Thailand Group Tour Dates
Date
Price
Availability
Mon, December 26, 2022 – Thu, January 5, 2023
$2299
4 Spots Left
Sat, February 18, 2023 – Tue, February 28, 2023
$2199
Available
Sat, April 1, 2023 – Tue, April 11, 2023
$2199
Available
Tue, December 26, 2023 – Fri, January 5, 2024
$2349
Available
Note: This Thailand group tour itinerary runs from November to April. If you wish to visit Thailand from May to October please view our Thailand Summer 9 Day or Thailand Summer 11 Day trips.
Gallery
Where We Go
Chiang Mai
1 of 5Bangkok
2 of 5 Khao Sok National Park 3 of 5Krabi
4 of 5 Phi Phi Islands 5 of 5Places Visited
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
- Elephant Sanctuary
- Khao Sok National Park
- Krabi Provence
- Phi Phi Islands
- Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Highlights
- Boating around the famous Phi Phi Islands
- Visiting the magnificent Buddha temples of Bangkok and Chiang Mai
- Chatting with Monks in training
- Learning about the culture and history of Thailand from an expert local guide
- Long boating through stunning limestone rocks in Khao Sok National Park
- Spending the night on a floating hotel in paradise
- Getting your culinary game on in a cooking class
- Bathing and walking elephants at an animal sanctuary
- Boating through the canals of a floating market
- Relaxing on pristine, white sand beaches
- Indulging in delicious Thai cuisine
- Enjoying (many) traditional Thai massages
- Free time to choose your own adventure activity
Trip Inclusions
- 10 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 6 Dinners
- 9 nights in 3* hotels and 1 night floating hotel (all double occupancy)
- Transportation to/from each site visited including airport pick up and drop off
- Internal flights (Chiang Mai to Bangkok, Bangkok to Surat Thani)
- Group leader/guide for the entirety of the trip
- Small group size: 4 to 14 people
- Bangkok temple tours, Doi Suthep tour, Elephant Sanctuary visit, cooking class, Khao Sok National Park tour, Thai massage, Floating Market excursion, Phi Phi Islands tour
- Awesome young professionals
Trip Rankings
Flight Information
Airfare to/from Thailand is not included in the base price quoted. Our 11 day Thailand group tour begins in Chiang Mai and ends in Krabi, therefore, please fly into Chiang Mai (airport code: CNX) on the first day and depart from Krabi (airport code: KBV) on the final day. Please land by 4pm on the first day but you may depart at anytime on the last day. The internal flights (from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and from Bangkok to Surat Thani) are included in the base price quoted.
Additional Notes
9 Days vs 11 Days
This 11 day winter Thailand tour runs together with our 9 day winter Thailand tour. The difference between the two tours is two additional nights in Krabi and the Phi Phi islands, which are only available on this 11 day winter Thailand tour. Some participants will stay for 9 days while others will stay for the (extra) 10th and 11th days.
Is This Thailand Tour Right for You?
- There is a lot of travel on this Thailand trip: 3 cities, 2 internal flights and several day trips. Please be prepared to do a lot, see a lot and, as a result, travel a lot during this trip.
- The weather in Thailand can be very hot and humid year round and there is a lot of walking and traveling on this trip. If you are prone to fatigue please consult your doctor about possible medications and/or health remedies.
- If you are traveling from the U.S. for this trip (i.e. more than 20+ hours of flights) and are not a seasoned traveler we recommend arriving one or two days earlier to relax and acclimate before the trip begins.
- Thai culture is very different from that of Western culture. Thai people are extremely respectful, kind, soft spoken and non-confrontational. Travelers should be open to learning about Thai culture while showing respect for a different culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
The group leader on this Thailand tour will be a local Thai! His/her job is to ensure the safety and well being of everyone on the trip and to show everyone the most amazing time ever! Since there is a strong cultural component for this trip your local Thai group leader will also be educating you on the culture, history and customs of Thailand. Best of both worlds!
A passport is required for this Thailand tour. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity (from the time you leave Thailand) for entry. If you hold a U.S. passport you will not need a visa for entry to Thailand as long as you are not staying more than 30 days.
You will be staying in boutique, independently owned 3 star hotels (9 nights) and a floating hotel (1 night) for the duration of this Thailand group tour. The hotels are all modern, clean, safe, and in central locations. All the hotels have pools. In Chiang Mai you are a 3 minute walk to the Old City, in Bangkok you will stay in the Sukhumvit neighborhood, and in Krabi you still stay in Ao Nang just off the main road. The floating hotel is modern and it’s a surreal experience spending the night surrounded by nature, turquoise water and staggering limestone rocks. Please note that the floating hotel has shared bathroom facilities and has fans (no A/C due to power restrictions) though it is cool at night (in the National Park).
In order to budget properly please consider the following items which are not included in this Thailand group tour:
- Meals: You are responsible for 5 lunches and 4 dinners. Budget around 4500 THB for meals not included.
- Tipping
- Local drivers, guides and restaurant staff: Tipping is not compulsory but can make a big difference to individuals in the local hospitality industry in Thailand. Therefore, we recommend budgeting around 1500 THB for these services.
- Group leader: Tipping your group leader is completely discretionary. For outstanding service you may consider tipping your group leader ~$10/day.
- Travel insurance: Travel insurance covering our minimum requirements ($100k+ in medical coverage including emergency evacuation) is compulsory for all participants. Budget anywhere from $50 to $130 for travel insurance (from a 3rd party) depending on your specific coverage inclusions.
The single room supplement on this Thailand group tour is $699. You will be able to select your preference for a single room supplement when filling out the application. If you are applying for this trip within 3 months of the departure please contact us for single room availability before applying.
Upon arrival in Chiang Mai you will take the included transfer directly to the hotel where your group leader will be waiting for you! After getting checked-in you will have free time until around 6pm upon which you will meet the group in the lobby of the hotel. Then you will walk to a nearby spot for drinks/dinner as you begin to get to know one another! While you will not physically meet your group mates until the evening of the first day you will be in contact with everyone well ahead of time in the group WhatsApp chat and, in addition, we will provide you with everyone’s traveler bios so you’ll already know each other a little before physically meeting!
On day 4 (in Chiang Mai) you will have the opportunity to tailor the trip to your style by selecting an optional excursion. You will be able to select the optional excursion during the application process and, after, you’ll be sent an invoice to pay.
- Muay Thai Class: 400 THB
- Yoga: 250 THB
- Sticky Waterfall Day Trip: 1500 THB
You can read more about the optional excursions here.
We recommend bringing cash for this trip. Much of everyday Thai life is handled using cash which makes it easiest to use. Credit cards (Visa or Mastercard) are accepted at Western restaurants and indoor shops (i.e. malls) but note surcharges using a credit card are not uncommon. You can also bring an ATM card but withdrawal limits and transaction fees could occur.
You may bring any size luggage that you wish though we recommend packing as lite as possible! Please keep in mind that you will be traveling a lot (staying in 4 different hotels during the trip) and, further, you can purchase clothes rather inexpensively while in Thailand.
Yes, you will have WiFi access in all the city hotels and many restaurants during this Thailand group tour. Please note there is no WiFi at the floating hotel (1 night) due to its remote location.
In Chiang Mai and Bangkok you will have your choice of nightlife options: bars, dives, lounges, rooftops, and clubs. Krabi (where you’ll spend 1 night) is a beach town and, as such, has a much more laid back vibe at night with the majority of the nightlife being chill beach bars and dives. The decision to go out at night or not is completely up to you!
Yes, our Thailand group tour visits the Baanchang Elephant Sanctuary which is an ethical, no-riding elephant reserve. You will visit the elephants, prepare their food, and even give them a bath but you will not be allowed to ride any of them.
The first 6 days of the summer and winter Thailand tours are the exact same – things differ beginning on day 7. On day 7 the summer tour goes to the eastern side of Thailand (to the island of Koh Samui) while the winter tour travels south (to Khao Sok National Park and then Krabi). We run the different itineraries due to weather conditions in Thailand during that specific time of the year; Southern Thailand can be very rainy with monsoons during the summer hence why we transition to an island off the east coast during that time of the year.
Thailand Group Tour Itinerary
- Welcome to Chiang Mai where our amazing Thailand group tour begins! This “Rose of the North” city is world renowned for its Wats (temples), arts, scenic views and food! Arrive early and wander the Old City, explore the vast food markets and temples or relax near our hotel.
- Tonight our group will sit down to a welcoming dinner (family style) over traditional Northern Thai food and get to know one another.
Daily Inclusions:
- Transportation: Airport transfer
- Lodging: 3* hotel in Chiang Mai (double occupancy)
- Meals: Dinner
- Rise and shine it’s Chiang Mai time! We’ll start our day with a visit to the stunning Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a holy temple of great importance to many Thai people dating back to the 14th century. Upon arrival at Doi Suthep we’ll hike up the 300 step entrance guarded by the two giant Naga statues (great snakes) to the top of Doi Suthep Mountain where the Wat resides. The views of the city of Chiang Mai are truly stunning! We’ll take in the views and tour the magnificent temple before our next activity: a Monk chat! We’ll break up into smaller groups and have conversations with local monks in training! This is an amazing opportunity to learn about their backgrounds and what they want to do after Monk school (as most of our counter parts will still be in school). You can also teach the Monks about your way of life back home!
- Come lunch time we’ll head to a local restaurant serving some of the best Khao Soi in all of Chiang Mai! Khao Soi is a traditional curry based noodle dish local to Northern Thailand and this is the place to try it! After lunch it’s time to relax (in style) with a traditional Thai massage (you’re in Thailand, after all). If you’ve never had a Thai massage before you’re in for a treat! Lastly, to finish an already amazing and jam packed day you’ll be going to school this evening, Thai cooking school that is! Thai cuisine is deliciously amazing and you’ll be able to cook your own delicious meal (for dinner) using the freshest locally sourced ingredients!
- Chiang Mai has some seriously cool night markets which seem like a great option for spending the night tonight!
Daily Inclusions:
- Lodging: 3* hotel in Chiang Mai (double occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Activities: Doi Suthep tour, Monk chat, Thai massage, Cooking class
- Transportation: Transportation to/from all sites
- Today we’ll spend the day volunteering at an Elephant Sanctuary, an amazing refuge caring for rescued elephants (amongst other wildlife)! Upon arriving at the center this morning we’ll meet with a local volunteer who will take us around the facility while we learn about their conservation efforts and the daily care involved (for all their rescued animals).
- After lunch we’ll get up close and personal with some of the center’s elephants! We’ll have the opportunity to go on an afternoon walk with some of the elephants and then give them a refreshing bath! All the while the volunteers will teach us all about the lives of each of these elephants as well as their previous lives from which they’ve been rescued. It will be a truly awe inspiring moment as you (literally) bath and walk alongside these majestic animals. After saying goodbye to the elephants (and taking a ton of elephant selfies) we’ll go back to Chiang Mai where we’ll have some time to shower and relax before meeting up for dinner tonight and more delicious Thai food!
- For dinner tonight we’ll head to a hole-in-the-wall family owned restaurant known for serving some of the best curry dishes in all of Chiang Mai – we’ll do family style dinner again so everyone can try different Thai curries!
Daily Inclusions:
- Lodging: 3* hotel in Chiang Mai (double occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Transportation: Transfer to/from Elephant Sanctuary
- Today is yours to spend as you wish in Chiang Mai! You could explore more Wats (temples), take a Muay Thai class, visit some nearby waterfalls, or take a yoga class! So many decisions but, fortunately, there aren’t any bad ones!
- In the evening we’ll meet up at our hotel, grab our things then head to the airport for a short flight to Thailand’s capital city: Bangkok! Upon arrival in Bangkok you’ll have the rest of the evening and night to do as you wish!
Daily Inclusions:
- Lodging: 3* hotel in Bangkok (double occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transportation: Private transfer from Chiang Mai hotel to airport, flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, private transportation from Bangkok airport to Bangkok hotel
Optional Excursions:
- Yoga class: 250 THB
- Muay Thai lesson: 400 THB
- Sticky Waterfall trip: 1500 THB
- Today we’ll get our culture game on by visiting the famous Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Pho) which is one of Bangkok’s older temples dating back to the 16th century. There’s plenty to see in this vast complex so we’ll take our time and explore at a casual pace while learning all about its history.
- After lunch it’s off to the magnificent Grand Palace which has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam since the 18th century. This Palace is one of the most impressive architectural structures in all of Southeast Asia! We’ll explore the vast grounds of this Palace as there are so many Wats to see! After a ton of pictures we’ll make our way back to our hotel where you’ll have sometime to relax for a bit.
- Tonight we’ll meet back up and head for a sunset drink at a rooftop bar near our hotel offering stunning Bangkok city views. After which we’ll grab some dinner nearby then a night out in bustling Bangkok (for those that wish)!
Daily Inclusions:
- Lodging: 3* hotel in Bangkok (double occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Activities: Bangkok temple tours
- Transportation: Public transportation to/from all sites visited
- Today we’re off to a floating market! We’ll leave Bangkok early to beat the traffic and drive west to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Upon arrival we’ll explore the market through the only means possible – long tail boat! As the narrow canal is lined with merchants and traders we’ll make some stops along the way to check out the local goods. See a type of fruit you want to try? Just paddle over! Finally after eating some lunch we’ll head back to Bangkok where you’ll have several hours to relax.
- In the evening we’ll meet up at our hotel and head out for our last night in Bangkok together. We recommend checking out the Ratchada Rot Fai night market: a market known for it’s ‘hipster’ tone where stalls are lined with antiques and local goods from artists.
Daily Inclusions:
- Lodging: 3* hotel in Bangkok (double occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transportation: Transfer to/from Bangkok from/to Floating Market
- Activities: Floating Market tour
Note: if the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is closed at the time of the tour another floating market will be visited instead
- Rise and shine it’s time to head south to Khao Sok National Park, the beautiful home to tower like limestone rock formations and the stunning Cheow Lan Lake! We’ll take an early, quick flight this morning to Surat Thani, upon which we’ll drive to the entrance of Khao Sok National Park then take a long tail boat to our hotel for the night. That’s right – we’re staying in a floating hotel tonight! Upon checking into our hotel we’ll have some time to relax and get lunch before the second half of our day begins.
- This afternoon we’ll get the chance to explore this stunning National Park filled with rare species of flowers and birds as well as gibbons and tigers! We’ll cruise around the park, maneuvering around the limestone rocks, and taking pictures your friends will question if they’re real. Afterwards, we’ll head back to our floating hotel where we’ll be able to relax for the rest of the evening and night in true peaceful paradise.
Daily Inclusions:
- Lodging: Floating hotel in Khao Sok (double occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Activities: Khao Sok National Park tour
- Transportation: Private transfer from Bangkok hotel to airport, flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani, private transfer from Surat Thani airport to Khao Sok National Park, long tail boat to floating hotel
- Rise and shine, it’s Krabi time! Today, we leave Khao Sok as we head further south to the Krabi Province of Southern Thailand: an area known for staggering limestone cliffs, lush mangrove forests, hundreds of offshore islands, and beautiful white sand beaches! After checking into our hotel you will have the rest of the day to spend as you wish! You could wander through the shops along Ao Nang Beach, get a Thai massage, rent a SUP, or relax at any one of the number of beaches along the coast.
- Tonight we’ll meet up for dinner together followed by fun beach nightlife for those that wish!
Daily Inclusions:
- Lodging: 3* hotel in Ao Nang, Krabi (double occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Transportation: Private transfer to Krabi
- Imagine if your day today included islands, beautiful blue water, pristine white sand beaches and snorkeling. Well, your day does include all that because we will be boating around the Phi Phi Islands today! We’ll make several stops along the way for some beach action, snorkeling, different islands and an opportunity to hang out with some monkeys. Does it get any better than this?
- Tonight we’ll meet up for dinner together and a night out Thai beach town style!
Daily Inclusions:
- Lodging: 3* hotel in Krabi (double occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Activities: Phi Phi Islands tour
- Today, as our final day in Thailand, we’ll spend the day relaxing on the beach! There are plenty of (high quality) picturesque beaches to choose from and your group leader will steer you in the right direction so make sure you clear up enough space in your camera for some gorgeous, postcard quality ocean views. We’ll relax for the rest of the day at the beach then catch a stunning sunset – no big deal.
- Tonight we’ll meet up for our final dinner together (as all good things must come to an end). After dinner we’ll finish our Thailand group tour in style enjoying the fun, relaxing vibes this beach town has to offer!
Daily Inclusions:
- Lodging: 3* hotel in Krabi (double occupancy)
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Today, sadly, is our last on our Thailand group tour for young professionals. While you will be going home today the experience on the trip and friendships made will last a lifetime! You’re free to depart from Krabi at any time today.
Daily Inclusions:
- Meals: Breakfast
- Transportation: Transfer from hotel to airport
