THAILAND MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE ESCAPADE
Overview
Want to experience the best of South East Asia in one incredible 21-day trip? Starting in Bangkok, you’ll journey through Thailand’s chill northern hotspots and iconic island beaches, experience the colourful cultural fusion of Malaysia and finish up in Singapore โ with a visit to an Elephant Nature Park and an unforgettable stay in floating raft huts for the vibes.
Included/Excluded
- Your accommodation, essential trip transport, and a good handful of meals are included in the cost (on most trips we offer breakfast every day, plus a hand-picked selection of authentic and tasty meals)
- A number of meal times are left open for you to explore a region and its foodie offerings in greater detail, so budgeting for your taste in non-catered meals is important.
- Travel insurance and visas
- Flights to and from your starting and ending points
- We offer Free Time Add-Ons, which are additional experiences
- Meals not mentioned
Day 1: Bangkok
Bangkok:
- The heat and hustle of Thailand’s capital will hit you the moment you land in this high energy city. After checking into our hotel you’re free to do some DIY exploring, treat your muscles to a soothing massage or just lie by the pool soaking up the first rays of that sweet Thai sunshine. Later we’ll rendezvous as a group back at base so you can hear what’s in store for the trip, then the night is yours to take to the streets for some authentic Pad thai and nightlife on Khao San road.
Nouvo City Hotel (or similar)
Day 2: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Bangkok:
- The Royal Palace and its 61 acres of incredible buildings will be number one on today’s to do list. We’ll start the day early, with so much to see there’s no time to waste. Just listing today’s sites gives us the butterflies, and we’ll take it all in with our Local Guide leading the charge. Armed with more Local knowledge than we know what to do with, get ready to explore. From shopping, grabbing a massage to indulging in delicious local eats, this afternoon is gearing up to be brilliant.
Kanchanaburi:
- Bangkok, you’ve been a dream, but the show must go on! Fast becoming a must-visit in this part of the world, we make tracks to our next destination, the sleepy town of Kanchanaburi to really get local. There’s nothing like getting some local transport to keep things interesting, so we’ll pop into a boat along the River Kwai where we’ll reach our home for the night, the The Jungle Raft Hotel, Kanchanaburi. Rooms lit by candle light are what you’ll be greeted with, followed by a delicious included dinner of local specialities at dusk. You can even jump in the river directly from your room. Amazing! Because of course here at Contiki we like to keep things a bit special. Tonight as we watch the sunset over the landscape we’ll no doubt be toasting our first full day on the trip and contemplating just how good life is.
River Kwai Jungle Rafts (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experience:
- Grand Palace and Klong Tour
- Stay in a Jungle Raft
Day 3: Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai
Kanchanaburi:
- Weโll start our day with a visit to the breathtaking Erawan Falls, one of the most famous National Parks of Thailand, made up from seven levels of incredible waterfalls. Take a quick dip in the emerald-hued ponds, dive into the clear waters & get an unreal FOMO Insta shot before we head off to our next stop Ayutthaya.
Via Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya:
- Weโll make a stop in the UNESCO listed city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of Kingdom of Siam before being destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th Century. We’ll grab bikes & ride past ornate temples, towering spires and beautiful palaces. Later, we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Overnight Train to Chiang Mai:
- Lay back and relax this evening, as we journey towards Chiang Mai.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experience:
- Relax at Erawan Waterfalls
- Bike around Ayutthaya
Day 4: Chiang Mai to Pai
Overnight Train to Chiang Mai:
- We’ll pull into Thailand’s northern capital of Chiang Mai bright and early…
Via Chiang Mai:
- But we’re going to keep this adventure going as we roll on into Pai this morning.
Pai:
- Prepare to fall in love with this picturesque mountain town. The rest of the day is yours to explore this traveller’s paradise your way. Head out on foot or by bike, and adventure down Pai’s little streets that pack some punch. Be sure to head out to experience Pai by night – an experience to rival that of its big sister Khao San Road in Bangkok.
