Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
Your private guide picks you up at the airport and drives you to your hotel by private car. You'll get a complimentary local SIM card with unlimited 5G internet and free international calling credit, so you're all set for staying connected during your time in Bangkok.
Included Activities
- Airport welcome and transfer to hotel with private guide and driver
- Hotel check-in assistance
- Complimentary local SIM card with unlimited 5G internet and free international calling credit
- Day 2
Bangkok
Head out early for a 2-hour drive to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, about 100 km from the city. You'll explore the market by long-tail boat starting around 8 am until 11 am, seeing hundreds of vendors selling from small rowing boats. After grabbing lunch, you'll return to Bangkok to check out Wat Pho and its 49-meter gold-plated Reclining Buddha, then visit the Royal Grand Palace to see the sacred Emerald Buddha.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Long-tail boat cruise around Damnoen Saduak Floating Market village
- Exploration of floating market by 4-seat boat or riverbank stroll
- Visit to Wat Pho temple and Reclining Buddha image
- Visit to Royal Grand Palace, Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall, Royal Guest House, and Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
- Breakfast
Landmarks Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Wat Pho Royal Grand Palace Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) 
- Day 3
Ayutthaya
A 1.5-hour drive takes you through rural areas to Ayutthaya History Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as Thailand's capital for 417 years before the Burmese invasion in 1767. You'll walk through ancient temple ruins like Wat Yai Chaimongkol with its 28-meter reclining Buddha and Wat Mahathat, where you can see a Buddha head wrapped in tree roots. Try the local snack Roti Sai Mai, then head back to Bangkok on a Chao Phraya River cruise with a buffet lunch, passing royal barges and temples along the way.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Superb buffet lunch on Chao Phraya River cruise)
Included Activities
- Stroll around Ayutthaya History Park ruins
- Visit Wat Yai Chaimongkol with 28-meter reclining Buddha
- Visit Wat Mahathat with Buddha head surrounded by tree roots
- Local snack tasting - Roti Sai Mai (Sweet Angel Hair)
- Chao Phraya River cruise with buffet lunch
- Coffee break during river cruise
- Transfer back to Bangkok
- Breakfast
Landmarks Ayutthaya History Park Wat Yai Chaimongkol Wat Mahathat Chao Phraya River 
- Day 4
Bangkok to Chiang Mai
An internal flight brings you to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Your guide meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Later, you'll explore the city's food scene with a local expert, walking through lively markets and stalls to sample authentic northern Thai cuisine at various spots around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Internal flight to Chiang Mai
- Airport pickup and transfer to hotel
- Food tour of Chiang Mai's culinary markets and stalls with local foodie guide
- Breakfast
- Day 5
Chiang Mai
This morning you'll explore old-city temples showcasing Lanna architecture, visiting Wat Pra Singh and the area's 200 ancient Buddhist temples, plus Wat Chedi Luang with its enormous pagoda that originally stood 280 feet high before a 1545 earthquake damaged it. Stop by Warorot Market to see how local people shop and live, then have lunch at a nearby restaurant. Late afternoon, join the Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival to float lanterns, experience Lanna Thai culture, enjoy unlimited local food and drinks, and participate in prayer and meditation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Meal at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Half-day Chiang Mai old-city temple tour
- Visit Wat Pra Singh temple
- Visit Wat Chedi Luang temple
- Warorot Market visit
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Chiang Mai CAD Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival participation (27th or 28th November 2023)
- Float lanterns in sky
- Prayer and meditation
- Festival souvenirs
- Unlimited authentic Lanna local food and beverage at festival
- Lanna Thai cultural experience activities
- Breakfast
Landmarks Wat Pra Singh Wat Chedi Luang Warorot Market 
- Day 6
Chiang Mai
Your half-day starts with a scenic drive through agricultural areas to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. After meeting your English-speaking guide, you'll change into traditional Karen clothing, then feed elephants with bananas and sugar cane while learning their individual stories. Later, drive to Doi Suthep Mountain and climb 309 steps (or take a tram for a small fee) to reach Wat Phra That, one of Northern Thailand's most sacred temples with panoramic views of Chiang Mai city below.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private hotel transfer to and from Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
- Elephant Jungle Sanctuary visit (join activity)
- English-speaking guide at sanctuary
- Traditional Karen clothing provided
- Bananas and sugar cane provided to feed elephants
- Walk through sanctuary with free-roaming elephants
- Elephant interaction, touching, feeding, and photography
- Learning about elephant lifestyle and behaviors
- Transfer to Doi Suthep Mountain
- Climb 309 steps to Wat Phra That or take available tram
- Visit Wat Phra That temple
- Panoramic city views from mountain top
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Tram ride up Doi Suthep Mountain for small surcharge (alternative to climbing 309 steps)
Landmarks Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Doi Suthep Mountain Wat Phra That - Day 7
Chiang Mai
Join a cooking class at Mama Noi in an open-air setting to learn authentic Thai cooking. The class starts with a tour of the local market and organic farm with herb gardens, then you'll pick which recipes to make from their full menu. You'll prepare traditional dishes like Pad Thai, Green Curry, or Chicken and Coconut Soup, cooking three dishes total during the half-day session and enjoying fresh fruits, refreshments, and dessert throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cooking class at Mama Noi
- Tour of local market
- Tour of organic farm/herb garden
- Selection of three recipes from full menu
- Preparation of three traditional Thai dishes
- Fresh fruits during class
- Refreshments during class
- Dessert during class
- Breakfast
Landmarks Mama Noi Cooking School - Day 8
Chiang Mai
You have free time to spend as you like around Chiang Mai. Your guide will meet you later in the afternoon to drive you to the airport for your onward flight.
