Wonders of Thailand

Itinerary

Day 1 Bangkok, Thailand

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, well come together for a welcome dinner (and our first taste of authentic Thai cuisine) in a local restaurant this evening.

Day 2 Bangkok

First on todays agenda: a morning of relaxation at the hotel. Later, well set out on a tour of Old Siam both by foot and by long-tailed boat, as we weave along Bangkoks khlongs (a network of waterways that criss-cross the city). On our travels, well stop off at Bang Luang Artist Village, where well 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, were in for a culinary treat: a tuk-tuk street food tour through the citys lively night-time streets. There will even be time to take a look at the magnificent temple of Wat Arun, which will be beautifully illuminated after dark.

Day 3 Bangkok – Nong Khao – Kanchanaburi

After breakfast, well leave Bangkok behind and make tracks to Kanchanaburi, an city filled with lush riverside resorts. After dropping off our bags at our hotel, well board a truck (or bike, if youre 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. Well have some free time to relax at our hotel this afternoon before a delicious Thai dinner is served.

Day 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), todays itinerary is set to be a history-filled one. Along the course of the day, well 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, where well gain further insight into the areas place in WWII history. Before the day is out, well also pay a visit to the iconic River Kwai Bridge, a landmark made famous by the classic novel and war film. This afternoon, there will be plenty of time to reflect on the day activities before dinner.

Day 5 Kanchanaburi – Uthai Thani

Today well 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 thats lined with traditional wooden shops selling herbal medicines, local sweets and old-fashioned coffee), well take to the water on a scenic dinner cruise along the serene Sakae Krang River.

Day 6 Uthai Thani – Sukhothai – 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, well move on to our next stop: the mountainous province of Tak, where well watch the sun set over the river and tuck into a delicious dinner prepared by a local host.

Day 7 Tak – Mae Sot – Tak

Today well visit Mae Sot a remote city known for its gemstones for an insight into local Thai life. Here, well explore the local market places by foot, meeting local traders and tasting local specialties, before returning to our welcoming family-run hotel for dinner.

Day 8 Tak – Doi Inthanon

Today well 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, well break up the journey with plenty of stops to take in the sweeping vistas of some of the countrys most picturesque landscapes not to mention visits to isolated villages that have changed very little over hundreds of years.

Day 9 Doi – Inthanon to Rural Chiang Mai

Today well move up and onwards (quite literally) to the top of Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand. After taking in the magnificent panoramic views of the valleys below, well 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. Well then stop for lunch before moving on to our next destination: the beautiful Chiang Mai countryside.

Day 10 Rural Chiang Mai

This morning well head off the beaten track to a traditional Assam tea plantation, where well discover the secrets behind the tea growing process, learn how to pluck tea leaves and enjoy a warming brew. Next, well move on to another rural gem: a nearby hilltop village, where well where well 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, well return to the hotel for the evening.

Day 11 Rural Chiang Mai – Chiang Mai Town

After one last breakfast in the country well 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 thats famous for its golden pagoda and the seven-headed serpent statues that line its 306 steps. After a group lunch at a local restaurant, well board the mini-coach and make tracks to our hotel. This afternoon will be all yours to spend at your leisure.

Day 12 Chiang Mai

First today: some free time to explore Chiang Mai as you please. Be sure to take in the 19th-century wall paintings of Wat Phra Singh and the bustling stalls of the central market before we reconvene this afternoon for one final gastronomic experience: a cooking class at Baan Thai Cookery School. After weve learnt how to choose the perfect produce at a local market, a talented instructor will let us in on the secrets behind some authentic local recipes. Which one will you choose to recreate for dinner this evening?

Day 13 Chiang Mai – Bangkok

Its back to the airport today as we return to the city where our tour began: Bangkok. After a transfer to the city centre, well say our goodbyes.