Thailand in Depth

ITINERARY

• DAY 1

  Bangkok

  Welcome to Bangkok - the quintessential eastern metropolis and Southeast Asia’s most vibrant capital city. Known in Thai as the city of angels, Bangkok is a city of mind-boggling history and spirituality, where you can expect ancient Thai temples that rise magnificently from the riverbanks, colorful palaces that glisten spectacularly in the sunlight, and a snaking river that audaciously wind its way through the heart of the city. Fabulous shopping awaits you, whether you’re after high-quality artisanal handicrafts or excellent bargains in Asia’s most stylish shopping centers. If you’re a food lover, you will delight in the exceptionally delicious meals that can be enjoyed at every corner of the city.
  
  You will be warmly welcomed at the airport by our guide who will take care of the transfer to your hotel.

  What's included?

  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2

  Bangkok

  Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel
  
  In the morning, you will visit Wat Pho and witness the monk chanting ritual before exploring this magnificent temple, home to the outstanding reclining Buddha and the country’s oldest massage school. After that, wind your way in a tuk-tuk via Pak Khlong Talad Flower Market toward the Grand Palace. Here, you will be seduced by the fascinating Wat Phra Kaew, home to the jade Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred religious site, and the fabulous Royal Palace.
  
  You will continue your visit to a lively and vibrant district of Bangkok – Chinatown which is known as a haven for foodies and photographers. This bustling urban center is filled with a dense concentration of gold shops, the flowing streams of vehicles passing by and the thousands of local shops selling every kind of item and food you can imagine. Then, you will go to Wat Traimit which is also referred to as the Temple of The Golden Buddha. Wat Traimit is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in Bangkok thanks to its unique beauty, its history and its monolith golden Buddha statue.
  
  Recommended Tour: Participate in a "Home-hosted Dinner With a Descendant of the Royal Family"
  
  This evening you will enter the threshold of a welcoming home, hidden in the center of bustling Bangkok, where your host will welcome you for a delicious homemade dinner. He is a descendant of the Chakri Dynasty and has a plethora of stories about the peaceful house and about pieces of Thai history that were written there. Simply sit back and enjoy this moment of sharing as you spend time with a unique personality and learn all about the essence of Thainess during this unforgettable encounter.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 3

  Bangkok - Green Escape along the canal and encounter with local

  Today, we leave bustling Bangkok for the neighboring province of Nonthaburi. You’ll meet your host and her family who open their house for a peaceful day in the countryside. You can discover their organic garden, picking vegetables and spices to cook with your family before a delicious traditional meal.
  
  After lunch, you’ll learn the art of water hyacinth weaving during a workshop. During the day, you’ll share the life of the community, focusing on sustainability and the development of micro-agriculture along a peaceful canal not far from the busy urban life of Bangkok. You’ll then return to your hotel, arriving at the end of the afternoon

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 4

  Kanchanaburi & Sai Yok - Khlong Maha Sawat and Don Wai Market – Local Farmers’ Life

  Escape the frantic Bangkok center and delve into the farmers’ life in a peaceful village along Khlong Maha Sawat. You will see the canal built by King Rama IV, orchard farms, and lotus farms by boat and learn about the importance of these flowers in Thai culture. You will then experience the unique ride by e-tan (a local farmers’ truck) to an orchard full of exotic fruits such as mangos, guavas, massive jackfruits, and pomelos.
  Discover how foods are being farmed and grown here respecting as much as possible the environment. You will have the opportunity, to open your appetite, to try a local treat – rice crackers, before continuing to Don Wai market, located on the banks of the river. This is one of the oldest in Thailand, dating back to the beginning of the 20th Century and still retaining its characteristics of the time. Here you’ll meander among dishes not commonly palatable for the eyes and taste buds of Westerners, but each more colorful and exotic than the next before enjoying tasty lunch in a local restaurant.
  
  Transfer to Kanchanaburi.
  
  Kanchanaburi has become one of Thailand’s most interesting destinations for travelers interested in war history, due to the so-called ‘Death Railway.'  Timelessly immortalized by the epic World War II film ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’, this fascinating and yet harrowing historical symbol of human courage and endurance is enhanced by a visit to the Thai-Burma railway center, which details the intricacies of the story behind the railway. The surrounding countryside is truly breathtaking, with the railway snaking around mountains and over verdant jungles and calm rivers.
  
  You will stop at the best-known attraction of Kanchanaburi: River Kwai Bridge, part of the infamous Death Railway, built by the prisoners of World War II under the supervision of the Japanese Imperialist Army.
  
