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Things to do in Thailand

Our most recommended things to do in Thailand

Chiang Mai: Waterfall, Elephant Sanctuary and Bamboo Rafting

1. Chiang Mai: Waterfall, Elephant Sanctuary and Bamboo Rafting

Embark on a one-of-a-kind experience and visit an ethical rescued elephant facility in the jungle outside Chiang Mai. Cool off in a waterfall, savor a traditional Thai lunch, and become a caretaker for the day as you interact, feed, and observe the gentle giants in their natural environment.  Begin with a pickup from your hotel or accommodation in downtown Chiang Mai. Take a scenic drive southwest of Chiang Mai and see local farms, hill tribe villages, and rice fields along the way.  Journey to the Mae Wang Waterfalls, where you'll relax and take a dip in the water. Arrive at the Pon Elephant Thailand located deep in the jungle. You'll be welcomed to the sanctuary by a guide who will lead you through the experience. Get dressed into Karen hill tribe clothing like the ones elephant caretakers wear. Next, get a briefing on Asian elephants and the background of the sanctuary. Come and meet the friendly rescued elephants and feed them bananas. Walk up the hill with elephants through the forest and watch the elephants forage for food in the wilderness. Observe elephants interacting between families in their natural environment. Head down to the river and enjoy bathing with the elephants. Walk with the elephants back to the sanatorium and embrace the memories and have time to say goodbye to these marvelous creatures. Finish off with a scenic bamboo rafting trip along the Mae Wang River before you get dropped off at your hotel in Chiang Mai.

Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market

2. Bangkok: Damnoen Saduak Market and Maeklong Railway Market

Choose from either a shared group or private guided experience to see 2 iconic markets on a day trip from Bangkok. See a market located on the railway tracks, the Maeklong Railway Market, and a market that floats on the canals at the Damnoen Saduak Market. After pickup, arrive at the Maeklong Railway Market, also known as Talad Rom Hup (“Umbrella Pulldown Market”). Maeklong is one of the largest fresh seafood markets in Thailand and hugs the track of the Maeklong Railway. Gain fascinating insights into how the market is run and what products are sold here from your local guide. Marvel at how market stalls and awnings are pulled back from the tracks every time a train approaches to let the train pass through. Next, head to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of the most famous floating markets in Thailand. To reach the market, take a short ride in a paddleboat. Enjoy plenty of time to meander around the colorful market, where friendly vendors sell directly from their boats. Take in the sights and sounds, and try local specialties like mango sticky rice. Your guide will give you advice on what not to miss. Return to Bangkok in time for the early afternoon.

Phuket: Maya, Phi Phi, and Bamboo Island with Buffet Lunch

3. Phuket: Maya, Phi Phi, and Bamboo Island with Buffet Lunch

Depart from Phuket and cruise in a speedboat across the ocean to the Phi Phi Islands. Enter the picturesque Loh Sama Bay and walk across the sands to relax on Maya Bay. Spot local wildlife at Monkey Beach and indulge in a beach-side restaurant buffet before snorkeling on Bamboo Island. Get picked up from your hotel in Phuket and travel to the pier to meet your friendly crew and group for the day. Be welcomed onto the boat with a soft drink and seasonal fruits as you're briefed about the tour. Arrive at Loh Sama Bay, a famous site of Koh Phi Phi Leh. See the small islet in the center and the tiny beach. Next, head to Maya Bay, where they filmed the movie The Beach. Relax on the white sand beach and explore Maya Bay on your own. As you stroll, appreciate the restoration work around the bay, before heading to Pileh Lagoon, an uninhabited national park. Marvel at this enclosed lagoon's bright emerald waters encircled by towering limestone cliffs. Head down to the cliffs and relax on the hidden beach by the lagoon before continuing to Viking Cave. Discover the historic industry devoted to the harvesting of swiftlet bird nests and learn their importance to Chinese culture. Next, visit Monkey Beach. Stop at an idyllic spot, surrounded by nature and steep rock formations, and relax in paradise, surrounded by limestone cliffs. Look around to see the wild monkeys climbing the cliffs, relaxing on the beach, or swimming. Enjoy a delicious international buffet lunch at a beach-side restaurant on Phi Phi Don. After lunch, travel to Nui Bay, a dive site on the northwest coast of Koh Phi Phi Don. Go for a swim in the clear water, if you wish. Finish your tour with some free time on heart-shaped Bamboo Island, where you will be able to swim, relax, or sunbathe for 1.5 hours. After relaxing, return to your speedboat and enjoy a comfortable transfer back to your hotel.

From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Temples Small Group Tour with Lunch

4. From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Temples Small Group Tour with Lunch

Enjoy a small-group tour of the magnificent temple ruins of Ayutthaya, the capital during the golden age of Siam. All entrance fees, an expert guide, and lunch at a local restaurant are included. Travel from Bangkok in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle or choose to join the tour at your first stop in Ayutthaya, Wat Lokayasutha. This temple is known for its giant reclining Buddha image, one of the few structures remaining intact here. Your next stop is Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, being part of the royal palace complex this is where royalty performed rituals. It is considered the most important temple of Ayutthaya. Then, visit Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya. One of the oldest and most significant temples in the history of Ayutthaya, it once housed the Buddha's holy relic. Admire the famous Buddha head entwined within the roots of a Bodhi tree. After, tuck into a hearty lunch at a local Thai restaurant, where your guide will be available to advise on local culinary specialties. Last but not least, finish your trip at the grand, riverside Wat Chaiwattanaram. Marvel at its compelling architectural style, influenced by the Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia, as you wander around the monumental grounds.

Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour

5. Chiang Mai: Elephant Sanctuary & Waterfall Group Tour

Take a visit to the Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai. Start with a convenient pick-up from your hotel in the city center of Chiang Mai and take a drive to Pon Elephant Thailand. Learn how to make healthy snacks for elephants and see the rescued animals. Go for a swim at Mae Wang Waterfall. Relax as you are picked up from your city center accommodation in Chiang Mai. Sit back as you are driven southwest of the city on a scenic 1.5-hour drive. Encounter local farms, hill tribe villages, and rice fields. Receive a warm welcome when you arrive at the Pon Elephant Thailand. Put on your traditional Karen Hill tribe clothes to look like an elephant caretaker. Listen to a briefing on Asian elephants and the background of the sanctuary. Gain new knowledge as you are taught how to make healthy snacks for the elephants. Feed the rescued elephants as you walk up a hill in the deep jungle. Watch the elephants foraging for food and see elephant families interacting with one another. Bathe in the river with the elephants and walk them back to the sanctuary, where you will be taught how to make elephant medicine balls. Take a shower and pack up your belongings. Eat a traditional Thai lunch and fresh fruits. Leave Pon Elephant Thailand and stop at the Mae Wang waterfall for a quick swim before transferring back starting point after the tour.

Bangkok: City Highlights Temple and Market Walking Tour

6. Bangkok: City Highlights Temple and Market Walking Tour

Meet the group at River City Bangkok by 9:00 AM and head to the Emerald Buddha Temple by local transport. Along the way, pass by the amulet market, one of the most famous, historical community markets of Rattanakosin Island. Discover the first stop of Wat Phra Kaew which is commonly known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and officially as Wat Phra Si Rattana Satsadaram. It is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.  Explore the Grand Palace which was the official residence of the Kings of Thailand. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year.  After the Grand Palace, continue to visit Wat Pho, if you've selected this option. On the way, pass Tha Thien Market, a cultural food market that sells dried, salted seafood and wholesale products. Visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho. It is on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of first-class royal temples. Learn about King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site and how it became his main temple where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple is considered the earliest center for medical public education surrounded by the marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions. It has been recognized by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme. Most importantly, it is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple today. Complete the list of must-visit temples in Bangkok by continuing your journey to Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), one of Bangkok’s most famous landmarks. The temple is known for its giant 70-meter tower next to the Chao Phraya River and is decorated with tiny pieces of colored glass surrounded by Chinese porcelain.

Khao Lak: Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island by Longtail Boat

7. Khao Lak: Phang Nga Bay & James Bond Island by Longtail Boat

Explore some of Thailand's most iconic and stunning islands on a longtail boat cruise from Khao Lak. Cruise over turquoise waters, past lush mangroves, and see the famous James Bond Island up close. Feel the salty breeze in your hair and relax under the warm tropical sun en route. After a pickup from your hotel in Khao Lak, board a traditional longtail boat and experience the mangrove forests and karst formations from a different perspective. Get up close to the limestone rocks on a short canoe trip before heading to Khao Phing Kan. Marvel at rock formations such as Tapu Island and James Bond Island, used as a film location in the movie "The Man With the Golden Gun." Continue to the floating Muslim village of Koh Panyi, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch. Next, go to Suwan Khuha Cave Temple to see the statue of the reclining Golden Buddha. Get some time to feed the resident monkeys before the return trip to Khao Lak.

