North Thailand: Rivers & Rice Fields

Let's kickstart this adventure in Thailand's temple-packed, neon-lit, food-loving capital. Say sawasdee (sah-wah-dee) to your fellow travellers before tucking into your first group dinner. Thought the Pad Thai from your local takeout was good? Wait until you try the real, authentic thing.

Afterwards, the evening is yours for the taking. Need recommendations? Tick off your souvenir shopping early at a night market. Have a drink or two at a swanky rooftop bar. Or watch a live Muay Thai boxing match. It's your trip, your way. Stay: Lub D in Chinatown (or similar) (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 up: 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 quite finished yet. Hop on a traditional longtail boat and hot foot it to tonight's accommodation: a floating hotel. Sweet dreams... Stay: River Kwai Jungle Rafts (or similar) (B/D)

After waking up to dreamy waterside views and the sound of chirping cicadas, it's time to get your history hat on.

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. Feeling peckish? Ask your Trip Leader for some local food recommendations – they know all the best spots. Stay: Mida Resort Kanchanaburi (or similar) (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 spectacular structures: Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. Then, stock up on snacks and pull out your travel pillow, because it's time to board the overnight train. Our destination? The beautiful city of Chiang Mai. Stay: Overnight train (B)

This morning, throw open those train curtains and get your first peep of Northern Thailand's biggest city. Eye-popping architecture. Vibrant night markets. And a fascinating fusion of cultures and traditions. There's a lot happening in Chiang Mai.

We'll jump straight in with a guided bike tour of its standout sights. Then, the afternoon is yours to delve a bit deeper. Tick off some temples, grab some souvenirs at buzzing Warorot Market or chill out at one of the city's cool cafes.

Tonight: grab your new travel friends and hunt down a bowl of khao soi — coconutty, curry-flavoured, and completely delicious. Yum. Stay: Cross Vibe Chiang Mai Decem Hotel (or similar) (B)

You'll want to go big at breakfast today cos we've got heaps of optional activities for you to dive into. Get your local culture fix 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 pit stop 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. Stay: Cross Vibe Chiang Mai Decem Hotel (or similar) (B)

After breakfast, we'll wave goodbye to Chiang Mai (for now). Soak up all the stunning views racing past as we make our way into the Hmong Hills. Once there, we'll visit an authentic hill tribe and 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 before tucking into a local lunch.

Next, it's onwards to Pai. This town might be tiny but it's surrounded by tangled rainforests, tumbling waterfalls and Thailand's answer to the Grand Canyon. Tonight, get your bearings with a stroll down Pai's Walking Street – the ideal spot to dig into some tasty street food. Our pick? Grilled moo ping skewers: smoky, sticky, and seriously addictive. Stay: Peacock De Pai Hotel (or similar) (B/L)

Fuel up at breakfast before we head for the spectacular subterranean wonders of Tham Lot Cave: home to hundreds of bats.

On our way back to Pai, we'll stop off for steaming bowls of noodles with some seriously impressive views. Then, the rest of the day is yours to explore.

Head back to Pai Walking Street to pick up a few more gifts for your family back home. Or grab your friends and float down the Pai River in inflatable tubes. Memories = made. Stay: Peacock De Pai Hotel (or similar) (B/L)

Rise and shine! Emerge back into the daylight and hop on the minivan for one last journey. Prepare for windy roads and views worth every turn.

Before we return to Chiang Mai for our final evening together though, we've got a pitstop to make. Remember how Pai's home to Thailand's version of the Grand Canyon? Well, today you'll be seeing it for yourself. Hope you're not scared of heights. Then, onwards to Chiang Mai for your final dinner with your new travel besties. Stay: Cross Vibe Chiang Mai Decem Hotel (or similar) (B/D)

You've toured the temples and soaked up all the views. All that's left to do now is swap digits with your travel friends and say your goodbyes.

Not quite ready for the fun to be over? Fly back down to Bangkok to join our Southern Thailand trip for a week of island-hopping and jungle adventures. Or meet us in buzzing Hanoi – the starting point of our epic Vietnam & Cambodia: Noodles & Night Markets tour. (B)