This tour is specially designed for travelers who want to visit Thailand during one of its best times (around New Year). It covers top destinations and offers enchanting activities — from the vibrant capital-city life of Bangkok, to jungle discoveries around Chiang Mai and relaxation on the top islands of Koh Samui.
You'll also experience a thrilling Thai-style New Year countdown festival, held for the first time on December 30th and 31st, 2025 in Chiang Mai. We believe this itinerary will offer you and your family a uniquely enjoyable Thailand holiday.
This route is recommended for departures between December 25th and December 28th, giving you enough time to spend New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai and attend the countdown festival.
*The price is based on a private tour for 2 people. The cost for a customized private SE Asia tour from US$200/person/day
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Sirin is the BEST!
My recent trip to Chiang Mai was nothing short of magical, and our tour guide played a huge part in making it so memorable. From the moment we met, Sirin welcomed us with warm hospitality and an infectious passion for sharing the beauty, history, and culture of northern Thailand. More
Jenny Tse, Oct 2024
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Excellent Trip Planning by Alisa Liu at Asia Highlights
Alisa did a wonderful job! She was very detail oriented, extremely responsive and answered my questions very promptly. She incorporated all of the places we wanted to visit and was able to book hotels, airline tickets and special event tickets (to the Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival which was sold out when I tried booking on my own.) Alisa was great to work with and I recommend that others use her for their trip planning. More
Effie, Sep 2024
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Excellent experience in Bangkok
Ying was our guide in Bangkok. She was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. She knew exactly how to move us through crowds quickly so that we could see all we wanted to say and made good recommendations for other things we were interested in. I would not hesitate to recommend Ying or anyone that helped us at Asia highlights More
Dr. Meshagae Hunte-Brown, Aug 2024
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Best of Thailand New Year Countdown Tour Map(Suggested Route)
Tour Highlights
Explore the brilliant Thai palaces and temples.
Travel like a local and experience different modes of transportation.
Meet the elephants in a jungle near Chiang Mai.
Discover Doi Inthanon National Park: light trekking, wildlife spotting, waterfalls, see hill tribes….
Experience a unique New Year's Eve at the Chiang Mai CAD Countdown Festival.
Go snorkeling at one of Koh Tao's many coral reefs.
Get lost on a secret beach in Koh Samui and soak up some rays!
Suggested Itinerary for Inspiration
Your preferences design the real journey. We're ready to create a wonderful Thailand holiday for you and your family.
- Welcome to Bangkok!
- Meet your private tour guide who will greet you with a warm "Sawadee-ka" ('hello' in Thai). Transfer in a private car to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
- Start your day by exploring historical Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's oldest temples.
- Hop on a tuk-tuk through vibrant Pak Khlong Talat flower market before arriving at the magnificent Grand Palace.
- Embark on a long-tail boat ride along the ancient canals of Thonburi. Stop at iconic Wat Arun, a truly photogenic temple.
- End your day with a visit to the bustling Chinatown for a glimpse into Old Bangkok's charm.
- Rise early to experience the lively local markets at their peak.
- Travel for about an hour southwest of Bangkok to visit Maeklong Railway Market, where vendors sometimes need to move their stalls to allow trains to pass right through!
- Continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the most famous market in Thailand. Enjoy photo opportunities, delicious food, and a glimpse into a traditional way of life.
- In the late afternoon, head to Bangkok Airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Arrive in Chiang Mai at night and transfer to your hotel for a relaxing night's sleep.
- Start your day by exploring Chiang Mai's vibrant morning market, where you'll witness locals going about their daily shopping routines.
- Head to Chiang Mai's iconic Doi Suthep Mountain and visit sacred Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most revered temple in northern Thailand.
- Take a rickshaw ride through the tranquil streets of Chiang Mai's old town to get a taste of local life and its charm.
- In the late afternoon, travel to the Chiang Mai CAD village for a premium seat experience at the Chiang Mai CAD New Year Countdown Festival.
- Immerse yourself in Lanna culture with a traditional Lanna cultural show. Savor the flavors of authentic Lanna Thai cuisine. Witness a spectacular international-class fireworks display featuring over 4,000 dazzling rockets illuminating the sky. Enjoy musical performances and marvel at the breathtaking sight of thousands of water lanterns floating on ponds, a beautiful tradition to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
- Enjoy a relaxing morning at your own pace.
- In the afternoon, your elephant experience begins with a scenic one-hour drive to the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary.
- Upon arrival, change into traditional clothing and learn about the fascinating elephants from the sanctuary staff.
- Prepare their food and participate in feeding the elephants. Next, take a walk with the elephants to the river for a refreshing bath, where you can even join in!
- Enjoy playful interactions with the elephants and capture unforgettable photos with your newfound friends.
- Afterward, relax and enjoy some tea, coffee, and seasonal fruits.
- Bid farewell to the elephants and return to Chiang Mai with lasting memories.
- Escape the heat and chaos of Chiang Mai with a 1½-hour drive to the refreshing climate of Doi Inthanon National Park.
- Sitting at a majestic height of 2,565 meters (8,415 feet) above sea level, Doi Inthanon National Park is often referred to as "the Roof of Thailand". It is highly renowned for its numerous waterfalls, scenic hiking trails, remote villages, and picturesque mountain farms.
- During your day tour, you'll have the chance to visit the summit of the mountain, where you may encounter rare bird species. Enjoy a leisurely nature walk along the Ang Ka Trail, visit a hill tribe village (specifically the Red Hmong tribe), explore a small Hmong market, admire the scenic beauty of Wachirathan Waterfall, and appreciate the magnificent King and Queen Pagodas.
- Enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace before your afternoon flight to Koh Samui.
- Renowned as one of the world's finest beach destinations, Koh Samui offers a remarkable balance of natural beauty, traditional lifestyles, and a tempting selection of upscale hotels and resorts.
- Check into your hotel/resort and unwind at your leisure.
- Koh Tao island is a renowned diving and snorkeling paradise in the Gulf of Thailand, teeming with diverse coral species and vibrant marine life.
- Start your day with a minivan transfer to the pier for a thrilling speedboat ride to Koh Nang Yuan.
- Upon arrival, conquer one of the small, jungle-clad hills for a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding islands.
- Savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant on neighboring Koh Tao.
- Head to a stunning snorkeling site near Koh Tao. Dive into a kaleidoscope of marine life amidst colorful soft and hard corals, and experience the beauty of one of the world's top underwater destinations.
- After the tour, cruise back to Koh Samui and transfer back to your hotel.
Spend the day soaking up the sun on Koh Samui's pristine white-sand beaches.
- Catch your flight back home.
- Thank you for choosing Asia Highlights! We hope to see you again soon!
Ideas for Making This Trip Uniquely Yours
Special experiences can be added to brighten a honeymoon trip, a family vacation, a birthday, or satisfy personal interests.
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Manohra Luxury Dinner Cruise in Bangkok
For couples |
Cooking Class in Chiang Mai
For foodies |
Journey back in time at the Ayutthaya Historical Park
For adventurers |
Hand-Picked Hotels
We select hotels with style and local features. Let us know your preferences and we'll find your ideal hotel.
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Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok
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Lanna Smile Hotel Chiang Mai(4-star)
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Peace Resort Koh Samui
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Tour Price:
US$3,399 p/p(with 5-star hotel options)
- The price is based on a private tour for 2 people during the low season.
- The price varies based on program, travel date, number of people.
- We could also price a tour including both 4-star and 5-star hotels for you.
- The price for a child younger than 8 is approximately 80% of the adult's price.
- We accept payments in multiple currencies (GBP, AUD, CAD, EUR...).
Price Includes:
- Privately-driven air-conditioned vehicle with ample space (except where stated)
- English-speaking local guide for the sightseeing
- Attraction tickets and itinerary activities
- Accommodation for all nights
- Flights/trains between itinerary cities
- Hotel breakfasts and itinerary lunches/dinners
- 24/7 helpline while touring
- Governmental taxes
Price Excludes:
- International flights not mentioned in the itinerary
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Overweight luggage more than 20 kg per person
- Visa fee, if applicable
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
Tour code: ah-25
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At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.
