Authentic Thailand & Phuket

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From the picture-perfect landscapes and soft sand beaches to the opulent temples and royal palaces, Thailand is packed full of riches. Dart through the noisy hustle and bustle of modern life in Chiang Mai on a Tuk-Tuk. Peer into the lives of Thai royalty at the Grand Palace and Ayutthaya Historical Park. Splash around in the tranquil waters of a 1,500-metre-long waterfall, in a pond with an elephant, and on the pristine beaches of Phuket. Sample the wide range of traditional Thai flavours, effortlessly blending savoury, spicy and sweet. Run your hands over artisan-made silks and teak carvings. Awaken all your senses at once in this timeless paradise.

Departure Dates

2024 October 17 - November 03
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2024 October 24 - November 10
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2024 October 31 - November 17
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2025 February 06 - February 23
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2025 March 06 - March 23
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The Details

18 days

All-inclusive

$8,495CAD

Per person in double occupancy

Single supplement: $1,000

Max Group Size: 30 travellers

Deposit Terms:
$500 per person at time of booking
$1,000 per person 45 days later
Balance due 90 days before departure

Our approach perks

Private car service to and from your home airport

International flights and transportation while abroad

Meals and excursions that are typically sold separately

Tips for all service providers

24/7 Group Guru (in addition to tour guide and local guides)

$5 million of emergency medical travel insurance coverage, as well as protection for lost, damaged or stolen luggage

All taxes at home and abroad (including airport and hotel taxes)

Total PERKS value: $3,148

This tour also includes

Tour essentials

International flights with Air Canada (details)

14 nights in first class hotels

Dedicated English-speaking tour guide and local guides

Carefully selected visits including entrance fees

Luxury coach bus transfers and luggage porterage throughout

Food & drink

All 44 meals, including: 15 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 15 dinners

Night market dinner & rooftop drink

Traditional Khantoke dinner

Thai cooking class

Farewell dinner

Welcome cocktail

Bottled water daily (2 x 500ml)

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Authentic Thailand & Phuket Highlights

This tour’s itinerary

Overview

Detailed View

DAYS 1-3 GOODBYE CANADA, SAWASDEE BANGKOK!

Enjoy a private car ride to the airport. Travellers departing from the Toronto airport are assisted with their check-in. Meet your dedicated Group Guru and fellow travellers and fly to Bangkok. It’s a long way to Bangkok, but don’t worry, in-flight entertainment (and Group Guru entertainment) helps time fly by! Upon your morning arrival, our luxury coach will bring you to your hotel. Settle in, take a nice long shower, and enjoy a restful day. Overnight in Bangkok. (L,D)

DAY 4 DISCOVER BANGKOK

Kick off your adventure at the Royal Grand Palace, a major architectural symbol of Thailand. Here you’ll see the dazzling green interior of Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Before lunch, find your bliss during a Thai massage at Wat Pho, the home of this traditional practice. Take an afternoon long-tail boat ride along the bustling Chao Phraya River and the quiet Thonburi Canals. Visit Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, before setting your sights on the seamlessly interwoven Thai & western architecture in the house of Jim Thompson, an American who revived the Thai Silk industry following World War II. Raise a glass to your fellow travellers with a welcome cocktail. Overnight in Bangkok. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 5 MESMERIZING MARKETS & JEATH WAR MUSEUM (211 KM)

Make your way to the garden province of Samut Songhkhram to experience the thrilling Maeklong Train Market. Watch in awe as vendors scramble to move their stalls of fresh fruit and seafood out of the way of the oncoming trains that pass through the market several times a day. Embark on a paddle boat ride through the canals of the Damnoen Saduak floating market before free time and lunch at a local restaurant. Drive to Kanchanaburi where you’ll uncover Thailand’s treacherous past with a visit to the War Cemetery of Allied Prisoners, the Bridge on the River Kwai (which inspired the novel by the same name), and the JEATH War Museum. End your day with a stroll through a traditional evening market where you’ll sample the local flavours of Thailand. Overnight in Kanchanaburi. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 6 EXPLORE DEATH RAILWAY & HELLFIRE PASS

After breakfast at the hotel, all aboard your train as you ride over the significant Death Railway track. During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army constructed this railway to connect Bangkok to Yangon, Myanmar. Hellfire Pass is a notorious section of the railway, named for the haunting glow of the prisoners of wars’ fires as they worked through the night. You’ll see this historic section for yourself after enjoying lunch next to a calming waterfall. Overnight in Kanchanaburi. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 7 ERAWAN NATIONAL PARK & CHAO PHRAYA RIVER CRUISE (272 KM)

