7-Day Thailand Adventure: Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

From £608£87 per day Save 23%

Who is this trip for

Age range

18 - 45

Start / End

  • Bangkok
  • Chiang Mai

Physical rating

3/5

Group size

4 - 24

Meals included

8

Highlights

  • Elephant sancturaty
  • Buddhist temple visit
  • Bangkok Tuk-tuk night tour
  • Buddhist Monk chat
  • Jungle Trek in Chiang Mai

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Summary

Short on time but big on adventure? Discover Thailand’s rich culture, ancient temples and scenic landscapes on this epic 7-day journey!

This 7-day Thailand tour captures the country’s ultimate highlights – follow the popular backpacking path, experience the buzzing energy of Bangkok on a night tour and immerse yourself in local life with a homestay in Chiang Mai. Walk alongside gentle giants during an elephant observation experience, and explore the spiritual heart of Thailand with a visit to a Buddhist temple. Whether it’s your first visit or a return adventure, this trip promises an unforgettable journey through Thailand!

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Meet your fellow dragons!

    Your Thailand adventure kicks off today! Touch down in Bangkok and meet your group and Adventure Leader – it’s time to start this epic journey!

    Once you’ve settled in, it’s straight into the action with a tuk-tuk tour! Hop on board and zip through the bustling streets, making your way to one of Bangkok’s rooftop restaurants for dinner. Choose from a spread of authentic Thai dishes while soaking up the city views.

    End the night in style at a trendy rooftop bar – sip on a drink and take in the skyline, or if you’re feeling tired, head back to the hostel to recharge. The choice is yours!

  • Day 2

    Bangkok & Train to Chiang Mai

    Take the morning at your own pace! If you’re up for some culture, join us for an optional temple tour of the Old City. Discover Bangkok’s rich history as you visit iconic spots like Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the encapsulating Grand Palace.

    After exploring, head back to the hostel for a quick freshen-up before we make our way to the train station. Tonight, we’re catching the overnight train to Chiang Mai – a unique travel experience where you’ll get to take in scenic views and bond with your travel crew.

    (If you’re joining the temple tour, make sure to check out before heading out.)

  • Day 3

    Jungle Trek

    Welcome to Chiang Mai! Once we arrive at the station, we’ll be greeted by our hosts and head straight to the homestay. After dropping off our bags, we’ll enjoy a relaxing lunch together before setting off for an afternoon in the great outdoors.

    We’ll travel to the starting point of our jungle trek and begin a 4–6km hike through the wilderness. The trek will take a couple of hours, with a refreshing break at a cascading waterfall along the way.

    After an adventure-filled day, we’ll return to the homestay for a delicious home-cooked dinner and a chance to unwind for the evening.

  • Day 4

    Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

    After breakfast, we’ll kick off the day with an unmissable experience at Chang Chill Elephant Park. This ethical sanctuary is all about observing elephants in their natural environment. We’ll start with a guided elephant walk through the forest, learning about their behaviours and conservation efforts from the experts. You’ll get to see these gentle giants roaming freely and playing in their habitat.

    Midway through, we’ll take a break to enjoy a tasty lunch on-site, surrounded by the park views. Once we’ve wrapped up at the sanctuary, it’s back to the city to check into your new hostel and freshen up.

    In the late afternoon, dive into Thai culture with an authentic cooking class! Learn the secrets behind your favourite dishes – who knows, you might just master that perfect Thai curry.

    In the evening, you’ll have the option to round off the night with a thrilling Muay Thai show – a must-see experience for anyone wanting to soak up the local sports culture.

  • Day 5

    Wat Doi Suthep & Monk Chat

    We’ll kick off the day with a spiritual Monk chat at our first temple – an amazing chance to learn about Buddhist life and ask any questions. Then, we’ll hop on a public songthaew (those iconic red trucks) and set off to explore more captivating temples.

    After soaking up the spiritual vibes at Wat Doi Suthep, we’ll head back to the hostel. If you’re up for an adventure, why not join an optional trip to the incredible Sticky Waterfall? It’s about 1.5 hours away by songthaew, but totally worth it for the climbable limestone rocks and refreshing waters.

    Once we return, we’ll grab dinner and refuel. In the evening, the party crowd can head to Zoe In Yellow for a night out – Chiang Mai’s go-to spot for good vibes and great tunes!

  • Day 6

    Free Time to Explore

    Today’s all yours to explore, and the options are pretty epic! If you’re up for some adrenaline, get ready to tackle the rapids with whitewater rafting or set off on another trek to take in more of Thailand’s surreal landscapes. ­ Prefer a more laid-back vibe? Wander through the Old Town at your own pace – just ask your Adventure Leader for some top tips. In the evening, hit up the local market for some last-minute souvenir hunting and street food tasting – you won’t want to miss some regional delicacies!

