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Christmas in Thailand

  • Duration
    13 days
  • Tour Type
    Group Tour
  • Tour Style
    Classic
  • Price From
    £3,990pp
  • Read Reviews
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This Christmas, journey through the magic of Thailand. A traditionally Buddhist country, there is no shortage of celebration and cheer no matter the time of year. When better to explore the marvels of this visually breathtaking place than December, with hot sunny days and balmy nights?

Arriving In Bangkok, explore the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Chinatown, then sail the Chao Phraya River on a longtail boat. Travel to Kanchanaburi province, where we'll see the historic Bridge on the River Kwai and learn about the Death Railway built by Allied POWs during WWII. Next, fly north to Chiang Rai, famous for its beautiful tea plantations and rolling hills. After exploring the Golden Triangle, head west to Mae Rim and relax in an eco-lodge nestled in the northern highlands, where you'll experience a warm welcome with a local dinner and Hmong Hilltribe folklore.

Come Christmas Eve, head to Chiang Mai, our home for the festive celebrations. Spend Christmas Day morning at an elephant rescue sanctuary in Chiang Mai, fostering memories with these majestic creatures before sitting down to Christmas dinner in a beautiful colonial mansion. Finally, enjoy a light-hearted Boxing Day cooking class to round the trip off before your return home.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 11 , Lunches: 10 , Dinners: 11
  • Accommodation
    13 nights in 3+/4 star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 1Learn More
    X A reasonable level of fitness is required and you should expect to be on your feet for much of the day. You’ll be getting on and off coaches, trains or boats and walking around the sights, often including steps, plus occasional longer walks. Download the detailed tour dossier for details of your chosen tour. Learn More
    Walking, some steps and time on your feet
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Tour Itinerary

  • Days 1-2
    Bangkok
    Days 1-2: Bangkok

    You will be met at Bangkok Airport by your local guide or National Escort from Wendy Wu Tours. Together with all other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel.

    • Dinner
  • Day 3
    Bangkok Highlights
    Day 3: Bangkok Highlights

    Bangkok's dazzling neon signs, charming architecture, Thai cuisine and lively markets make for an exciting introduction to this fascinating country. Enjoy a Bangkok city tour. Tour the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Chinatown before cruising down Chao Phraya River on a longboat to Pak Khlong Talaat Flower Market, whilst enjoying an alternative view of the city.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 4
    Floating Market & the Bridge on the River Kwai
    Day 4: Floating Market & the Bridge on the River Kwai

    Begin at the Maeklong Railway Market in Samut Songkram, and enjoy the spectacle as vendors quickly pack up their stalls to let trains pass directly through the market. Continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you'll hop in small boats to explore the market's bustling canals. Continue to Kanchanaburi, made famous by 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. During the Japanese occupation of Thailand in WWII, tens of thousands of Allied POWs and Southeast Asian indentured labourers were forced to build the Thai-Burma Railway, often called the Death Railway; many of the prisoners died under the brutal conditions. Learn about their tragic story at the Thai-Burma Railway Museum, then pay respects to the victims at the Allied War Cemetery before checking in at your hotel.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 5
    Kanchanaburi - Death Railway- Bangkok
    Day 5: Kanchanaburi - Death Railway- Bangkok

    Visit Hellfire Pass, a dramatic part of the railway that literally cuts through mountain. Begin at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum, which tells the stories of human suffering at the hands of this engineering feat, before a 3 kilometre walk through the pass. Finally, take a short train journey on the Death Railway and see more of this beautiful valley before driving back to Bangkok.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 6
    Ayutthaya – Chiang Rai
    Day 6: Ayutthaya – Chiang Rai

    Drive 90 minutes east out of Bangkok to discover the historic ruins of Ayutthaya, the historic capital of Siam from 1350 until its destruction by Burmese invaders in 1767. Explore its gilded palaces, pavilions and gardens, together with its ruined stupas, reminiscent of a smaller Angkor. Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant and take the road trip back to Bangkok. This afternoon, return to Bangkok for your 80-minute flight to Chiang Rai.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 7
    Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle
    Day 7: Chiang Rai & The Golden Triangle

