F ly through the jungle treetops on one of the world's longest zip lines in Bangkok and photograph colorful floating markets and golden-roofed temples. Then take on the 14 rapids of the fabled Mae Tang River. Hike through the astonishing forests and ancient ruins of Doi Inthanon National Park and meet the tribal Hmong people, proudly preserving their cultural traditions. Learn how to train a majestic elephant at the National Elephant Institute. And extend your trip to the paradisiacal island of Phuket, where you can paddle your canoe inside secret limestone caves off of palm-fanned shores. 

Discover three distinct sides of this truly magical land on our newest family adventure. Designed to showcase Thailand’s wealth of cultural and natural wonders, our unique itinerary offers a sensory feast of daily activities sure to create a lifetime of memories for adults and children alike.

You’ll see the 150-foot, gold-gilded statue at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, then learn about Thailand’s ancient Buddhist tradition by offering alms to barefoot monks. As you ride a bicycle through ancient Thonduri, sample delicious Thai cuisine in fragrant and bustling markets, stroll among the countless treasures of the Grand Palace, and walk into the humble interior of a proud hill tribe villager’s home. Whether you’re riding high atop an elephant or hiking through pristine rain forest in Chiang Mai’s national park, whether you’re swimming in Phuket’s crystal clear tropical waters or joining the daily commute on Bangkok’s busy waterways, Thailand offers an ultimately exciting, horizon-expanding family vacation.

2012 Dates

Triple Discount: $200 for child under 12 sharing with 2 adults

Alumni Discount: if you are a returning Thomson guest, please subtract $500 per family from these prices

Large Group Discount: if the departure you choose has 11 or more travelers (including your family) a $400 per person discount will apply.

Price includes: All entrance fees, accommodations based on two to a room; land transportation; private bi-lingual guide throughout, area specialists, all meals except 1 dinner, bottled water & snacks in the vehicle, Comprehensive Travel Insurance.

Price does not include the Phuket Extension

Day 1 – 2 Depart U.S. / Fly to Bangkok, Thailand

Welcome to colorful, exotic and endlessly fascinating Thailand! Our family adventure offers the chance to explore three distinct Thai regions and experience the lifestyle and traditions unique to each. From the cultural delights of Bangkok to the natural wonders of Chiang Mai, Thailand promises to engage everyone’s imagination.

After clearing customs you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Your Thailand adventure begins the next morning.

Days 3 to 4 – Bangkok

Sprawled along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok—“City of Angels”—is one of Asia’s most compelling metropolises. Along with visiting golden temples and colorful markets, kids will love exploring its network of canals (klongs) on longtail boats. We’ll also take to the treetops in the nearby rain forest for a thrilling zipline adventure and explore ancient Thonburi, across the river from Bangkok, on a delightful bicycle ride.

Travel Bangkok’s canals by longtail boat As you cruise through the narrow klongs of Bangkok aboard traditional longtail boats, expect to give that camera a full workout as you witness a kaleidoscopic world of riverside shrines, floating food markets, and the bustling comings and goings of daily Thai life. Discover the true flavors of Thailand Enjoy many opportunities to introduce your kids—and your taste buds—to one of the world’s most celebrated cuisines. Visit the Grand Palace This huge compound, a Thai cultural wonder, was built in 1782 and encompasses more than 100 brilliantly colored buildings—many of them capped with glittering, golden roofs. Temple of the Emerald Buddha Considered to be the country’s most important Buddhist temple, the Wat Phra Kaew houses the exquisite small statue known as the Emerald Buddha, carved from a single block of jade. Zip line through the rainforest canopy Prepare for an adrenaline-filled experience at the Gibbon Adventure Base as you and the kids take to the forest canopy for a thrilling tree-to-tree trek. With nearly two and one-half miles of zip line, this is one of the world’s longest and highest such adventures. Explore old Thonburi by bicycle Pick up bicycles in Bangkok for an afternoon adventure in Thonburi on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. Follow the warren of lanes to lively markets, a Chinese pagoda, the magical Temple of Dawn, and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha with its 150-foot-long golden statue.

