Roundtrip Through Bangkok
Join SVI for this 15-day journey from Bangkok to Phuket as we cover the very best of Thailand, inside and out. Ethical elephant sanctuaries, hill tribe villages, white-sand beaches, and a likeminded community to experience it all with.
BOOKING OPTIONS
* does not include visas or round trip airfare through Bangkok.
Included: 15 day / 14 night trip
24 meals / 14 breakfasts / 6 lunches / 4 dinners
HIGHLIGHTS: Bangkok, Reclining Buddha, Emerald Buddha, Bangkok Street Food, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, The Golden Triangle, Chiang Mai, Elephant Experience in Chiang Mai, Lanna Home Visit, Home-Hosted Meal, Phuket, Tuk Tuk Rides.
You will need to book your own international airfare round trip through Bangkok Airport Code: Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)
ACTIVITY LEVEL 3
The overall activity level of this tour is a level 3. This means you’re an on-the-go traveler. You don’t want to miss a thing, so walking and standing for longer periods of time (2-3 hours) isn’t a big deal. A moderately paced two-and-a-half-hour walking tour, covering several miles, hills, and uneven surfaces, is no problem for you. Walking four miles over the course of a day is very doable, as is climbing into and out of various modes of transportation (tuk-tuk, cable car, zodiac, etc.). You can climb three flights of stairs easily and handle altitudes between 6,000 and 9,000 feet. Expect some longer days with early mornings or late nights balanced with free time to recharge or set out on your own adventure.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Bangkok, Thailand
March 26
Your Thailand adventure begins in Bangkok, one of Southeast Asia's most electric cities. As arrival times vary, today is yours to explore independently - wander the streets, soak in the energy, and settle into your surroundings. Dinner is on your own tonight.
You will be staying at the Amari Bangkok.
DAY 2
Bangkok's Old Town & Rattanakosin Island
March 27
Start your morning on the winding canals of Bangkok's Old Town on a private boat trip, then head to Rattanakosin Island to visit Wat Po and see the world-famous Reclining Buddha. The evening brings a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers - a perfect way to kick off the journey together. You will be staying at the Amari Bangkok.
DAY 3
Emerald Buddha, Grand Palace, & Bangkok's Night Tour
March 28
This day is packed with Bangkok's most iconic highlights. Visit Wat Phra Kaew to see the sacred Emerald Buddha and the ornately decorated Grand Palace. In the evening, the city comes alive as you board a tuk tuk for a night tour through Bangkok's glittering streets - street food tastings, flower markets, and nonstop energy all the way.
You will stay at the Amari Bangkok.
DAY 4
Bangkok to Sukhothai
March 29
Choose your own adventure: a visit to the Suan Pakkad Palace Museum and its extraordinary Thai antique collection, or a trip to the Marble Temple to join Buddhist monks in their daily chanting. Then it's off to the airport for a flight to Sukhothai, followed by dinner at the hotel. You will stay at the Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa.
DAY 5
Sukhothai Historical Park
March 30
Step back in time at the Sukhothai Historical Park, the ruins of a city whose name means "dawn of happiness." Explore this UNESCO World Heritage site and visit Wat Si Chum, a landmark temple housing an awe-inspiring 49-foot Buddha beneath an open sky.
You will stay at Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa.
DAY 6
Sukhothai to Chiang Rai
March 31
Journey north for a stop at Wat Rong Khun - the stunning White Temple - one of Thailand's most photographed and intricate architectural wonders. Arrive in Chiang Rai, once the capital of the ancient Mengrai Dynasty, where another adventure begins.
Stay: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa.
DAY 7
Chiang Rai
April 1
Explore the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Burma meet at the Mekong River, and visit the Opium Museum to understand the region's complex history. Later, visit a hill tribe village to meet Akha and long neck Karen people, watch artisans at work, and browse their handmade goods. End the day at the vibrant night bazaar.
You will stay at The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa.
DAY 8
Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
April 2
Head to Chiang Mai, Thailand's spiritual and cultural heart in the north. En route, enjoy lunch before ascending Doi Suthep mountain by cable car to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most revered Buddhist temples in the country. Take in breathtaking views before descending the jeweled naga staircase.
You will stay at the Kantary Hills Hotel.
DAY 9
Chiang Mai Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
April 3
Today's highlight is an unforgettable ethical elephant experience at ChangChill sanctuary, where "relaxed elephants" roam freely. Ride 4x4 vehicles through country roads, walk through rice paddies, and meet the resident elephants up close. Enjoy lunch at the camp while the elephants wander nearby. You will stay at the Kantary Hills Hotel.
DAY 10
Chiang Mai Lanna Family Cultural Experience
April 4
This morning, you're welcomed into the home of a Lanna family for a truly intimate cultural experience. Learn about their customs, tour their garden, and cook traditional dishes together before sitting down to share the meal. Tonight dinner is at a local restaurant.
You will stay at the Kantary Hills Hotel.
DAY 13
Phuket Exploration Day, Five-Star Beachfront Experience, & Farewell Dinner
April 7
It’s a completely free
day today, so take advantage of your idyllic tropical resort or
perhaps head back to the Old Town and dive into some of
Phuket’s most popular haunts. This evening, join your fellow
travelers for a farewell dinner, celebrating an experience full of
history, beauty, culture, and incredible discoveries in Thailand
DAY 11
Chiang Mai to Phuket
April 5
Trade the mountains for the sea. Fly to Phuket this morning and transfer to your resort on a private tropical beach. The rest of the day is entirely yours - swim, nap in the shade, read, and breathe in the salt air. You've earned it.
You will stay at the Cape Panwa Hotel.
DAY 14
Phuket to Bangkok
April 8th
Fly to
Bangkok this afternoon and head to an airport hotel, preparing to
return home with a lifetime of memories - the best kind of
souvenir.
DAY 12
Phuket's Charming Old Town & Beach Resort
April 6
Explore Phuket's charming Old Town, lined with beautifully restored Sino-Portuguese townhouses, boutique shops, cafes, and local eateries. Spend the morning wandering at your own pace, then return to the beach resort for an afternoon of pure relaxation.
Stay: Cape Panwa Hotel.
DAY 15
Departure Day
April 9
Say farewell
to Thailand and return home today.
WHERE YOU'LL STAY
Amari Bangkok - Bangkok (2 nights)
A sleek five-star property in the heart of the city, the Amari Bangkok combines contemporary design with warm Thai touches, putting you steps from vibrant markets, revered shrines, and world-class shopping. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer spectacular city views to come home to after a full day of exploring.
Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa - Sukhothai (2 nights)
A tranquil boutique retreat set in lush gardens just minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sukhothai Historical Park, Sriwilai blends Lanna-style architecture with modern comfort. Rooms overlook rice paddies and ancient temple ruins, and an infinity pool and full-service spa make it the perfect place to exhale after a day of discovery.
The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa - Chiang Rai (2 nights)
Perched along the banks of the Mae Kok River with panoramic views of forested hills, The Legend is a characterful boutique escape that feels worlds away from the city yet is just minutes from its center. Spacious Lanna-style villas, lotus pond gardens, and a riverside terrace make it a standout base for exploring the Golden Triangle region.
Kantary Hills - Chiang Mai (3 nights)
Set in the fashionable Nimmanhaemin Road district, Kantary Hills offers generous all-suite accommodations with the comforts of home – think private balconies, kitchenettes, and a beautiful outdoor pool – right in the cultural heart of northern Thailand. It’s an ideal retreat after days spent with elephants, hill tribes, and mountaintop temples.
Cape Panwa Hotel - Phuket (3 nights)
Tucked at the tip of the Panwa Peninsula, Cape Panwa is a five-star beachfront haven built on a former coconut plantation, with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea and a pristine private white-sand beach. With multiple pools, a full-service spa, and over a dozen dining venues, this is where the trip slows down beautifully.
WE GET IT
It can be difficult to decide where to spend your vacation dollars when every travel company claims to be the best. So don’t just take our word for it. Check out just of few of the reviews that demonstrate why Sober Vacations International is unsurpassed in the business:
"A really happy home, like in the movies"We have been traveling to SVI destinations for a few decades now, and every trip has been a pleasure. These are all people who really care about making everyone just as comfortable and happy as humanly possible.
The first year, the first trip, is so enjoyable. You sit down to a meal with strangers and, unlike the usual travel experience where you talk awkwardly about where you are from and perhaps the weather, you're seated with people who have been on the exact same journey you have. Within 5 minutes, you're friends.
The second year, the second trip, you generally start seeing your friends from the first trip while you're still on the airplane en route. When you get to where you all are going, you feel like you just arrived home for the holidays, one of those really, really happy homes, like in the movies.
SVI trips are all about living happy, joyous, and free.
