Northern Thailand & Beaches - 21 Day Trip
The best North Thailand Tour: Sun, Sea, Culture and incredible views
Want up to 40% off Thailand and 25% off everything?
Fancy an adventure but also fancy being on the beach? Well, look no further because that is exactly what Northern Thailand and beaches is! Starting off in Bangkok and ending in the souht, Koh Phangan, you are definitely in for an adventure with a jam-packed 21 days, exploring all the coolest places central and north Thailand have to offer! You’ll become BFFs with the elephants in Chiang Mai, get your Indiana Jones on and cycle the ancient ruins in Ayutthaya, see the jungle like never before when trekking & zip-lining through, stay overnight with a hill tribe in Chiang Mai and try your best at cooking some Thai food. Then it’s time to hit the floating bungalows at the unreal Khao Sok National Park and Koh Phangan, a beautiful but lively island, where we will be living our best life, beaches!
Travel Style
We’ve perfected the balance between culture, adventure, beaches and parties. A high level of inclusions at a low cost. Think of a Ferrari for the price of a Ford. Highlights, hotspots & hidden gems are crafted into each itinerary with our own TruExclusives. We stay in a variety of different accommodations such as hotels, hostels, homestays, beach huts & even boats. Maximum adventure, minimum hassle.
What's Included
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Northern Thailand & Beaches
21 Days
bangkok - koh phangan
Map
Bucket List
Itinerary
airport pick up
Bangkok baby, your adventure begins! So you’ve made it to this busy city, and you’ll have the first day to settle in and relax, meet your TruFam, go explore the local area, whatever ya fancy. In the evening, it’s time for our welcome dinner at one of our favourite restaurants on the one & only Khao San Road! Get to know your fellow travellers over sharing a bucket or two (or any drink of choice, you do you) and get ready for an incredible 21 days together. Holiday mode ON (warning, you may never want to turn it off!)
kanchanaburi, kayaking on the river kwai
So you know the film Bridge Over River Kwai? Well, today we are going to see the bridge over River Kwai (surprise)! Before we head off to the river, we hop off to do some shopping and not at just any regular market, but a FLOATING one! Sick right? Once we’ve done our browsing the market by long-tail boat, it’s off to Kanchanaburi now! When we have arrived, we get on another boat and cruise down the River Kwai enjoying the sight of the bridge (an insta worthy moment fo’ sho’). It’s sunset o’clock and what a better place to watch the sunset than the bridge over River Kwai! Get those poses ready for all the 10/10 shots you’re going to get because trust us, you won’t want to miss this photo op.
erawan waterfalls
Imagine, a 7 tier, crystal clear blue waterfall surrounded by lush greenery, sounds unreal right! Erawan falls, just an hour away from Kanchanaburi, is basically what you imagine paradise to look like. Something you would expect to see on the television and not in real life, but it is real life! We know TLC said don’t go chasing waterfalls but ya know, I think we can be excused this once because just look at how beautiful it is? Make sure you have your swimmers as you’ll want to take a dip, and check this out, there are 7 tiers for you to take a dip in. Don’t say we don’t spoil ya! We’ll have some lunch at the waterfalls, gotta stay hydrated and energised from all that walking & swimming ya feel! Then we head back to Kanchanaburi, where you can either chill by the pool or explore the town before we meet for dinner and drinks! Buckets, anyone?
ayutthaya, ancient ruins & history
Today you have the morning free before we hit the road again! So choose to spend this morning how you please, whether that’s by the pool or exploring the town. Next, we are off to Ayutthaya, an ancient capital city, that is dripping with culture and history! We’ll hop on some bikes and cycle around the world heritage site, giving us amazing views, we’ll also learn about the fascinating history of Ayutthaya and of course, the kingdom of Siam which is what Thailand used to be called (fun fact for ya, go tell your friends!). Time to grab a bit to eat and then it’s all aboard the night train to Chiang Mai! The train is comfortable, you get your own bed with pillows and covers, comfort is key! So it shouldn’t be too hard to get a decent nights sleep ready to take on a new place in the morning! If an overnight train is on your travel bucket list, don’t forget to tick it off! Chiang Mai, we’re coming in strong.
