Tantalizing Thailand with Phuket (2795)

14 days from Bangkok to Phuket

2025 Tour Details

This budget-friendly tour through Thailand highlights the country’s rich history, delicious cuisine, fascinating cultures, religious monuments, and much more!

In Bangkok—Thailand’s current capital—visit the Temple of the Golden Buddha; the Temple of the Reclining Buddha built in 1832; and the Grand Palace, the royal residence established in 1782 where you’ll see the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist sculpture. You’ll also cruise the city’s canals (klongs) by long tail boat. In Sukhothai, Thailand’s 13th-century capital, visit Sukhothai Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with ruins of palaces, temples, and homes. But that’s not all…in Chiang Mai explore a night market by tuk-tuk and visit an amazing elephant sanctuary to learn about the conservation efforts of orphaned and rescued elephants.

Travel to the “Golden Triangle,” where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet and visit a local tea plantation. You’ll also visit several interesting hill tribes in the mountains near Chiang Rai.

The perfect conclusion to your Thailand experience is the paradise of Phuket. Relax with 3 days of aquamarine water, pristine beaches, and pampering services available if you choose. Your trip to Thailand is rich in experiences, sights, and welcoming people you’ll long remember!

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select Asia tour dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi (where available), as well as a hospitality desk in Phuket. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!

Big experiences come in small packages with select Small Group departures, each limited to an average of just 24 guests.

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
Multiple Vacation Discount: Save up to an additional $100 per person when you book more than one Globus, Cosmos or Avalon Vacation for the same travel year
Tantalizing Thailand with Phuket map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

12 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 3 Dinners

 Itinerary

Day 1 BANGKOK, THAILAND

Welcome to Thailand’s capital city. Your hotel room is available for mid-afternoon check-in.

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Day 2 BANGKOK

Bangkok is an exhilarating blend of historic and religious monuments, chic modernity, exciting shopping, and friendly culture. An exciting full day of sightseeing is ahead. Take in the city’s principal landmarks such as the splendid Temple of the Golden Buddha and the spectacular Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. You will also visit the gleaming Grand Palace, Thailand’s most sacred monument, and the spectacular Temple of the Emerald Buddha. After lunch at a local restaurant, cruise along the Chao Phraya River by long tail boat. The city’s network of canals (“klongs”) evokes Bangkok as the “Venice of the East.” Stop at the Temple of Dawn on return journey.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 3 BANGKOK

Today is yours to explore Bangkok at leisure. Spend free time to awaken your senses with local cuisine made with fresh Thai herbs, and sweet to spicy sauces at Bangkok’s outdoor food markets and quaint local cafes. Or, try your bargaining skills along the khlongs on an optional shopping excursion to the vibrant Damnoen Saduak floating market.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 4 BANGKOK–SUKHOTHAI

Enjoy a bit of time at leisure this morning then fly to Sukhothai, Thailand’s 13th-century former capital. Enjoy dinner at your resort.

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Breakfast Breakfast
DinnerDinner

Day 5 SUKHOTHAI

Today, visit Sukhothai Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the temples and monasteries, including Wat Si Chum with its stunning seated Buddha. The afternoon is yours to relax or further explore the park. Lunch and dinner are served at your resort.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 6 SUKOTHAI–CHIANG MAI

Today, drive to Chiang Mai. This evening, join your Tour Director for a tuk-tuk ride and orientation walk through the lively night market.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 7 CHIANG MAI

This morning, visit the revered Buddha statue at Wat Phra Singh and Wat Doi Suthep, a temple tucked away in the mountains. For the final ascent to the temple, you can take a tram car or walk up the Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase, with more than 300 steps. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy this dynamic city. Things get spicy with mouth-watering northern Thailand dishes at an optional Kantoke dinner and performance by local hill tribe dancers.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 8 CHIANG MAI–ELEPHANT SANCTUARY–BAN THATON

This morning, travel out of the city to visit Elephant Nature Park, established in the 1990’s to provide a sanctuary for rescued and orphaned elephants. You will hear the personal stories of the elephants and see how they became a proud herd and free from abuse for the first time in their lives. Watch these majestic animals thrive in the natural surroundings within the rehabilitation center. In addition to elephants, tree planting and providing a safe home for other rescue animals are continuous projects at the park. After lunch at the sanctuary, continue to Chiang Dao Cave, the most famous cave system in Thailand. Explore this beautiful cave system filled with stalagmites and stalactites that continues for miles below the surface. Lastly, make your way to your resort in the hills of Ban Thaton.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch
DinnerDinner

Day 9 BAN THATON–DOI MAI SALONG–CHIANG RAI

Enjoy breathtaking vistas as you journey to Doi Mae Salong where you’ll visit a green-tea plantation. Next, visit several fascinating hill tribes including the Yao, Lisu, and Akha, known for gorgeous headdresses decorated with silver coins. This fascinating cultural excursion enables you to interact with the locals and experience their daily lives and be taught their rich heritage and history. Continue to Chiang Rai.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 10 CHIANG RAI–GOLDEN TRIANGLE EXCURSION

Drive to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northernmost town to visit the Hall of Opium, built to educate people on the 5,000-year history of opium and help combat illegal drugs. Stop at the Golden Triangle viewpoint, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Here you’ll take a boat ride on the Mekong River to enjoy spectacular views of the Laos countryside and river life along both sides of the riverbanks. After lunch, return to Chiang Rai and enjoy some time at leisure.

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Breakfast Breakfast
LunchLunch

Day 11 CHIANG RAI–PHUKET

Today, transfer to Chiang Rai airport for your flight to Phuket (via Bangkok). On arrival, you will be met by a Cosmos representative and transferred to your hotel.

Please note: Your Tour Director does not accompany guests on extensions.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 12 PHUKET

Enjoy your day doing as little or as much as you wish. Visit fabulous beaches, explore Phuket Town for shopping and local specialties, treat yourself to a Thai massage, or simply relax by the pool.

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Day 13 PHUKET

Another full day at leisure.

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Breakfast Breakfast

Day 14 PHUKET

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.

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Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

TONY PITAYA KANTHONG

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“I'm Tony, and I've been working as a Tour Director since 2005. I love my profession and sharing the history and culture of Thailand with visitors from around the world. I look forward to meeting you.”

Tour Director - TONY PITAYA KANTHONG

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Phuket

Bangkok

Evening Tuk Tuk Market Tour

Evening Tuk Tuk Market Tour

Discover Bangkok's magical evening atmosphere as a passenger in a Tuk Tuk. Visit the flower market, evening street food scene plus view the magnificent temples at night.

Price Range: $$

Dinner Cruise on Traditional Rice Barge

Dinner Cruise on Traditional Rice Barge

Enjoy history, culture, cuisine and beautiful river scenery on this wonderful cruise down the Chao Phraya River aboard a converted rice barge.

Price Range: $$$

Jim Thompson's House & Legacy

Jim Thompson's House & Legacy

If you love art, antiques, and fantastic architecture - as well as a good mystery - then our excursion to the Jim Thompson House & Museum is a must.

Price Range: $$

Half Day Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Half Day Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Imagine a grocery-shopping trip where you have to flag down the merchants as they float by on boats. Experience the traditional Thai way of buying and selling colorful fruits, vegetables, meats, flowers, and sweets since the 19th century.

Price Range: $$

Chiang Mai

Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Show

Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Show

A showcase of Northern Thailand's incredible cuisine and colorful Lanna culture, enjoy a delicious dinner served in traditional Khantoke style with large platters on low tables. Whilst savoring delightful local specialties, you will be entertained by wonderful classic dances performed by hill tribes.

Price Range: $

Culinary Delights of Chiang Mai

Culinary Delights of Chiang Mai

Sample the delights of Chiang Mai cuisine at the popular night market, including various mouthwatering local snacks and the delicious Khao Soi - a delightful coconut curry noodle dish unique to Northern Thailand. Enjoy fresh Thai cuisine while learning about Chiang Mai's culinary history.

Price Range: $$

Chiang Rai

Food & Night Market Tour

Food & Night Market Tour

Marvel at the decor and intrepretive design of Wat Phra Singh, one of the oldest temples in Chiang Rai. Then enjoy the colorful night markets with local food and desserts plus a memorable trishaw ride.

Price Range: $$

Phuket

Siam Niramit Cultural Show & Dinner

Siam Niramit Cultural Show & Dinner

Memorable evening with a delicious dinner buffet and spectacular show of over 100 performers sharing the story of Thailand.

Price Range: $$$

Phuket Explorer Island Tour

Phuket Explorer Island Tour

Explore Phuket's gems including panoramic views of Chalong Bay and southern Phuket. Visit Wat Chalong and a traditional cashew nut factory. Explore temples and century-old architecture. Conclude the tour at a Pearl Farm Factory, offering a chance to purchase unique Phuket souvenirs.

Price Range: $$



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).

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