Day 1: Bangkok
Arrive at the Bangkok airport in the late evening where you'll be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 2: Bangkok
This morning, visit the Grand Palace with the Emerald Buddha and the famous Wat Po (Reclining Buddha temple). Afternoon, take a boat ride through the Klongs (canals) and see traditional life by the riverside. After, finish your tour at the famous Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), the iconic pagoda incrusted with colored faience. Overnight in Bangkok. (Breakfast)
Day 3: Bangkok
After breakfast, visit the charming Jim Thompson House, home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who was the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk. Since his disappearance in 1967, little has changed in his traditional Thai home.
After, hop on Bangkok’s oldest form of public transportation. Join the local people and take a fast riverboat towards Old Bangkok city. After disembarking, take a short coffee break at a local shop with a great view of The Golden Mount, known locally as Wat Saket. Walk through the temple grounds, have a look at a firework shop before heading the area known as the Monk's Bowl Village. Continue on foot towards Chinatown and explore the fascinating narrow alleys crammed with masses of goods from dried seafood to local street snacks. Overnight in Bangkok. (Breakfast)
Day 4: Bangkok to Chiang Rai
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and drive about an hour to Mae Sai, the bustling border town. Cross the border into Myanmar and explore Tachilek by tuk tuk (motorized rickshaw). Visit the Temple of the Enrobe Ned Elephant and the Mahamyatmuni Temple, a fine example of typical Burmese temple architecture. Continue to Tachilek’s own Shwedagon Pagoda, a smaller copy of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, former capital of Myanmar.
After an authentic Burmese lunch, visit a bustling border market, a favorite destination for Thai day-trippers. Return back to Thailand and continue to the Golden Triangle, the place where the borders of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar meet. Tour the Opium Museum to know a little more about the opium trade which once made the Golden Triangle infamous. After, proceed to see the ruins at ancient Chiang Saen which was an early Lanna kingdom to visit a couple of old temples like Wat Chedi Luang and Chom Kitti. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 5: Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai
In the morning, drive via Wiang Pa Pao to Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North”. On the way, stop over at the unique Wat Rong Khun, also known as the “White Temple”.
Afternoon, visit some of the famous temples such as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh. Then drive up to Wat Doi Suthep mountain temple, Chiang Mai's most famous landmark at 5,500ft high. Evening is free at leisure, explore the night market where there are lots of souvenirs and hill tribe handicraft on sale. Overnight in Chiang Mai (Breakfast)
Day 6: Chiang Mai
This morning, prepare yourself for a full day experience with a local Thai family! The home you will be visiting belongs to the Raunkaew-Yanon family, who arrived in the area possibly on the back of an elephant, almost 150 years ago. They are a Lanna family, continuing the traditions of many generations in building their homes with teak wood and maintaining the natural surroundings in a way now rarely seen in Chiang Mai. This is not your average commercial cooking class as you will learn more about their traditional culture, way of living and the architecture of a traditional Thai house. The family orchard has many types of fruits such as banana, mango and coconut. You will also gather fresh herbs from their garden for your cooking class. Together with your hosts, you will learn to cook authentic Northern Thailand dishes using traditional recipes unknown to most commercial cooking schools. After your hard work in the kitchen, you will enjoy lunch with your local host and learn more about their family history. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 7: Chiang Mai to Phuket
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival you'll be welcomed and taken to your hotel. Overnight in Phuket. (Breakfast)
Day 8: Phuket
Morning free to relax on the beach. Be picked up from your hotel between 12:30 and 1:00 pm and depart for Phan Nga Bay to explore the waters and caves of the bay by sea kayak. Arrive at Ao Po and board the escort boat. Enjoy a Thai style light lunch and a trip briefing. Spend the afternoon exploring several cave/hong systems with time for swimming and free-paddle. Enjoy a Thai seafood buffet dinner during the beautiful Phan Nga Bay sunset and learn to make your own Kratong, a small “raft” made from banana leaves with a candle inside. Once daylight totally disappears, return to a previously visited Hong to launch your Kratong. No torches and no talking - three natural light sources and one special feeling create a lifetime memorable moment. Cruise back to the pier and transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Phuket. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Phuket
Today is free for your own activities. Choose to relax on a beach, shop in Phuket, or dine out at one of Phuket’s many excellent restaurants. Overnight in Phuket. (Breakfast)
Day 10: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the Phuket airport for your flight to Bangkok where you'll connect to your return flight home. (Breakfast)
(Note: If your connecting flight from the Bangkok Airport departs early morning, you'll need to return to Bangkok on the evening of Day 9.)
