush jungle, walk the charming streets full of smiley locals, or just ask your guide for suggestions. This place has a special place in our hearts. We think you may also feel the same by this point!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Off To Picture-Perfect Phuket!
Time for more island time! This morning, we catch a short flight to Phuket. On arrival, our private transfer delivers you to the stunning Burasari Hotel in the Patong Beach area of the island. There is no shortage of activities to join on the island. From cooking classes to watersports, to cultural trips or enjoying the beaches, restaurants and markets. You'll have plenty of time to join any of these and your guide will be with you to organise any particular activities of interest. Once checked-in, your guide will explain the day's itinerary before an informal walking tour of the local area where your guide will point out places of interest and importance. The rest of the day is at your leisure. The pool is wonderful and Patong Beach is just a stones throw from the hotel.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation:
Let's Explore Phuket
As with most areas of Thailand, Phuket is full of stunning vistas, interesting places to visit, a variety of cultures and genuinely friendly people. Today, enjoy a guided tour of Phuket to Big Buddha, Old Phuket Town, too many incredible viewpoints to count, and much more. You will see a different way of life and notice a very laid back demeanor of the locals. You will find the locals very sabai sabai (in Thai, relaxed and calm) and exceptionally welcoming. After a day of exploring this stunning island, you can hang out by the stunning hotel pool, walk to Patong Beach, or just rest up and relax. We suggest, you decide!
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
That One Night In Bangkok...
From Phuket, we head north to Bangkok. Our flight from Phuket to Bangkok will take around 2-hours with a quick transfer to the W22 By Burasari in bustling, historic Chinatown. Once checked-in, we'll freshen up before heading out for a final feast in a very popular local restaurant. Here, we can reminisce on the adventure through Thailand, swap stories and photographs and should you wish to extend the night further, our team is always ready to help.
Guide: Included for the day
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation:
Until Next Time!
Your 12-day Jungle Adventure is in the books! You did it all... hung out with rescued elephants, explored Chiang Mai and Bangkok, hid out in a treehouse tucked away in Khao Sok National Park for two incredible nights, hit two different tropical paradises in Phuket and Koh Mook, and likely met a lot of new friends along the way. Grab breakfast at the hotel and think back on everything you did and saw. This is what travel is all about. Pushing your comfort zone, exploring what's foreign so that it becomes a bit more familiar, learning how others live around the world and in different cultures - things that change how you perceive things when you return home. Thailand has a tendency to stick with you, so we won't be surprised to see you again very soon! Until then, new friend.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation
Meals
Transport
Activities
Extras
Not Included
TEAM LEAD
+1 Local experts
Baboo Certified
Cycling
Hiking
Rafting
Visit markets
Meet local people
Rural home stays
Indigenous culture
Yoga
Meditation
Wellness retreat
Purposeful Travel
Nature & Wildlife
Water & Coastline
Food & Culinary
Since i arrived in Thailand, I have worked in all areas of experiential travel, some of this has been amazing, some has been terrible! Since then, i've created my own business utilising only the very best Thailand has to offer.
Travel that Makes a Difference
By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.
Let’s regenerate the planet together
We overcompensate your entire journey’s carbon footprint including flights - for free.
$2,495.00 USD