Bangkok baby, your 14-day adventure begins! So you've made it to this lively and vibrant city. On the first day you have time to settle in and relax, wash off the stresses of travelling, get to know the rest of your group, also known as TruFam, and explore the area. Maybe you'll check out some markets or try some street food, whatever you fancy! In the evening, it's time for our welcome dinner at one of our favourite restaurants on Khao San Road! Get to know your fellow travellers over a bucket or two (or another drink of your choice). Holiday mode is on and I'm warning you, you'll never want to switch it off again!

Activities: Welcome Dinner

Do you know the film Bridge Over River Kwai? Today we're going to see the bridge over the River Kwai! Before we make our way to the river, we're going to do a bit of shopping, and not just at any market, but at a FLOATING one! Wow, isn't it? Browse through the stalls selling all kinds of food, clothes, souvenirs and even household goods! After exploring the market by longtail boat, we continue on to Kanchanaburi! Once there, we hop on another boat and cruise down the River Kwai, enjoying the sight of the bridge (an insta-worthy moment!). The sun is just setting and there's no better place to watch the sunset than the bridge over the River Kwai! Get ready for all the 10/10 photos you're going to take, because trust us, you don't want to miss this photo opportunity. The view is incredible and definitely worth a spot on your bucket list!

Activities: Floating market & bridge over the River Kwai

Meals: Breakfast

Imagine a 7-tiered, crystal clear blue waterfall surrounded by lush greenery - sounds unreal, right? The Erawan Falls, just an hour away from Kanchanaburi, is basically what you imagine paradise to be. You'd expect to see it on TV and not in real life, but it is real life! We know TLC said don't chase waterfalls, but I think this one time we can be excused because just look at how beautiful it is. Be sure to bring your swimsuit because there are 7 levels where you can cool off. Don't say we didn't spoil you! It's a bit of a walk to the top, but believe us when we say it's TOTALLY worth it. We'll have lunch at the falls, because after all that walking and swimming, you'll need plenty of fluids and energy! Then we'll head back to Kanchanaburi where you can either chill by the pool or explore the town before we meet up for dinner and drinks! Anyone want a bucket list?

Activities: Erewan Waterfalls

Meals: Lunch

Today you have the morning free before we hit the road again! You can spend the morning however you like: by the pool or on another exploration tour through the city. Next up is Ayutthaya, an ancient capital full of culture and history! We hop on our bikes and cycle around the World Heritage Site, which offers fantastic views. We'll also learn about the fascinating history of Ayutthaya and of course the Kingdom of Siam, as Thailand used to be called (a fun fact to tell your friends). After a small snack, we'll take the night train to Chiang Mai! The train is comfortable, you get your own bed with pillows and blankets - comfort is key! So it shouldn't be too difficult to get a decent night's sleep and be in a new place the next morning. Travelling by night train is definitely an experience and should be on your bucket list - a fantastic and very different way to see Thailand. Chiang Mai, we arrive safely.

Activities: Ayutthaya, bike tour & night train

We check into our guesthouse, which is ideally located between the old and new neighbourhoods of Chiang Mai (a win). You'll have some time to relax by the pool or explore Chiang Mai's oldest temple, which is literally right opposite our accommodation (win x2!). Now it's time to visit the most famous and probably most beautiful temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Pra Maha Doi Sutthep. The view is incredible: located high up on the mountain, you have a panoramic view over the city. The 300 steps to get there may be a little arduous, but the panoramic view is well worth it. Trust me, you'll feel like you're on top of the world (literally). After you've taken your snapshots of the insane view and snapped a few for your photo album (you have to), you'll have the afternoon at leisure before we meet up later, just in time for dinner! You can laze by the pool, take a little nap (having fun is exhausting, right?) or continue exploring Chiang Mai!

Activities: Temples & culture in Chiang Mai

Did someone say TruExclusive? Hell yes, we did! You won't get this experience anywhere else. We set off on one of the most popular activities in northern Thailand, trekking through the jungle. The trek doesn't require a high level of fitness, but it's a bit of a challenge, SO we'll have earned our beer afterwards! We will spend a night in village accommodation so that you can experience what life is like for the many traditional farmers in northern Thailand. You'll see that their lives haven't changed much for generations. This is truly a unique experience that you will remember forever. On the trek you can see all kinds of nature and wildlife, maybe even a waterfall or two, amazing scenes and good photo opportunities (important). When we arrive at the hill tribe village, our hosts will cook us a delicious traditional meal and when our stomachs are full, we can sit around the fire and play games or swap stories. Whatever we do, after a busy day it's time to relax!