  • Day 7

    Farewell

    It’s time to wrap up your incredible adventure! This morning, you’ll check out of the hostel and say goodbye to your travel crew. If you’re not ready to leave just yet, let us know – we can help arrange extra accommodation or transfers so you can keep exploring.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Your standard accommodation will be 4 nights in clean, comfortable hostels, 1 night on a sleeper train, & 1 homestay experience in Thailand.

  • Meals

    Breakfasts: 4, Lunches: 2, Dinners: 2

    Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.

    Vegetarian options available

  • Local Guide

    Guided

    This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.

  • Wifi

    Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.

Dates & Prices

  • Oct 25

    from £608
  • Nov 25

    from £646
  • Save 23%
    Mon 6 Oct 2025 > Sun 12 Oct 2025Guaranteed Departure
    4 spaces of 24 left
    £788Best offer£608
    Solo Room from +£214
  • Save 18%
    Mon 27 Oct 2025 > Sun 2 Nov 2025Guaranteed Departure
    4 spaces of 24 left
    £788£646
    Solo Room from +£228

Essential trip information

Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.

Frequently asked questions

  • Where does the trip start and finish?

    This trip starts in Bangkok and finishes in Chiang Mai. Throughout, all local travel is included (excluding airport transfers).
  • What is the accommodation used on this tour?

    On this adventure tour, you’ll be based in hostels. All of the hostels we use are clean, comfortable, and well-located. In them, you’ll have all bedding provided for you, so no need to bring anything extra! Some of the hostels we use on this tour include: Lub D Chinatown, Bangkok Homestay, Chiang Mai Suneta Hostel, Chiang Mai
  • What is the general demographic of travellers on this tour?

    While we get a huge range of people on this tour, we tend to see that this tour is most popular with people in their early to late 20s.
  • Do the hostels have WiFi? Will I be able to keep in touch with friends and family while in Southeast Asia?

    There is Wi-Fi and computers available for use in all hostels you stay in during your tour. You can also purchase a SIM card very cheaply to stay in touch and your Adventure Leader can help you with this. You can also consider purchasing an eSim prior to your trip, through a vendor such as Holafly.
  • Do I need to bring power converters?

    Asian electrical outlets are 220 volt and use the US standard plug shape. This means if your country uses 110 volt outlets- i.e. the US- you need a convertor for your devices; however with that being said, most computer and phone chargers are equipped to use either 220 volt or 110 volt outlets, but please check your specific device to be sure.
  • Do I need a sleeping bag or is linen supplied in the hostels?

    All bedding, including in the homestay is provided.
  • Who looks after our bags when we’re on transport and/or day excursions?

    The bags will be stored at the hostels where they are tagged and recorded. We have never had a case of anyone losing their luggage or having their luggage stolen so you can focus on having fun.
  • Can I upgrade to a private room?

    Yes! If you’d like to upgrade to a private room, please contact us and our Team will help you to arrange it at an extra cost.
  • What kind of restaurants will we go to?

    Your Adventure Leader will always offer to take you for a group meal, where we go to a local restaurant, which we know is hygienic and has cheap and delicious food. If you are craving Western food, then there are lots of great options!
  • I’m a vegetarian/have allergies – will I be able to get the right food?

    Yes! With so many food choices, Southeast Asia can meet the needs of individuals with special dietary needs or requests. Just tell your Adventure Leader and they can help you find something suitable. In addition, each leader has a list of common food allergies translations in Thai to make this communication even easier. You will probably discover a new dish that you love!
  • What travel insurance do I need for Southeast Asia?

    We require all our customers to have travel insurance when coming on the trip. We recommend purchasing a travel insurance that offers ‘Bad Weather or Natural Disaster Coverage’. Please bring details of your travel insurance along with you. In the event of an accident, we may need to contact your insurance company on your behalf, so we will need the insurance company’s name and phone number and your policy number. When it comes to who to choose, we’re big fans of World Nomads as a travel insurance provider.
  • Do I need any special vaccinations for Southeast Asia?

    We recommend you have Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid plus take malaria tablets.
  • I have a medical condition – is this OK?

    Generally yes, but please do inform us of your specific requirements at the point of booking.
  • If something happens, will I be able to get necessary medical attention?

    Yes, our Adventure Leaders will take you to places with effective medical equipment. In the major cities, there are good quality hospitals.
  • How do I get money in SE Asia?

    ATMs are plentiful and you can withdraw money in all the places that we visit. We advise that you notify your bank that you will be travelling before you depart. As a note, many banks and cards do charge a foreign transaction fee when withdrawing money while abroad.
  • How much should I budget for food and drink on the Dragon Trip?

    It really varies depending on your taste and budget. You can get a simple meal such as a bowl of noodles for £1.50 or go for more high class options. Generally, we take travelers to affordable restaurants and recommend budgeting £5-10 a day for food and drink.
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