Northern Thailand Gay Tour - Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, River Kwai

Northern Thailand Gay Luxury Tour

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, River Kwai

10 Days from/to Bangkok, Thailand

November 18 – 27, 2016
December 23, 2016 – January 01, 2017
February 10 – 19, 2017
November 17 – 26, 2017

Thailand tours & holidays at Travelsphere

Sukohthai, Thailand Gay Tour Wander among the temples and palaces of Bangkok • Taste the many regions of Thai food on a Bangkok food tour • Join a cooking school in Chiang Mai • Discover Thailand's golden age in Sukhothai • Learn to care for, and ride an Elephant • Relax on the bank of the beautiful River Kwai in your luxurious hotel. Hop on our gay tour of Thailand and discover the exquisite Land of Smiles in style! Thailand conjures up images of spicy delicacies, majestic elephants, golden Buddhas, vibrant nightlife and exotic hideaways - and we experience it all on this trip for gay men, their friends and family (women are welcome!).

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Discover the exquisite Land of Smiles in style. Thailand conjures up images of spicy delicacies, majestic elephants, golden Buddhas, colourful hilltribe villages, fantastic shopping and exotic hideaways - and we experience it all on this trip. Witness traditional hilltribe life in a H'mong village, support the rehabilitation of the endangered Asian elephant, step back in time in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai and try your hand at whipping up some gastronomic delights - this is your chance to capture the adventure and essence of timeless Thailand. This trip also features fantastic 4 star properties.

Support the rehabilitation of the endangered Asian elephant, step back in time in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai and try your hand at whipping up some gastronomic delights. Need a beach vacation? We're happy to add a beach extension to the beginning or end of your adventure. It is recommended to combine this trip with our Cambodia Luxury Gay Tour & Myanmar Gay Tour.

Gay Tour to Cambodia

• Group leader from beginning to end of tour
• 9 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners
• Private sedan arrival transfer to joining point hotel
• Grand Palace & Wat Pho tour (Bangkok)
• Khlong (canal) tour (Bangkok)
• Local food tour (Bangkok)
• Doi Suthep Monastery (Chiang Mai)
• Thai cooking class & dinner (Chiang Mai)
• Temple Tour by red Songthaew (Chiang Mai)
• Sightseeing in Sukhothai Historic Park (Sukhothai)
• Elephant experience & ride (Sukhothai)
• Sri Satchanalai Historical Park
• Sightseeing including the Allied War Cemetery, the Jeath War Museum and the Bridge over the River Kwai (Kanchanaburi)
• Train journey on Death Railway (Kanchanaburi)
• Hellfire Pass (Kanchanaburi)
• Memorial Museum (Kanchanaburi)
• Erawan Waterfall visit
• Travel insurance package covering medical, trip interruption & baggage loss.

• International Airfare
• Departure Transfer
• Meals and activities not outlined in itinerary

All optional activities are entirely your choice and are not included in price of this trip. The following is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.

• Thai massage, various locations - from USD $9
• Day spas, various locations - USD $30-80
• Bicycle tour, Chiang Mai - USD $20
• Kayaking, Kanchanaburi - USD $10-35

Northern Thailand Gay Tour accommodation

4 Star Boutique Hotels (9 nights)

We have carefully chosen these gay-welcoming properties with you in mind. They have the right balance of comfort and luxury while still being locally owned.

Joining/Finishing Point Hotel
Sofitel So Bangkok

Sofitel So Bangkok is the city's first truly urban hotel, bringing together elegant French luxury and warm Thai hospitality. This design hotel was styled by Monsieur Christian Lacroix, and the result is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between an award-winning architect and five of Thailand's leading designers. The hotel features two restaurants, a fantastic pool, free mini-bar and wifi and a monthly LGBT party at their famous rooftop bar!

This stylish urban oasis boasts stunning interior design inspired by the 5 natural elements of Water, Earth, Wood, Metal and Fire. Rising 30 stories above the city, Sofitel So Bangkok has rooms equipped with Apple Mac minis and suites with iPads.

Elegant and modern, the themed rooms feature full-length windows with views or the city or Lumpini Park. All come with free Wi-Fi, a 40-inch flat-screen TV and a free minibar. Bathrooms have a bathtub and separate rainshower.

An arrival transfer is included on day 1 of this trip. Transfers cannot be arranged on arrival. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure. If you plan to arrive earlier, this arrival transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre-tour accommodation booked through us. You are provided with one complimentary arrival transfer per booking even if clients are arriving at different times.

Physical Rating
This trip is a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about being able to do anything physically demanding unless you want to. We do however, highly recommend that you let loose for our jungle flight zip-line adventure!

Culture Shock
The trip includes 4 & 5-star boutique accommodations. Days of being on the move are well interspersed, communication with the outside world is ever-present and a wide variety of food is commonly available.

Group Size
Maximum of 16 travellers per group. Departure is guaranteed, subject to 4 people travelling.

Budget
Allow USD $500 for meals not included.

Thailand Gay Tour - Bangkok

Days 1 and 2 - Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok Gay Tour Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand.

Bursting with life and colour, Bangkok is a modern city with an ancient heart. Visit the Emerald Buddha, housed beneath the gleaming spires of the Grand Palace. Take a boat trip through the khlongs to witness the remarkable contrast between city and canal-side life. Enjoy the many culinary delights on a food tour and the gay nightlife of Bangkok with your gay local guide who will join you throughout your adventure.

You are met on arrival at Bangkok Airport and transferred to your centrally located 4 star hotel. Please note that an arrival airport transfer is included, so please advise us of your flight details at least 14 days prior to departure. You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information.

Gay Bangkok Tour If this is your first visit to Thailand and you want some more time to explore Bangkok, we highly recommend booking a couple of nights' additional accommodation prior to your trip.

In the evening on day 1 we hae a private food tour where we'll learn about the many regions of Thailand, through their fabulous food! Following this exceptional excursion we'll explore the local gay nightlife in the Silom area.

In the morning of day 02, we visit the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha which is home to the famous but rather small Emerald Buddha, the most important Buddha Image in Thailand. The entire complex is an incredible showcase for Thai Buddhist temples and a proud attraction for the city, being more than 200 years old. After the grand palace we walk to Wat Pho where we see the stunning reclining Buddha. This temple is also known as a birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

We have lunch near Wat Pho before we taking a boat trip along the canals (khlongs) where we can enjoy the natural scenery and observe the daily lives of the people who live along the canals. On our return to the pier we pass the boathouse where the Royal Barges are housed. Return to the hotel by the BTS Sky Train. The rest of this day is free for you to do your own thing, be it a swim in the hotel pool, some shopping, unwinding with a traditional Thai massage or enjoy shopping at Silom.

Accommodation
Sofitel So Bangkok - 4 star Hotel (2 nts)

Thailand Gay Tour - Chiang Mai

Days 3, 4, and 5 - Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai night market Enjoy a relaxed temple tour by local songthaew. Learn to whip up local delicacies at a Thai cooking class and afterwards taste the mouth-watering fruits of this epicurean labour. Climb up to Doi Suthep, famous for its wonderful copper-plated chedi and sweeping views out over the countryside. Learn about the Asian Elephant, and go for a short ride.

This morning we transfer to Bangkok Don Muang Airport for our flight to Chiang Mai. We are transfered to a fantastic boutique resort located on the old moat of Chiang Mai where we are surrounded by many impressive temples. The resort is also walking distance to the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.

This afternnon we discover some of the secrets of Thai cuisine by joining a cookery course in a beautiful setting surrounded by rice fields. We will learn about the main ingredients used in Thai cuisine, how they are used and stored and what alternatives you can substitute if you can't get them at home. Questions are welcome and you are provided with a comprehensive book of recipes and ingredient details. For lunch, sit down and feast on the delicious results. The day is rounded off as we feast on our creations.

Thailand gay tour - Chiang Mai On day 4 we visit the best temples in the area by local Songthaew car. The trip leads us back in time to the ancient period of Lanna Kingdom. The history of Chiang Mai dates back more than 700 years with unique architecture and a way different form of buddhism being practiced at every temple we visit.

In the evening, we visit Doi Suthep, one of northern Thailand's most sacred temples, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide. Pass the naga (dragon) that guards the staircase of 300 steps which leads to the temple at the top of the mountain. Once you're up there, soak up the wonderful views of the countryside. Following an included dinner at a small local restaurant we'll head to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar where you can shop amidst the various stalls for souvenirs.

On our last day in Chiang Mai, we are in for an adventure! From Chiang Mai we head to the countryside where we'll learn how to care for the magnificent Asian Elephant. Only after learning about the health of the elephant, we go for a short elephant ride through the forest.

Thailand Gay Tour - Sukhothai

Day 6 - Sukhothai
Thailand gay tour - Sukhothai Nicknamed the Dawn of Happiness, Sukhothai still recalls Siam's golden age with its superb statues, marvellous monuments and lotus flowers in full bloom. Be bowled over by baby elephants at the Elephant Conservation Centre and take a ride on a full-grown adult.

In the morning of day 6 we visit the sacred temple Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang, said to enshrine an ancient relic of Buddha.

Next, we drive for approximately 2.5 hours to one of Thailand's World Heritage sites, the Sukhothai Historical Park. The city of Sukhothai (literally 'Dawn of Happiness') was the original capital of Thailand's first kingdom and is believed by many to represent 'the Golden Age' of Thai civilisation. The religious art and architecture of the Sukhothai era are considered to be the most classic of Thai styles and these ruins contain the remains of 21 historical sites with awe-inspiring Buddha images and 4 large ponds often filled with stunning lotus flowers in full bloom.

Thailand Gay Tour - Kanchanaburi

Days 7, and 8 - Kanchanaburi / River Kwai
Thailand gay tour - Death Railway Enjoy a leisurely bike ride through Sukhothai before our trip to Kanchanaburi. Visit the impressive and cascading Erawan Waterfall then visit Hellfire Pass Memorial for a short visit before taking the train to River Kwai on the famous Death Railway and tonight, relax at your riverside luxury hotel.

We set off mid-morning on day 7 to Kanchanaburi (approx. 6 hours).

Accompanied by our local guide, we set off early on the morning of day 8 to visit Erawan waterfalls for some relaxation, and swimming for those interested. Make sure to wear your swimsuit, and bring a towel!

For here we drive to Hellfire Pass Memorial, built to honour the Allied POWs and Asian conscripts who died while constructing some of the most difficult stretches of the Thai-Burma Death Railway. Boarding at Nam Tok Station, the main terminal of the Death Railway, we take a ride along the historic tracks passing through magnificent scenery along the Kwai Noi River and travel over the original wooden viaduct (the Bridge on the River Kwai) constructed by the allied POWs. We'll also visit the Jeath Museum and the Allied War Cemetery.

Bangkok Gay Tour

Days 9, and 10 - Bangkok
Baiyoke Sky Tower, Bangkok Returning to Bangkok, there is ample time to visit any number of sights before our included farewell dinner at a fantastic restaurant popular with gay locals and tourists alike.

Day 9 sees us take the short 3 hour drive back to Bangkok, the City of Angels, and the many attractions of this chaotic city. There is ample time here for you to visit the many sights, such as Jim Thompson's house, complete with antiques and a wonderful silk gift shop. The Baiyoke Sky Tower and its external observation deck on the 78th floor offers spectacular views of Bangkok and its surrounds. Pick up all manner of electronics at Bangkok's premier IT superstore, Pantip Plaza.

This evening we enjoy our last dinner as a group (included) at a popular gay-welcoming restaurant near our hotel.

There are no activities planned for day 10 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

Exclusively Gay Bangkok Tour

Trip Style - In Style
Dive into the real world with a plush landing! You'll enjoy this trip style if you want to experience a culture first-hand, but don't want to compromise on quality accommodation. In Style trips feature 4 star locally owned properties across the board.

Culture Shock Rating: 2
The trip includes 4 star hotel. Days of being on the move are well interspersed, communication with the outside world is ever-present and a wide variety of food is commonly available.

Physical Rating: 1
This trips is a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about being able to do anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Gay Rating: 4
This trip travels to a relatively liberal, accepting area. We encourage you to experience the destination and culture with the following in mind:
Accommodation - We do not foresee any areas of concern on this trip.
Public Display of Affection - These are not frowned upon, however we ask that you respect the local customs in the areas which you visit. Your group leader can provide further information on this matter.
Gay Activities - This trip will likely include a gay hosted event, meal or day tour. These are often small, locally owned businesses or not for profit projects that benefit the local community.

Bangkok, Thailand gay tour

Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities and tipping.

Tipping - Thailand
If you are happy with the services provided, a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many OUT Adventures destinations.

The following amounts are based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers:
Restaurants: Local markets and basic restaurants - round your bill up to the nearest THB 20. More up-scale restaurants we suggest 10% to 12% of your bill.
Local Guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your leader. We suggest TBH 100 per day for local guides.
Porters: Throughout your trip you may at times have a porter in addition to your leader. We suggest THB 80 per day for porters.
Drivers: You may have a range of drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group however a base of THB 50 per day is generally appropriate.
Local Transport: For a city tour we suggest THB 50 per day.
Your Group Leader: ou may also consider tipping your leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline USD $5-10 per person, per day can be used (THB 150-300). Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

Sukhothai, Thailand gay travel

Group Size
Maximum of 16 travellers per group.

Accommodation
4 & 5-star hotels (9 nts)

Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi share basis. Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we are arriving prior to normal check in time. However this is not always possible which means we will not be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

If you have purchased pre or post trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

Meals
Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though.

Included Meals:
9 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners

Allow USD $500 for meals not included. Budget further for alcohol.

Please note that breakfasts are often simple (eggs, bread, jam and coffee/tea would be most common). Compulsory Christmas and New Years' Eve Dinners may apply during holiday trips.

Transport
Minibus, boat, saamlaw, elephant, walking.

Chiang Mai, Thailand gay tour

Your OUT Adventures Group Leader All OUT Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our gay or gay friendly group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavor to provide the services of an experienced leader, however due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders.

Your leader will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. OUT leaders aim to support local guides who have specialized knowledge of the regions we visit - and who better to hear it from than the locals themselves? If you were interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Thailand gay tour - Erawan Falls, Kanchanaburi

Joining Point Instruction:
An arrival transfer is included on day 1 of this trip. Transfers cannot be arranged on arrival. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure. If you plan to arrive earlier, this arrival transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre-tour accommodation booked through us. You are provided with one complimentary arrival transfer per booking even if clients are arriving at different times. On your arrival, after taking all your luggage and walking through the custom counter, go outside and please look for the INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS DOOR B or DOOR C and look for a sign with OUT Adventures or your name. Our staff will meet you there and take you to the car/van that will transfer you to the hotel - Sofitel So Bangkok.

If you have not arranged this transfer, metered taxi ranks are located outside the airport entrance on the ground floor. Go out of the customs hall and walk outside the airport where there is a table with a sign saying "metered taxis". The cost is the metered fare plus a THB 50 surcharge. If the taxi uses the toll way it is up to an extra THB 70. The total fare should be about USD $12 (THB 400). Non-metered taxis are also available, where you will be given a docket to pay the driver a set price of USD $20 (THB 700).

Normal check in time at the hotel is after 2:00pm.

Arrival Compications:
No refund is available on missed transfers or portions of your trip owing to a different flight arrival or delayed flight arrival. Any additional cost incurred in order to meet up with your group is at your own expense.

Emergency Funds:
Please also make sure you have access to an additional USD $400, to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster, civil unrest) necessitate a change to our planned route.

Visas
Please note that visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. Please refer to your OUT Adventures Invoice/Receipt for further information.

Thailand All-Gay Tour - Kanchanaburi railway

Your Fellow Travellers
On an OUT trip you will be travelling with other gay or gay-friendly passengers. We encourage open minded friends and family to join our trips. As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.

Please note that due to privacy reasons we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travelers booked on your trip prior to departure.

Single Travellers
Our group trips are designed for shared accommodation although a single supplement is often available for an additional charge. For no additional cost, single travellers share with people of the same sex for the duration of the trip.

A couple of Rules
At OUT Adventures, we believe in having fun and exploring new and developing cultures while being responsible travellers. On our trips, generally there are only two rules: No drugs and no prostitution. These two activities will result in putting oneself and the group at risk, and will result in removal from the trip by our group leader.

Thailand Gay Tour - Kanchanaburi tigers