Thailand A la Carte Private Vacation

Welcome to Bangkok! Upon arrival at the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will be met by your private driver and driven into downtown Bangkok.

This morning your guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin your day with a tour of Wat Po, the most extensive temple in Bangkok and home to the third largest reclining Buddha in Thailand. You will have the opportunity to witness the solemn atmosphere of monks’ chanting in its marvelous main hall, not commonly seen by visitors. Next, visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, commonly known as Wat Phra Kaew, originally intended as a temple compound for royalty and to house the most revered statues of Buddha. After your tour, visit a traditional restaurant to try authentic Thai dishes. After lunch, you will board a typical long-tailed boat that will take you through Bangkok’s waterways into the complex network of the Thonburi Canals. Return to your hotel for a light rest before experiencing a Manorah Dinner Cruise (B,L,D)

Today you will leave the city center and head toward Thailand’s countryside to the west of Bangkok and Samut Sakhon. You will pass by numerous salt farms along the way, located on the shore of the Gulf of Thailand. You will visit the most famous floating market in Thailand, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, whose many vendors call out their wares and haggle over price from their boats. Take this opportunity to explore local orchards and a local home by paddleboat to see how the locals process coconut sugar, one of the most important sugars in Thai cuisine. You will arrive back in Bangkok for a visit to the Jim Thompson House and Museum. This architectural gem is hidden away in a quiet street and was once the home of the man who took the production of Thai silk to a higher level on the international stage. An open-air café is now situated in the garden where you will enjoy a light lunch and some shopping. Later this evening, you will experience Bangkok’s culinary scene with a midnight food tour by tuk-tuk. You will visit several local eateries around the city to sample some staples in Thai culture. (B,L)

You will have this morning at your leisure to explore the capital city one last time and perhaps catch an early morning market. At the appropriate time, you will meet your driver for a private transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport for a short flight to Chiang Rai (not included), the northernmost province of Thailand. Upon arrival, you will be met by your driver and guide to begin your exploration of Chiang Rai. You will visit Wat Phra Kaew, the royal temple in Chiang Rai and the location where the Emerald Buddha was first found. Later, continue to Baan Dam, or Black House, a museum of art created by Thailand’s national artist Thawan Duchanee, whose works depict dramatic scenes with a dark tone while paying homage to traditional Thai art. You will have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel for dinner at a local restaurant of your choice. (B,L,D)

Today you will have the day at your leisure to take advantage of your included resort package. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to visit the Opium Museum to learn about the history behind this afflicting export. Take some time for lunch at a local restaurant of your choice then, later, you will have the choice of four different excursions including an elephant camp experience, a cooking class or a spa treatment. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a restaurant of your choosing. (B,L,D)

Spend your day today taking advantage of one of your resort’s other excursions to make the most of your time in the Golden Triangle. You may decide to join the Golden Triangle Discovery, a visit to the three countries who surround the Mekong River and create what is known as the Golden Triangle. You’ll visit Tachileik, Myanmar, Chiang Saen, Thailand and have the option to visit Don Sao Island in Laos. Enjoy lunch and dinner today at a local restaurant of your choosing. (B,L,D)

Your morning is at your leisure to explore the many facilities of your resort before an early lunch and your private transfer to Chiang Mai. En route, you will visit Wat Rong Khun, one of Chiang Rai’s iconic temples popularly known as the “White Temple.” Continue on your scenic drive to Chiang Mai where you will check-in to your hotel upon arrival and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure to take in the extreme natural beauty and unique indigenous cultural identity of the region. (B,L)

Begin your day with an early morning alms giving. Each day, Buddhist Monks walk the streets of Chiang Mai to collect alms from the local community. You can take this opportunity to offer food to the monks, this often being the only meal they eat all day. After, you’ll return to your hotel for breakfast followed by a private exploration of the Old City of Chiang Mai. You’ll explore the city on an authentic trishaw which will maneuver you through the busy roads which still capture the old world charm of the city. You will visit Wat Pra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and the Doi Suthep Temple and Hilltribe Village. You’ll return to your hotel later in the afternoon after lunch at a local restaurant. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure. (B,L)

After breakfast, drive from the hotel to Baan On Tai, Sankampaeng district. The On-Tai community is a community that has been around for a very long time. The On-Tai community today is a vibrant agricultural community that takes pride in its sustainability. A nature-friendly area that has led them to secure their own food sources. This place is excellent for learning and dining. We can assure you all there’s candy for the eyes, food for the stomach, and nourishment for the soul. Arrive On-Tai village (Sankamphaeng District) around 09.00 am. Meet the local guide and get some brief information. Start the trip to visit the village and Tao San Kamphaeng, visit Fah Mai Hand Loom for dying and weaving work shop. Learn about Thai herb and make a herbal ball (get one souvenir from work shop) and visit the organic farm. Lunch at the community center. Afternoon, drive back to hotel. At 4pm, you will be transferred to Grandma’s Home Cooking school for cooking class session with dinner. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and meet your private driver for transfer to the Chiang Mai International Airport where you will check-in for your onward flight. (B)