chiang mai – temples & culture
We check into our guesthouse which is ideally situated between the old & new areas of Chiang Mai (winning), you’ll have some time to relax by the pool or do some exploring and check out the oldest temple in Chiang Mai which is literally right opposite our accommodation (winning x2!). Now it’s time to visit the most famous and possibly the most beautiful temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Pra Maha Doi Sutthep. The views are incredible, situated high up on the mountain; you’ll get a panoramic view of the city. There is a hefty set of stairs (300 roughly), but it is totally worth it. Trust, you’ll feel on top of the world, literally. Once you’ve taken your snaps of the insane views and got some for the gram (it’s gotta be done), you have the afternoon free to do whatever you would like, before we meet later on in time for dinner!
jungle trek & village homestay
Did someone say TruExclusive? Hell yeah, we did! You won’t find this experience anywhere else. We are off to do one of the most popular activities in Northern Thailand, a trek through the jungle. The trek doesn’t require a high level of fitness, but it is a bit of a challenge SO beers will be very well deserved afterwards! We’ll spend one night in a local village homestay so that you can experience what life is like for the many traditional farmers in Northern Thailand, which you’ll see their lives have not changed a huge amount for generations. Expect to see all kinds of nature and wildlife when on the trek, maybe even a waterfall or two and then we’ll go bamboo rafting down the river, amazing scenes as well as photo opportunities (important stuff, duh).
waterfalls, elephant sanctury bamboo rafts
Rise and shine! Enjoy your morning in the jungle before it’s time we head back to Chiang Mai, but of course, we have a trick up our sleeve, and we are using a much better mode of transport, bamboo rafts! Sick right? We’ll float down the river with a cheeky stop at a waterfall because ya know, we can’t get enough of those things. Today's also the day you'll get to see Elephants! Once you’ve gotten to know your new friends, it’s time for a swim in the river which will soon mean bath time, if ya get our drift! (This is a once in a lifetime experience, a memory you’ll cherish forever, no doubt!) Once we get back to Chiang Mai, rest up in time to continue our Northern adventure tomorrow!
zip line through the jungle
The adventure capital of Thailand (some may say), Chiang Mai! Today is one of our favourite activities, that is very popular with tourists, and that’s ziplining through the jungle! This is going to get your heart racing and adrenaline pumping, you’ll practically be flying through the jungle while looking down at it all (if you dare)! Throw in a few rope bridges and abseils, and that’s experiencing the jungle in a way you never could by foot! You can thank us later, once you’ve made all your friends and fam jealous, obvs. This is truly an unforgettable experience! Hey, keep a lookout for monkeys too, you might spot a few in the treetops!
chilled morning and a drive to pai
After an excting few days this morning you'll have the chance to chill, read a book, grab a cocktail, do whatever floats your boat! In the afternoon, grab your bags because we will hop on a bus to the hippie town of Pai! Just 3 hours outside of Chiang Mai, a very popular backpacker destination, and we can see why! Filled with cool retro bars, market stalls, excellent food and wonderful people from all walks of life. Ahh, the life of Pai (sorry we had to!).
caves, canyons & hot springs
Day trippin’ time! Today we’ll head out to see some of Pai’s highlights and it’s surrounding areas! Starting at the biggest cave in Thailand, Lod cave, we’ll hike through the main chambers and then take a bamboo raft along the river which runs through the cave (depending on season and accessibility). It’s like something out of a movie, incredible stuff! It’s now time to give your muscles a break, as we head to the hot springs which are situated in the jungle and are heated by geothermal activity. Take a dip in the crystal clear water, treat yourself to a clay mask and just have the ultimate relaxation session in the warm temperatures. We’ll then head to the waterfall nearby with an amazing view! Who needs a waterpark when we have one better, a waterfall with a natural slide! We’ll finish this amazing day at Pai Canyon which means even more amazing views of the surrounding mountains and jungle, and even better, we’ll be there at sunset! So take yo’ pics and take in the insane view before heading back to Pai town. In the evening we’ll head to a nice restaurant and a few chilled bars where we can mingle with other backpackers too. After all, we deserve it after the day of sightseeing we’ve had!
nice as pai: chilling
Chill day, lets goooo! After a bit of a lie-in, the day is yours to spend as you please. Spend your day loungings, swimming, playing a few games or reading a good book! The choice is yours. Once we’ve had our relaxation fill, we'll head for dinner and drinks and see where the night takes us.
