Sawasdee and welcome to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital. Upon arrival at Bangkok International Airport (BKK), make your own way to Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, a waterside five-star resort perched along the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Spend the rest of your day freely exploring Bangkok’s markets and temples or choose to soak up the luxury of your hotel, reclining by the pool or booking a treatment at the onsite spa. This evening, join a BBQ buffet welcome dinner with your fellow travellers. Savour traditional Thai cuisine and enjoy free-flowing soft drinks as you unwind and get to know the rest of the group.
Five-star Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort stay
After breakfast, take a ride through the narrow canals of neighbouring villages on your way to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of Thailand’s largest and most famous floating markets, known for it’s local wares and produce.
Be welcomed into a local villager’s home and hear firsthand about the history of coconut palm tree plantations and the traditional method of creating organic palm sugar from coconut flowers – a harvesting process passed down for generations.
Climb back aboard your boat to finish the day with a scenic trip to your accommodation for the evening – The FloatHouse River Kwai Resort, situated over the jungle waters.
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market visit
Rise early for a visit to Erawan National Park. Cool off in the waters of the seven-level Erawan Falls, then enjoy lunch before your journey back to Kanchanaburi.
Take a moment of reflection as you visit Hellfire Pass and its memorial museum, honouring workers and prisoners of war who died constructing the Thai-Burma railway. Stop in at the Nam Tok railway station and ride along the historic tracks that run alongside the Khwae Noi River.
Return to your floating accommodation and spend your evening at leisure where the rivers Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai meet.
After breakfast, journey to ancient Ayutthaya – once the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam and formally one of the most powerful cities in Asia. Take a guided tour through the Buddhist temple of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, then continue to Wat Phanan Choeng temple with its sitting Buddha statue.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon exploring the 14th-century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat, famed for its stone Buddha head, engulfed by the thick roots of the Banyan tree.
This morning, visit Wat Tha Sung temple. Continue to a local pier in Uthai Thani and board a traditional rice barge for a cruise along the Sakae Krang River. Enjoy a traditional lunch as you glide along the waterway.
After your cruise, disembark for your onward journey to Sukhothai and check in at your hotel. Settle in for the evening with either a traditional Thai massage or foot massage.
Spend your morning exploring the ruins of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sukhothai Historical Park. Hop on a provided bike and peddle around the park’s gardens and lakes, then sit down to a home-cooked picnic lunch. If time permits, visit a local ceramicist for a glimpse of local artisan heritage.
The remainder of the day is spent at your leisure.
Take it slow this morning before driving to Chiang Mai. On the way, stop off at the city’s most popular site, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, renowned as one of Thailand’s most sacred temples.
Check in at your Chiang Mai hotel and spend the rest of your day as you please, wandering the busy streets or strolling the bridges outside the city walls. Later, re-join your group for dinner at a popular Chiang Mai eatery.
After breakfast, travel to a sustainable village in the San Kamphaeng district and discover the area’s textile history. Meet with a range of local artisans, who will show you the basics of bamboo and cotton weaving, pottery and natural tie-dying. You’ll even have a chance to create your own design under the guidance of experts.
Later, visit Wat Phan Tao, a Chiang Saen-style temple constructed of golden teakwood, dating back 600 years. Stop for lunch at an organic farm where fresh ingredients are grown onsite.
Return to your hotel for a cooking class run by local chefs, uncovering the secrets of Thai cooking. At the end of this culinary demonstration, feast on your fragrant dishes with your fellow travellers.
Rise and shine for an early visit to an ethical elephant sanctuary that cares for orphaned and rescued animals. Get up close and personal as you walk alongside these gentle giants and watch as they play in their natural habitat, learning about the organisation’s eco-tourism and strict no-riding policy.
This afternoon is yours to spend as you please.
Ethical elephant sanctuary visit
Once you’ve had breakfast, transfer onward to Chiang Rai. On the way, stop at Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, rebuilt to its former glory after falling into disrepair in the late 1990s. Continue to Wat Rong Suea Ten – the Blue Temple – before arriving in Chiang Rai to check in at your hotel for the evening.
Today, make your way to the famous Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet along the Mekong River. Aboard your cruise for the day, drift along the river on a guided tour and discover the history of the local opium poppy trade.
Later, visit to the Hall of Opium at the Golden Triangle Park. This afternoon is yours to relax before a farewell dinner at your hotel.
After one last breakfast, wave goodbye to Thailand as you make your own way to Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI).