Baan Krating Pai Resort (or similar)
Day 5: Pai
Pai:
- With another full day in this charming town, be sure to have a strong shot of Thai espresso from one of the local cafes to get up and get going again. Just try to save some juice in the tank for an optional afternoon Muay Thai skills class with an expert, before we head out for our final night in Pai.
Baan Krating Pai Resort (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Additional Cost Applies:
- Muay Thai Class
Day 6: Pai to Chiang Mai
Pai:
- This morning we’re Chiang Mai bound, but we’re treating ourselves on the way with a visit to the Elephant Nature Park. This park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre that not only provides a sanctuary for the elephants, but gives us the once in a lifetime chance to get up close to these gentle giants.
Chiang Mai:
- Tonight, there’s a chance for you to spend the evening zipping around on a Vespa as we explore the small streets and alleyways of Chiang Mai. Weโll see some iconic street art and monuments in between food stops at family restaurants and street vendors. Taste the amazing flavours of Tom Kha Gai and BBQ skewers before topping it all off with some live music in the market district. Just ask your Trip Manager for the best tips on where to head and what to do.
The Empress Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experience:
- Befriend Rescued Elephants at Elephant Nature Park MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ยฎ Experience
Additional Cost Applies:
- Vespa After Dark Tour
Day 7: Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai:
- Today is yours to make the most of the laid-back city of Chiang Mai. Maybe head out into the city’s heart on foot and explore the old town, or treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage. Later this evening, you have the chance to dabble in the art of authentic Thai cooking so you can wow everyone back home with a mean Pad Thai.
The Empress Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Additional Cost Applies:
- Thai Cooking Class & Market Visit
Day 8: Chiang Mai to Bangkok
Chiang Mai:
- Satisfied with our exploration of the north, we’re now heading down south to see what this part of the country holds for us โ which, if we’re lucky, will be even more beautiful destinations and mouthwatering local food. From Chiang Mai we’ll board a flight to Bangkok, back where it all began!
Bangkok:
- Landing in familiar territory, we’ll check in to our central accommodation here in Bangkok. This evening you’re free to relax with a massage or indulge in some local street eats.
W22 by Burasari (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Bangkok to Overnight Train to Surat Thani
Bangkok:
- Looking for ways to fill your free time today? How about some shopping, or a relaxing Thai massage? And if you’re still hungry for some more culinary exploration, you can choose to visit the hidden local eateries in Bangkok – just one of the city’s best kept secrets.
Overnight Train to Surat Thani:
- The word’s ‘one night in Bangkok’ ring true, and what a night it was. We make tracks south today to Surat Thani via our comfy overnight train – where you’ll wake up in our next destination and ready to explore it all.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Additional Cost Applies:
- Discover Bangkok’s Hidden Food Culture
Day 10: Surat Thani to Khao Sok
Overnight Train to Surat Thani:
- Good morning train goers! While you were catching up on your beauty sleep, we were transporting you to Surat Thani, less than 2 hours from the paradise that is Khao Sok. Grab some breakfast before we hit the road โ youโre going to need the fuel for the fun and frolics that lay ahead.
Khao Sok National Park:
- Lush accommodation set amidst the jungle of Khao Sok – don’t mind if we do! After youโve settled into this dreamy new life,ย the day is yours to explore the lush Khao Sok National Park. Swim, take a canoe tour or just max relax under a canopy of swaying trees. Itโs a tough life.
Riverside Cottages (or similar)
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Included Experience:
- Canoe or Raft Ride on Sok River
Day 11: Khao Sok
Khao Sok National Park:
- Hopefully the birds wake you nice and early this morning – we’ve got a solid day of exploring coming up. First on the agenda is a long tail boat ride across Cheow Larn Lake where we’ll lose ourselves in the beauty of the limestone cliffs and surrounding wilderness. After lunch we’ll stay on the watercraft theme, hopping on a bamboo raft that will take us to the incredible views of Pakarang Caves.ย Later you can choose to go kayaking, hiking or swimming then weโll seal off the day with a squad dinner.
