Christmas in Thailand
12 nights / 13 days
Fully Guided
All Available Dates - Call 01 2366852 To Book Now
15 Dec 2024
15 Dec 2025
This Christmas, journey through the magic of Thailand. A traditionally Buddhist country, there is no shortage of celebration and cheer no matter the time of year. When better to explore the marvels of this visually breathtaking place than December, with hot sunny days and balmy nights?Arriving In Bangkok, explore the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Chinatown, then sail the Chao Phraya River on a longtail boat. Travel to Kanchanaburi province, where we'll see the historic Bridge on the River Kwai and learn about the Death Railway built by Allied POWs during WWII. Next, fly north to Chiang Rai, famous for its beautiful tea plantations and rolling hills. After exploring the Golden Triangle, head west to Mae Rim and relax in an eco-lodge nestled in the northern highlands, where you'll experience a warm welcome with a local dinner and Hmong Hilltribe folklore.Come Christmas Eve, head to Chiang Mai, our home for the festive celebrations. Spend Christmas Day morning at an elephant rescue sanctuary in Chiang Mai, fostering memories with these majestic creatures before sitting down to Christmas dinner in a beautiful colonial mansion. Finally, enjoy a light-hearted Boxing Day cooking class to round the trip off before your return home.
B Breakfast Included
L Lunch Included
D Dinner Included
Day 1 - Bangkok
You will be met at Bangkok Airport by your local guide or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel.
Day 2 - Bangkok
You will be met at Bangkok Airport by your local guide or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel.
Day 3 - Bangkok Highlights
Bangkok's dazzling neon signs, charming architecture, Thai cuisine and lively markets make for an exciting introduction to this fascinating country. Enjoy a Bangkok city tour. Tour the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Chinatown before cruising down Chao Phraya River on a longboat to Pak Khlong Talaat Flower Market, whilst enjoying an alternative view of the city.
Day 4 - Floating Market & the Bridge on the River Kwai
Begin at the Maeklong Railway Market in Samut Songkram, and enjoy the spectacle as vendors quickly pack up their stalls to let trains pass directly through the market. Continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you'll hop in small boats to explore the market's bustling canals.Continue to Kanchanaburi, made famous by 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. During the Japanese occupation of Thailand in WWII, tens of thousands of Allied POWs and Southeast Asian indentured labourers were forced to build the Thai-Burma Railway, often called the Death Railway; many of the prisoners died under the brutal conditions. Learn about their tragic story at the Thai-Burma Railway Museum, then pay respects to the victims at the Allied War Cemetery before checking in at your hotel.
Day 5 - Kanchanaburi - Death Railway- Bangkok
Visit Hellfire Pass, a dramatic part of the railway that literally cuts through mountain. Begin at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, which tells the stories of human suffering at the hands of this engineering feat, before a 3 kilometre walk through the pass. Finally, take a short train journey on the Death Railway and see more of this beautiful valley before driving back to Bangkok.
Day 6 - Ayutthaya – Chiang Rai
Drive 90 minutes east out of Bangkok to discover the historic ruins of Ayutthaya, the historic capital of Siam from 1350 until its destruction by Burmese invaders in 1767. Explore its gilded palaces, pavilions and gardens, together with its ruined stupas, reminiscent of a smaller Angkor. Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant and take the road trip back to Bangkok. This afternoon, return to Bangkok for your 80-minute flight to Chiang Rai.
Day 7 - Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle
This morning, head out to admire the area known as the 'Golden Triangle'; the point where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. This area was once a hub of opium production, but since the 1970s, Thailand has been promoting local initiatives to enable locals to switch to other sources of income, such as tea, coffee and tourism. Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand and an important trading town on the Myanmar border. Return to Chiang Rai for dinner; afterwards, you may wish to explore the colourful night market.
Day 8 - Tribes & Tea Plantations in Mae Salong
Drive 90 minutes through rolling countryside to Mae Salong Mountain, renowned for its hill tribes and tea plantations. From the base of the mountain, travel by truck to a plantation, where you will have an opportunity to sample the local tea.Enjoy lunch at a mountaintop restaurant before an excursion to Mae Salong, visiting a tea plantation, a Yao Tribe and an Akha village known as Ban Lorcha. Sightseeing today will include approximately 3 hours on foot.
Day 9 - The White Temple & Hmong Hilltribe Lodge
Depart Chiang Rai and take a short 30-minute drive to explore Wat Rong Khun, the bizarre and fascinating White Temple. Stop at a local market before lunch.This afternoon is spent crossing the countryside, passing forests, farms and villages to reach the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge. Here you will be guests of the Hmong community. The Lodge is made up of ten individual houses, each comprising of four separate bedrooms with private en-suite bathrooms, arranged around a central communal area. This evening, enjoy a barbecue dinner and a cultural show.
Day 10 - Christmas Eve - Bamboo Rafting & Chiang Mai
Depart the lodge and drive an hour north to Mae Daeng to enjoy a relaxed bamboo rafting trip on the Mae Daang River. Sit back and enjoy the passing scenery as your boatman steers you along the river.Afterwards, head to Chiang Mai and visit a social enterprise café. This little restaurant offers life-changing vocational training to reformed women from Chiang Mai's Correctional Institution. The skills they learn here enable them to reintegrate into society with the skills for a new career.This afternoon, visit two of Chiang Mai's most important temples, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.
Day 11 - Christmas Day - Elephant Rescue & Christmas Dinner
Enjoy a wonderful start to Christmas Day – a visit to an elephant sanctuary! The centre is located in the beautiful Mesa valley and offers a peaceful retirement home for elephants rescued from illegal logging camps and elephant shows. Meet one of their caretakers, who will guide you through the centre, explaining about the centre and its inhabitants.Return to Chiang Mai and freshen up at the hotel before this afternoon's Thai Christmas dinner at the lovely House by Ginger. This 1930s colonial mansion has been preserved as a stylish restaurant with a luxurious yet homely atmosphere.This evening, return to the hotel and relax, or stay out in town and continue to celebrate at your leisure.
Day 12 - Boxing Day Cooking Class & Wat Doi Suthep
Spend Boxing Day morning at a cooking class, learning to cook traditional Thai cuisine and enjoy your creations for lunch. Later, drive to Wat Doi Suthep, a beautiful hilltop temple with panoramic views across the countryside. You will have the choice of climbing the Naga staircase (300 steps) or catching the cable car to visit the exquisite golden pagoda.This evening, enjoy a typical Khantoke dinner while watching a performance of traditional song and dance from Northern Thailand by various hill tribes.
Day 13 - Departure
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Late checkout is bookable in advance for those who have chosen a later flight option.If you wish to extend your stay in Southeast Asia, please talk to our team about our various private extension packages before your departure. We have options for hiking in Sapa, beach breaks in Mui Ne, Phuket or Hua Hin, city stays in Singapore, and more.
Call 01 2366852 To Book Now
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