Bangkok to Chiang Mai Express

This six-night G Adventures small-group tour covers the northern reaches of Thailand beyond Bangkok, moving at a brisk but manageable pace. Starting with a visit to Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha, the trip heads west to Kanchanaburi, where the Bridge on the River Kwai sits beside the multi-tiered Erawan Falls and the somber Thai-Burma Railway Centre reminds you of the region's wartime past. One night is spent on a floating rafthouse, which is a chance to experience local life away from the main roads.

Next, the old capital city of Ayutthaya offers a landscape of temple ruins scattered around a sleepy town. The journey ends in Chiang Mai with a visit to the hilltop Doi Suthep temple — a climb rewarded by views over the city and surrounding mountains. Travelling by local trains, private vans and boats, this tour offers an efficient way to see diverse sights in a relatively compact time-frame. Group sizes are small, topped at 16, and a Chief Experience Officer helps with arrangements and cultural insights without overshadowing the experience.

The itinerary is flexible, so you might find yourself adjusting to changes in train availability or local customs. That’s part of the travel style here — straightforward, well-paced, with just enough complexity to keep things interesting without fuss.