Fly to the vibrant city of Bangkok. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Bangkok is a whirlwind of exotic energy, a sensory extravaganza like few other cities. Neoclassical houses rub shoulders with high-rise skyscrapers and majestic golden temples, while river taxis and ferries throng its busy canals. Today's sightseeing includes Wat Pho, the dazzling Grand Palace and a stroll through Chinatown. Later, take to the Chao Phraya River on a longboat to get an alternative view of the city.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and the bizarre Railway Track Market before heading out of Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. It was here that many Allied POWs and indentured Asian labourers were forced to build the Thai-Burma Railway during the WWII Japanese occupation of Thailand. Stop at the famous bridge on the River Kwai and visit the Thai-Burmese Railway Museum to learn their stories, then pay your respects at the War Cemetery before checking into your hotel. Spend the night in Kanchanaburi.

Drive to Hellfire Pass and visit the fascinating museum before a short walk through the pass. Step on board an old locomotive to travel along a section of the Death Railway, passing through the Kwai Gorge. Return to Bangkok in the afternoon.

A scared city and former royal capital, Ayutthaya today is a crumbled kingdom that has retained its bygone splendour. Explore this impressive archaeological site, touring the principal sights including Bang Pa-In, the former royal summer residence. Return to Bangkok and fly to Chiang Rai, a city in Thailand's northern highlands.

Transfer to the area known as the Golden Triangle – the point where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet and notorious for the cultivation of opium that used to take place here. Take a boat ride on the Mekong over the border into Laos and visit Don Sao Island where you can take a leisurely stroll through the local market. Return to Chiang Rai. Explore the night market this evening.

Travel to Mae Salong Mountain, an area well known for its tea plantations – you can sample some of the local brew whilst you are here. Enjoy a Yunnanese lunch before visiting Doi Tung Palace and Mae Fah Luang Garden.

Explore the striking Buddhist White Temple before departing Chiang Rai. Heading in the direction of Chiang Mai, you’ll travel along a beautiful mountain road with breathtaking views. Entering Chiang Mai province, spend tonight at Lisu Lodge (or similar), an eco-lodge operated by Lisu hill tribe villagers. Rooms are built in the traditional Lisu style and overlook lush fields and hills. Dinner is followed by a Lisu folklore performance.

Visit the Thai Elephant Care Centre in Mae Rim this morning. The centre is located in the beautiful Mesa Valley and offers a peaceful retirement home for elephants rescued from illegal logging camps and elephant shows. After stopping for lunch, make your way to Mae Daeng where you will enjoy a leisurely bamboo rafting trip on the Mae Daeng River. Sit back and take in the passing scenery as your boatman steers you along the river.

Visit the fascinating archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam, a 'lost city' outside Chiang Mai. The local king, Mangrai, chose this as his capital (Chiang Rai) before river floods forced him to instead build Chiang Mai in 1296. Next, visit two of Chiang Mai's temples (Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh) before time at leisure in Chiang Mai.

Discover the secrets of traditional Thai cooking with a morning cookery class. Ascend to Wat Doi Suthep, a temple perched on top of Doi Suthep Mountain. This evening, sit down to a Thai Kantoke dinner, and be entertained by a selection of cultural performances.

This morning is at your leisure before you are transferred to Chiang Mai airport to board your flight to New Zealand, arriving home the same or following day.