BANGKOK - KOH CHANG

The hundreds of temples , the thousands of tuktuks, the street stalls, the parks, the boats on the impressive Chao Praya river . Bangkok is an overwhelming experience where everything seems to happen at the same time and the possibilities are almost endless. The capital of Thailand grew in over a hundred years from a city with a few hundred thousand inhabitants to one of the largest (and warmest) metropolises in the world. Yet everyone who has been here will tell you that the Thai will welcome you with a 'smile'. The city remains liveable because the Thai love to laugh and appreciate politeness. Don't forget to enjoy the iconic Wat Arun on the Chao Praya river or the large Reclining Buddha in Wat Pho. Experience the view in one of the many rooftop bars, enjoy a real Thai massage and above all, join the Thai when they are busy with their favorite activity, eating. After arriving in Bangkok you will be picked up by our English-speaking driver and taken to your hotel. Transfer: Minibus Hotel: Prince Palace Hotel

It is indeed a very Dutch way to discover a city, but for Bangkok it is true that the bicycle is an effective and relaxing way to find your way through this elusive city. With this tour (included) you cycle through Bangkok for half a day. Colors, smells and flavors come to you en masse on this tour. It is cycling and tasting Thai delicacies . Highlights on this varied and original tour are Bangkok's pride Wat Arun, Chinatown, the 24-hour flower and vegetable market, Wat Prayoon and the park that is dedicated to the grandmother of the current Thai king Vajiralongkorn. The tour starts at 9 am and takes about three hours. A light lunch in Chinatown is included. You must make your own way from the hotel to the starting point of the tour at Wat Arun and back (this transport is not included in the tour). Extensive information about this tour can be found on Cycling - Taste the real Bangkok

famous Thai foot massage or a nice swim in the hotel? Or take the taxi boat across the klong to the old city, Chinatown or the Jim Thompson House? We are happy to give you the space to fill in your own time. Do you want suggestions? Green Wood Travel has been the Thailand expert for a quarter of a century. Feel free to drop by for the latest tips on good food, going out and the most important sights. Browse through the many tours that Green Wood Travel offers in Bangkok. Maybe there is something to your liking. Look at: Tours in Bangkok Meals: Breakfast Hotel: Prince Palace Hotel

We will bring you to the pier in Bangkok on time. There, the Grand Pearl will depart for Ayutthaya at 08:30 . You can watch daily life along the busy Chao Praya at your leisure . The people fishing on the waterfront, the small tugboats pulling enormous barges and the long-tail boats whizzing past with a loud roar. There will be a lunch buffet along the way. In Ayutthaya, you will take a bike ride along the ruins of the old royal city . You will see, among other things , the former Royal Palace , the only temple still in good condition, Wat na Phramen and the photogenic Wat Mahatat with the famous Buddha head, entwined in a Banyan tree. Until the middle of the eighteenth century, Ayutthaya was an enormous city. A prosperous city too, because it was centrally located on the trade route between China and India. But in a war with the Burmese, the city was largely destroyed in 1767. You will stay in the characteristic Athithara. You will not get much closer to real Thai life . The house and rooms are built and decorated in classical Thai style. The facilities are simple, but the atmosphere and location make up for it. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Transfer: Minibus, Boat, Bike Hotel: Athithara Homestay

From the ruins and turbulent history of Ayutthaya , the journey continues into the wilds of Khao Yai. You will spend the next two nights in the park. Khao Yai is Thailand's oldest and one of the largest and most popular nature parks in the country. The valleys are green and lush, have waterfalls and are inhabited by wild elephants, macaques, hornbills, gibbons and much more. Khao Yai National Park is about two thousand square kilometers in size and is a United Nations World Heritage Site , mainly because it contains an intact 'monsoon forest' or 'dry forest', a more open form of forest than the denser tropical rainforest. That tropical rainforest is also present in Khao Yai, as are grasslands. Thousands of species of plants have been found there and more than 300 different species of birds alone (note the 'gak gak gak' of the hornbill). Meals: Breakfast Transfer: Minibus Hotel: Eco Valley Lodge

Get to know the versatility of Khao Yai National Park in one day . Is that possible? Yes, it is. In this One Day In The Park tour you will make a trek through the jungle, visit waterfalls (including the one that became world famous thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio) and - with a little bit of luck - see elephants. You will be picked up at 8 am for a day in the jungle. In a trek of two to three hours our English-speaking guide will show you as much as possible. You will hear all about the trees, plants and the life of the wild animals. The tour ends with a lunch in a local restaurant. The afternoon program is a lot wetter. First, the tour goes by car to the Haew Suwat waterfalls , which became internationally famous through a scene in the film The Beach . However, they are not the largest waterfalls of Khao Yai, those are the Haew Narok waterfalls . Of course you will see them today too. On the way back we hope to see elephants. Nature takes its own course here, it is not a zoo, so we need a bit of luck. You will be 'home' around 7 pm. Meals: Breakfast Transfer: Minibus Hotel: Eco Valley Lodge

