Day 1
Arrive in Bangkok
Welcome to the 'Land of Smiles' as you begin your Thai adventure in Bangkok. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel where, this evening, you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception. Enjoy a drink accompanied by a selection of local appetizers, setting the tone for your exciting journey ahead.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Bangkok or similar
Day 2
Bangkok
Start your day with an energizing T’ai Chi session in Lumpini Park or opt for a relaxed morning before embarking on a City Tour of Bangkok. Visit the Grand Palace and the sacred Wat Phra Kaew, explore Wat Pho with its immense reclining Buddha, and indulge in a traditional Thai massage. Conclude with a scenic riverboat ride on the Chao Phraya, passing the stunning Wat Arun.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Bangkok or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
Bangkok
Experience the essence of Thai cuisine in a colonial-style house with a Local Specialist who will guide you through a traditional cooking class. Source fresh ingredients from a nearby market, savouring the sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy flavours of your creations. Later, explore Bangkok independently or visit Jim Thompson's House to see its exquisite Asian art collection.
Accommodation: Shangri-La Bangkok or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
Bangkok- Kanchanaburi
This morning, witness the vibrant spectacle of Damnoen Saduak's famous floating market. Engage with local vendors in their canoes, brimming with fresh produce. Experience traditional life at a coconut palm sugar plantation, learning about palm sugar production. Post-lunch, visit the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai, explore the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum, and pay respects at the War Cemetery, honouring WWII POWs.
Accommodation: Dheva Mantra Resort Kanchanaburi or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Kanchanaburi
Today, explore Hellfire Pass, part of the infamous Thailand-Burma "Death Railway," a symbol of the harsh conditions faced by WWII POWs. Post-lunch, experience a dramatic train journey across wooden viaducts along the Kwai River. Walk across a viaduct for a closer view, then conclude the day with dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Dheva Mantra Resort Kanchanaburi or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Regional Dinner
Day 6
Kanchanaburi- Sukhothai
Following breakfast, journey to UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya, the historic global metropolis and Old Siam's crucial capital. Uncover its rich trading past and resilience after the 18th-century Burmese invasion. Relish lunch at a local eatery, then head back to Bangkok for a flight to Sukhothai, Thailand’s ancient first capital.
Accommodation: Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort and Spa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Sukhothai
Discover the influential kingdom that flourished in the 13th and 14th centuries and moulded contemporary Thailand. Begin at UNESCO-listed Sukhothai Historical Park, a treasure trove of history featuring a 15-metre Buddha. Choose between exploring by bicycle or tram. Later, visit a local family to learn amulet-making, believed to offer protection.
Accommodation: Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort and Spa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8
Sukhothai- Chiang Mai
Start the day at Natonchan Village, supporting their eco-tourism project, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience. Engage with locals, learn 'gymnastic doll' crafting, and discover their unique mud-soaked cotton clothing technique. In Chiang Mai, enjoy an evening stroll and the vibrant Sunday market, staying in a hotel in the historic old town.
Accommodation: The Rim Resort Chiang Mai or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9
Chiang Mai
Explore Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district, known for exquisite hand-painted fans and vibrant paper umbrellas. Visit a nearby village to share a northern Thai-style Be My Guest lunch with a local family in their stilt house. Then, visit Wat Suan Dok, learn about Buddhism from a monk, set against the temple's stunning golden chedi.
Accommodation: The Rim Resort Chiang Mai or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 10
Chiang Mai
Enjoy a leisurely morning at your own pace. Later, visit the revered Wat Doi Suthep temple, absorbing the serene ambiance of monks chanting at sunset. Conclude your journey with a Farewell Dinner alongside fellow travellers and your Travel Director at a traditional Thai restaurant by the river.
Accommodation: The Rim Resort Chiang Mai or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 11
Depart Chiang Mai
Your Thailand journey comes to a close, your transfer will take you to Chiang Mai International Airport for your flight onward or homebound.
Meals Included: Breakfast
