Thailand's highlands & islands

Your guide will collect you this morning for a private tour of the city taking in the key attractions. You will get to experience a variety of the local public transport systems giving you the confidence to further explore Bangkok at your leisure in the afternoon.

Private transfer to the airport for your one and a half hour flight to the historical and colourful city of Chiang Mai, located in the north of Thailand. Your driver will be waiting for you at Chiang Mai airport to take you by private car to your boutique hotel. In the afternoon you will join a group for an unusual and exciting way of exploring the city — on a guided Segway tour.

This morning your guide will collect you for your private tour of the Mae Sa Valley. The tour includes a visit to the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, a butterfly farm and a visit to one of the local Hmong hill tribes.

Today you will have a free day to explore Chiang Mai. Late afternoon is a great time to visit Chiang Mai's most famous landmark: the temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This is one of Thailand's most important temples and has fantastic views of the city. In the evening you may like to visit the city's famous night bazaar.

You will have an early start today for your private transfer to the airport to catch your two-hour flight to Krabi. Upon arrival at Krabi airport you will be met by staff from Elephant Hills who will drive you for the three-hour road transfer to the Khao Sok National Park. The Elephant Hills Camp is a fantastic rainforest and elephants experience. A programme of group tours is included in the stay as are all your meals. The welfare of the elephants is at the heart of this camp and it has received numerous awards for this. This is one of the few places where you will see elephants without chains. Upon arrival at the camp you will meet the elephants and learn more about these magnificent creatures. You will have the opportunity to help feed and bathe them. After a traditional Thai lunch you will have the opportunity to take a jungle canoe down-river paddling past stunning limestone karsts.

Today you will leave the tented camp with other guests and head inland by road and then by boat for your scenic journey to the relatively untouched and stunning Cheow Larn Lake. This is a great place to be among nature and experience a unique accommodation experience — a floating tent! Your afternoon includes a guided canoe safari.

After breakfast you will have the option to join your guide on a walk through the jungle listening to the chorus of the many primates, reptiles and birds that inhabit the national park. After lunch you will join other guests on the three-hour transfer to Phuket where you will spend the night before your cruise.

Your cruise experience starts today on the lovely Star Clipper. The Star Clipper harks back to the grand age of sailing with its four-masted sails, tastefully decorated to reflect its nautical heritage. Cruising on the Star Clipper is a wonderful way to explore the local islands. During your stay all meals are included as well as a programme of group tours.

Visit the Surin Islands today, famous for its diving and sports fishing and home to a variety of wildlife including monitor lizards and macaques.

Today you will sail to the remote Similan Islands, considered to be one of the world's best diving and snorkelling locations. Here you will have the chance to see manta rays, barracuda and if you are lucky, whale sharks.

Further day exploring the Similan Islands.

Today you will arrive at the breathtaking island of Langkawi in Malaysia. Its clear tropical waters are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

The cruise continues today to Koh Kradan, home to beautiful white sandy beaches.

Today you will be able to explore the limestone wonders of Phang Nga Bay before journeying on to Koh Hong. Tonight will be your last night on board the Star Clipper.

After disembarking the boat you will be transferred to your accommodation for the evening.

Transfer to the airport for your international flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.