back to chiang mai & cooking course
This morning it’s time to head back to Chiang Mai! We hope you’re ready to become the new Thai Masterchef as we are off to a cooking school to learn about some of Thailands traditional dishes and then have a go at making them ourselves! Most of Thailands delicious food comes from the North, so there’s no better way than to learn from the masters themselves right? First, we’ll head to the market where our guides and teachers will show us how to select the freshest & tastiest ingredients, they have that insider knowledge ya feel? Now it’s time for us to turn those ingredients we picked into some delicious meals! Don’t fret, you’ll be shown how to cook the recipes step by step! Now for the best bit, tasting what you’ve cooked, so make sure you’re paying attention when cooking! An amazing experience, and you’ll get to go home with new recipes and new skills! Winner winner chicken dinner (Quorn if your veggie)!
chiang mai canyon
So we all know the Grand Canyon but do you know of Chiang Mai’s very own Grand Canyon? Well, if not, don’t worry as you’ll get to know! This is an old excavation site, where they would dig out sand for building etc. However, now it is a man-made lagoon which has turned into an adult playground, we LOVE to see it! There are countless of slides, floating chairs to lay in, tubes and then for the brave-hearted have a go at cliff jumping, deep water soloing or climbing on their climbing wall. Take yo’ pick! There’s a restaurant there on-site, so we can grab our lunch, refresh and energise ourselves! In the evening, we head out into Chiang Mai for our final dinner and drinks in the north *cue sad song*.
travel to bangkok
After checking out of our hotel in Chiang Mai, you’ll have some free time to explore Chiang Mai, hit up the markets one last time or spend time relaxing by the pool. It’s now time to head onto the overnight train, cos we’re going back to Bangkok baby!
explore bangkok
We are back in Bangkok, and it’s time to explore the capital further! We’ll hop into a tuk-tuk and head to Bangkok’s most prestigious temples, Wat Arun and Wat Pho, which is home to the infamous gold reclining Buddha. We will then ditch the tuks tuks for long-tail boats, as we admire the views of the city from the Chao Praya River, a different way of seeing Bangkok. Take a look into the water and try to see if you can spot the fish, they aren’t normally shy! You’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore at your own pace, you can grab a bit from the street vendors, do a bit of shopping at the market and try your best at bartering (our TruNinjas can give you some tips don’t fret). In the evening, we will meet for dinner and then head out for drinks on Khao San Road which full of backpackers, some may say it’s backpacker heaven. We’ll let you decide that for yourself. Either way, it’s a good time, you can’t go to Bangkok and not go to Khao San Road.
midnight special
Alexa, play Don’t Stop Believing by Journey. Yes, you are taking the midnight train but not just to anywhere! Goodbye Bangkok and hello Khao Sok national park. So we arrive into Surat Thani, but we are off to the floating bungalows and serene lakes which are situated in the national park. Get those sleeping masks on as it’s time to catch some Zzzz’s.
khao sok floating bungalows
Okay, so we know everyone says this, but we actually mean it because this place is PARADISE (Coldplay were right). It’s like something out of a movie, but it’s all real! Imagine clear turquoise lakes, unreal surrounding landscapes and then the best bit, floating bungalows! This is where we will be spending the night, so you can go back home and say you have actually stayed on a floating bungalow. How sick, a real once in a lifetime experience! When in Khao Sok National park, you can take part in some kayaking and explore the lakes more, lounge in a doughnut but make sure you lather up suncream because it can get hot hot hot and no burnt TruFam allowed, sorry we don’t make the rules (even though we kinda do!) or you can just lounge in the sunshine with a beer in hand! Not sure about you but that all sounds perfect to us! You’ll soon see why this place has always been one of our favourites, absolutely unreal.
bottle beach experience
Get ready for a TruExclusive, an experience that you won’t find anywhere else. Rise and shine, we are up bright and early to enjoy breakfast by the lake before we head to the island of Koh Phangan. When we arrive at the island, it’s straight to Bottle beach which is secluded and pristine, it’s like nowhere you have seen before. Another one of our favourites! Bottle beach is only acceptable by boat or by a four-wheel-drive that drops you off at a point nearby and then it’s a short walk from there. It is insanely beautiful, and we basically have the whole beach to ourselves. We will be staying in the beach bungalows which have an amazing view of the crystal clear sea. While you are here, you can laze around on the beach, have a game of volleyball (winning team can buy the first round) or head out for a bit of snorkelling to see what sea life you can find. There are lots of activities to choose from, you won’t be disappointed. In the evening, we’ll have some dinner and cocktails with a campfire on the beach, and even a private fire show. We flame to please ya know (sorry not sorry for the pun)!