"I grew up in SVI...the friendships I have made are beyond beautiful" "I have been coming to SVI since 1992...My experience has been absolutely fantastic and life changing. I grew up in SVI I came single got married had a baby and kept coming. The friendships i have made are beyond beautiful. Because of these friendships we retired to the west coast from the east coast...Its just like AA the more you put in the more you get out of it. ( and visit beautiful places )
Thank You SVI"
"Do something wonderful for yourself and take a vacation with SVI":"I have been traveling with sober vacations since 1988. My first trip I went alone and it was an amazing confidence building experience. I had under 2 years of sobriety. I couldn't wait to go again. Over the years I have maintained friendships with people from all over the country that I met on these trips. I have traveled SVI solo, with friends, a husband and all four of my children. I'm now 64 years old with 39 years of sobriety and will be going to DR in May with my four grown children and their spouses. We cannot wait!!!
The destinations are great but the real joy on these trips comes from the people I meet, the great meetings and workshops, the many excursions and group activities and so much more. I'm so excited to get back to a Club Med this May with SVI. It's an unbeatable combination.
Do something wonderful for yourself and take a vacation with SVI!!!"
"Highly recommend"
"Such a wonderful alternative to drinking vacations. Lovely people, activities, scenery, connections without the presence of alcohol. Thank heaven this option exists for non-drinkers. Owners/organizers are spectacular. Proven successes year after year for 30 years. Highly recommend!!."
These are just a few of the reasons that over 98% of our recent travelers would recommend a SVI vacation to a friend. Discover for yourself what makes Sober Vacations so special.
Contact us today to book your next vacation!
FAQs
As we are a sober travel agency, we can offer trips that other travel agencies cannot – specifically trips that are geared towards the sober traveler.
You are absolutely allowed to bring your spouse/partner if they are not sober. We are not the alcohol police, and have not yet had an instance where someone’s drinking caused a problem for the group.
We have two different types of trips – Sober Vacations and Sober Villages. Sober Vacations are most of our trips – where we are a smaller group within the resort/cruise and people will be around us that are not in program. We have daily AA meetings and stick together for excursions and meals. Our Sober Villages happen yearly (usually in the beginning of the year during the winter) and these are full buyouts- meaning you will be at a resort with 500-600 fellow sober people. All bars/mini bars are wiped clean of alcohol and instead replaced with juice, soda, coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Our Sober Villages have daily jam packed schedules with AA meetings, al-anon meetings, attitude adjustment workshops, recovery yoga, trivia, scavenger hunts, and more! So, depending on what you prefer, you should choose what vacation suites you and your sobriety the best.
You do not. We ask for a deposit when you make your reservation. Once confirmed, you’ll receive an email with a personalized link to your reservation. At any point, you can make payments to your account, or you can pay it all off at once. As long as the trip is paid off 90 days before your departure, you can pay at whatever pace you are comfortable with.
Usually. If it is an All-Inclusive trip, we will indicate such.
All-inclusive means food, drinks, activities and entertainment are included in the cost of your trip. Gratuities are not included, however.
We’ve been in operation as a sober travel agency since 1987.
Los Angeles Dodgers! Is there any other?
For most trips, yes.
You arrange your flights yourself and bear in mind that most destinations/hotels have standard check-in times of between 3p – 4p and check out between 10a – 11a.
Sadly, we cannot book your flights. Your flights are your responsibility.
That’s okay. We have been successfully matching roommates using our patent-pending roommate matching technology since 1987. In 35 years, we’ve only had eight fatalities out of over 8,000 matches. Which translates to over a 99% satisfaction rate!
We do not control the culinary options on any of our trips. So, each vacation will be different, but we generally choose resorts and experiences that offer a wide range of quality food. That usually includes options for people with even the most restrictive diets.
Yes! We describe our trips as a vacation…with meetings. On our Sober Village there are 5 scheduled meetings each day. On other trips, there are usually between 1-3 meetings a day. If you are on a trip, and you want to start a meeting, you are free to do so. We just ask that it not conflict with any of our scheduled meetings.
Absolutely not! Meeting attendance is at your discretion.
Depends on the trip. Our Sober Villages have between 450-700 people! Some trips are smaller, more intimate experiences.
We adhere to the policies of the destination to which we are traveling – if it is their policy that incoming travelers be vaccinated then we adhere to those recommendations. We do not set the policies for each destination, that is determined by their individual governments.
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance especially in this new travel landscape with Covid-19. We have a partnership with Allianz Travel Insurance. Please visit their website to sign up www.allianztravelinsurance.com – our ACCAM Number is: F019519