Chanthaburi is not a destination for many travellers. And that is a shame, because it is a striking town . Traditionally, many gemstones were traded here. You can still see that here and there. The influence of the French on 'Chan', as it is called by many Thais, is more clearly recognisable. Around 1900 they were in charge here when this area was part of colonial Indochina. A striking reminder of that time is the church, not an everyday sight in a Thai community. Yet 'Chan' is truly Thai. The temples, the monument in honour of King Taksin and the many noodle shops prove that. If you have been planning to finally taste durian for a long time , do it here. Chanthaburi has a reputation to uphold when it comes to good tropical fruit. Meals: Breakfast Transfer: Minivan Hotel: Baan Luang Rajamaitri Historic Inn

In the morning, a unique experience awaits you: swimming with dolphins . We do this at Oasis Sea World , a local dolphin sanctuary. They have Humpback and Irriwaddy dolphins , which still swim in the wild in Thailand. After this visit, you will be taken to Koh Kood. There you can snorkel and swim to your heart's content, but without dolphins. Meals: Breakfast Transfer: Minibus, Boat Hotel: Koh Kood Resort

Only a few thousand Thai people live on the island of Koh Kood. It says something about the hustle and bustle here. You shouldn’t tell anyone, but here you can still escape the hustle and bustle that has replaced the silence on some other islands. Traditionally, fishermen lived here and coconuts were grown. However, there are still only a few fishing villages on the island, which is filled with tropical rainforest, mangroves and a few waterfalls in the middle. It is about an hour’s boat ride from the mainland. Meals: Breakfast Transfer: None Hotel: Koh Kood Resort

On Koh Kood you will stay at the Koh Kood Resort. They try to stay close to nature there. They do this by their location directly on the sea, in the half-moon bay Bang Bao , but also by using a botanical garden as the setting for the resort. The crystal clear sea is calm here and therefore safe for swimming, kayaking or snorkeling. Koh Kood is still quiet, especially because it is relatively far away from Bangkok, past Koh Chang, actually already on the border with Cambodia. In the past, the resorts on Koh Kood closed during the rainy season, but that is no longer the case. There are boat services all year round. Meals: Breakfast Transfer: None Hotel: Koh Kood Resort

If you can tear yourself away from the views, soft sand and cocktails , consider a trip to the Klong Chao Waterfall , which became famous locally after the visit of Thailand’s King Rama VI in 1911. You can look forward to a refreshing dip in the water. Getting to the waterfall is not difficult. It’s easily accessible by bike, taxi or even on foot. You can even paddle your way there by kayak on the Klong Jao ​​River . From the entrance, it’s about a ten-minute walk through the jungle (there is a path). Meals: Breakfast, Transfer: None Hotel: Koh Kood Resort

The final part of this trip takes place in peace on the Thai 'elephant island' Koh Chang . It is called that because the shape of the island resembles an elephant. You will go there by boat. Koh Chang is one of the largest islands in the Gulf of Thailand and it is developing rapidly. However, many of the islanders can still remember that there was no electricity on the island. The elephant island is popular with travelers because of the attractive combination of sea and forested mountains. The Mu Ko Chang National Park offers space for walking routes, jungle treks and surprises the visitor with unexpected waterfalls, such as Klong Plu. Meals: Breakfast Transfer: Boat Hotel: Kancha Resort & Spa Koh Chang

You will be staying at Kacha Resort & Spa Koh Chang , a hotel with a nice sandy beach (which is not something you can take for granted on Koh Chang). So there is enough space to do nothing or to wander around the beach. You can also take a dip in the Gulf of Thailand or paddle in the water . Kacha has two swimming pools on the complex, which is located in the middle of a tropical garden. Dining with a sea view is no problem here. Enjoy a fresh fish and a nice glass of something or other. It's a holiday, isn't it? Meals: Breakfast Transfer: None Hotel: Kancha Resort & Spa Koh Chang

You will quickly get used to that lovely lazy beach life. You will now know the way to the most beautiful spot on the beach and the nicest places to eat a pad thai. If you still feel restless and want to go out for a (half) day, take a look at these Tours in Koh Chang Meals: Breakfast Transfer: None Hotel: Koh Kood Resort

Enjoy while you can. Don't think about tomorrow, seize the day on your last beach day on Koh Chang. Meals: Breakfast Transfer: None Hotel: Kancha Resort & Spa Koh Chang

Still have sea legs from those beautiful tropical islands or are you still enjoying the night sounds of the Khao Jay rainforest playing in your head? Too bad, but alas. This trip is over, it's time to pack your suitcase. Our driver will take you to the airport or train station in Bangkok. Meals: Breakfast Transfer: Minibus Hotel: None