12 Day Thailand Itineraries
Unveil a destination bursting with charm, natural beauty, excellent fare, and welcoming people. From floating markets that emit tantalizing aromas that waft through the canals to flourishing jungles with immaculate displays of nature, when you create a 12-day Thailand itinerary with Zicasso, you will get expert guidance to create your perfect tropical vacation.
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12 Day Trip IdeaFrom $4,300
Classic Thailand Itinerary: Beaches, Markets & Elephants
12 Day Trip IdeaFrom $3,500
Heritage Highlights Tour of Northern Thailand
12 Day Trip IdeaFrom $3,500
Luxury Tour for Lovers: 12 Days of Thailand’s Beauty
12 Day Trip IdeaFrom $3,500
12-Day Thailand Immersion Vacation for Families
12 Day Trip IdeaFrom $3,500
Romantic Bangkok Getaway for Couples
12 Day Trip IdeaFrom $3,500
12-Day Highlights of Thailand Tour
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Reviews of Zicasso's 12 Day Thailand Itineraries
Based on 430 verified traveler reviews.
This is a long overdue review. We traveled to different areas of Thailand for 2 weeks at the end of January and beginning of February 2018. After being matched with this travel company, our agent made the process of planning this vacation very simple. He responded quickly to questions, was available through text, email, and phone, and put together a wonderful itinerary for us. We visited Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, and Koh Lanta, which were all unique and amazing in their own respects. What we were really impressed with is that our agent and his team made sure that someone was always waiting for us at our next stop, whether it was someone to pick us up at the airport or a tour guide waiting for us at our hotel. Unfortunately, there was one issue with our airplane tickets being accidentally booked incorrectly, but after getting on the phone with our agent, we were able to resolve it quickly and were able to continue on to Krabi as planned. I must say my fiancé and I were really impressed with the quality of the tours that were arranged for us by this travel agent. I cannot say enough about how much I absolutely adored our tour guide in Bangkok. Kanchanaburi was beautiful and my most favorite part was waking up to the sound of the flowing river on our jungle raft in the morning. We also loved the cooking class with a local Lanna family and visiting the Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai and the Scuba Dive in Koh Lanta. The hotel was a spectacular treat in Koh Lanta. Our agent booked us a beachfront suite that was literally steps from the hotel's private beach front, and the perfect place to get engaged in Thailand. This was an amazing unforgettable trip for the both of us and we cannot thank this travel company enough. Our travel agent and his team made this trip stress-free and wonderful. I would use his company again in a heartbeat and encourage anyone who is planning a trip to Thailand to utilize them as well. I promise you will not be disappointed! Thank you so much to our agent and the travel company's team.
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Our honeymoon in Thailand, organized by Zicasso’s trip planner, was simply spectacular! Our travel agent and his associate curated a flawless itinerary that showcased the best of Thailand's diversity. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the serene Khao Yai National Park, the cultural richness of Chiang Mai and the breathtaking beauty of Koh Samui's beaches, every moment was memorable.
Our agent’s attention to detail and deep knowledge of Thailand ensured we experienced popular attractions and hidden gems. The accommodations were luxurious and perfectly suited for a romantic getaway. Throughout our journey, we felt well taken care of, thanks to the timely assistance and proactive communication from our agent’s associate.
We highly recommend our travel company to anyone planning a honeymoon or special trip to Thailand. They made our dream honeymoon a reality and we can't thank them enough for the unforgettable memories.
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I can’t imagine going to Thailand without this Travel Company: they gave us a beautiful, tailor-made itinerary with no-stress travel from beginning to end. At the outset, our decision to use Zicasso for this trip was based on the following factors: 1) previous amazing experience booking/planning our honeymoon, 2) loved ones’ stories of travel difficulties in Thailand, and 3) our confidence in the travel planner’s (owner and founder, Travel Company) abilities and expertise. Additionally, my husband and I have very demanding careers with very little personal time; thus, planning a Thailand itinerary that incorporated every city and activity we desired seemed like a gargantuan task.
Of those we spoke to, our travel planner was most exceptional, and his own experiences of once being a newcomer in Thailand shaped his unique perspective on must-see sights and worthwhile adventures. Our planner spent a great deal of time speaking to us one-on-one by phone as he planned the trip, and stayed available to us throughout our time in Thailand by an app. Our trip was 14-days (18 days counting travel), and involved many transfers by air, car, boat, and bus. The planner advised us on what to book, and even helped us decide the cities and length of time spent in each city. Our itinerary incorporated 3 nights in Chiang Mai, 5 nights in Krabi, 4 nights in Bangkok (6 if you count the first and last nights), and 2 nights in Kanchanaburi. Our travel planner booked every single activity, hotel, and car, bus, boat, and flight for us: from in-country domestic flights to making dinner reservations for us. For Krabi, I wanted a jacuzzi villa at a beautiful resort only accessible by boat and he secured it for us! The most difficult hotel to book was the floating villa on the River Kwai; it’s considered one of the most beautiful floating hotels in the world, so it was a high-priority and somewhat difficult but our planner did it!
Since I am vegetarian, the travel planner went above-and-beyond to book me vegetarian meals on every domestic flight and for every activity. Every guide and/or driver was made aware of the vegetarian issue, and--in the end--it was as if I had more [vegetarian] food than the meat-eaters! I’ve never felt so accepted and included as I did on this trip. I’ve been to countries where these accommodations were not fully provided by guides/agents; thankfully, these struggles have long been “history” since we started booking with Zicasso!
Even if he was out of the office, our planner had us connected with his other team members, and every guide and driver was provided our contact and vice versa. For our time in Kanchanaburi, we were booked an amazing guide who was with us from pick-up to drop-off (3 days!) for all of our Kanchanaburi activities. I had a concerning abrasion after a fall in Krabi, and our guide took us to a hospital, translated for us, and even coordinated with the doctors to expedite our clinic visit.
We can’t imagine our trip without this Travel Company, and the fabulously flawless care provided by the travel planner and his team. Our planner’s dedication to perfectionism and seamlessness shines through how he runs the company, and we are grateful that we were matched up with them. For anyone on the fence, the extra funds required to book a comprehensive package really are worth it for Thailand. Especially if you want to travel outside of the city you fly into, hiring a team like this company is absolutely imperative if you want confidence and trust in those transporting you and guiding you through each city.
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It was an incredible journey and made memories for a lifetime for my entire family. Our Zicasso travel partner’s planning and selection of activities was the best. The guides were personable, funny, and professional. Our guide in Bangkok was so friendly, nice, and helpful. The night foodie tour was great. Our guide, a professor, was energetic and knew his way around. The hotel location was a bit on the wild side, but that was alright considering we didn't spend much time there.
In Chiang Mai, the elephant sanctuary, bamboo rafting, sights, and temples. Walking around the river just before the lantern festival was just as amazing!
Patong Beach in Phuket was rowdy, crazy, hectic, and just a typical beach for folks to visit and relax, but the kayaking at Phang Nga Bay was otherworldly. Serene, spiritual, and breathtaking. The trip was well planned, with great and knowledgeable guides. Lunch and dinner on the boat was perfect.
The tour went according to plan, without any problems or issues. It was perfect.
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Below is a brief summary of our 2018-2019 family trip to Thailand and Cambodia. Each year on Christmas we pick a new place to explore and spend time together. As the kids get older and we see them less often, Trish and I really look forward to sharing these quality experiences with them.
Christmas is high season for SE Asia and so we knew there would be crowds. We are a very active family and prefer that most of our activities include getting out and moving, exploring and adventuring. We prefer to have a private adventure with a knowledgeable guide, rather than a group tour where there is a need to cater to the least active of the group. With that caveat, here is the report:
Day 1 – Arrival into Bangkok
The lines at Immigration in Thailand can take over an hour to get processed, we paid for a Fast Track service which was well worth it. After 24 hours of travel, the last thing you want to do is wait in an extended queue. A guide with our name placard met us as we got off the plane and led us directly to the immigration officer with no wait, and then immediately to the baggage claim. VIP service indeed.
We arrived late in the afternoon and went directly to the hotel where we had Two Bedroom Suite and a Grand Deluxe Room for the six of us. Highly recommend the hotel. Great service, city views, comfortable beds, and an amazing breakfast buffet.
Day 2 –Bangkok Biking
Most of us woke really early (the effects of jetlag) and I went for a 5:30 AM run in Lumphini Park. I was shocked to see hundreds of joggers out getting their morning exercise, running circles around a 1.5 km loop surrounding the park. It was impressive.
At 8:30 AM we were taken from the hotel to our private tour of the city and countryside on bicycles. Our guide, Aon, spent a few minutes getting to know us, and we were off. The traffic on the streets of Bangkok is madness. Motorcycles, tuk-tuks, autos, buses, and pedestrians all vying for a finite amount of tarmac. Add seven bicycles to the mix and the scene is comical with the weaving and bobbing of bodies and machines. Miraculously, we survived thanks in large part to Aon’s deft guidance.
First stop was the Farmer’s Market. The hustle and bustle of commerce were fun to see. Every type of fresh produce was available, as was live, dying, or butchered livestock and fishes. Not a place for the animal lovers and the smell was a bit horrific as the day’s juices covered the concrete streets.
Leaving the market, we boarded longtail boats with our bikes, crossed the Chao Prava river, and biked country trails which were elevated above the jungle floor. We had a good Thai meal at a local restaurant, returned to the boats and biked back.
Highly recommend this tour company. Ohn was delightful, knowledgeable, and a charismatic hostess- She got the most family votes for the best guide of the trip.
We stayed at the hotel the second night.
Day 3 – Travel to Chiang Mai
We were picked up for our short flight to Chiang Mai, which is an hour flight north on Bangkok. Upon arrival, we were met by our guide for the day, Nancy. The itinerary was seeing the Thai temples of Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Pra Sing, and Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. Lots of ornate buildings, old architecture, tons of Buddhas, history, and symbolism. At every stop, there were street food stalls and local merchants catering to the crowds. We found the coveted “elephant pants” for Bridget and Camdyn and a pretty neat high-end jade store where Trish picked out a belated birthday necklace.
By the end of the day, we had seen our fair share of Thai temples and were dropped off at a beautiful resort for the night. The resort was cottage style with cabana rooms that were nestled next to pools that weaved throughout the resort. The service here was also excellent- less refined than the last hotel but more genuine. Most of the breakfasts and dinners during our stay in Chaing Mai were here, as the hotel was a bit remote from downtown.
Day 4 – Elephants!
The next day we were picked up and taken to the Elephant Sanctuary. We spent the morning feeding them sugar cane, bananas, and protein balls for dessert. We learned about their lifestyles and behaviors and Gavin, Tegan and Camdyn ended the afternoon joining them in the mud for a good scrub down. The ability to interact directly with the animals in their natural habitat was a real treat. They truly are amazing creatures – big and beautiful. One of them was pregnant and we could see the baby move like some wild alien in her belly.
We returned to the hotel, where everyone got a massage- except for me. I went for a run.
That night, Tegan, Bridget and I went to the Sunday Night Street Market. Absolute mayhem, which was part of the fun. Part food market, part street fair, part circus, all in an open air and festive environment, the play was humming! There were times when it was hard to push through the crowds as space was defined by all of the merchant stalls that lined the streets. We ate, shopped and people watched. It was a fun evening.
Day 5 – Ah, Nature?
Nancy was once again our host for the day and she and her driver picked us up for what I thought would be a great hike up some mountain where we could stretch our legs and enjoy some wild. After all, it was described as “one of the most fertile troves of natural treasure in Chiang Mai, DoiIntanon National Park. The invigorating mountain air, the fresh, cool climate, makes it a rejuvenating break from the city.” We did get to Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s tallest peak at 2,565 meters, but it was slow-go as it was December 31and half of Chaing Mai had the same idea. Once at the top, the destination was a street food market and a couple of .5 km loops through the forest. And it was swarming with bodies. We actually couldn’t get off the hill fast enough.
We stopped briefly at the Twin Chedi - built by the Thai Airforce to honor King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, and at the summit - the shrine of Chao Inthawitchayanon, the former prince of Chiang Mai.
On the way back, we stopped at the impressive Wachiratharn Waterfall which was probably the best part of the day, as we were left to explore it on our own and we were able to climb to the top where the crowds preferred to remain below.
We’d skip this day again. Even without the crowds, the trip didn’t warrant the time.
Back to the resort.
Day 6 – Travel to Phuket
After a private shuttle and a quick two-hour flight south, we landed in Phuket. Phuket is an island province of Thailand known for its beautiful beaches and iconic pinnacle rock islands off its coast. We had Googled pictures of the resort online and were excited to be right on the beach in a resort with many pools and water slides for Camdyn- The Centara Grand Resort. Upon arriving, however, we were dropped off at the Centara Karon Resort- a third rate sister facility which was a 5-10 minute walk to the beach and which overlooked a crowded and unkempt street. Rooms were extremely dated, plumbing questionable, service and attitudes were poor. It was such a contrast to what we had experienced in the first two locations that I thought that it must be a mistake. There were two "Centara" hotels close to each other. The issue turned out to be the word GRAND in our itinerary, which despite also having the word Karon in it, would show up as the nice beachfront property when we Googled it when previewing the itinerary. The "Karon" had no Grand it it’s name and we now know why.
I placed a call to our trip planner at the travel company to try and remedy it. To his credit, he found a place an hour north, but that would cost us another $3,200. We were told that it was a four-bedroom house on the beach. We booked it- not willing to spend more than the single night at the “Karon”.
Day 7 – More Phuket
We arrived the next morning to the four-bedroom house with its own pool as part of the resort. It wasn’t “on the beach” as there was another house between it and the sand, but it wasn’t far and the facilities were so much better.
The beaches in Phuket are gorgeous- clear water, blond sand, and almost empty, but the waves (at least in the two places where we stayed) are small or non-existent and any swimming exposed you to painful (but not debilitating) jellyfish stings. So unless your idea of fun is laying on the beach, there wasn’t a lot to do.
Day 8 – Island Exploring, Kayaking, Swimming- Phuket area
We were dropped off at the boat harbor to join the canoeing company for our tour. After waiting for everyone to arrive (how many people are on this trip!?!), we were divided into four groups of around 40-50 and herded onto four boats. Honestly, sardines have more room than we did on the boat. Fortunately, there was no smoking allowed while on the boat, so all of the chain smokers who previously puffed away while waiting to board didn’t expose us to their toxins while on the water.
“Explore” consisted of landing on a small island, walking it and viewing a unique looking rock that shoots from the sea like a construction piling and is famous for being featured in the 1974 Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. The problem was that there were at least 300-400 others doing the same thing, reminiscent of Disneyland on Independence Day weekend. What a cluster!
“Kayak” consisted of getting into a two-man inflatable and having a “guide” paddle you through a cave- lasting around 10 minutes. If there were a hundred strokes during the trip, I’d be surprised. Oh, the adventure!
Finally, the “Swim” was at an island overrun with food and “activity” vendors where you had to remain in an area cordoned off with buoys to avoid all of the boat traffic, jet skis, and “other dangers”. It wasn’t much larger than the local public pool.
Each island stop required 15-30 minutes of sardine boating. Mercifully, we were done early afternoon and could get back to our room to create our own adventures.
This is a MUST MISS tour.
Day 9 – More Phuket
Free day. We made the most of it spending the morning reading, walking the beach along the far tarmac of the airport to see the planes take off and land up close, and watching for the storm remnants of Cyclone Pabuk (which never arrived). At the end of the day, Camdyn and I made use of the slide park at the resort and had the place to ourselves. I guess no one likes sliding in the rain??
Honestly, any return trip to Thailand would not include a stop in Phuket. Super touristy, overpriced, and a mecca for the uninspired sand kickers and urban whales.
Day 10 –Siem Reap
We flew to Siem Reap the next morning and got a shuttle to our hotel. While the Thailand traffic was crazy, the Cambodia traffic was chaos. It was amazing that we never saw a collision between the tens of thousands of vehicles and pedestrian traffic during our stay. Tuk-tuks and mopeds and motorcycles were the preferred mode of travel. We heard that the tax on vehicles was 120% of the sale price, which meant only the really wealthy could afford to drive a car.
We settled into the hotel, which was very nice for the area. The service was excellent and the staff hooked us up with dinner reservations and transportation. In the evening we visited the famous Circus Show, which was a mix between a musical, comedy, and acrobatics, with fantastic feats of strength and flexibility- all under a tent. Old school carnival style. Highly recommend.
Day 11 –Siem Reap Temples
The next day we toured the “big three” temples of Cambodia. Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Phrom. These were reminiscent of South American temples of the Aztecs. They were built in the 12th and 13th centuries by the kings of the day as a capital city (Angkor Thom), a monastery, university, and a temple of worship. Volcanic and limestone rock was hauled by boat, man, and elephant from 70 kms away to build the stunning architecture that has survived the centuries.
This area has a rich history so a knowledgeable guide who is able to speak English well will make the day really enjoyable. Fortunately for us, our guide Tola was every bit the knowledgeable and articulate host.
Day 12 –Siem Reap- Jeeps, Bicycles and a Boat
Our guide Chili picked us up the next morning in a couple of 1960s Jeeps, which were the spoils of the Vietnam War. Spartan and seasoned, they were every bit the “General Purpose” vehicles you’d expect to see in the jungle of Cambodia. We drove about an hour on very dusty roads to a small village where we jumped on single-speed cruiser bikes and rode to the local market. The market was an open-air version of capitalist commerce. Each stall specialized in a specific sector- produce and meats (by far the largest), electronics, house and garden, toys, clothing, hardware, etc. The place had it all.
After the bike ride, we continued by Jeep to a village on the bank of Tonle Sap Lake where we climbed the stairs of a home on stilts, 30 feet in the air, and had the best local meal of our whole trip.
Once lunch was finished, we boarded a local fishing boat and toured the floating village of Kompong Khleang. The Vietnamese Village homes of Kompong Khleang are built on objects that keep them afloat on Tonle Sap. The village moves along the river and sometimes up to the lake depending on the season. There was a floating school, a hospital, local shops, and even a hairdresser.
We finished with an open-air jeep ride back to the hotel where we all looked three shades darker with the layer of red dirt caked to every part of exposed skin. Quick showers and the rest of the afternoon and evening was spent relaxing poolside. And I went for a city “trail” run.
Day 13 – Back to Bangkok
The next morning was a short return flight to Bangkok for our final day. We were met by our guide Willow who took us to lunch and then boarded a private long tail boat for a tour of the canals of the Chao Prava River. The tour gave us a glimpse of the underbelly of Thailand- away from the tourism and commerce. The different angles of life exposed via the backyards of the neighborhoods was a cool perspective.
That evening we went to Chinatown, which is famous for its variety of food in an open-market environment. While it had received high ratings, we were mostly disappointed, although Trish and Gavin were able to find some good ramen.
Day 14 – Departure
We flew out the next morning to San Francisco via Taipei for the 20-hour trip back home.
Of note:
The people of Thailand and Cambodia are amazing. Kind, friendly and accommodating. They were the best part of the trip.There doesn’t appear to be a culture of outdoor activity and exploration, so the trails are utilitarian and not paths to scenic destinationsDo your homework on accommodations. It will make a huge difference to your stay.We preferred our time in Cambodia over that in ThailandLearn to squat. Most public bathrooms are open hole.Our trip planner at the travel company was very responsive and accommodating during our trip
Final Thoughts:
With our trips, so much of what we get out of them is our family time together- regardless of the specific sights or activities. We can make a great adventure out of a deluge in the middle of an ocean (done that). We are privileged to have four amazing kids who get along great, regardless of the circumstances. Sure, there are times when we each need some space, but those times are solved with a book, a walk, or a run. We’ll chalk this trip up as another success. Not necessarily as one that amazed us with specific adventures, but one that nourished us with the richness of being together, for two weeks, meeting great people in new lands.
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We had a great experience overall. Our Thailand travel agency almost always responded to questions quickly during the planning process and made several changes to the suggested itinerary at our request. The hotels were very nice--clean and comfortable. In Krabi, our agency used partner organizations for our two days of tours. One of those partners left something to be desired. On the plus side, they showed up and accomplished the goal of taking us where we needed to go. However, the guide for our trip to the national park and Tiger Cave Temple was not a very good guide. She hardly told us anything, struggled with English when we asked questions, and never even told us her name. In contrast, the guides we had that worked directly for our agency in Chiang Mai and Bangkok were both great. They knew a ton about the area, the sights, and history. They were friendly and personable. Our itinerary included time on our own as well as guided tours. We mostly enjoyed the activities planned and feel that we saw the major sights in each area.
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