Wonders of Thailand

Day

Itinerary

1

Bangkok

Welcome to Thailand! Our journey will begin in buzzing Bangkok, a city alive with floating markets, gleaming temples, bustling tuk-tuks and busy street food stalls. After transferring from the airport to our hotel, we’ll come together for a welcome in a local restaurant this evening. (D)

2

Bangkok

First on today’s agenda: a morning of relaxation at the hotel. Later, we’ll set out on a tour of Old Siam – both by foot and by long-tailed boat, as we weave along Bangkok’s khlongs. On our travels, we’ll stop off at Bang Luang Artist Village, where we’ll have the chance to meet a traditional Thai water puppet maker and watch a puppet show in action (subject to availability). More nautical adventures are in store this afternoon, as our boat trip continues along the Chao Phraya River, with one final stop at the splendid Wat Arun temple. This evening, we’re in for a culinary treat: a tuk-tuk street food tour through the city’s lively night-time streets.(B,D)

3

Bangkok - Nong Khao Village - Kanchanaburi

After breakfast, we’ll leave Bangkok behind and make tracks to Kanchanaburi, an city filled with lush riverside resorts. After dropping off our bags at our hotel, we’ll board a truck (or bike, if you’re so inclined) and travel to the rural village of Nong Khao, where a traditional home-cooked lunch awaits us at the home of a local farming family. We’ll have some free time to relax at our hotel this afternoon before a delicious Thai dinner is served. (B,L,D)

4

Kanchanaburi – River Kwai – Kanchanaburi

Featuring a poignant, once-in-a-lifetime train ride along the Death Railway (the infamous railway line constructed by Commonwealth, American and Dutch prisoners of war during WWII), today’s itinerary is set to be a history-filled one. Along the course of the day, we’ll pay visits to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, which commemorates the lives of prisoners and slave labourers killed by Japanese troops, and the fascinating Thailand-Burma Railway Centre. We will  also pay a visit to the iconic River Kwai Bridge. Free time this afternoon, to reflect on the day’ activities before dinner. (B,L,D)

5

Kanchanaburi - Uthai Thani

Today we’ll hit the road to the verdant Uthai Thani province, stopping off to see the enormous, dragon-shaped City Pillar Shrine of Suphan Buri province along the way. After a further stop at the Sam Chuk Old Market (an authentic 100-year old market site, we’ll take to the water on a scenic dinner cruise along the serene Sakae Krang River. (B,D)

6

Uthai Thani - Sukhothai  National Park - Tak

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sukhothai National Park will be our first port of call today. Filled with ancient temple ruins topped with conical spires, the park has an ethereal charm that must be experienced to be believed. After taking some time to meander through this historic site, we’ll move on to our next stop: the mountainous province of Tak, where we’ll watch the sun set over the river and tuck into a delicious dinner prepared by a local host. (B,L,D)

7

Tak - Mae Sot - Wat Phra That Doi Din Kiu - Tak

Today we’ll continue our journey off the beaten track with a visit to the remote yet multicultural city of Mae Sot. Here, we’ll set out to explore the vibrant markets, where you can see a culturally diverse mix of Hmong, Karen, Burmese and Muslim people trading, bartering and browsing stalls full of exotic produce. After buying a few souvenirs, we’ll move on to the shimmering forest temple of Wat Phra That Doi Din Kiu – where you can take 400 winding steps to a viewpoint with spectacular views over Myanmar and the surrounding jungle. This evening we’ll dine together at our welcoming family-run hotel deep in the tropical countryside. (B,L,D)

8

Tak – Doi Inthanon National Park

Today we’ll leave Tak behind us and travel through lush green countryside and beautiful rainforest scenery to the blissful Doi Inthanon National Park, an area whose lofty mountain setting has inspired the nickname ‘the roof of Thailand’. Along the way, we’ll break up the journey with plenty of stops to take in the sweeping vistas of some of the country’s most picturesque landscapes – not to mention visits to isolated villages that have changed very little over hundreds of years. (B,L)

9

Doi Inthanon National Park - Rural Chiang Mai

Today we’ll move up and onwards to the top of Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. After taking in the magnificent panoramic views of the valleys below, we’ll take a closer look at the twin pagodas of Phra Mahathat Naphamethanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphapholphumisiri, which were built by the Royal Thai Air Force at the end of the 20th century to commemorate the 60th birthdays of the Thai king and queen. We’ll then stop for lunch before moving on to our next destination: the beautiful Chiang Mai countryside. (B,L)

10

Rural Chiang Mai

This morning we’ll head off the beaten track to a traditional Assam tea plantation, where we’ll discover the secrets behind the tea growing process, learn how to pluck tea leaves and enjoy a warming brew. Next, we’ll move on to another rural gem: a nearby hilltop village, where we’ll where we’ll spend some time getting to know a local tribe. After this unique opportunity to to experience an authentic Thai culture deep in the heart of the spectacular countryside, we’ll return to the hotel for the evening. (B,L)

11

Rural Chiang Mai - Chiang Mai

After one last breakfast in the country we’ll move on to Chiang Mai, a laidback city that boasts hundreds of intriguing Buddhist temples, several historic markets and an array of fantastic eateries. Our main stop of the day will be the gleaming Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a sacred temple complex that’s famous for its golden pagoda and the seven-headed serpent statues that line its 306 steps. After a group lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll board the mini-coach and make tracks to our hotel. This afternoon will be all yours to spend at your leisure. (B,L)

12

Chiang Mai - Patara Elephant Farm - Chiang Mai

This morning we’ll embark on an unforgettable half-day trip to Patara Elephant Farm, a conservation centre dedicated to the breeding and everyday care of this magical endangered species. Today’s experience will be a hands-on one, as we roll up our sleeves and get involved in the elephants’ daily healthcare routine – with the opportunity to bathe, feed and exercise some of the mothers and babies. After an afternoon of leisure time back in Chiang Mai, we’ll reconvene for a sumptuous Khantoke dinner this evening. (B,L,D)