Highlights of Thailand - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Free Day

Welcome to Thailand! After arriving in Bangkok, your private driver will meet you at the airport and escort you to your accommodation in the heart of the city. Today, you're free to explore the city at your own leisure.

There's something for everyone in this buzzing metropolis, which combines the old with the new. Head to Chinatown for delicious street food, visit the shopping district of Siam Paragon, or for those visiting on the weekend, don't miss the world's largest outdoor market, Chatuchak. Sports lovers can catch a kickboxing fight, the signature sport of Thailand, and those in search of cultural activities can see a puppet show or visit Warehouse 30 for modern art exhibitions. End your day on a relaxing note with a traditional Thai massage. 

Day 2: Full-Day Sightseeing, Visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Begin today with a trip to Ratchaburi province to visit the tourist-friendly Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Enjoy a 30-minute cruise onboard a traditional long-tailed boat, passing through remote plantations and Thai villages along the river and winding canal. At the floating market, witness a lively scene of local vendors selling food, tropical fruits, and numerous handcrafted products on their boats, then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. 

In the afternoon, you'll be taken through the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to visit Wat Traimit, a visually stunning temple in Chinatown, to see one of the largest solid gold Buddhas. Continue to Wat Pho, home of the famous 147-foot (45 m) reclining Buddha and the original school of traditional Thai massage. Next, visit The Royal Grand Palace, the nation's landmark and most-revered royal monuments. See rooms used for different occasions, like the Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall, and Royal Guest House, as well as the mysterious famous Emerald Buddha, the most esteemed Buddha in Thailand. 

Day 3: Half-Day Biking Tour to Bangkok Countryside

Rise and shine! Head to Si Phraya (the "River City Shopping Centre") this morning at 6 am for a bicycle tour through the city. You'll pass through Chinatown, with its narrow alleyways and winding pathways, passing markets, local Buddhist temples, and authentic street life as you ride. Cross the Chao Phraya River by ferry and continue the tour in Thonburi, Thailand's former capital city. See local temples, and sample the slower-paced lifestyle this side of the river. A common stop in this part of the tour is King Mother's Memorial Park, where you can visit a museum and relax in the garden. 

Take a 30-minute break from cycling for a long-tail boat ride through the local canals of Thonburi. Observe the fascinating life of people living along the canal, as well as a mix of new and old Thai architecture. After disembarking from the long-tail boat, enter one of the greenbelt areas found in urban Bangkok. Cycling on elevated walkways, exploring fruit and herb plantations, and experiencing rural living right in the middle of the city. Stop for a drink and a snack, then continue to your final boat ride through the canals and back across the river to Chinatown, where the tour ends. 

Day 4: Full-Day Bridge of River Kwai Sightseeing

Today, you'll be partaking in a full day of sightseeing. After breakfast, head to Kanchanaburi, where you'll visit the cemetery of the World War II allied prisoners and the neighboring JEATH Museum. Take a quick long-tail boat ride to the famous bridge on the River Kwai.

In the afternoon, experience a spectacular train ride across the bridge and along part of the original "Death Railway." Here, enjoy views of the river and take in the spectacular scenery. The train slows down at the most impressive viewpoints en route to ensure you have a chance to take pictures. After the tour, you'll head back to Bangkok. 

Day 5: Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Afternoon Cooking Class

Today, you'll fly from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After unwinding, you'll be picked up from your airport in the afternoon to experience a typical day in the life of a local. No tourists, no sightseeing, just real-life home cooking in an authentic Thai neighborhood. Take a 20-minute drive to Hang Dong to spend the day with your Thai "family." In true Thai style, slip into a pair of local fisherman's pants and discover the architecture of a traditional Thai house and rice barn.

Your appointed Thai family will also demonstrate their basket-weaving skills, a tradition that has existed in Thailand for centuries. Stroll around the small family orchard and select fresh ingredients to cook later with. You will learn to make traditional home-cooked meals with authentic Northern Thai flavors—a world away from standard dishes offered in commercial cooking classes. Best of all, you'll have the opportunity to get to know a real Thai family and be their house guest for the day.

Day 6: Chiang Mai Sightseeing by Local Transport

Today, you'll explore several of the city's better-known highlights and off-the-beaten-track destinations. Your city safari will take place on various modes of local transport—including a songthaew, long-tail boat, and the ubiquitous 3-wheeler tuk-tuk—meaning you'll see areas of the city shut off from most tourists. Start the day with a long tail boat to the "Thai Farmer's House." Agriculture remains Thailand's largest source of income, and here you can discover the basic elements of the industry: rice, local herbs, fruits, and fishing. All thriving in a chemical-free environment. 

Stroll around the old trader community of Wat Gatekaram and Warorot market—a must-visit for food lovers. Continue to Wat Chedi Luang, one of the city's most spectacular ruins that once housed the Emerald Buddha. Enjoy a bowl of Khao Soy for lunch before visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in the afternoon, a sacred temple that sits on a mountain with an enormous mythological nagas staircase of 306 steps. Inside the cloister is an intriguing copper-placed chedi topped by a five-tier gold parasol, which contains relics of Lord Buddha. On a clear day, there are incomparable views over Chiang Mai. 

Day 7: Doi Inthanon National Park, Mae Klang Luuang Nature Trail

Today, head to Doi Inthanon National park, the highest mountain peak in Thailand. Take a scenic drive through its beautiful rice paddy fields, and take in the striking pagodas built on top of a mountain. These magnificent pagodas were dedicated to the royal grace of King Rama IX and the Queen of Thailand. Head to Karen Hill tribe village to witness the daily life of the locals, stopping in at the colorful Hill tribe market. On your way home, stop at the impressive Wachirathan Waterfall. 

In the afternoon, visit the Ban Mae Klang Luang nature trail. This trail is ideal for naturalists seeking peaceful moments away from the throngs of tourists and getting to know villagers' way of life. Head into the forest, following the river and passing Pa Dok Siew Waterfall, where you can cool off with a swim. The trail will eventually open into agricultural land, which surrounds Mae Klang Luang Karen village, where you will see coffee bushes and rice paddies. Make a pitstop at a local coffee house where they roast, hand grind, and prepare freshly brewed coffee from the hills surrounding the village. 

Day 8: Depart Chiang Mai

It's time to say goodbye. After one last healthy Thai breakfast, it's time to check out, pick up any last-minute souvenirs from the local markets, then head to the airport to catch your flight back home or onto your next journey. Until next time! 

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