    This morning, head out to admire the area known as the 'Golden Triangle'; the point where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. This area was once a hub of opium production, but since the 1970s, Thailand has been promoting local initiatives to enable locals to switch to other sources of income, such as tea, coffee and tourism. Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand and an important trading town on the Myanmar border. Return to Chiang Rai for dinner; afterwards, you may wish to explore the colourful night market.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 8
    Tribes & Tea Plantations in Mae Salong
    Day 8: Tribes & Tea Plantations in Mae Salong

    Travel to Mae Salong Mountain, an area well known for its tea plantations – you can sample some of the local brew whilst you are here. Enjoy a Yunnanese lunch before visiting Doi Tung Palace and Mae Fah Luang Garden.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 9
    The White Temple & Hmong Hilltribe Lodge
    Day 9: The White Temple & Hmong Hilltribe Lodge

    Depart Chiang Rai and take a short 30-minute drive to explore Wat Rong Khun, the bizarre and fascinating White Temple. Stop at a local market before lunch. This afternoon is spent crossing the countryside, passing forests, farms and villages to reach the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge. Here you will be guests of the Hmong community. The Lodge is made up of ten individual houses, each comprising of four separate bedrooms with private en-suite bathrooms, arranged around a central communal area. This evening, enjoy a barbecue dinner and a cultural show.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 10
    Christmas Eve - Bamboo Rafting & Chiang Mai
    Day 10: Christmas Eve - Bamboo Rafting & Chiang Mai

    Depart the lodge and drive an hour north to Mae Daeng to enjoy a relaxed bamboo rafting trip on the Mae Daang River. Sit back and enjoy the passing scenery as your boatman steers you along the river. Afterwards, head to Chiang Mai and visit a social enterprise café. This little restaurant offers life-changing vocational training to reformed women from Chiang Mai's Correctional Institution. The skills they learn here enable them to reintegrate into society with the skills for a new career. This afternoon, visit two of Chiang Mai's most important temples, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 11
    Christmas Day - Elephant Rescue & Christmas Dinner
    Day 11: Christmas Day - Elephant Rescue & Christmas Dinner

    Enjoy a wonderful start to Christmas Day – a visit to an elephant sanctuary! The centre is located in the beautiful Mesa valley and offers a peaceful retirement home for elephants rescued from illegal logging camps and elephant shows. Meet one of their caretakers, who will guide you through the centre, explaining about the centre and its inhabitants. Return to Chiang Mai and freshen up at the hotel before this afternoon's Thai Christmas dinner at the lovely House by Ginger. This 1930s colonial mansion has been preserved as a stylish restaurant with a luxurious yet homely atmosphere. This evening, return to the hotel and relax, or stay out in town and continue to celebrate at your leisure.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 12
    Boxing Day Cooking Class & Wat Doi Suthep
    Day 12: Boxing Day Cooking Class & Wat Doi Suthep

    Spend Boxing Day morning at a cooking class, learning to cook traditional Thai cuisine and enjoy your creations for lunch. Later, drive to Wat Doi Suthep, a beautiful hilltop temple with panoramic views across the countryside. You will have the choice of climbing the Naga staircase (300 steps) or catching the cable car to visit the exquisite golden pagoda. This evening, enjoy a typical Khantoke dinner while watching a performance of traditional song and dance from Northern Thailand by various hill tribes.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 13
    Departure
    Day 13: Departure

    Transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Late checkout is bookable in advance for those who have chosen a later flight option. If you wish to extend your stay in Southeast Asia, please talk to our team about our various private extension packages before your departure. We have options for hiking in Sapa, beach breaks in Mui Ne, Phuket or Hua Hin, city stays in Singapore, and more.

    • Breakfast

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

  • Nights 3
    Golden Tulip Mandison Suites
    Golden Tulip Mandison Suites
    Stylish units with modern dark wood interiors, Golden Tulip features an outdoor pool with poolside dining and a bar. With free , the hotel provides free Wi-Fi and shuttles to BTS Skytrain Station should you wish to explore the city independently.
    • Wi-Fi
    • Swiming Pool
    • Restaurant
    • Bar
  • Nights 2
    Laluna Hotel & Resort
    Laluna Hotel & Resort
    Just minutes from the famous night bazaar, the Laluna offers cosy Thai-style bungalows tucked amongst lush, tropical gardens. The lagoon-style pool, Jacuzzi, massage service and deck makes the friendly, relaxed atmosphere even more pronounced. The bungalows are spacious and simple with large beds and an en suite bathroom and views over the gardens.
  • Night 1
    Hmong Hill Tribe Lodge
    Hmong Hill Tribe Lodge
    An hour outside of Chiang Mai, nestled amongst the hills that Hmong communities also call home, the Hmong Hill Tribe Lodge has a beautiful natural setting of lush vegetation and rice fields. This is the perfect place to experience tribal culture and the beauty of north Thailand’s highlands. Rooms are spread through 10 buildings with a communal area at their heart. Each has a balcony and ensuite bathroom but are made extra cosy with the addition of a colourful Hmong quilt. The pool overlooks the surrounding rice fields and a spa and massage treatments are available.
  • Nights 3
    Empress Premier Chiang Mai
    Empress Premier Chiang Mai
    The beautiful Empress Premier Chiang Mai offers a wonderful stay in Chiang Mai, with facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and in-house spa with a sauna.
    • Wi-Fi
    • Swiming Pool
    • Restaurant
    • Elevator
    • Bar
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 28°c
  • 13mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 22°c
  • 4mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 21°c
  • 8mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 26°c
  • 3mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 29°c
  • 20mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 24°c
  • 9mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 22°c
  • 14mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 29°c
  • 18mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 30°c
  • 42mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 27°c
  • 18mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 25°c
  • 28mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 31°c
  • 29mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 31°c
  • 91mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 30°c
  • 57mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 28°c
  • 98mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 32°c
  • 78mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 30°c
  • 248mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 29°c
  • 162mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 28°c
  • 213mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 31°c
  • 145mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 30°c
  • 157mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 28°c
  • 124mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 28°c
  • 178mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 30°c
  • 86mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 29°c
  • 175mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 28°c
  • 140mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 27°c
  • 311mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 29°c
  • 103mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 29°c
  • 219mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 28°c
  • 217mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 27°c
  • 358mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 29°c
  • 98mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 29°c
  • 334mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 27°c
  • 211mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 27°c
  • 284mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 29°c
  • 220mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 29°c
  • 292mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 27°c
  • 118mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 26°c
  • 125mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 28°c
  • 209mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 28°c
  • 50mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 25°c
  • 54mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 23°c
  • 59mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 27°c
  • 59mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Bangkok
  • 27°c
  • 6mm
  • Chiang Mai
  • 22°c
  • 16mm
  • Chiang Rai
  • 20°c
  • 14mm
  • Kanchanaburi
  • 25°c
  • 6mm
+ -
Christmas in Thailand map

Places Visited: Bangkok (2N+1N) - Kanchanaburi (1N) - Chiang Rai (2N) - Hmong Hilltribe Lodge (1N) - Chiang Mai (3N)

Download Detailed Itinerary

Tour Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

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Depart UK
Return Date
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Booking Options

Departures for Solo travellers only are available for this tour on selected dates.
In addition to being for solos only these departures feature smaller group sizes, free airport lounge access and complimentary cocktails on arrival.

Depart UK
Return Date
Price
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Booking Options

There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.

Depart UK
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Group Tour includes

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