Off-the-beaten-path Thailand

Sawasdee and welcome to the land of smiles. Your tour begins in Bangkok, the center of Thailand, known worldwide for its abundance of sensational foods, glamourous shopping malls, historical sights and sizzling nightlife.

Upon arrival to the airport, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the boutique Eastin Grand Hotel in Bangkok. The accommodation offers a central location to the majority of the city’s attractions while offering an oasis of tranquility to guests.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn

Explore Bangkok’s famed cultural and historical attractions with a private tour through the city utilizing the iconic tuk-tuk, long tail boat, and by foot. Visit the Phra Nakorn area of Rattanakosin Island along the Bangkok Noi and Bang Luang Canals. Wander through Bangkok’s impressive golden Grand Palace before stopping at Wat Pho to see the immense reclining Buddha. Shop for exotic flowers in the local markets before perusing the finest Thai art collections in the National Museum.

Return to the hotel in the early afternoon and enjoy an afternoon at leisure until an adventurous evening street food tour in Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown. One of the world’s most renowned street food destinations and favourite local food spot. With 7 stops on the walking tour and over 10 scrumptious food and drink samples for a truly interesting dinner experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn

Drive 2.5 hours north to the ruins of Ayutthaya, a former capital of the Kingdom of Siam from 1350-1767, and at one time, the largest city in the world due to its trading connections with other kingdoms such as China, India and Indonesia.

Although most of the city was destroyed when it was sacked by Burmese troops in 1767, there are still nearly 100 ruins left to admire and visit throughout the island at your leisure. Some of the most famous historical sites to see on your visit are the Buddha head entwined in a Bodhi Tree at Wat Phra Mahathat and Wat Chaiwathanaram, and can be easily explored via tuk-tuk or by bicycle as the island is completely flat.

Eat a local lunch before boarding your afternoon local train to the historic city of Phitsanulok, well-known for housing one of the most revered Buddha images in the country in a local temple.

Meals: Breakfast

Take some time to visit Phra Si Ratana Mahathat for the chance to glimpse the most revered image of Buddha in the country before the one-hour drive to the first capital of Siam, Sukhothai, translated as “The Dawn of Happiness”. Established in the mid-13th century, Sukhothai was ruled by many great kings of Thailand’s past and was the birthplace of the Thai alphabet, politics, monarchy, and religion.

You can choose whether to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sukhothai Historical Park ruins by car or by bicycle as the land is very flat with well-paved roads. During your stay in the park you will see the Ramkamhaeng Museum, Wat Mahathat, Wat Chang Lom, Wat Phra Phai Luang, and Wat Si Chum.

The afternoon is free for your leisure to continue exploring the park or to relax in your boutique hotel in Sukothai.

Meals: Breakfast

For early risers a sunrise visit to one of the ruins can be organized, otherwise enjoy a leisurely breakfast before departing to Chiang Mai via Si Satchanalai.

Located an hour’s drive north of Sukhothai, Si Satchanalai Historical Park contains the ruins of Si Satchanalai, a very important city within the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13^th and 14^th centuries. This stop is a highlight of the tour as the park receives much fewer guests than that of Sukhothai or Ayutthaya, leaving visitors with the park the feeling as if they are discovering the area for the first time. The ruins can be easily explored by bicycle or foot, with the most popular being Wat Chedi Chet Thaew and Wat Chang Lom.

Visit the Sawanworanayok National Museum and browse the curated artifacts found throughout the years and learn more about the city’s ancient history as a leading provider of glazed ceramics and pottery.

Continue on the remaining 3.5 hour drive to Chiang Mai, the traditional and cultural heart of the country and former capital of the powerful Lanna Kingdom. Upon arrival you will be taken to your hotel for check-in, allowing you time to rest and relax independently.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: U Chiang Mai Hotel

This morning begins with an alms giving ceremony at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the holiest and most important temple in Chiang Mai. Afterwards, climb up 309 steps along a golden staircase to reach the golden pagodas of the temple.

Return to the city and visit Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Sri Suphan, Wat Phra Singh, and The Three Kings Monument by rickshaw before returning to the hotel and enjoying your afternoon and evening free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: U Chiang Mai Hotel

Journey 3-hours further north from Chiang Mai to the provincial town of Chiang Rai. Explore the town’s most impressive site, Wat Rong Khun, popularly referred to as the White Temple. Unlike any other temple in the country, the complex’s beauty comes not only from its pure white color but the painstakingly detailed carvings that cover every surface.

Leave Chiang Rai town behind after lunch and venture out into the hills of the country to the Lanjia Lodge after a scenic 90-minute drive. In the evening, while having a delicious dinner prepared for you with local delicacies, sit back and watch a cultural performance put on by Hmong and Lahu villagers.

Meals: Breakfast

Spend time in nearby Hmong and Lahu Villages this morning to learn about local traditions, culture, and the daily way of life. You can choose to learn how to set animal traps or how to create gorgeous batik pieces before taking a boat cruise down the Mekong River to the town of Chiang Khong.

Break for lunch at a local restaurant and then embark on a walking tour of the small town, passing Buddhist temples, villages, and fisherman eager to share their daily catch with you. The last stop of the day is Phra That Jom Meng, a temple on a mountain top with incredible scenic views of the Mekong River, jungle basin, and neighbouring Laos. Return to the lodge just in time to sit down for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast

Trek past waterfalls and through the jungle basin today on this action-packed day filled with swimming and hiking opportunities. Sit down underneath the jungle canopy for a picnic lunch and visit local villages before returning to Chiang Rai and checking-in to your city hotel for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Chiang Rai Airport for your return flight to Bangkok and your pre-booked travel arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast