Thailand: Bangkok, Beach & Elephants

Thailand’s cosmopolitan capital throngs with traffic, bustles with people and glitters with temples among the high-rise buildings. Full of life, it’s a vibrant city with plenty to entertain. The old city is overrun with sights, with the opulent Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun being the most popular, and you can catch sight of the Emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temple. Later, discover the culinary delights of the city by tuk-tuk, gaze in wonder at the gold shops, try the numerous teas and slurp steaming noodles on the roadside.

Accommodation: 4* Mode Sathorn Hotel
Included Excursion: Bangkok Street Eats by Tuk Tuk tour

Fly south to Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, which is brimming with adventures. Trek into the jungle, visit a traditional market, learn to cook pad thai, meet the monks and tour the temples of this vibrant island. On one of your days here, hop on board a speedboat and take the fast route to gorgeous Phi Phi, one of Thailand’s most beautiful spots. Laze on perfect beaches, walk on white sands and swim in the warm waters of this island paradise. Back in Phuket, you can relax with a round of golf or treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage.

Accommodation: 4* Centara Villas Phuket

Enter the limestone hills and thick jungles of Khao Sok National Park at Elephant Hills. Here, former working Asian elephants that have been rescued are looked after, and you can watch these majestic creatures take a refreshing mud bath, as well as learning the secrets of their mahouts. This is an ethical experience, something which we champion at Flight Centre. As such, you will not ride or trek with the elephants, but you can jump in a canoe and paddle down the river, learning about the flora and fauna of the jungle as you go. On your second night, you’ll stay in a floating room where you can dive straight off your deck for a swim in the lake.

Accommodation: 3* Elephant Hills Lake Safari Camp
Included Excursion: Includes a semi-guided tour to Elephant Hills, including a variety of outdoors activities and wildlife-viewing options.

Finish your Journey with a relaxing stay on the soft sands of Khao Lak, a collection of 20 kilometres of beautiful beaches along the Andaman Sea. The area is named after Lak Mountain, which forms a pretty, jungle-covered backdrop to the coastline, and is found in Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park. You can venture into this lush environment in search of waterfalls, or just to trek and soak up the nature. For something less strenuous, chill out at your hotel, indulge in a massage or two, take a dip in the pool (or indeed the sea!) or just kick back on the beach.

Accommodation: 4.5* The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani