Rivers, Mountains and Beaches Private tour for your family in Thailand. Suitable most of the year, the beach part is on the eastern side of Thailand on the beautiful island of Ko Samed. Less local people interaction than our other itineraries (though still more than you would travelling another way!) and staying in boutique hotel accommodation only (no private homes). In keeping with the eco theme, there are no internal flights. Your two-week family holiday will start with Bangkok where you will visit the main sights and have a boat trip along the Chao Praya river. Then it's off west to Kanachanaburi where you will visit the famous Erawan waterfalls and relax by the famous river Kwai. Then you'll be driven east to Khao Yai, the UNESCO protected wildlife reserve and finally you will spend a few days relaxing on the island of Ko Samed in a boutique beach resort. Day 1 (usually Saturday): Direct overnight flight from London Heathrow to Bangkok by Eva Air or Thai Airways. If Manchester or Edinburgh are closer for you, please ask us about flight options (more are possible on this itinerary than others). As usual, it's also possible to book this holiday without for those from outside the UK. Day 2: Afternoon arrival at Bangkok airport where you will be met and one of our drivers will take you into the centre in a private car/minivan. Settle into your rooms at the charming and intimate Aurum Hotel, right on the riverside and enjoy a sunset view of Wat Arun. This evening, you will go across the river on an antique wooden boat so you can have dinner at Supatra River House (we will have booked a table for you). Day 3: Lie in and breakfast at leisure. One of our guides will pick you up and take you on a private boat trip along the Chao Praya river and the klongs (canals). You'll stop to admire the glittering royal barges, an unusual favourite with children. Day 4: Your guide will pick you up and take you to see the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. In the evening, your driver will take you around Bangkok (choose where you want to go from our maps and tips). Day 5: Time to pack you. You'll be taken on the three-hour drive to Kanchanaburi to the west. On your way, you'll have a bit of family fun, an informal cookery lesson with one of our friends. You'll learn how to make that famous Thai fast food, Pad Thai, a noodle-based dish which will be easy to recreate when you get home. After enjoying your efforts for lunch, you'll carry on to the riverside resort you'll be staying at. You'll alos stop and look around the famous Bridge of the River Kwai and the Allied Prisoners of War cemetery. A bit of time this afternoon to enjoy the pool. Day 6: A special day, you'll spend it with elephants at a small sanctuary for elephants, Elephant World where you can get up close and personal with them. This is a very special place and a world apart from touristy elephant rides. In the evening, you'll be driven to Kanchanaburi town where you can have dinner at a restaurant right on the river. Day 7: Day exploring Erawan waterfalls. You'll also visit a martial arts school for local children. Day 8: It's time to pack up and leave Kanchanaburi. You'll be driven east to Khao Yai, (which means big mountain), this journey will take 4-5 hours. You'll arrive in time to have some of the afternoon to have a dip in the pool at your eco lodge. Day 9: Morning guided mountain biking around the local villages. In the late afternoon, you'll visit the 'bat cave' where every night, over 2 million bats swarm out into the night sky. We recommend eating dinner at a local restaurant or night market, but you can have dinner at your accommodation if you prefer. Day 10: Privately-guided trekking and wildlife safari in the vast nature reserve of Khao Yai National Park. You will drive to the top of the mountain for spectacular views. Day 11: You will be driven to the coast where you will take a boat to Ko Samed, a beautiful island with palm trees. Arrival at Mooban Talay beach resort. Day 12: Day at leisure to enjoy the beach and the pool. Day 13: Day at leisure. If you'd like to go snorkelling, you can arrange a boat trip at the resort when you arrive or you can ask us to book it in advance. Day 14: Day at leisure. Day 15: This morning, you'll have a private speedboat and car/minivan tranfer to Bangkok airport for your international flight back at lunchtime, arriving at London Heathrow at approximately 7pm UK time (same day, will be a Saturday if you start your tour on a Saturday). This 15 day private family eco holiday costs from £1,800 per adult and £1,350 for under 12s, during half terms and Easter holidays, £2,000 per adult and £1,500 in the summer. Prices for Christmas available upon request (depends on flight availability at the time, early booking advised!). Prices include scheduled flights from London, accommodation, activities, transport and some meals (fewer meals included than our other family itineraries but more than bed and breakfast). Telephone us on 0800 011 2571 with any questions: we're happy to help. Book with a 20% deposit.
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