Days 5 to 9 -- Bangkok / Chiang Mai

Surrounded by Thailand’s northern mountains, Chiang Mai was founded more than 700 years ago as the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom. Witness the incredible cultural diversity that flourishes here in the traditional hill tribe villages, while the wild and beautiful landscape offers your family the chance to hike in a national park and whitewater raft down one of Asia’s premier rivers. An unforgettable highlight is a full day at the National Elephant Institute—where your family will learn about 5,000 years of Thai elephant culture through highly personal interactions with these much-revered and graceful animals.

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep  The Buddhist temple Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is undoubtedly one of the most sacred sites in all of Thailand, and one of the most sacred places to Buddhists across the globe. Built atop a mountain named Doi Suthep, the temple offers stunning views of nearby Chiang Mai, and contains a model of the Emerald Buddha and a statue of the Hindu God Ganesh. Legend has it that the spot for the temple was chosen when a white elephant carrying a piece of Buddha’s shoulder bone was sent off into the jungle, climbed Doi Suthep, and trumpeted three times before dying on that holy ground. Experience a classic Khantoke Dinner A centuries-old tradition, the ceremonial Khantoke Dinner is a two-part affair. As you feast on a delicious multi-course dinner, enjoy a traditional Thai cultural performance, including the famed Fingernail Dance. Participate in the Paper Lantern ceremony Take part in a Chiang Mai custom—the lighting of the Khom Loy, or paper lanterns. Make a wish as they float heavenward. Night bazaar, Chiang Mai  As a finale to our traditional Thai evening we’ll visit the Night Bazaar along the Ping River. In Thailand’s most famous night market, huge arcades hold hundreds of little shops and stalls and trinket shopping has never been more fun! Hike Doi Inthanon National Park Enjoy this wonderland of forests, waterfalls and the ruins of ancient temples as our guide points out the wild botanicals, animals and some of the 300 species of birds that make their home here. Learn Traditional Ways in the Hmong Tribal Village Witness a way of life nearly lost, and meet some of the people who proudly preserve their colorful cultural traditions in the Hmong Tribal Village. Full day visit to the Ran-tong Elephant Camp This extraordinary adventure offers numerous up-close and hands-on opportunities to observe and participate in the daily life of the camp's majestic residents. Among the many activities and highlights, your family will: visit the elephant hospital and nursery; watch elephants paint on canvas; enjoy elephant-back rides through the jungle; learn how to be a good mahout (elephant caretaker and trainer); and receive a Mahout Certificate after the “for real” training session with elephants. Raft the famous Mae Tang River After being safely outfitted ride the famous Mae Tang River, sometimes paddling through a breathtaking canyon... at other times taking on the rapids—14 of them!—before coming ashore at our downstream camp.  

Day 10 - Depart Bangkok / Arrive U.S.

After breakfast a complimentary hotel shuttle will take you to the airport for your flight home. Cross the International Date Line and arrive home the same day.

Offer alms to Buddhist monks Participate in a timeless Thai custom at dawn as you offer freshly prepared food to the Buddhist monks who walk through the village streets, carrying their alms bowls. Baan Thai Cookery School cooking class   We’ll spend a half-day learning from the best at the Baan Thai Cookery School. This school offers visitors the chance to learn how to cook traditional Thai dishes in an authentic, homestyle Northern Thai setting. The experts who work here are extremely skilled and friendly, and the school accommodates people of all experience levels. Airport transfer   There will be complimentary hotel transportation to the airport for the flight home. Cross the International Date Line and arrive home the same day.

Optional Phuket Extension

Thailand’s largest island, a tropical paradise bathed by the ultramarine Andaman Sea, presents yet another side to this multi-faceted land. Phuket’s geographical location, along with its wealth of natural resources, once drew explorers and traders from lands near and far who came in search of its legendary timber, ivory, gems and, eventually tin. Just offshore and tucked among a dramatic cluster of islands lies incredibly photogenic Phang Nga Bay—a secret world of caves and tunnels.

Leisurely family time Whether it’s enjoying your hotel’s pool, logging some serious beach time, shopping for Thai souvenirs, or an exploratory stroll through old Phuket Town that calls you, your family can share your time in tropical Phuket way that you wish.

Please Note:   Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.

Why Thailand?

Flight of the Gibbon The Flight of the Gibbon is an exhilarating thrill ride few people will ever have the chance to experience, and the perfect adventure for a vacation with your kids. Soar through an intricate system of ziplines and virtually inaccessible tree houses in the dense rainforest canopy, in search of the critically endangered Black Gibbon ape. High above an endless expanse of thriving green vegetation, you’ll look out upon a sea of remote jungle and question whether or not you’re really awake. But don’t waste time pinching yourself – you have a Gibbon to spot! Thailand’s ancient Buddhist tradition A family vacation to Thailand is an eye-opening cultural and spiritual experience. Meet barefoot monks inspiringly devoted to their fundamentally peaceful faith, and visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha to see the remarkable 150-foot gold-gilded statue of the “Enlightened One.” The idyllic setting of Phuket Island Once a major trading route between India and China, Phuket is Thailand’s biggest island and one of the most beautiful, exotic paradises on the planet – and it boasts temperatures within the 70s and 80s all year round! On your family tour of Thailand, come to Phuket and paddle a canoe inside hidden limestone caves, taking breaks to lounge on the soft sand of the island’s abundant palm-lined beaches and dip your toes into the pristine turquoise waters. Bangkok’s distinct cosmopolitan atmosphere Bangkok is unlike any other place in the world. Situated on the Chao Phraya River, it is like an exotic Southeast Asian Venice, with an elaborate system of canals and colorful floating marketplaces. Bangkok is a leading regional and global force in business and finance – it is an enormous, bustling metropolis with an ever-growing economy and a unique cultural flavor. Incredible cuisine There’s a reason the popularity of Thai food has taken hold all over the world: it is fresh, healthy, and unbelievably delicious. Balance and variety of differing flavors is the hallmark of Thai cuisine; it emphasizes a delicate interaction between sweet, spicy, sour, and salty ingredients, tantalizing the palate with sizzling curries, peanut and chili sauces, seafood, and duck. There is nobody on your family trip that Thai cuisine can’t please – even your perpetually hungry teens!

Why Thailand with Thomson?

Experience every side of diverse Thailand Thailand is a big place with a lot of drastically different landscapes and regions offering a wide array of possible adventures – we at Thomson Family Adventures will make sure your family gets the full sense of that. You’ll commute through busy streets and waterways in the fast-paced urban setting of Bangkok, relax and do nothing on the paradisiacal beaches of Phuket Island, hike through the rainforest in Chiang Mai’s national park, and visit the Ran-tong Elephant Camp for a chance to ride atop one of the majestic behemoths. Enjoy a classic Khantoke Dinner At Thomson Family Adventures, we pride ourselves on giving people real experiences of the countries they visit – not superficial, touristy vacations; we want to make sure you and your family get a truly genuine cultural experience of Thailand. While in Chiang Mai, your family will be invited to join an authentic Khantoke Dinner, set to a traditional Thai performance, including the famed Fingernail Dance. Meet and learn from the Hmong people If you book your family vacation to Thailand with Thomson Family Adventures, you’ll learn the traditional ways of the area’s Hmong people. The Hmong are an ethnic group spread out across the mountainous regions of Vietnam, China, Laos, and – of course – Thailand. They are still hanging on to an ancient way of life, contrasting with the westernization of the world, and proudly preserving treasured cultural traditions in their tribal villages.