Today we’ll explore Erawan National Park, home to the seven-tiered, 1,500-metre-high Erawan Falls. Soak in the beauty of this natural wonder by swimming in its clear waters, embarking on a stroll around its nature trail, or by exploring the parks’ many grandiose caves. Once again enjoy lunch next to a serene waterfall before transferring to Ayutthaya. Check into your hotel and take some time to refresh before your dinner cruise along Chao Phraya River aboard a traditional teak rice barge. Overnight in Ayutthaya. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 8 HISTORIC AYUTTHAYA & FLIGHT TO CHIANG RAI (FLIGHT)

Start your day by exploring Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and statues. Connect with your spiritual side during a visit to the Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and the Wat Mahathat Temples before satisfying your sweet tooth with a Roti Saimai (Thai cotton candy) tasting at a local market. Quick stop at the temple of Wat Kudi Dao before boarding your afternoon flight to Chiang Rai. After checking into your hotel, feel anything but blue while visiting the Wat Rong Suea Ten Temple (a.k.a. Blue Temple), followed by the King Mengrai Monument, the Golden Clock Tower, and the famous night market of Chiang Rai. Wander the endless rows of handmade goods, overflowing food stalls, and dazzling street performances. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 9 THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE (183 KM)

Depart for the Golden Triangle where the border of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos connect. Along the way, put your bargaining skills to the test while haggling for local gems and handmade gifts at the local market. Stop in the district of Mae Chan, a mountainous town that’s home to the indigenous Yao and Akha hill-tribes. Once you’ve reached the Golden Triangle, explore the complex and troubling history of opium trade in the region with a visit to the House of Opium Museum. After lunch, discover the ancient border city of Chiang Saen, visit the ancient Wat Chedi Luang and embark on a boat ride along the Mekong River. Afternoon at your leisure. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 10 BLACK HOUSE, WHITE TEMPLE & TUK-TUK TOUR (186 KM)

Life is never black & white: but today is an exception! Begin your day with a visit to the Baan Dam Museum, an unconventional art museum made up of 40 black houses that feature eclectic contemporary art. Next, make your way to Wat Rong Khun, a stunning white temple covered in glass that shimmers in the sunlight. Travel to Chiang Mai and spend the afternoon at your leisure before hopping into a colourful Tuk-Tuk for a tour of the city, including a stop to see Wat Lok Molee. We’ll be breaking for authentic Thai food in the Chang Puak Gate night market, one of the best places to savour all the sights, flavours and smells that Thai cuisine has to offer. Wind down with a drink and a view a rooftop restaurant before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 11 TEMPLES, TRINKETS & TRADITIONAL DANCE SHOW

Today you’ll stand tall over Thailand at the most sacred temple of the North: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. Tucked away in the mountains, you’ll reach this temple and its exhilarating view by climbing its carved mythical Naga Serpent Staircase. Crafters, keep your eyes peeled during our excursion to the Sankampaeng Home Industries and Handicraft Center. Here, you’ll observe the production of Thai silk, teak carvings, and other authentic trinkets. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the temples of Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phrasing and Wat U-Mong. In the evening, get swept away with a traditional Lanna dance performance and a Khantoke dinner. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 12 ELEPHANT SANCTUARY & COOKING CLASS (112 KM)

Make some majestic new friends by joining us on a visit to the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary. After learning about their unique habits and personalities, you’ll get the opportunity to feed and play with these gentle giants. Walk alongside your new friends to a local watering hole, and snap a photo while they shower themselves with their powerful trunks. Following an afternoon at your leisure, partake in a crash course in Thai tastes with a visit to a local organic farm. After getting your hands dirty in the tranquil garden, test your skills in the kitchen by creating your own curry dish during a traditional cooking class. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 13 PHUKET ISLAND (FLIGHT)

Spend the morning exploring Chiang Mai at your own pace before heading to the airport for your afternoon flight to Phuket. Once you’ve arrived, soak in the sandy beaches and palm trees as you visit the stunning Promthep Cape, followed by the imposing 45 metre-tall Big Buddha, the Chalong Temple, and Phuket’s charming Old Town. Overnight in Phuket. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 14 DAY TRIP TO PHI PHI ISLAND (80 KM)

Regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Koh Phi Phi (Phi Phi Island) is a paradise for snorkeling and swimming. Visit the breathtaking Maya Bay (as seen in the movie The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio), plunge into the water at Pileh Cove, see Viking Cave, and relax with the monkeys on Monkey Beach. Transfer to Khai Nok Island for more delightful swimming and snorkeling. Overnight in Phuket. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 15 SEA CAVE EXPLORATION (92 KM)

Morning at your leisure. Enjoy lunch aboard a boat as you travel through Phang Nga Bay. Nature lovers and film buffs alike will be in awe of the jagged cliffs of Koh Tapu Island, otherwise known as James Bond Island, since it served as Bond villain Francisco Scaramanga's hideout in The Man with the Golden Gun. After lunch, transfer to a kayak as your guide paddles you through the bay’s tidal nape sea caves. Birdwatchers take note! These cliff-lined lagoons are populated with Macaques, Water Monitors, Kingfishers, Mudskippers, Egrets, Sea Eagles and Brahminy Kites. Return aboard for a spectacular Kratong flower light show before enjoying dinner on your way back to the pier. Overnight in Phuket. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 16 ISLAND RELAXATION & SIAM NIRAMIT SHOW

Spend the day at your leisure, swimming, snorkeling, or lounging on the white sandy beaches of Phuket Island. Join the group for our farewell dinner and a Siam Niramit show. This larger-than-life spectacle features over 100 performers, 500 costumes and incredible sets — the perfect farewell to our time in Thailand. Overnight in Phuket. (B,L,D) View image gallery

DAY 17 & 18 PHUKET & HOME SWEET HOME

Enjoy the morning at your leisure. Still in awe, we will make our way to the airport for our return flights to Canada, arriving the next day. Your driver will meet you at the airport to help you with your luggage and drive you home. (B,D,B)

Download the complete itinerary

Hotels we know and love in Thailand

Chiang Mai Amora Tha Phae

Chiang Rai The Heritage Chiang Rai Hotel

Phuket Chanalai Garden Resort

Kanchanaburi Royal Riverkwai Resort & Spa

Bangkok Centre Point Hotel Silom

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Our unique approach

Radically All-Inclusive

When we say we are all-inclusive, we mean it. Our tours have everything you need to sit back and enjoy your experience. No precious time wasted, no extra costs, no fine print.

All-inclusive doesn’t mean “all of my time”

While everything is included on an Approach tour, we built our experiences with different travel styles in mind. After all, your time is yours to enjoy as you please.

WHEN I'M ON VACATION...

I want free time

Feel free to break away and to rejoin the group whenever you want – we’ll even give you tips on how to get around and what there is to see. Just give us a heads up!

I want to do & see everything!

Feel free to break away and to rejoin the group whenever you want – we’ll even give you tips on how to get around and what there is to see. Just give us a heads up!

No commission. Ever.

We sell directly to you so that you never have to pay for expensive agency commissions

24/7 delight? We’ve got that.

From 24/7 customer service, to making every interaction as delightful as possible, we make it easy for our guests – every step of the way. Just ask.

MULTIPLE GATEWAYS. ONE FLAT SUPPLEMENT.

$100. Flat.
(Toronto gateways are included)

PRE TOUR

Call, message or email us anytime – we will respond 24/7

ON TOUR

Your dedicated Group Guru is available to help anytime.

DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE

We pick you up and drop off in a private car.
All you need to do is pack and walk out your front door!

Comfort that travels with you

WORLD-CLASS AIRLINES

Assisted check-in
Complimentary baggage allowance
In-flight entertainment
Possibility for upgrades at your discretion

FOOD IS PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

We’ve taken time to select our favourite spots for you to safely explore the local cuisine while on tour. Pack your taste buds.

HOTELS WE KNOW AND LOVE

We believe a restful night’s sleep is the cornerstone of any trip. Check out the tour pages for images from our favourite hotels for that destination.

HIGH QUALITY, MODERN COACHES

Air conditioning
Premium seating
Large windows to take in the view
Extra seating
Dedicated baggage storage so you can stretch out

Common questions

Know before you book

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Sharing is Caring

We love sharing our passion for travel with new people, that's why we'll give you a $250 travel credit towards your Approach tour for every new traveller you refer.

Credits are unlimited, so bring your friends!