Families with older kids seeking to combine a trip to Thailand's capital with some serious wildlife adventure will love this week-long itinerary. Base yourselves in Bangkok to see the stunning Wat Pho temple and experience the thrill of the Mae Klong Railway Market, then spend a night in Khao Yai National Park to encounter wild elephants and bathe in the Haew Suwat waterfall. End this exhilarating trip on a high note as you return to Bangkok for a fun-filled day at the Dreamworld amusement park.

Highlights

  • Tour the Grand Palace and Wat Pho temple
  • Cruise along Bangkok's famous floating market
  • Meet monkeys as you hike through a lush rainforest
  • Enjoy a mesmerizing evening safari at Khao Yai

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in Bangkok Bangkok
Day 2 Explore Bangkok, Grand Palace & Wat Pho Temple Tour Bangkok
Day 3 Mae Klong Railway Market Visit & Floating Market Boat Ride Bangkok
Day 4 Transfer to Khao Yai National Park, Guided Trek & Safari Khao Yai
Day 5 Khao Yai Trek & Waterfall Adventure, Transfer to Bangkok Bangkok
Day 6 Visit Dreamworld Amusement Park Bangkok
Day 7 Depart Bangkok  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok

Sample Bangkok's delicious street food
Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand! Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand's capital, known for its sacred Buddhist sights, vibrant energy, and delicious street food. Upon arrival, you'll be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and relax after your flight before heading out to explore. If you're feeling peckish, stroll along Khao San Road, one of the best places in the city to sample street food. Families with teenagers should make a beeline for the King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper for an Insta-worthy selfie atop the glass floor, 1,030 feet (314 m) above the ground.

Day 2:  Explore Bangkok, Grand Palace & Wat Pho Temple Tour

Don't miss a visit to the extraordinary Wat Pho Temple
Admire ancient Buddhas in Bangkok's Wat Pho temple

Kick off your Thailand adventure with a tasty breakfast and get ready to explore one of Bangkok's must-see landmarks, the Grand Palace. Your expert guide will show you around the immense complex of ornate buildings, halls, and gardens as you and the kids hear fascinating tales of the country's culture and history. See if the youngsters can spot the famous Emerald Buddha, a revered 26-inch (66 cm) high statue carved from a single piece of jade that, according to legend, was created in 43 BCE by a sage named Nagasena, with the help of the deities, Vishnu and Indra.

Afterward, wander through the Old City to Wat Pho temple, home to the 150-foot (46 m) long Reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf. Set among the colorful architecture and decorations in the temple, considered among the earliest public education centers in Thailand, it's an awe-inspiring sight for kids and adults alike. Spend the rest of the day exploring Bangkok at your own pace. Hit the shops at Siam Paragon, stroll through Chinatown, and let the kids choose dinner from the wide variety of street food stalls, or grab a drink and people-watching this buzzy, vibrant city.

Day 3: Mae Klong Railway Market Visit & Floating Market Boat Ride

Maeklong Railway Market
Experience the frenetic marvel of the Mae Klong Railway Market 
Plan your trip to Thailand
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.

After breakfast, get ready to experience Thailand's famous markets. Relax as you take a 1.5-hour private transfer to the famous Mae Klong Railway Market. Browse the colorful stalls, and pick up some tasty street eats to munch as you and the kids weave through the narrow lines and stalls on the railway track. Older kids will love the thrill of watching the lightning speed at which the vendors pack up their wares and get off the tracks as the train approaches. Enjoy the thrum of excitement as you spectate from the trackside cafés as the train passes.

Now you've persuaded the kids that markets in Thailand are anything but boring, make your way to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market the traditional way, by long-tail boat. Cruise the slender canals, and negotiate boat to boat as you peruse the vendors' floating stalls piled high with goods ranging from clothes to kitchenware, exotic fruits, street food, and snacks. Be sure to snap plenty of pics as you and your family participate in a centuries-old Thai tradition before your guide returns you to your hotel in the late afternoon. 

Day 4:  Transfer to Khao Yai National Park, Guided Trek & Safari

Elephants
 A wild elephant family in the Khao Yai National Park

Rise early and let the kids snooze in the car as you take a private transfer three hours northeast of Bangkok to the Khao Yai National Park. Set in 1,242 square miles (2,000 sq km) of lush rainforest with over 31 miles (50 km) of hiking and biking trails and plenty of wildlife, today's excursion is perfect for active older kids who love animals and adventure. Meet your guide and trek the Gibbon Route as you look across the grassland and spot the mighty wild elephants roaming in their natural habitat. 

Hear from your guide about the animals' behaviors and the park's conservation work as you hike through the rainforest. Keep your camera close at hand to capture the kids' excited faces as you encounter cheeky macaque monkeys, endangered white-handed gibbons, deer, and occasionally a bear or two. You'll pass the immense 492-foot (150 m) tall Haew Narok waterfall before stopping for a well-earned bite to eat. As dusk falls, you'll also have the opportunity to explore the park and see the nocturnal animals by 4WD before retiring to your nearby accommodation. 

Day 5: Khao Yai Trek & Waterfall Adventure, Transfer to Bangkok

Khao Yai National Park
Bathe in the beautiful waters of the Haew Suwat waterfall
If you didn't fit in all of the Khao Yai National Park's highlights yesterday, don't worry! Today is yours to continue exploring the beautiful rainforest, and no doubt the kids will be delighted to see their newfound animal friends again. With your guide, immerse yourselves in nature and wildlife as you take one of the trails that lead to the scenic Haew Suwat waterfall. Make sure you bring your swimsuits so you and the kids can take a refreshing dip in the sparkling clear waters. When you've finished exploring, return to your hotel in Bangkok by private transfer. 

Day 6: Visit Dreamworld Amusement Park

Dreamworld amusement park
Experience the thrill of the fair at Dreamworld

Unleash your inner child this morning as, after breakfast, you and the kids head to Dreamworld amusement park in the Thanyaburi district of northern Bangkok. Featuring over 40 attractions with levels set from sedate to hair-raising, the park is perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages. Earn major brownie points as you zip along thrilling rollercoasters, including the adrenaline-pumping Hurricane, Sky Coaster, and Space Mountain.

Little ones and those in search of cooler temperatures will love the novelty of Snow Town, where you and the kids can build snowmen and slide down icy slopes in a winter wonderland setting. Those in search of aquatic fun should head to Super Splash, while the vibrant afternoon parade and stunt shows are a highlight for kids of all ages. Spend your final night in Bangkok and dine out in style as you recount the highlights of your trip. 

Day 7: Depart Bangkok

Depart Bangkok
Until the next time, Bangkok!

Sadly, it's your family's last day in Thailand. After breakfast, transfer to the airport and catch your flight home. Safe travels!

More Great Thailand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Thailand? Check out these other Thailand itineraries, explore different ways to spend a week in Thailand with your family, or learn about the best time to visit Thailand.

Map

Map of Thailand Family Adventure in Bangkok & Kao Yai – 7 Days
Map of Thailand Family Adventure in Bangkok & Kao Yai – 7 Days
Kelly
Written by Kelly Lu, updated Mar 30, 2023