Itinerary
- Day 1
Bangkok
You'll arrive at Bangkok airport and get transferred to your hotel. If you land early, there's time to wander around the city on your own—check out temples, walk through Chinatown, or watch the tuk tuks and longtail boats on the Chao Phraya River. At 6 pm there's a welcome meeting, then you'll head out for dinner with your group at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to hotel
- Welcome meeting at 6 pm
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit local temples
- Explore Chinatown
- Observe tuk tuks and khlong boats on Chao Phraya River
Landmarks Chao Phraya River 
- Day 2
Bangkok
Start with an optional early temple visit along the Chao Phraya River where you can make merit with the monks. Later, explore the city with your leader—tour Wat Po to see the famous Reclining Buddha, visit the Grand Palace with its royal history, and take an electric boat through Bangkok's canals to see how locals live. The afternoon is free, so you can get a Thai massage, check out the Jim Thompson house art collection, or do your own thing.
Included Activities
- Tour Wat Po and Temple of the Reclining Buddha
- Visit Grand Palace
- Electric boat tour of Bangkok's canals
Optional Activities
- Temple visit and merit making at temple along Chao Phraya River
- Visit Jim Thompson house art collection
- Thai massage
Landmarks Wat Po Grand Palace Chao Phraya River Jim Thompson House - Day 3
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
Start with a ceramics workshop learning about Benjarong, a traditional Thai painted porcelain style with intricate floral and geometric designs. You'll paint your own mug or teacup to be fired and sent home. After lunch, travel to Kanchanaburi and visit the War Cemetery, a solemn memorial to the Asian and Allied POW workers who died during the Death Railway construction.
Included Activities
- Benjarong ceramics workshop and pottery painting
- Visit Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
Optional Activities
- Lunch before traveling to Kanchanaburi
Landmarks Kanchanaburi War Cemetery 
- Day 4
Kanchanaburi
Head to Erawan National Park and swim in its famous seven-level waterfall with glacial blue waters. Visit the Hellfire Pass memorial museum to learn about the Allied prisoners and Asian laborers who built the Death Railway. Then take a historical train ride on a portion of the Death Railway, traveling over the original wooden viaduct known as Krasae Bridge that POWs built. The evening is free to explore town.
Included Activities
- Visit Erawan National Park and seven-level waterfall
- Visit Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
- Historical train journey across Death Railway portion and Krasae Bridge
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Erawan waterfall
- Relaxing at waterfall
Landmarks Erawan National Park Hellfire Pass Krasae Bridge - Day 5
Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya
Travel to Ayutthaya, the ancient Siamese capital and UNESCO World Heritage site. On the way, stop at Baan Nong Khao CBT Village to see traditional Pha Khao Mah hand-weaving, check out a palm sugar field, and try local desserts made from that ingredient. Watch weavers work with over 100 colors of yarn creating traditional Thai clothing. In Ayutthaya, explore the 13th-century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat, known for rows of beheaded Buddhas and a Buddha head in Banyan tree roots. Later, board a traditional rice barge for a Thai dinner cruise.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Thai dinner on rice barge cruise)
Included Activities
- Visit Baan Nong Khao CBT Village and Pha Khao Mah weaving community
- Explore palm sugar field and local dessert-making
- Watch traditional Thai clothing weavers
- Visit Wat Phra Mahathat temple ruins
- Traditional rice barge dinner cruise
Landmarks Wat Phra Mahathat - Day 6
Ayutthaya to Sukhothai
Leave Ayutthaya by train to Phitsanulok, watching the scenery pass by. Then switch to a private vehicle and head to Sukhothai. The rest of the day is yours—relax by the pool, get a Thai massage, or ask your leader where to find Sukhothai's famous noodles for dinner.