Sai Chon Raft House (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experience:
- Sail Lake Cheow Lan
- Stay in a Jungle Raft
Day 12: Khao Sok to Krabi
Khao Sok National Park:
- Today we transit from one paradise found to another. Waving goodbye to our jungle setting, we head off in search of the ocean-side village of Krabi.
Krabi:
- By early afternoon we’ll be slipping into the island lifestyle of Krabi. For some of us, cocktails and coconuts poolside will be high priority; for others, a poke around the markets and a swim in the ocean overlooking Thailand’s iconic vista of islands will be the call of the day. No matter how you choose to kick it, the good times are guaranteed.
Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Krabi
Krabi:
- Smiles will be broad over breakfast this morning as we settle in for another day in Krabi. A half day cruise of the islands and Rai Lei beach is up for grabs, if you can drag yourself away from pool hangs at our hotel. Either way, a bit of swimsuit action and water submersion is pretty much a given.
Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Additional Cost Applies:
- Island Explorer Cruise
Day 14: Krabi to Langkawi
Krabi:
- In any usual situation, saying goodbye to Krabi would be quite a tear jerker. But not today. Not when we have Malaysia on the agenda. Country hopping – squeal!!
Langkawi:
- Hello gorgeous, this is a place of postcards and dreams, an untapped paradise for us lucky wanderlust folk to uncover.
Holiday Villa Langkawi (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 15: Langkawi
Langkawi:
- Oceanโฆ palm treesโฆ mountain backdropsโฆ is this the prettiest travel destination ever? Today youโll have the chance to kayak in the Kilim Geoforest Park, or just kick back and enjoy the sun in your own way. Tonight, thereโs an optional sunset dinner cruise too (think of it as the cherry on top of a wonderful day).
Holiday Villa Langkawi (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Additional Cost Applies:
- Sunset Dinner Cruise
Day 16: Langkawi to Penang
Langkawi:
- Laters Langkawi! Us hungry travellers must kick on and see what the rest of Malaysia has to offer – next stop, Penang.
Penang:
- Check in and throw down the bags, but no time to stop, because today we’re heading to the vibrant suburb and UNESCO-listed Georgetown where we’ll be whisked into a world of temples and street art. When we’re done with Georgetown, we’ll head back to Penang for some spicy street eats and exploring this evening.
Hotel Neo (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experience:
- Georgetown Temple and Street Art Tour
Day 17: Penang
Penang:
- Today we have a whole day in Penang, with the chance to explore this enchanting village by bike. A haven for the senses, this town is a plethora of delicious street eats, blending Malaysian and Indian influences. Need a recommendation on where to head? Donโt stress, just ask your Trip Manager (and make sure you’re hungry).
Hotel Neo (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Additional Cost Applies:
- Discover Penang on Two Wheels
Day 18: Penang to Kuala Lumpur via Ipoh
Penang:
- So long, Penang! Weโre heading to Kuala Lumpur today, with a stop-off at Ipoh along the way.
Via Ipoh:
- Welcome to Ipoh. Awash with boutique cafes, street art and a rich heritage trail, youโll have a splendid time breathing in the fresh highland air before we take to the city vibes of Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur:
- We arrive to a complete change of scene as we head to the Malaysian capital city for some big city vibes and epic sights.
The Chowkit (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 19: Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur:
- Today weโll have a full day in KL. Weโll kick things off with a half-day walking tour, where youโll experience the biggest and best aspects of the city โ including some tasty eateries. Afterwards, you and your fellow travellers are free to explore however you like.
The Chowkit (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Experience:
- Explore Kuala Lumpur on Foot
Additional Cost Applies:
- Visit Batu Caves
Day 20: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore
Kuala Lumpur:
- We came, we saw, we did it all. KL you’ve been a dream but we’ve got one last big city in our sights, this time, Singapore! We’ll hop on a quick flight and before we know it, we have arrived.
Singapore:
- After landing in our final destination, spirits will be at an all time high over the last few days of seeing and doing it all. Team, let’s go out with a bang.
Ibis Singapore on Bencoolen (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast