Sawasdee and welcome to Bangkok, Thailand’s vibrant capital. Meet your tour representative at Bangkok International Airport (BKK) and transfer to the decadent Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort for a luxurious introduction to beautiful Thailand.
Spend the rest of your day exploring Bangkok’s bustling markets and intricate temples or choose to recline by the pool at your hotel. This evening, join a fragrant BBQ buffet welcome dinner and toast to adventure with your fellow travellers. Indulge in traditional Thai cuisine and enjoy free-flowing soft drinks as you unwind and get to know the rest of the group.
Gather your energy with a filling breakfast then set out for a day of nautical adventure. Take a peaceful ride through the narrow canals of neighbouring villages on your way to the colourful Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you'll witness a historic and lively exchange of local wares and produce. Then, be welcomed into a local villager’s home. 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, a breathtaking stay over the jungle waters of this storied stream.
Rise nice and early for a visit to one of Thailand’s most beautiful parks – Erawan National Park. Cool off in the glittering turquoise waters of the seven-level Erawan Falls, relax in the bamboo-fringed pools then savour a refreshing lunch amid your spectacular surrounds. On 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 picturesque Khwae Noi River.
Return to your peaceful floating accommodation and spend your evening at leisure admiring the lush shores at the confluence of rivers Khwae Noi and Khwae Yai.
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 and admire the gold-embellished statues, then continue to the city’s crowning glory – the grand Wat Phanan Choeng temple with its spectacular sitting Buddha statue.
After lunch, enjoy an afternoon exploring 14th-century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat, famed for its stone Buddha head, engulfed by the thick roots of the Banyan tree.
This morning, stand in awe of the shining pillars and mirrored tiles of Wat Tha Sung – an utterly unique temple of glittering glass. 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, taking in the natural beauty and active wildlife along the banks.
After your cruise, disembark for your onward journey to Sukhothai and check into your serene hotel. Settle in for a rejuvenating evening by enjoying either a traditional Thai massage or relaxing foot massage.
Spend your morning exploring the historic ruins of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sukhothai Historical Park. Hop on a provided bike and peddle around the park’s verdant gardens and jaw-dopping lakes while absorbing the area’s rich history laid bare by the visible passage of time. Relish a delicious home-cooked picnic lunch, and if time permits, visit a local ceramicist for a glimpse of local artisan heritage. The remainder of the day is spent at your leisure, further unearthing this thrilling city at your own pace.
Take it slow this morning and make the most of your idyllic surrounds before driving to energetic Chiang Mai – home to temples, mountains and markets aplenty. 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 and a superb example of northern Thai architectural design.
Check in at your Chiang Mai hotel and spend the rest of your day wandering the busy streets in search of simmering khao soi or stroll the picturesque bridges outside the city walls. Later, re-join your group for a local dinner at one of Chiang Mai’s best eateries.
After another hearty breakfast to start the day, travel to a sustainable village in the San Kamphaeng district and discover why this area is so beloeved for its charming architecture and layered history of textiles. 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 and dating back 600 years. Stop for a well-earned lunch at an organic farm where fresh, local ingredients are grown onsite to create delicious Thai fare.
Return to your comfortable hotel for an exciting cooking class run by local chefs, uncovering the secrets of Thai cooking from experienced hands. At the end of this fascinating culinary demonstration, feast on your fragrant dishes with your fellow travellers.
Rise and shine for an early visit to an ethical elephant sanctuary that lovingly cares for orphaned and rescued animals. Get up close and personal with these gentle giants and and learn about the organisation’s responsible approach to utilising eco-tourism to benefit the existence of Asian elephants. With a strict no-riding policy in place, take a walk alongside these magnificent creatures and look on as they play in their natural habitat.
After an enlightening morning, the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Relax in comfort at your central hotel or set out to explore the city of Chiang Mai further. Perhaps pay a visit to local chocolate maker Siamaya for a taste of their creations, using Thailand’s famously fruity cacao, or stop in at a spa for a rejuvenating massage.
This morning, savour the sights and sounds of Chiang Mai over breakfast, then transfer to charming Chiang Rai. On the way, take a moment to stop at Wat Rong Khun – also known as the White Temple – and admire the site, rebuilt to its former glory after falling into disrepair in the late 1990s. Continue to Wat Rong Suea Ten – the Blue Temple – a masterpiece of cobalt colouring and elaborate carvings.
Later, arrive in Chiang Rai and check in to your opulent hotel for an evening at leisure.
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, deepen your understanding with a visit to the Hall of Opium at the Golden Triangle Park, where you’ll uncover its history and impact on the nearby community. This afternoon is yours to relax and reflect before a sumptuous farewell dinner is served at the hotel’s stunning restaurant.
After one last breakfast, wave goodbye to the beautiful villages and welcoming people of Thailand. Transfer to Chiang Rai International Airport (CEI), where your adventure concludes.