Koh Tao: Islands Snorkeling Highlights Day Tour & Lunch

8. Koh Tao: Islands Snorkeling Highlights Day Tour & Lunch

Start the trip with a pickup service from your hotel lobby and get driven to Mae Haad Pier where you will meet the crew of Sangthong Tours. After a quick health check, board the modified fishing cutter and chug to the first snorkel spot at Koh Nangyuan off Koh Tao’s northwest coast. Walk on the iconic beach that links the group of three islands of Koh Nangyuan together, and climb up to the viewpoint on the peak of the highest of the three islands. There are a few separate swimming areas with tropical fish, including Japanese Garden as the best snorkeling spot and others where you can just chill out and relax. Head over to Mango Bay while enjoying a Thai style lunch on board. The bay is named after many mango trees that once grew on this part of Koh Tao in abundance. The magnificent Mango Bay shines with turquoise green and beautiful waters that are full of marine life. Due to shallows off the beach and the sandy seafloor that gives the water a beautiful turquoise green hue, Mango Bay is a go-to destination for snorkel activities. Continue to Hin Wong Bay located on the east coast of Koh Tao surrounded by big boulders. There are several underwater pinnacles covered in fertile coral, anemones and many kinds of fish that can be seen here. The water here is incredibly clear and you may be lucky enough to see great schools of sardines being chased by hungry trevally in water less than a metre deep. The next stop is at Aow Luek which is named for its deep, concave shape as well as the depth of the water which makes it good for snorkeling even at very low tide. Expect a stunning scenery with white sandy beach and water varying shades of blue, and Shark Island in the background. Before returning to the pier, make a stop at Shark Bay where you can swim alongside the many blacktip reef sharks or the sea turtles that come there each day.

Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park & Elephant Sanctuary

9. Chiang Mai: Doi Inthanon National Park & Elephant Sanctuary

Discover the beauty of the Doi Inthanon National Park, see the Wachirathan Waterfall, and feed elephants at an elephant sanctuary. Choose from a tour with a centrally-located meeting point in Chiang Mai or a tour with convenient pickup and drop-off directly at your accommodation in Chiang Mai.  Hop aboard a comfortable van or bus and relax the drive to the southwest of Chiang Mai. Stop at one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in the country, Wachirathan Waterfall. This waterfall is more than 80 meters high, creating a refreshing mist that nourishes the surrounding vegetation.  Continue your journey to admire the stunning Twin Royal Pagodas. Take in gorgeous panoramic views with a terraced flower garden and the summit of Doi Inthanon Mountain. Walk on an ancient fern forest trail and have a delicious lunch at at local restaurant. Drive through the mountains and hill tribe village to the Elephant Village. Once you arrive, put on a traditional Karen tribe t-shirt and get ready for your jungle adventure. Pickup some fruits to feed the elephants. Learn about Asian elephants and the village's background. Find out how to approach elephants and the correct ways to feed them. Go on a forest hike with the friendly elephants through the lush vegetation and breathtaking mountains. Observe elephants roaming and foraging for food freely in the wild.  Swim with the elephants at the hidden waterfall where you can take some amazing picture. Have free time for a cool shower, to dry off, and to change back into your own clothes. Leave the Elephant Village and travel about 1.5 hours back to Chiang Mai City. 

Koh Samui: Ethical Elephant Home Guided Tour with Transfers

10. Koh Samui: Ethical Elephant Home Guided Tour with Transfers

Join a guided tour of Koh Samui Elephant Home to see rescued Thai elephants in a safe and ethical environment. Help to contribute to the program's conservation efforts and walk, feed, and play with the elephants. Hotel pickup and drop-off and lunch are included. Start your day with a pickup from your hotel or villa around the island arriving at Koh Samui Elephant Home. Meet with your guide who will offer a warm welcome and receive a welcome drink. Listen as your guide explains to you the plight of the center, and how you can help. After your introduction, take part in the harvesting of organic food for the elephants and even get to feed them up close. Make sure to bring your camera along for some truly remarkable holiday memories.  Afterwards, watch them as they play in the mud spa as they cool themselves down. During your tour, you'll also get to walk with the elephants into the jungle over 10 acres of land. See their real habitat and enjoy a relaxing stroll in nature.  Continue on your journey to visit the first elephant nursery on Koh Samui. Have fun whilst you feed them, rub their skin and take photos with them before you set them free to enjoy nature by themselves.  To complete your fabulous outing, enjoy some vegetarian food and seasonal fruits whilst you watch a surprise video before being transferred back to your hotel.

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What people are saying about Thailand

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 47,447 reviews

Absolutely stunning strip! Would definitely recommend. It was so well planned. The taxi driver and tour guide were so lovely and friendly. They stopped enough times for snacks and toilet breaks. Our guide was super helpful sharing knowledge about the sites we were seeing and the culture of Thailand and its people. We really enjoyed this.

Fantastic day trip. You cannot interact more closely with elephants than this tour. Feeding them, washing them with mud and them going in the river with them to rinse them off. Bamboo rafting was a great experience, and then finished off with a swim at the waterfall! Highly recommend this trip!

Our host and guide was Jimmy. We had an awesome day. Fed the elephants, interacted with them, hiked with them and bathed them. Afterwards we had a good lunch of chicken pad thai with pineapple and watermelon. The day finished with spending some time at a small waterfall. Worth it.

Our guide Young and our driver Shachou were amazing! We had so much fun! Could not imagine a better day. Thank you Young for your excellent work as a guide, but most of all for being such a beautiful person!

The trip was great! The guide knew good English and the arrangement was great.