Delve Deep: Northern Thailand

Let’s kickstart this adventure in Thailand’s temple-stuffed, neon-lit, food-loving capital. Say sawasdee (sah-wah-dee) to your new travel fam before tucking into your first group dinner. Thought the pad thai from your local takeout was good? Wait ‘til you try the real, authentic thing. Afterwards, the evening is yours for the taking. Need recs? Tick off your souvenir shopping early at a night market. Have a few bevs at a swanky rooftop bar. Or watch a live Muay Thai boxing match. It’s your trip, your way.

Pack an overnight bag (we’ll store the rest of your luggage until we reach Kanchanaburi) and wave goodbye to the city’s locals. Today, we’re making tracks for the legendary River Kwai. First though, a duo of awesome markets. Arrive at Mae Klong Railway Market just in time to see the locals pack up their stalls and make way for the train (yep, an actual train) to pass through. Next up: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This colourful maze of canals (khlongs in the local lingo) is the place to pick up everything from fragrant spices to awesome artwork. Your water journey isn’t quiiite finished yet. Hop on a traditional longtail boat and hightail it (see what we did there?) to tonight’s accommodation: a floating hotel. Sweet dreams...

After waking up to dreamy waterside views and the sound of chirping cicadas, it’s time to get your history hat on. No lie, today’s gonna be tough. We’ll start by soaking up one of the region’s most famous sights: the Bridge over the River Kwai. The railway bridge – part of the so-called Death Railway that ran from Thailand to Burma – was built by thousands of POWs during WWII, including many Australians. We’ll learn more about the railway’s construction and the grim working conditions the POWs endured at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum. Then, it’s time to take a train ride along what’s left of the Death Railway’s tracks. The evening is up to you. Relax and reflect on the day while watching a spectacular sunset over the river. Then, ask your Trip Leader for some local food recs – they know all the best spots.

Take one last look at the River Kwai before we head east to Ayutthaya. Never heard of it before? That’s because it’s one of Thailand’s hidden gems – and it is truly special. Once the capital of ancient Siam (the old name for Thailand), Ayutthaya now has UNESCO World Heritage status. The Indiana Jones in you will love touring around its magical temples. We'll head to the site of the old Royal Palace to view two INCRED structures: Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Then, stock up on snacks and pull out your travel pillow, cos it’s time to board the overnight train. Our destination? The BEAUT city of Chiang Mai.

This morning, throw open those train curtains and get your first peep of Northern Thailand’s biggest city. Eye-popping architecture. Awesome night markets. And a fascinating fusion of cultures and traditions. Chiang Mai’s got it going ON. We’ll jump straight in with a guided bike tour of its best bits. Then, the afternoon is yours to delve a lil deeper. Tick off some temples, grab some souvenirs at buzzing Warorot Market or chill out at one of the city’s cool cafes. Tonight: gather your travel fam and find a local haunt for a bowl of khao soi: a coconutty, curry-flavoured noodle soup. YUM.

You’re gonna want to go big at breakfast today cos we’ve got HEAPS of optional activities for you to dive into. Get your local culture fix during an almsgiving ceremony with the resident monks at a tranquil temple. Or explore the city on two wheels during a guided Vespa tour, including a pit stop at Wat Phra That Doi Kham. It’s that big golden Buddha perched on the hill southwest of the city – you can’t miss it. Hungry? There’s an optional cooking class this afternoon if you fancy upgrading your chef skills. Or practice your foot jabs and switch kicks in a Muay Thai boxing class.

After another included brekkie, we’ll wave goodbye to Chiang Mai (for now). Press your nose to the minivan window and soak up all the stunning views racing past as we make our way into the Hmong Hills. Once there, we’ll visit an authentic hill tribe and try the region’s local bevvy: tea! Learn how to pluck tea leaves and roast them during a guided tour of a local tea garden. Then, slurp on some award-winning concoctions in the tranquil tea house before tucking into a local lunch. Next, it’s onwards to Pai. This town might be tiny but it’s surrounded by tangled rainforests, tumbling waterfalls and Thailand’s answer to the Grand Canyon. Tonight, get your bearings with a stroll down Pai’s Walking Street – the ideal spot to dig into some delish street food. Our pick? Khao soi: a regional coconutty noodle soup. YUM.

Fuel up at breakfast before we head for the spectacular subterranean wonders of Tham Lot Cave. What’s that? Something just brushed past your ear? Probably just a bat – the cave’s home to hundreds of them. On our way back to Pai, we’ll stop off for steaming bowls of noodles with some seriously eye-popping views. Then, the rest of the day is yours to explore. Head back to Pai Walking Street to pick up a few more gifts for your home fam. Or grab your trip mates and float down the Pai River in inflatable tubes. Memories = made.

Rise and shine! Emerge back into the daylight and hop on the minivan for one last journey. Prepare for windy roads, Topdeckers. Before we return to Chiang Mai for our final evening together though, we’ve got a pitstop to make. Remember how Pai’s home to Thailand’s version of the Grand Canyon? Well, today you’ll be seeing it for yourself. Hope you’re not scared of heights. Then, onwards to Chiang Mai for your final dinner with your new travel besties *tries not to cry*.

You’ve toured the temples, soaked up all the views, made paper out of elephant poo. All that’s left to do now is swap deets with your travel fam and say your goodbyes. Not quite ready for the fun to be over? Fly back down to Bangkok to join our Southern Thailand trip for a week of island-hopping and jungle adventures. Or meet us in buzzing Hanoi – the starting point of our epic Delve Deep: Vietnam & Cambodia adventure.