Elephants and Waterfalls Take your family away from it all on a private family wildlife holiday in Thailand. You'll explore a vast wildlife reserve for a chance to spot animals in the wild, get up close to elephants, trek in tropical jungles, meet monkeys and swim in spectacular waterfalls amongst butterflies and songbirds. Your two-week family holiday will start with a whistle-stop visit to Bangkok to tick off the main sights before you venture away from the tourist trail and into the lush landscapes of northern Thailand. First stop, the countryside outside Chiang Mai where highlights will include exploring 10-tier waterfalls and learning how to care for elephants and meeting a friendly local family. Then it's time to head further north in Thailand and really off the beaten track. Here, you'll trek up a mountain for spectacular views over neighbouring Laos, bathe in hot springs and dine outdoors, under a blanket of sparkling stars. You'll also get to meet locals of all ages, you'll visit a local primary school and the early-evening football matches are a highlight in the village's social calendar! The last part of your holiday will be at Khao Yai National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this vast wildlife reserve is home to herds of wild elephants, clouded leopards and monkeys, as well a vast array of flora and fauna. Here, you'll see over a million bats swarm out into the night, trek through the jungle and drive around in an open-topped jeep. You'll also have time to relax by the beautiful pool. This is a private tour that can be taken at your family's own pace and can be customised.Day 1: Direct overnight flight from London by Eva Air or Thai Airways, regional add-ons available. Day 2: Arrival at Bangkok airport where one of our drivers will pick you up. A few hours to settle into your family suite at a charming boutique hotel and relax in your private courtyard. This evening, your driver will take your family for a drive to see the urban jungle of Bangkok by night and wait for you as you dine at one of our recommended restaurants. Day 3: Sightseeing with a guide to tick off the main sites - Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Free time in the late afternoon and then an evening exploring Bangkok with your driver (choose where to go from our maps and family-friendly tips or go anywhere else of your choice). Day 4: Transfer to Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand via short internal flight. Private car/minivan transfer to a residential area just outside the city centre and arrival at a private home. Time to relax and settle into the top floor of the house (which you will have to yourselves) and then the family will take you for a walk around the local area before a homecooked dinner. Day 5: Explore 10-tiered waterfalls at your leisure. Climb up as far or as little as you want, swim in various spots (child-friendly) and picnic in the midst of fluttering butterflies and songbirds. In the evening, your driver will take you into Chiang Mai town to have dinner at a riverside restaurant and visit the famous night bazaar. Days 6 and 7: Meet elephants at the award-winning Elephant Nature Park, a unique sanctuary where you can learn about them from conservation experts and elephant carers, mahouts. You can get hands-on with the elephants and scrub them down in the river! Day 8: Sightseeing in the city of Chiang Mai around the ancient city and temples and visiting the handicraft villages dotted around the city where you can watch the locals work expertly and buy directly from their co-operatives. Evening informal Thai cookery lesson with local family. Day 9: Transfer further north past Chiang Rai by private car/minivan. Arrive in remote countryside where you'll stay with a friendly family with young children (you will have private chalets in their garden). This afternoon, you'll meet the villagers, learn how they fish and farm in traditional ways, then have dinner round the campfire. Day 10: Trek up the mountain - it's certainly off the beaten track, you'll have to cut your own trails and build a fire to make your barbeque lunch. Dinner under a blanket of sparkling stars. Day 11: Swim in waterfalls and hot springs and walk in the surrounding forest or relax or nap by the waterfalls. You'll also visit a primary school in a Hmong village. You'll end the day being given a Thai massage, before you visit a freshwater prawn farm for a delicious feast to round off your stay. Day 12: Transfer to Khao Yai. Time to settle into your eco lodge and take a dip in the pool before an evening visit to the local night market. Day 13: Day at leisure to relax in the gardens or swim in the pool. In the late afternoon, you'll have your first visit to Khao Yai National Park for the unforgettable sight of over a million bats swarming out into the night sky. Day 14: Wildlife-spotting in Khao Yai National Park requires an early start for a chance to see the animals at their most active with an expert local guide. Picnic by beautiful waterfalls before driving around this wildlife and nature reserve in an open-topped vehicle. Day 15: Early morning transfer to Bangkok airport by car and international flight back, arriving at London Heathrow at approximately 7pm UK time (same day). This 15-day private family wildlife holiday costs from £1,800 per adult and £1,350 for under 12s, during half terms and Easter holidays and £2,000 per adult and £1,500 for under 12s in the summer. Prices for Christmas available upon request (depends on flight availability at the time, we advise booking as early as you can when you can get summer-type prices, you can book with a deposit and have your dates and the best prices guaranteed). Prices include direct flights from London with Eva Air or Thai Airways, accommodation, activities/excursions, chauffeur-driven cars/minivans and most meals. Spending money guideline £500 for a family of 4. Beach extensions are possible. Telephone us on 0800 011 2571 with any questions, we're happy to help! Download the full itinerary with more details here
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