  Then, you will continue to Saiyok and reach your hotel by boat.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Cruise/Boat
• DAY 5

  Erawan National Park

  Visit Erawan National Park 
  
  Today, you will head into Erawan National Park, famous for its emerald green, dense jungles, and thundering waterfalls. You will hike to the well-known Erawan Falls where you can admire how the crystal clear water cascades elegantly on the smoothened rocks to form azure water pools. There is no better place to dip into regenerating waters and calmly float around in wonder. Going for a swim and rewarding yourself for the trek will almost seem like a necessity before hiking back.
  
  Afternoon free at leisure at your hotel.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 6

  Kanchanaburi - Bangkok flight to Chiang Mai

  You will travel to Bangkok airport for your domestic flight to Chiang Mai.
  
  Welcome to Chiang Mai - An ancient walled city of leafy green trees, winding alleyways, gentle inhabitants and spectacular cuisine, Chiang Mai can make a good case for being the most charming city in Thailand. Northern Thailand’s most important cultural hub offers a huge variety of antique temples from colorful structures that sparkle in the sunlight to more understated beauties that exhibit the earthy tones of brick and wood. The surrounding countryside is nothing short of spectacular- Chiang Mai is also the gateway into the northern mountains for invigorating treks, enigmatic elephants, and culturally intriguing minority villages.
  
  Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport, you will meet your driver and local guide and travel by car to your hotel.
  
  An evening in Chiang Mai by songthaew:
  In the late afternoon set out to explore Chiang Mai city by songthaew, a converted local pickup truck that you will see all around. Begin your exploration at a small, hidden riverside location to sample some authentic Northern delicacies and enjoy a refreshing drink as the sun starts to set. Then, passing bustling markets and some famous landmarks, your songthaew will take you into the old city center. Enjoy a short stop at a public park where locals and expats go to exercise after their working day - a great place to do some people-watching. There are plenty of activities going on, from yoga and takraw to badminton. There are even free-to-join aerobics classes! Then hop back in your songthaew to move to a local riverside restaurant. Here you will get to see how som-tam, a spicy papaya salad, is made. Then it is time to make work together and make your own to see who gets the bragging rights for the best som tam. You will finish the evening in a picturesque riverside setting, enjoying your papaya salad accompanied by sticky rice, fried spring rolls, and chicken flambé.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
  • Flight
• DAY 7

  Chiang Mai – Kaad Luang walking tour

  Your tour will start at the Ping river bank and takes you through the hustle and bustle of Kaad Luang, the great market, as locals call it. Kaad Luang is actually made up of 3 different markets and it has been a favorite shopping spot for locals since the late 1800s. During the tour, you will get to know all about the history of the market and its surroundings while enjoying fresh produce and local specialties along the way.
  
  Chiang Mai Old City Classic Walk:
  The second city of the country with the mountains of Doi Suthep-Pui in the background, Chiang Mai offers a unique atmosphere, between authenticity and modernity. The city unveils its attractions during a visit to some must-see attractions such as the Wat Chedi Luang temple, a large temple dating from the late 14th Century that once housed the Emerald Buddha (today it can be found in Bangkok); the Wat Phra Singh temple, hosting one of the main Buddhist festivities, and well-known for its Lai Kham chapel; the temple Wat Chiang Mun, former residence of King Meng Raï who chose Chiang Mai to build the capital of the North in 1290. It is also an opportunity to stroll through the shops and small craft stalls and have a refreshing drink at one of the trendy cafes serving locally grown coffee.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 8

  Chiang Mai - Tea plantation experience at Araksa

  Upon arrival at the tea plantation, you will be greeted by a local tea expert who will explain to you the different processes and methods used to cultivate young tea plants. After that, the resident picker will lead you to the tea bushes where you will be instructed how to pick tea leaves. At the roasting station, you will be offered a demonstration of the art of processing tea by hand from kneading to roasting. When the roasting is done, enjoy a cup of tea (from the tea plantation!) with a delicious Thai snack.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 9

  Chiang Mai - Sharing special moments with elephants in the jungle 

  Sharing special moments with elephants in the jungle 
  
  An excursion that will give new meaning to your trip! In the early morning, head for the lush countryside surrounding Chiang Mai and the Elephant Rescue Park. This institution collects elephants in distress, exploited or injured, to provide them with the shelter, attention, and respect they deserve.
  
  After putting on your Mahout outfit, you meet your hosts for the day. Here, forget about climbing on their backs: this practice has been intentionally prohibited by the camp. Instead, you can enjoy a proper meeting with the pachyderms. You’ll learn to feed them, observe and interact with them. You can then escort them into the green hills before going down for their favorite game: a bath in the river. After such exciting activities with your new friends, it’s your turn for a good shower and a well-deserved home-cooked meal.
  
  Some unique moments to help you really understand the issues of elephant conservation.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 10

  Chiang Mai - Departure

  After checking out you will meet your driver and guide and travel to Chiang Mai airport for your flight to your next destination.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer