Highlights
- Explore Bangkok by Skytrain, boat, and tuk-tuk
- Visit the famous Railway Market and Floating Market
- Cruise down the Chao Phraya River at night
- Take a speedboat trip to the Phi Phi Islands, where they filmed "The Beach"
- Feed, bathe, and play with elephants at an ethical sanctuary
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Bangkok | Bangkok |
| Day 2 | Explore Bangkok by Local Transport | Bangkok |
| Day 3 | Thai Markets Tour: Railway Market & Floating Market | Bangkok |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Phuket | Phuket |
| Day 5 | Visit an Elephant Sanctuary | Phuket |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Phi Phi Islands by Speedboat | Phuket |
| Day 7 | Beach Day in Phuket | Phuket |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Phuket Airport, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok
Your trip begins in Bangkok, Thailand's cosmopolitan capital and a dazzling display of golden temples, lively markets, towering skyscrapers, and artisan communities on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It's easy to explore Bangkok independently at your own pace. Visit Chinatown and try delicious street food, or hit the shops at Siam Paragon—one of Bangkok's largest shopping malls. If you're visiting on the weekend, don't miss Chatuchak Market, one of the world's largest outdoor markets with over 15,000 stalls. And, of course, there's no better way to wrap up your day than with a traditional Thai massage.
For dinner with a difference, board a cruise to tuck into a mouth-watering meal while gliding past beautiful scenery on both sides of the river. You'll be welcomed on board with fruity cocktails as a group of saxophonists sets an elegant atmosphere. The cruise will head for Pinklao Bridge, where you have the opportunity to take snaps of the Wat Arun Buddhist temple and the Grand Palace illuminated against the night sky. Dinner is a candlelit affair, and you'll feast on an international buffet as the band entertains with its diverse setlist. If the mood takes you, hit the disco floor before arriving back at the pier.
Day 2: Explore Bangkok by Local Transport
Today there's an early start to head beyond the crowded streets and discover a more local side of Bangkok. Take advantage of the city's great network of public transport on a full-day excursion around the capital, where you'll see some iconic sites and also take a closer look at the traditions and lifestyles of the Thai people.
The day's exploring begins with a ride on the city's Skytrain—a super-efficient network running high above the city until midnight. Disembark near the Chao Phraya River and board a public boat to enjoy the views of the city skyline and spy the houses that balance precariously on stilts along the river's edge. Jump off to explore Wat Pho and the Grand Palace and spend the rest of the morning learning about the country's regal history and the deep-rooted spiritual traditions of its people.
Your next mode of transport is one of the most fun. Hop in a tuk-tuk (Thailand's famous three-wheeled vehicle) and weave through the traffic to the quieter streets of Soi Ban Batra, a handicraft community known for the art of making monks' alms bowls. Visit a family-run workshop where the bowls are produced, watch the artisans at work, and learn about the daily lives of the Buddhist monks who wake early to collect alms offerings from the city's residents.
The last leg of today's tour is a "bus boat" through the city's canals. Rarely used by tourists, this journey provides an up-close look at the ways of life of the local people who live alongside the canals. Then it's a short walk to the Jim Thompson House Museum, the former home of the famous American silk merchant. Here, you can take an insightful tour of the tranquil gardens and traditional Thai-style buildings. Afterward, stroll to the nearby modern shopping malls for some retail therapy before hopping back on the Skytrain to your hotel for downtime.
Day 3: Thai Markets Tour: Railway Market & Floating Market
Today you'll take a short drive from the buzzing streets of Bangkok to Samut Songkhram Province, watching the urban landscape dissolve into lush green countryside. First up, visit a local railway station where the thriving Maeklong Railway Market has sprouted up along the tracks. When a train pulls in or out of the station, the vendors quickly clear their stalls, only to set them up again moments later when the train has passed! Continue to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although quite touristy, it's still a brilliant example of the traditional floating markets central to Bangkok life for decades.
A relaxing paddle boat ride through the labyrinth of canals offers the chance to see the old part of the floating market and the local lifestyle along the canalside. Jump off to stroll around the floating marketplace where boats are piled high with colorful tropical fruits and other delights, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The tour continues with a long-tail boat ride to a Buddhist temple and the King Rama II Memorial Park with its ornate collection of Thai-style pavilions.Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Transfer to Phuket
Spend a final morning in Bangkok before your private driver whisks you off to the airport for your flight south to Phuket. Linked to the mainland by a road bridge, Phuket is the largest island in Thailand, and it's a 24/7 destination. The area is more diverse than you might expect, though; alongside the famous golden beaches and clear lagoons, there are rugged limestone cliffs, lush tropical forests, and quieter coves.
There's plenty of time for you to explore Phuket at your leisure. Take a few hours to relax at the beach, go swimming or snorkeling, or up the adrenaline at the Flying Hanuman zipline adventure. In the evening, don't miss the night markets and the popular bars on neon-lit Bangla Road.Day 5: Visit an Elephant Sanctuary
Get ready for a real adventure. Rise early and meet your driver, who will take you northwest of the town past sandy beaches, rolling hills, mangrove forests, and local farms to reach the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket, an ethical and immersive ecotourism program that takes care of elephants and helps promote their welfare throughout Thailand and around the world.
Settle in with a snack and hot drink while your guide tells you about these remarkable creatures. Then it's time to get hands-on. You'll help prepare natural dietary supplements for the elephants and give them their daily vitamins. In this relaxed, natural environment, you'll have time to meet, interact, and play with the elephants before joining them for a mud spa and a swim in the river. It's best to bring a change of clothes, as the fun can get messy!
After working up an appetite, polish off a freshly cooked pad thai lunch before saying goodbye to the friendly elephants. The drive back to your hotel with take you through spectacular island scenery, and the rest of the day is yours to relax after an unforgettable morning.Day 6: Day Trip to Phi Phi Islands by Speedboat
After a lazy morning at your hotel, your driver will drop you at Boat Lagoon Pier, where a speedboat will be waiting to whisk you across the Andaman Sea—and some of the clearest waters you'll ever see—to the dramatic and breathtakingly beautiful Phi Phi Islands. The first stop is Maya Bay on the smaller island of Phi Phi Lei, where you'll step foot on powder-soft sands and see the jaw-dropping view made famous in the 2000 movie "The Beach." You'll then head to beautiful Loh Samah Bay and stop at Pileh Lagoon to explore the Viking Cave and swim in the clear warm waters alongside tropical fish.
As you stop at Monkey Beach on the west coast of Phi Phi Don, the larger of the two Phi Phi Islands, you'll soon understand how this strip of forest-fringed white sand got its name. Don your swimming and snorkeling gear to explore the underwater life before devouring a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, travel to a stunning beach on Bamboo Island or Rang Yai Island for more swimming and relaxation.Day 7: Beach Day in Phuket
Today it's all about relaxing on the beach. Phuket is known for its outstanding beaches, and the only decision you'll need to make is which one to choose. Kata has long been a popular option thanks to its soft white sands, shady palm trees, watersports, and laid-back atmosphere. You can easily spend the day here, and food and drink vendors are on hand when you need refreshments.
At the end of Phuket, Nai Harn has grown in popularity over the years, yet it remains pleasantly peaceful as it isn't as built up as other areas. There are some cool craft shops and local restaurants nearby for when you need to grab lunch. To get away from it all in Phuket, Freedom Beach tops the list. Reaching the beach is part of the adventure (you can either hike a steep path or take a long-tail boat), and you'll escape the motorized watersports and beach vendors for a peaceful day on pristine sands.
Day 8: Transfer to Phuket Airport, Depart
There's a final chance today for sightseeing or souvenir buying before your private driver transfers you to the airport to catch your flight back home. Safe travels!
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