Essential Thailand tour

THROUGH THE ESSENTIAL THAILAND TOUR, YOU WILL DISCOVER

Day 1: Arrive Bangok

Welcome to Bangkok, meet up your friendly guide and transfer to the hotel.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok city tour (B)

Depart early to arrive in time at Wat Pho to observe the monks’ morning chanting ceremony. After this cultural delight, visit the pagoda complex where there is the famous reclining Buddha statue of 45 meter in length. Stroll to Grand Palace, the most prominent landmark of Thailand where the majestic throne halls are seen. Spend time to admire the most revered Emerald Buddha statue in Thailand.

After delicious lunch served at a charming restaurant, take a boat and cruise up the legendary Chao Phraya river then discover the network of Klong (canals) which are away from the common tourist trails. During the boat ride, stop to visit the rarely seen Wat Khun Chan before reaching the well hidden white stupa of Wat Paknam and the nearby museum.

Get back to the boat for the rest of the Klong cruise, on the way enjoy the scene along the waterways of traditional houses sitting amid with the modern ones, arrive at a orchard farm to spend some time walking around and marvel at many beautiful orchids. Before arrive at the pier, stop to feed holly catfish abound.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 3: Bangkok countryside (B, L)

Today, leave the metropolis Bangkok behind and take a short transfer to the rural green countryside which offers excellent rural charms of Thailand.

First, come and visit one of world most thrilling market which sits on the train station where local people utilize the rail road for their daily shopping place. What, a market on the train track?! As you will see when the siren turned on, the local vendors wrap their selling display and quickly jump off the track standing still, just centimeters away from the tract to wait. Just a minute the train has gone through everything gets back to normal as nothing has happened! Another market visit will be soon to be experienced, this time not on the train track but on the waters, the most famous and popular Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Sit on the paddle boat, visiting the market will offer a glimpse of Thai’s unique trading practice which originated centuries ago.

If your visit falls on weekend (Saturday or Sunday), there will be two options to choose between touristic Damnoen Saduak or the quieter and less visited Tha Kha floating market.

After lunch in a nearby – floating market local restaurant, transfer on a long boat to a rural Buddhist pagoda and the Memorial Park of King Rama II. On Friday, Saturday or Sunday, your countryside tour also includes of the Amphawa floating market.

Overnight at Bangkok.

Day 4: Bangkok – Ayuthaya – Bangkok (B, L)

Leaving Bangkok and drive through verdant rice field and tropical farms to the north to visit the majestic UNESCO World Heritage of Ayutthaya. This is also the name of the royal capital city and a majestic lost kingdom of the Thai which flourished from 14th century till 18th century when being destroyed by the Burmese. On arrival, visit the ancient temples and ruined destination from Wat Mahathat and Wat Yai Chaimongkol, see some Buddha statues are merging into the ancient tree trunks. Spend time to look at a nearby market to reach Wat Phra Srisanphet, on the way try some local delicacies which are on display along the path.

Enjoy a local lunch at rural restaurant, on the way back to Bangkok, take a boat trip on Chao Phraya River from the pier at Wat Niwet Thammaprawat a Buddhist pagoda designed by an Italian architect with Gothic-style, colored glass windows. The only different is the Buddha statues are in place of the cross. The final visit is Thailand’s majestic mansion of the Royal Summer palace Bang Pa-In.

Drive back to Bangkok for overnight.

Day 4: Bangkok – Fly to Chiang Mai (B)

Depart for the transfer to the airport to board the flight to Chiang Mai, the capital of Thailand’s Northern region.

Check in and have short refreshing up before setting off for a stroll in the most amazing herbal garden of Chiang Mai. Afterward, take a long tail boat trip on Mae Ping River to see rural landscape of traditional houses mixing with modern brick houses along the waterway residence. After the boat ride, hop off the boat and walk through Waroros market to experience Thailand’s Northern lifestyle.

Return to your hotel for resting the night in Chiang Mai.

Day 6: Chiang Mai – Mae Taman elephant camp (B, L)

Enjoy the breakfast then depart for the Elephant Camp. Meet with the experienced trainers and go through brief instructions for the basic concept of Elephant training. With knowledge about elephant you have learnt and the assistance from the camp supervisor, get interaction with elephants and you can practice in feeding and bathing your friends.

After lunch, enjoy elephant’s piggyback riding through scenic hill landscape.

(Note: The elephant activity is join-in).

Wave goodbye to your friends and return to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 7: Chiang Mai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Rai (B, L)

Pass rolling hills, dip into steep valleys, and explore many of the villages and roadside markets along an exciting route from Chiang Mai to Mae Sai. Along the way, stop at Wat Rong Khun – also known as ‘the White Temple’, a dazzling temple complex that stands out as one of the most incredible in the whole country. Although not as old as others in the Thai capital, its bright white façade, mirrored glass decorations and intricately-carved patterns are both distinct and interestingly beautiful.

Next, head back on the road towards a charming Akha and Yao Hill Tribe village. After saying ‘hello’ to the welcoming locals, head on towards Chiang Saen and the Golden Triangle, the meeting point of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. Enjoy the epic scenery along the Mekong River here and take a moment to capture the panoramic views with your camera.

Continue on to the Opium House, a museum that houses items like opium pipes, knives and scrappers that depict the history of the opium trade that made this area infamous in the not-so-distant past. Before heading back to Chiang Mai, visit the famous market at the border town of Mae Sai. Thai locals and Burmese often shop, bargain and even drink together in this vibrant market area. Pick up some souvenirs in the myriad of stalls here, ranging from handicrafts, faux fashion items, local produce and antiques. Give your feet a rest on the direct route back to Chiang Mai, arriving back in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 8: Chiang Mai – Fly to Koh Samui (B)

Today you will be transferred to the airport to take flight to Samui. Upon arrival,  be welcomed and picked up by our driver for a transfer to the hotel.

Free time at leisure in Samui.

Overnight in Samui.

Day 9: Samui – Koh Tao – Samui (B, L) (SIC tour)

Spend a day island hopping in a tropical paradise with this day long tour by speedboat. Depart from Koh Samui in the morning and board a speedboat that carries you across the azure seas for a day of swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. Visit Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan and marvel in the beautiful nature, on land and underwater. Tiny “turtle island” Koh Tao is one of the top destinations for lovers of snorkeling, though even non-divers are easily drawn in by the island’s natural beauty and its inhabitants charm.

Ko Nang Yuan is a small island off the coast of Ko Tao. If time permits, you can climb up to one of the viewpoints on this tiny island and enjoy the beautiful view of the azure sea and nearby islands. Snorkel amidst expansive coral reefs and colourful marine life in several of the bays, and relax on the pristine beaches as you take in the views of lush green hills rising up on the island behind you. Along the way, enjoy a delicious lunch on Koh Tao and soak up as much of the sea as you can before heading back to Koh Samui at the end of your sun-drenched day.

Overnight in Samui.

Days 10 & 11: Koh Samui (B)

Free time at leisure in Samui.

Overnight in Samui.

Day 12: Koh Samui – Fly to Bangkok – Départ (B)

Today you will be transferred to the airport to take flight to Bangkok where you will connect your international flight back to your country.

You might be interested in our Northern and Central Thailand adventure, otherwise look for other interesting options in our Thailand classic & culture travel style!