After visiting Bangkok and its surroundings, we head to Chiang Mai, the beautiful northern city, from where we venture into the Golden Triangle. This mountainous region at the borders of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand is located at the confluence of the Mekong River and is home to many ethnic minorities. The beauty of the terraced rice fields is matched only by the smiles of the people living in this region.
Then we fly to Krabi on the Andaman coast for a relaxing stay on Koh Lanta.
The Best of Thailand
Welcome by our team, then transfer to your hotel. Rooms available from 2:00 pm.
The rest of the day is free.
Night at Baan Vajra hotel in a superior room.
Departure in the morning to reach the pier and take the public boat-buses to the center, on the right bank and the Pak Klong Talad flower market district.
We start our day with a visit to the Grand Palace of Bangkok, built in 1782, which includes several magnificent buildings, including the Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which houses a beautiful Emerald Buddha dating back to the 14th century.
Then, we walk to Wat Pho, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, to see its reclining Buddha.
We then cross the river by a small boat to visit Wat Arun, the "Temple of Dawn," located on the right bank.
Private traditional long-tail boat taxi ride on the Chao Phraya River, one of the most important rivers in the country. Discover the Venice of the East and the traditional life of the city's inhabitants, half of whom still live by the water.
Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
Visit to the colorful, lively, and flavorful Damnoen Saduak floating market. By boat, along the narrow canals of the market, we discover stalls of goods cheerfully balanced on the water. We negotiate for fresh fruits, clothing, or Thai masks from vendors proudly wearing straw hats and brightly colored dresses, all while on a wooden boat.
We then head to the town of Amphawa, a small town 15 minutes from Damnoen Saduak that lives to the rhythm of its markets and small river trade.
We visit Wat Bang Kung (Kai Bang Kung), commonly known as the Banyan Tree Temple, since its chapel was covered by the roots and branches of a banyan tree.
In its gardens, we can notably see life-size representations of wrestlers, commemorating the battle of Ayutthaya between Thailand and Burma at the end of the 13th century.
We cannot leave Amphawa without making a quick stop at the Mae Klong "on the track" Market, where four times a day, fruit and vegetable stalls hastily fold up as the train passes through the market. (Train passage at 5:00 PM)
We finally return to Bangkok after a rich day spent at the markets of Thailand.
Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
This morning, we set off to explore the Bang Pa-in Palace, built in the 17th century and left abandoned after the destruction of Ayutthaya. The palace was restored and expanded in the mid-19th century by the King, who made it his summer residence.
From the palace, we will travel to Ayutthaya by traditional boat on the river. Along the way, we will discover the Thai way of life along the water, the wooden stilt houses, the rice barge convoys towed to Bangkok warehouses, and the temple spires pointing towards the sky.
We will arrive in Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam.
After lunch, we will explore the historic center of the city, including the Wat Mahathat temple, dating back to the late 14th century. We will then continue to the Wat Phra Sri Sanphet temple, formerly used as a royal temple and thus the largest in the city. Finally, we'll visit the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, renowned for its reclining Buddha.
Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
In the evening, we board our overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Night in a 2nd class sleeper compartment.
Early in the morning, our train arrives at the station. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and driver who will take us to our hotel.
Note: Room availability may be delayed until 2:00 PM. If your room is not ready upon arrival, you can leave your belongings and start exploring the city.
Accompanied by our guide, we make a detour to the Warorot Central Market, where you can find all kinds of northern Thai specialties, such as Sai ua (northern Thai sausage), Moo yo (traditional Vietnamese pork sausage), Nam phrik num (northern Thai green chili paste), and dried fruits, etc. Besides local food, the market also offers clothing, ceramics, fabrics, embroidery tools, flowers, and more.
We then head to the outskirts of the city to discover the magnificent Doi Suthep Temple, located on the mountain at 1,200 meters above sea level.
This stunning Buddhist temple invites you to a pious meditation in an atmosphere imbued with silence and mysticism, where every stone, every statue, every step reveals an aspect of Buddhism.
On the way, a stop at the Wat Pha Lat Temple.
Finally, we will end our day with a visit to the Wat Umong temple, an underground Buddhist temple from the 13th century. Nestled at the foot of the Doi Suthep mountains, Wat Umong is a haven of peace.
Discover the history of the monastery, walk through old underground tunnels, and take the time to talk with the resident monks.
The day will be guided by an English-speaking guide.
We'll be staying at the De Lanna Hotel for 2 nights in Deluxe room.
This morning, we'll explore the "Rose of the North" by bike.
Starting from the famous Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai, with the Doi Suthep mountains as a backdrop, we'll venture into the city's traditional small streets and alleys. You'll discover numerous ancient temples, monks going about their daily routines, lively markets, and the daily lives of the locals, including artisans from mountain communities who will be busy with their tasks as we cycle through their neighborhoods, under their curious eyes.
This activity will be in a small group accompanied by a local English-speaking guide.
In the late afternoon, we head to a traditional cooking class conducted in French in the countryside, outside the city, in an old Lanna-style house.
Note: Vegetarian or vegan dishes available.
On the menu:
For dessert, we enjoy Khao Niao Mamuang (sticky rice with coconut milk and mango).
This morning, we hit the road for the mountains overlooking the city of Chiang Mai, in the Doi Inthanon National Park, where we will embark on a guided hike in the mountains, as well as exploring the Karen populations of northern Thailand.
We start our Doi Inthanon Hilltribe Trail trek. We walk along a mountain stream before reaching the lush green rice fields of the region at higher altitudes. We have lunch near a waterfall where we can also cool off.
In the afternoon, our hike continues uphill. We reach a Karen village where we stop before venturing into the rice fields where our guesthouse is located.
Day accompanied by an English-speaking hiking guide. Excursion duration approximately 5h30 including about 3h30 of effective walking
Tonight, we are welcomed for dinner and the night by a Karen family in a stunning setting.
After breakfast at our hosts' home and a morning stroll in the village, we drive to Chi's camp, a young Karen who will show us his elephants and way of life. Upon arrival, we prepare fruits to feed the elephants. We then walk together in the jungle, where the elephants continue to feed and we can interact with them in a natural environment. Our guide provides more information about their behavior. Finally, we witness the elephants bathing in the river.
The activity is private and in the company of Chi.
In the afternoon, to cool off, we will take a short bamboo rafting trip down the Mae Wang River.
The activity is a peaceful ride of about 40 minutes.
Night at Chiang Mai Elephant Friends, a charming lodge on the banks of the Mae Wang.
Our driver will take you to Chiang Mai airport, from where we will fly to the southwest of Thailand, along the Andaman coast.
We board our flight to Krabi.
From there, our vehicle awaits to take us to Koh Lanta, a charming archipelago made up of two main islands located in the Andaman Sea. Discovered by the French through the famous TV show of the same name, Koh Lanta still resists the invasion of large infrastructures and has managed to preserve its beautiful wild beaches. Whether traveling with friends or as a couple, Koh Lanta appeals for its lush nature, coconut-lined beaches, and turquoise waters.
Transfer to your resort, the Anda Lanta Resort, where we will stay for 4 nights in a Deluxe room with a sea view.
We enjoy our free stay on the beautiful Koh Lanta and the surrounding sea (not included - to be arranged on site directly):
• Exploring the interior of the island
• Half-day or full-day boat excursions to nearby small rocks and islets
• Cooking classes (must be booked in advance)
• Kayaking
• Snorkeling around the Phi Phi Islands
Or why not simply lounge by your pool or on the white sandy beach.
Departure in the morning from the hotel to Krabi airport (2 hours).
We board our return flight to Bangkok where we meet our driver who will take us to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Bangkok a little more.
Settling in at the Shanghai Mansion, a boutique hotel ideally located in the heart of the capital's Chinatown.
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day and transfer to the airport at your preferred time.