Included Activities
- Train journey from Ayutthaya to Phitsanulok
- Private vehicle transfer to Sukhothai
Optional Activities
- Pool relaxation
- Thai massage
- Dining at local noodle restaurants
- Day 7
Sukhothai
Start with an optional alms offering, then rent a bicycle for a guided tour through Sukhothai's World Heritage historical park, showcasing the Golden Age of Thai civilization. Your leader will share the history and stories of this 13th-century former metropolis as you ride. You'll have a picnic lunch, then the afternoon is free to explore the town or relax by the pool. This evening, head to a local friend's home for a homecooked dinner and real insight into Northern Thailand life.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch), Dinner (Homecooked dinner at local friend's home)
Included Activities
- Sukhothai Historical Park visit and bicycle tour
- Picnic lunch
- Dinner at local home
Optional Activities
- Morning alms offering
Landmarks Sukhothai Historical Park - Day 8
Sukhothai to Mae Taeng
Travel from Sukhothai to the Mae Taeng region and arrive at Lisu Lodge, your Feature Stay between rice fields and fruit orchards. This community-based lodge trains and employs Lisu villagers from the nearby hill tribe and preserves their cultural heritage. Meet the colorfully dressed Lisu people, a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group and one of Thailand's six main hill tribes, and learn about their way of life. Stay in traditionally styled Lisu guestrooms with modern comforts and enjoy dinner of fresh, local Thai food.
- Meals
- Dinner (Fresh local Thai food)
Included Activities
- Meet Lisu villagers and learn about Lisu way of life
- Dinner of fresh local Thai food
- Day 9
Mae Taeng
After breakfast at Lisu Lodge, head to nearby Muang Kued Village for a guided tour with a local villager. Learn about village life, reforestation efforts, and the organic farm orchards. Pick ingredients from the farm for a hands-on cooking class where you'll prepare traditional Thai dishes. After lunch, join the villagers weaving palm leaves into ornaments and accessories. Finish the day with a barbeque dinner at Mae Tamaan Base Camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at Lisu Lodge), Lunch (Lunch after cooking class), Dinner (Barbeque dinner at Mae Tamaan Base Camp)
Included Activities
- Private guided tour of Muang Kued Village
- Organic farm exploration
- Thai cooking class
- Palm weaving handicraft workshop
- Barbeque dinner at Mae Tamaan Base Camp
- Day 10
Mae Taeng to Chiang Mai
Travel to Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for rescued elephants and other animals. Meet an expert local guide who'll share the stories and challenges of the rescued elephants. Watch them bathe and play from a viewing platform, then try a vegetarian buffet lunch. Head back to Chiang Mai and visit Yimsoo Café, which supports workers living with disabilities. The evening is yours—explore the Night Bazaar, stroll the moated Old Town, or ask your leader for dinner recommendations.
- Meals
- Lunch (Vegetarian buffet lunch at Elephant Nature Park)
Included Activities
- Elephant Nature Park half-day trip with expert guide
- Watch elephants bathe and play from viewing platform
- Vegetarian buffet lunch
- Visit Yimsoo Café
Optional Activities
- Visit Night Bazaar
- Explore Old Town
- Dinner at recommended local restaurants
Landmarks Elephant Nature Park Night Bazaar Chiang Mai Old Town 
- Day 11
Chiang Mai
Drive to the famous Doi Suthep temple complex via a scenic, winding mountain road. Climb the impressive 300-step Naga-guarded stairway to reach one of Thailand's most beautiful temples with fantastic views of Chiang Mai. Return to the city with time to relax before your farewell dinner, prepared by a local chef. Enjoy Thai fusion food made with local ingredients as you reflect on your Northern Thailand adventures.
- Meals
- Dinner (Thai fusion farewell dinner with local chef using local ingredients)
Included Activities
- Visit Doi Suthep temple complex
- Climb 300-step Naga-guarded stairway
- Farewell dinner with local chef
Landmarks Doi Suthep - Day 12
Chiang Mai
Your adventure ends after breakfast. There are no activities planned, so you're free to depart. If you'd like to stay longer in Chiang Mai, your leader can help arrange additional accommodation subject to availability.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extended stay in Chiang Mai (subject to availability)
