Northern Thailand
November 9th-20th, 2026

Northern Thailand

Sightseeing & Culture Adventure

BOOKINGS

Email: TailormadeUK@intrepidtravel.com

Phone: +44 (0)203 308 9763 (ask for Joe on the Tailor-Made team).

Experience Thailand traveling from the electric energy of Bangkok—with temples, river life, and street food—to the historic ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, then on to the waterfalls and wartime history of Kanchanaburi and the mountain landscapes of the north.

Along the way, you’ll cycle through ancient sites, learn to cook regional dishes, visit a hilltribe lodge, and explore Chiang Mai’s ancient old town—sharing meaningful moments, local experiences, and plenty of laughter along the way.

A dedicated local Intrepid travel guide and Sole Sister Rambler host will take you beyond sightseeing with daily recommendations.

Before you go, you'll prepare for your adventure and get to know your travel companions in a dedicated trip WhatsApp group.

This trip promises a life-enriching adventure made even better by sharing it with your Sole Sisters - other solo women in midlife and beyond.

Prices for this adventure are as follows:

GBP: £ 2,050
EUR: € 2,400
CAD: $ 3,800
USD: $ 2,750

Prices are based on a twin shared room there is an additional charge for a single supplement room.

GBP: £ 525
EUR: € 610
CAD: $ 970
USD: $ 700

Deposit: USD $400 at booking time.

Full payment: 70 days before departure.


International flights not included.

A bucket list adventure with like-minded women in midlife and beyond.

Learn More > Join the Thailand WhatsApp Chat Group

Itinerary

Day 1 - Bangkok (Nov. 9th)

Sa-wat dee and welcome to Thailand! Your adventure begins in vibrant Bangkok—a city alive with colour, energy, and incredible flavours. This evening, you’ll meet your local leader and your fellow Sole Sisters (the start of new friendships is one of our favourite parts).

If you arrive early, you might wander the lively streets of Chinatown, hop on a riverboat, explore the buzz of Khao San Road, or treat yourself to a well-earned Thai massage.

After your welcome meeting, settle in and enjoy dinner together at a nearby restaurant—your first shared meal and the perfect way to ease into the journey ahead.

Included:

Group meeting 6 pm

Theatre Residence Bangkok – Nitarn Room or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

DAY 2 - Bangkok (Nov. 10th)

We will start the day at Wat Arun, known for its riverside setting and detailed porcelain spires.

Then we’ll cross the river to Wat Pho to see the Reclining Buddha and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, before continuing to the Grand Palace, home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and some of Thailand’s most important architecture.

In the evening, you and your Sole Sisters will explore Chinatown (Yaowarat) with your local guide and enjoy a sampling dinner among busy street food stalls, local shops, and markets—a great introduction to Bangkok’s remarkable food scene.

Included:

Breakfast and Sampling Dinner

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha)

Grand Palace (Temple of Emerald Buddha

Chinatown Street Food Walking Tour

Theatre Residence Bangkok – Nitarn Room or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

Day 3 - Bangkok & Kanchanaburi (Nov. 11th)

This morning, we’ll enjoy a guided walk through a funky, up-and-coming Bangkok neighbourhood called Talad Noi, beginning at the Talad Noi Museum for a glimpse into the area’s trading history, riverside life, and strong Chinese heritage.

We will Ramble past the Holy Rosary Church and a local Chinese shrine, then wind through narrow lanes lined with old shophouses and street art, stopping to relax in a trendy coffee shop.

Later, we will travel south by private minibus to Kanchanaburi (approximately 2.5 hours), where the Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai rivers meet, and which is home to the historic Bridge on the River Kwai.

Included:

Breakfast and lunch

Talad Noi Walking Tour (incl. 1 drink at café)

Talad Noi Museum

Royal River Kwai Resort – Deluxe or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

Day 4 - Kanchanaburi (Nov. 12th)

This morning, you and your Sole Sisters will head to Erawan Falls, a series of terraced waterfalls that flow into emerald green pools—an ideal spot to swim, walk, or simply relax.

Afterward, you will visit the Hellfire Pass Memorial, built to honour the Allied prisoners of war and Asian labourers who died constructing the most challenging sections of the Thai–Burma Death Railway.

From the teak observation deck, you can see Myanmar, a few kilometres away, and see the pass itself, cut deep into the rock and named for the fires that once lit the work at night.

Later, board the train at Nam Tok station for a journey along the historic Death Railway, following the Kwai Noi River and crossing the original wooden viaduct near the Bridge on the River Kwai.

This evening, you are free to explore enjoying local street vendors and perhaps a drink overlooking the famous River Kwai.

Included:

Breakfast, lunch

Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum

Historical train ride

Erawan National Park & Falls

Royal River Kwai Resort – Deluxe or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

Day 5 - Kanchanaburi – Ayutthaya (Nov. 13th)

This morning, we'll depart Kanchanaburi and travel by private minivan to Ayutthaya.

Once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya is now home to the ruins of palaces, temples, monasteries, and statues within its historic park, which you’ll explore this afternoon.

We'll visit the striking 13th-century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat, where rows of Buddha statues—many beheaded during past conflicts—line the grounds. Look for the iconic Buddha head entwined in the roots of a banyan tree, one of the most photographed sights in Thailand.

Included:

Breakfast

Ayutthaya Historical Park

Kantary Ayutthaya – Studio Suite or similar. 

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

Day 6 - Ayutthaya – Sukhothai (Nov. 14th)

Settle in for a day of travel through Thailand’s historic heartland. We will start the day with a train journey from Ayutthaya to Phitsanulok, watching the scenery shift from city to countryside.

Later we will visit Wat Yai Phitsanulok, home to one of Thailand’s most revered Buddha images. After spending some time at the temple, we will continue by road to Sukhothai, once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Siam.

Included:

Breakfast

Day Train Ayutthaya – Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok - Wat Yai Phitsanulok

Sukhothai Treasure – Superior or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

Day 7 - Sukhothai (Nov. 15th)

Set on a fertile plain, Sukhothai was established in the 13th century as one of the first capitals of Siam. Its name means “Dawn of Happiness,” and today it’s known for its World Heritage-listed Historic Park, which reflects the Golden Age of Thai civilisation.

You and your Sole Sisters will explore the ruins of Old Sukhothai, set among lakes and gardens, where classic Thai religious art and architecture can be seen across 21 historic sites, including striking Buddha images and lotus-filled ponds. We’ll hop on bicycles and spend a few leisurely hours exploring, then enjoy a relaxed picnic lunch.

After the tour, we’ll have some free time before heading to a local home for a Thai cooking class. You and your Sole Sisters will learn to make traditional dishes from the Sukhothai region—such as chilli pastes, curries, soups, fish cakes, and Thai custard—and share the meal you’ve prepared together.

Included:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Sukhothai - Historical Park bike tour

Sukhothai - Thai cooking class

Sukhothai - Bike Tour Lunch

Sukhothai Treasure – Superior or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

DAY 8 - Sukhothai – Hmong Hilltribe Lodge (Nov. 16th)

Travel by minivan north to the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge, set in the hills among a mountainside jungle.

Located in a quiet valley, the lodge offers a peaceful change of pace from the busier parts of the journey. The rooms are simple and rustic, in keeping with the natural surroundings, and the higher elevation means cooler temperatures—so bring a warm layer.

The Hmong are an ethnic minority in Thailand with roots in central China and are one of the country’s largest hilltribe groups.

This evening, you and your Sole Sisters will enjoy a barbecue dinner in the lodge’s open-air dining area, followed by a cultural performance offering insight into Hmong traditions, including a wedding ceremony reenactment, a shamanic ritual, and makong (cotton ball) throwing.

Included:

Breakfast, dinner

Traditional meal & cultural performance

Hmong Hilltribe Lodge – Hmong House or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

Day 9 - Hmong Hilltribe Lodge (Nov. 17th)

Free day to relax and explore.

Optional Activity – Hiking Program (Mon Cham)

Guests are transferred by local truck from the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge to the hiking starting point, then hike back to the lodge over approximately 3–4 hours. The route passes through a Hmong village, offering insight into local hilltribe life. A picnic lunch is served along the way before continuing the walk back to the lodge.

This program is available exclusively to guests staying overnight at the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge.

Included:

Breakfast

Hmong Hilltribe Lodge – Hmong House or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

Day 10 - Hmong Hilltribe Lodge – Chiang Mai (Nov. 18th)

Today you and your Sole Sisters will enjoy a walking tour through the Old Town, beginning at Wat Chedi Luang, once home to the Emerald Buddha and still one of the city’s most important Lanna-era temples.

We will continue to the Three Kings Monument, a symbolic site marking the founding of Chiang Mai and offering insight into its history, then walk on to Tha Phae Gate, the main eastern entrance to the Old City.

The orientation concludes at Kalm Village, a thoughtfully designed cultural complex showcasing Thai arts, crafts, architecture, and contemporary design.

The evening is free for you to explore—wander along the canal-side paths, visit a night market, enjoy a Thai massage or spa treatment.

Included:

Breakfast

Chiang Mai Orientation Walk

Wat Chedi Luang

Three Kings Monument

Tha Phae Gate

Kalm Village

Bella Nara Chiang Mai – Deluxe or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

Day 11 - Chiang Mai (Nov. 19th)

Enjoy a free day at leisure in Chiang Mai, with the option to start your morning with yoga in Nong Buak Haad Public Park, a relaxed green space within the Old City.

The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace—visit cafes and markets, or enjoy a traditional Thai massage or spa treatment.

Optional Activity

Half-Day Morning ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary (THB 1,900 per person, join-in, includes lunch).

Visit the ChangChill elephant reserve for an experience focused on ethical observation and conservation. Travel to the reserve and learn how the organisation supports the protection and well-being of free-roaming elephants.

Observe the elephants from a respectful distance as they graze and interact, while local guides share insights into their behaviour and the reserve’s sustainable practices. Enjoy refreshments near the mud pit, followed by lunch in a riverside sala alongside the elephants as they feed.

Included:

Breakfast
Farewell Dinner

Bella Nara Chiang Mai – Deluxe or similar.

Comfortable accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel, featuring private amenities and showcasing local character whenever possible.

Day 12 - Chiang Mai (Nov. 20th)

Goodbye!

Say a teary farewell to your Sole Sisters and start planning your next adventure together!

Included:

Breakfast

Testimonials

Some things I was worried about before going were absolute highlights, and I'm so glad I pushed myself. I'm asthmatic and have an arthritic knee, so I was worried, but I was okay. It was a fabulous group of women, and I honestly loved it. I've come home with fabulous memories.

Rambler Vietnam Adventure 2025

This trip was amazing! We did only gentle walks and no hikes, but lots of workshops with various non profits run by women supporting people with challenges. It was one of the best trips I’ve ever done. You will not regret it.

Rambler Vietnam Adventure 2025

It’s hard to capture everything we did on this trip, but it was a truly special experience. I travelled with inspiring women from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland, and had the honour of meeting local women who are creating community and sustainable change in Vietnam. Along the way, we also had a lot of fun (and cocktails!), ate fantastic food, and were expertly led by our very capable guide.

Rambler Vietnam Adventure 2025

The guide was amazing, and I was so happy with her service and attention to all our needs. Hoi An, the bike ride, and overall the whole experience were incredible. We experienced so much of the culture that I could not have seen if not on an organised trip. The hotels were of a very good standard.

Rambler Vietnam Adventure 2025

Everyone got along so well, and our amazing local tour leader, Tuyet, encouraged us to try new things (e.g. the motorbike tour!) and new foods. The tour was also very good value for money, as so much was included. I would highly recommend taking this trip.

Rambler Vietnam Adventure 2025

This was an amazing trip, packed with local adventures, fun activities that led to lifelong memories. We covered a lot of ground—by boats, planes, buses, trains, and motorbikes—very safely and comfortably. We saw how locals live, which we would not have if we had travelled on our own. It was incredible value for money. I met interesting, women whom I would happily travel with again. I’m thrilled that I took my first trip with Sole Sister Ramblers.

Rambler Vietnam Adventure 2025

Small Group

An immersive experience with an intimately sized group. Minimum of 9 and maximum 15 Ramblers (+ local guide & Sole Sister Ramblers host).

12 days & 11 nights

Includes 11 nights of hotel accommodation, along with 11 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners.

Transportation is provided by air-conditioned vehicle throughout, and the adventure includes many of the daily activities outlined in the itinerary.

Like-Minded Women

Travel with your Sole Sisters, a local guide, and an Sole Sister Rambler host!

Get to know each other and get ready for the trip in a dedicated WhatsApp group.

Locally Led

Benefit from a knowledgeable English-speaking local guide who will add a deeper layer to your discoveries.

The local guide will accompany you throughout the trip, showing you the hard-to-find spots and unique experiences.

Safety

Intrepid trips adhere to comprehensive health and safety policies and the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) Safe Travel protocols for tour operators.

Intrepid local guides undergo health and safety training and have access to 24/7 support in case of an emergency.

START & FINISH

This adventure begins in Bangkok and ends in Chiang Mai.

International flights and airport transfers are not included.

Everywhere is in Rambling distance with Sole Sisters.

Questions? > Join the Thailand WhatsApp Group

Frequently Asked Questions

Most women join our trips as solo travelers and typically do not know anyone else before booking.

The trips are intentionally designed this way, so everyone arrives open to meeting new people and forming new friendships along the way.

It’s very uncommon for large groups of friends to book together, especially given the small group size of 15 participants.

To help everyone connect before the journey begins, we also create a pre-trip WhatsApp group where travelers can introduce themselves, chat, coordinate travel plans, and start getting excited about the adventure together.

By the time the trip begins, many women already feel like they’re arriving to meet friends rather than strangers.

Sole Sister Ramblers and Intrepid Travel collaborate to take you beyond the usual sights and into the heart of a destination. Along the way, you’ll meet local people, experience the culture firsthand, and discover hidden gems you might otherwise miss.

You’ll still see the highlights, but the real magic happens off the beaten path — in backstreet cafés, neighborhood eateries, and everyday moments that don’t show up in a search engine.

Most importantly, you’ll share the journey with other like-minded women 45+, often arriving as solo travelers and leaving with friendships and travel companions that last a lifetime.

Food is at the heart of any journey through Thailand, and it’s widely considered some of the best in the world for good reason.

Every meal is a balance of flavours—fresh, bright, and layered—whether it’s a simple bowl of noodles from a street stall or a beautifully prepared curry in a local restaurant. You’ll find herbs like lemongrass and Thai basil, the heat of chillies, the tang of lime, and just the right touch of sweetness woven into dishes that feel both vibrant and deeply satisfying.

What makes it even more special is how accessible it is. Some of the most memorable meals happen at busy night markets or tucked-away local spots, where everything is made fresh and full of character.

On this adventure, you’ll have the chance to try a wide range of regional dishes, and even learn how to make a few yourself—giving you a deeper connection to the culture and a taste of Thailand.

November is one of the best times to visit Thailand, as it marks the start of the cooler, dry season, which runs from November to April.

While it’s the beginning of the high season, it’s generally less crowded than the peak months of December and January. You can expect mostly sunny days, lower humidity, and very comfortable conditions for exploring.

In the north (Chiang Mai), November brings cooler, pleasant weather with daytime temperatures typically in the low to mid-70s °F (around 22–25°C) and cooler mornings and evenings.

It’s ideal for walking, hiking, and spending time outdoors. In central Thailand (including Bangkok), it will be warmer, with daytime temperatures usually in the mid-80s to low 90s °F (around 29–33°C), along with a noticeable drop in humidity compared to earlier months.

You will be accompanied by a local Intrepid tour leader and an Sole Sister Ramblers host.

The role of the local Intrepid guide is to make your travels hassle-free and to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Intrepid guides don’t just show you a destination; they introduce you to the soul of a place.

They will provide information about the places you visit, suggest activities and sights, recommend excellent local dining options, and introduce you to their local friends.

You can expect them to possess a broad general knowledge of the locations visited, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.

The hotels are upgraded for this trip from basic to comfort which are mostly 4 star hotels.

Unless you purchase a single supplement you will be paired with another Rambler in a room with two twin beds.

All hotel rooms will have ensuite bathrooms.

When you book, Intrepid will take a deposit of $400 USD. The final balance is due 70 days before departure.

You will have access to your own Intrepid portal, which you can log in to and pay money through before the final balance is due.

Intrepid will send a payment link, but you can also call them if you prefer to speak to them.

Intrepid Travel is focused on balancing purpose with profit. In 2018, they formalized this commitment by becoming a certified B Corporation.

Certified B Corporations prioritize their employees, strive for a more inclusive supply chain, and elevate corporate social responsibility. This certification signifies their dedication to creating benefits for everyone.

Intrepid's official pledge is to utilize travel as a force for good in the world.

The following is not included in the price: international flights, required visas, services not mentioned in the itinerary, late check-out at hotels, meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary, drinks with included lunches and dinners, tips for leaders, guide and driver, expenditure of personal nature, personal insurance and optional activities.

Intrepid is committed to ensuring that all trips are safe for everyone involved, including travelers, local leaders, and the communities they visit.

Their health and safety policies align with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travel protocols for tour operators.

Each itinerary undergoes a thorough risk assessment and audit, and both leaders and suppliers complete extensive health and safety training.

Intrepid will share the specific cancellation terms when you book your trip, as these can vary slightly depending on the adventure.

In most cases, a $400 deposit is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due 70–90 days before departure.

If something comes up and you need to cancel before making your final payment, that $400 deposit can usually be applied toward another Intrepid adventure — so it doesn’t have to go to waste.

Once full payment has been made, trips are generally non-refundable.

To travel internationally, you will need a valid passport. Most countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months, so be sure to check its expiry date before your trip.

Intrepid will need your passport information to prepare for your journey, so the details on your booking must match your passport exactly. Please ensure that you provide accurate information.

We also recommend that you carry a copy of the photo page of your passport while traveling and leave an additional copy at home with family or friends.

You are responsible for checking and addressing visa requirements from your country of origin.

Questions?

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