Activities: Homestay with a "Hill-Tribe"

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Rise and shine! Enjoy the morning in the jungle before we make our way back to Chiang Mai. But of course we have a trick up our sleeve and use a much better means of transport: bamboo rafts! Sick, isn't it? We drift down the river and make a cheeky stop at a waterfall, because we can't get enough of that. Marvel at the wildlife and nature from your raft and see what you can spot. If you're lucky, you might spot a few elephants along the way, so keep your fingers crossed! Hiked through the jungle? Travelled down the river on a bamboo raft? DONE, MATE! Once we're back in Chiang Mai, you can rest up so we can continue our adventure north tomorrow!

Activities: Waterfalls & rafting on Bamboo

Meals: Lunch

Did you know that some people call Chiang Mai the adventure capital? Well, with today's activities, we'll see why! Today we're doing one of our favourite activities that's very popular with tourists: ziplining through the jungle! This will get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping as you practically fly through the jungle, looking down on everything (if you dare)! Now's your chance to release your inner child and pretend you can fly! Add to that a few rope bridges and abseils and you'll experience the jungle in a way you could never do on foot! You can thank us later when you've made all your friends and family jealous. This really is an unforgettable experience! Keep an eye out for monkeys too, you might spot a few in the treetops! After our exhausting day in the jungle, we have the evening at leisure. Why not visit the night markets? Get some delicious food and browse the gift market to buy souvenirs for friends and family or for yourself.

Activities: Ziplining

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After a few exciting days, this morning you have the chance to relax, read a book, drink a cocktail and do whatever you like! In the afternoon, pack your bags because we're travelling by bus to the hippie town of Pai! Just 3 hours outside of Chiang Mai, a very popular backpacker destination, and we can see why! Full of cool retro bars, market stalls, excellent food and wonderful people from all walks of life. Ahh, life in Pai (sorry we had to!)

Meals: Breakfast

Time for a day trip! Today we set off to see some of the highlights of Pai and its surroundings! We start at the largest cave in Thailand, the Lod Cave, walk through the main chambers and then take a bamboo raft along the river that flows through the cave (depending on the season and accessibility). It's like something out of a film, incredible. Indiana Jones, who? Now it's time to give your muscles a rest as we head to the hot springs, located in the jungle and heated by geothermal activity. Take a dip in the crystal-clear water, treat yourself to a clay mask and enjoy the ultimate relaxation session in the warm temperatures. Afterwards, head to the nearby waterfall with a fantastic view! Who needs a water park when we have something better: a waterfall with a natural slide! We end our day at Pai Canyon, where we have even more fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and jungle. And what's even better: we're there at sunset! *cue Sunset Lover from Petit Biscuit* So take a few photos and enjoy the view before we make our way back to Pai. In the evening, we go to a nice restaurant and a few bars where we can mingle with the other backpackers. After all, we've earned it after a day of sightseeing!

Activities: Hot Springs

Meals: Lunch

Chill day, let's go! After you've had a bit of a rest, you can spend the day lazing around, swimming, playing games, reading a good book or taking a nap in the sun. The choice is yours (but don't forget to apply sun cream). When we've relaxed enough, we head to the Chinese village to sample some tea. "How tea-riffic" (ok, we promise that was the last one!).

Activities: Chill-out by the pool

This morning we're heading back to Chiang Mai! We hope you're ready to become the new Thai master chef, because we're heading to a cookery school to learn about some of the traditional Thai dishes and then prepare them ourselves! Most of Thailand's delicious dishes come from the north, so there's nothing better than learning from the masters themselves, right? First we go to the market, where our guides and teachers show us how to choose the freshest and tastiest ingredients - they have the insider knowledge. Now it's time for us to turn these ingredients into delicious dishes! Don't worry, we'll show you step by step how to recreate the recipes! And here's the best part: you get to taste what you've cooked, so watch out while you cook! It's a fantastic experience and you'll go home with new recipes and new skills, so tell all your friends and family to get ready! The winner wins the chicken dinner (Quorn if you're vegetarian)!

Activities: Cookery class

Dinner

We all know the Grand Canyon, but do you know Chiang Mai's own Grand Canyon? If not, don't worry, because you will get to know it! This is an ancient archaeological site where sand used to be dug up for building. But now it's an artificial lagoon that has been transformed into an adult playground that we LOVE! There are countless slides, floating chairs, tubes and for the very brave: Cliff jumping, deep sea solo or climbing on the climbing wall. Take your pick! There is a restaurant on site where we can have lunch, refresh ourselves and recharge our batteries! In the evening, we make our way to Chiang Mai for dinner and a drink.

Activities: Paddle boarding & water park

Breakfast

Today is the day your adventure up north ends (we know, we're sad too)! You will leave with unforgettable memories and of course your TruFam aka friends for life! As you continue your adventure, our TruNinjas will be on hand to help with your onward journey! If you have some more time to travel and explore, check out our Laos Explorer. Or if you want to continue on in Thailand, why not head southwards on our Thailand Experience? It was real, TruFam!

Help with onward travel

Breakfast