Thailand Family Adventure
Family vacations can be tricky — but not in Thailand.
Immerse yourself in indigenous culture with minority homestays. Cycle along jungle-clad roads. Try traditional handicrafts, canoe down rivers, swim beneath waterfalls. Beautiful, safe, and endlessly friendly — it’s pretty much impossible not to have fun on a family vacation in Thailand.
Pricing
Key facts
Transport in detail
Most transfers will be by private vehicle with an English-speaking guide, as well as two internal flights (from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and from Chiang Mai to Khao Sok)
What's great
We’ve packed in a variety of different experiences and landscapes, so every day is fresh and different
You’ll get to experience life and join in activities in three different local communities
There’s a great mix of city and countryside, but nothing too remote
Things to consider
There’s not much downtime in this action-packed itinerary, but it can easily be extended with a beach stay or similar
Some included activities aren’t suitable for children under the age of eight
There are quite a few boat-based activities, so your family will need to be comfortable around water
The experience
This trip is built around our favorite family experiences, but yours may look completely different. Let us know what you love and we’ll design a trip just for you.
Day 1-2
Bangkok
Welcome to the “Big Mango”, where canals wind between creaking teakwood verandas and glittering, jewel-encrusted spires jut up between skyscrapers. It’s a city of grand palaces and even grander temples, but sometimes the most memorable experiences are those that occur between the sights, as you mingle with commuters on the Skytrain, wander between groups of people practicing t’ai chi or aerobics in the park, or visit orchid gardens and fruit plantations along the banks of the khlongs. Bangkok might seem intimidating at first glance, but the Thais are crazy about kids — and you’ll find that even the frenetic, traffic-choked buzz of the city softens to accommodate families.
Highlights
Have fun trying out Bangkok’s different modes of transport, from tuk-tuks and boat taxis to the sleek BTS Skytrain
Tick off the city’s famous sights, including the Royal Palace and glittering Wat Pho
Head deep into the khlongs — Bangkok’s maze-like canals — on a longtail boat tour
Day 3-4
Kanchanaburi
As the home of the real-life Bridge on the River Kwai, Kanchanaburi is the site of some of Thailand’s most traumatic history — but there’s much more to it than that. If your kids aren’t into war stories, don’t worry — there’s still stunning natural scenery, epic train rides, temples where you can receive blessings from the local monks, and a laid-back, tropical vibe that’s lightyears from Bangkok’s non-stop hustle. Stop in on the way over to eat boat noodles and barter over trinkets at a fun (but mega-touristy) floating market — then refresh yourself with a swim in the limpid pools beneath seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall. This is rural Thailand at its finest.
Highlights
Visit the real Bridge on the River Kwai and learn about the legacy of WWII in Thailand
Go for a dip in the turquoise waters beneath Erawan Waterfall
Embrace the mad, unabashed tackiness of a modern-day floating market
The finer detail
What's included
- Breakfast every day
- Seven lunches: one at a restaurant near Bangkok’s Royal Palace; one at a restaurant in Kanchanaburi; one on the drive to Ayutthaya; one at the Lisu Lodge; three at the Anurak Community Lodge
- Six dinners: one at the hotel in Kanchanaburi; one on the Thanatharee cruise in Ayutthaya; one at the Lisu Lodge with a dance show; three at the Anurak Community Lodge
- Two full-day experiences: visit Erawan Waterfall; Day on Cheow Lan Lake
- Nine half-day experiences: tour of Bangkok’s highlights by public transport; Bangkok’s hidden khlongs by longtail boat; Floating markets visit; Bridge over the River Kwai; activities at a sustainable craft village; monks alms at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep; hike in Khao Sok National Park; cycle in Khao Sok National Park; canoe on the Sok River
- Five evening experiences: street food tour of Bangkok’s Chinatown; social enterprise massage from a blind masseur; sunset cycling tour; home dinner in Chiang Mai; evening tour of Chiang Mai
- Overnight cruise on the Thanatharee in Ayutthaya with cultural experiences
- Two-night stay at Lisu Lodge with cultural experiences
- All entrance fees to sites included in guided experiences
- All internal transport & accommodation
Logistics & journey times
Day 1:
Car transfer from Bangkok airport to city (45 minutes)
Day 3:
Car transfer from Bangkok to Floating Market (1 hour)
Car transfer from Floating Market to Kanchanaburi (1.5 hours)
Day 5:
Car transfer from Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya (3.5 hours)
Day 6:
Car transfer from Ayutthaya to Bangkok Airport (1.5 hours)
Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (1 hour 15 mins)
Car transfer from Chiang Mai airport to hotel (15 minutes)
Day 7:
Car transfer from Chiang Mai to Lisu Lodge (1 hour 20 minutes)
Day 9:
Car transfer from Lisu Lodge to Chiang Mai (1 hour 20 minutes)
Day 10:
Car transfer from hotel to Chiang Mai airport (15 minutes)
Flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket (2 hours)
Car transfer from Phuket airport to Anurak Community Lodge (2 hours)
Day 12:
Day trip to Phang Nha Elephant Camp (1 hour 15 minutes/way)
Day 13:
Car transfer from Anurak Community Lodge to Phuket airport (2 hours)
What's not included
- International flights
- Any meals not mentioned
- Entrance fees to any sites