muay thai lesson
Ahh, wake up to the sound of the waves and an unreal view, chilled vibes only. You’ll have some free time before we leave Bottle Beach in the afternoon, so you can choose how you would like to spend this time. Whether it be some kayaking, topping up your tan and lounging on the beach or trekking to the viewpoint to see the incredible view. We recommend seeing that view if you can! It is now time to try your hand at Thailand’s national sport, Muay Thai boxing! Do you think you have the moves to be the next Muay Thai champion? We can’t guarantee that you will be the next Muay Thai champion but hey, don’t quit your daydream! You’ll leave with new moves that you can show off to your pals and fam at least. Workout completed, we head to our accommodation for the last few nights (which is awesome, by the way).
island boat trip
You are in for a treat today because we are going on a boat trip around Koh Phangan! We will be stopping off at the best snorkelling spots around the island, so dive in (if you can dive, if not jumping is fine too) and see what exotic sea life you can find. The day is spent sailing the day away with the wind in your hair, snorkel at the ready and the factor 50 suncream on! Snorkel amongst the diverse marinelife, make your TruFam member take those all important insta pics or just cool off in the aqua blue waters. Whatever you fancy, it's a 10/10 day. After our fun in the sun, we head back to our accommodation, have a dip in the pool before heading out for our last night *sad reacts*. Enjoy the nightlife in Koh Phangan, because it’s only good vibes TruFam!
chilled checkout
Today we say goodbye to Northern Thailand and Beaches, but don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened! You’ll be leaving with some amazing memories, to cherish forever, and also a pretty amazing bunch of friends you’ve just made or shall we say, an amazing TruFamily. If you are continuing your adventure, then our TruNinjas will be more than happy to help. Until then, stay epic Trufam.
WHERE WE STAY
Reviews
FAQs
Where does the trip start & Finish?
The trip begins in Bangkok and finishes in Koh Phangan
Which airport do I need to fly into?
You will need to fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) which is the main international airport or alternatively we can also collect you from Don Muang (DMK).
What is the closest airport to the end destination?
The closest airport is Koh Samui (USM) which is a 45 minute ferry ride away from Koh Phangan. The ferries run regularly.
How do I get back to the start destination and is this included in the price? If not, how much is it?
No it is not included but we can assist you with booking it all. You will need to get a joint ticket which consists of a ferry from Koh Phangan to the mainland and then a bus to Bangkok. The cost is around £25-30. Please be aware this can be quite a long journey of around 12 hours’ door to door. Alternatively, you can fly from Koh Samui however this option is more expensive and would cost in the region of £100 but saves time.
Are there any requirements for participating in activities on this trip?
For safety reasons, there is a weight limit to take part in the ziplining in Chiang Mai. If you are over 115kg (253 lbs) you will be unable to take part in the activity.
Your TruLeader might ask you for your weight in order to pass on safety information to the ziplining company. Please do not be offended by this, this is protocol for activities of this kind.
What kind of accommodation is included on this trip?
The accommodation for this trip is a mixture of twin share and private dorm rooms.
How much is a pre night’s accommodation?
If you would like to arrange a pre-night please email info@trutravels.com
What is the currency?
The currency in Thailand is Thai Baht (THB)
Is my money protected?
Yep! You will never lose your money. You’re protected. TruTravels is both ABTA and ATOL registered meaning your money is safe. We also offer 1 free date change before 60 days of your departure date.
Most of the people that join us on tour are 18-thirtysomethings! We have no strict upper age limit on our tours but all of our tours are specifically designed for those of this age group which is worth noting when browsing through our website.
Yes! Let us know when you are booking your trip about any requirements you might have we can plan ahead and make sure this doesn’t affect your trip!
Yes, the majority of our travellers will be travelling on their own! Roughly 65% of our TruTravellers come solo! We have designed our trips specifically with solo travellers in mind, so you can be assured you’ll meet lots of others travelling alone like yourself along the way. This of course doesn’t mean our trips are only for solo travellers, but it does mean that you don’t need to worry you’ll be surrounded by a group that already knows each other.