Delve Deep: Northern Thailand

Let's kickstart this adventure in Thailand's temple-stuffed, neon-lit, food-loving capital. Say sawasdee (sah-wah-dee) to your new travel fam before tucking into your first group dinner. Thought the pad thai from your local takeout was good? Wait ‘til you try the real, authentic thing.

Afterwards, the evening is yours for the taking. Need recs? Tick off your souvenir shopping early at a night market. Have a few bevs at a swanky rooftop bar. Or watch a live Muay Thai boxing match. It's your trip, your way. (D)

Pack an overnight bag (we'll store the rest of your luggage until we reach Kanchanaburi) and wave goodbye to the city's locals. Today, we're making tracks for the legendary River Kwai. First though, a duo of awesome markets. Arrive at Mae Klong Railway Market just in time to see the locals pack up their stalls and make way for the train (yep, an actual train) to pass through.

Next up: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This colourful maze of canals (khlongs in the local lingo) is the place to pick up everything from fragrant spices to awesome artwork. Your water journey isn't quiiite finished yet. Hop on a traditional longtail boat and hightail it (see what we did there?) to tonight's accommodation: a floating hotel. Sweet dreams... (B/D)

After waking up to dreamy waterside views and the sound of chirping cicadas, it's time to get your history hat on. No lie, today's gonna be tough. We'll start by soaking up one of the region's most famous sights: the Bridge Over the River Kwai. The railway bridge – part of the so-called Death Railway that ran from Thailand to Burma – was built by thousands of POWs during WWII, including many Australians. We'll learn more about the railway's construction and the grim working conditions the POWs endured at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum.

Then, it's time to take a train ride along what's left of the Death Railway's tracks. The evening is up to you. Relax and reflect on the day while watching a spectacular sunset over the river. Then, ask your Trip Leader for some local food recs – they know all the best spots. (B)

Take one last look at the River Kwai before we head east to Ayutthaya. Never heard of it before? That's because it's one of Thailand's hidden gems – and it is truly special. Once the capital of ancient Siam (the old name for Thailand), Ayutthaya now has UNESCO World Heritage status. The Indiana Jones in you will love touring around its magical temples. We'll head to the site of the old Royal Palace to view two INCRED structures: Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Then, it's time to make tracks to Phitsanulok just in time for dinner. (B)

Tums filled with another tropical fruit-laden breakfast, today we've got the super-stunning Sukhothai in our sights. Another ancient capital of Siam (there's a few), Sukhothai certainly lucked out in the beauty department. Jump on a bike and glide your way past some of its most breathtaking ruined temples on a guided tour. Once your camera roll is full and your calves are aching, we'll hop back on the bus and make tracks for Chiang Mai – Northern Thailand's biggest city.

Tonight: gather the fam and find a local haunt for some seriously fiery green curry, or panang if you actually *don't* want to spice up your life. (B)

Chiang Mai. Eye-popping architecture. Awesome night markets. And a fascinating fusion of cultures and traditions. This city's got it going on. After getting your bearings, there's a heap of optional activities up for grabs. Delve deep into the local culture during an almsgiving ceremony with the resident monks at a tranquil temple.

Or explore the city on two wheels during a guided Vespa tour, including a pitstop at Wat Phra That Doi Kham. It's that big golden Buddha perched on the hill southwest of the city – you can't miss it. Hungry? There's an optional cooking class this afternoon if you fancy upgrading your chef skills. Or practice your foot jabs and switch kicks in a Muay Thai boxing class. (B)

After another included brekkie, we'll wave goodbye to Chiang Mai (for now). Press your nose to the coach window and soak up all the stunning views racing past as we make our way to our first stop of the day – the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park. This place is exactly what it says on the tin: a park where they make paper out of elephant poo. And it's not as stinky as it sounds, promise.

Once you've had a masterclass in making paper out of poo (aka the ultimate souvenir for your friends back home), we'll head for the Hmong Hill Tribe Lodge. This BEAUTiful location is tonight's stopover. Soak up the lush views of the Chiang Mai Valley before a traditional dinner complete with Hmong dancing. This is what you came for. (B/D)

Rise and shine! Today we'll be heading further into the hills to try the region's local bevvy: tea! Learn how to pluck tea leaves and roast them during a guided tour of a local tea garden. Then, slurp on some award-winning concoctions in the tranquil tea house.

Next up: Pai. This town might be tiny but it's surrounded by holy sh*t-worthy scenery. We're talking tangled rainforests, tumbling waterfalls and Thailand's answer to the Grand Canyon.

Tonight, get your bearings with a stroll down Pai's Walking Street. Shopping street by day, lively food market after dark – it's the ideal spot to dig into some delish street food. Our pick? Khao soi: a regional coconutty noodle soup. (B)

Remember how Pai's home to Thailand's version of the Grand Canyon? Well, today you'll be seeing it for yourself. Fuel up at breakfast before we head for the spectacular Pai Canyon Lookout. Hope you're not scared of heights. Then, we'll swap sweeping views for subterranean wonders with a visit to Tham Lot Cave. What's that? Something just brushed past your ear? Probably just a bat – the cave's home to hundreds of them.

Emerge back into the daylight and hop back on the coach for one last journey. Before we return to Chiang Mai for our final evening together though, we'll tuck into steaming bowls of noodles with yet another eye-popping view. Memories = made. (B/L)

You've toured the temples, soaked up all the views, made paper out of elephant poo. All that's left to do now is swap deets with your travel fam and say your goodbyes. Not ready for the fun to be over? We got you. Hop back down to Bangkok to join our Southern Thailand tour for a week of island-hopping and jungle adventures. Sounds pretty sweet, right? (B)