Cultural and Beach Thailand Itinerary

After immigration, your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

Breakfast is at the hotel.

Start the day with a visit to Wat Pho to listen to the morning chants of the monks.

Afterwards, explore the temple’s complex with its colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings.

Take a tuk – tuk ride around Sanam Luang to visit the Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful ancient Siamese courts. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Thailand. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: The Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple.

Lunch is at a local riverside restaurant

Continue by a long-tail boat to explore Thonburi, the western part of Bangkok, situated on the right side of the Chao Phya River. Its many canals had originally given Bangkok the name “Venice of the East.” Passing by boat along the canals gives you a first – hand impression of the scenic life along Bangkok’s waterways. Also visit the Royal Barges and the Temple of Dawn.

Breakfast is at the hotel.

If you want to experience local life, you can take the train at 6:30am from Hua Lampong Railway Station, Bangkok to Ayuthaya. Otherwise, you can travel by car to Ayuthaya.

Explore Ayutthaya historical park by local tuk – tuk. First stop at the famous Buddha face in the tree (Wat Mahathat). Next, vis it the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Lokayasutharam). The reclining Buddha is the prototype of Wat Pho in Bangkok.

Continue with a visit to Roti Sai Mai production to enjoy a specialty dessert from Ayutthaya. This dessert is also called Sweat Angel Hair or Silky Threads. Roti Sai Mai is mainly associated with the ancient Kingdom of Ayutthaya. The area of Ayutthaya is still the center of the production of this cotton candy. However, the origin of this colorful sweetmeat goes back to the Indian subcontinent. Roti vendors from India and Pakistan brought it to Thailand. The cotton candy is served in various colors and is wrapped in a piece of two lightly salted thin paper like crepes. Locals will teach you how to produce an original Roti Sai Mai.

Lunch is at Krua Ya Bua restaurant, a Thai traditional restaurant, which offers a view of the riverside.

Continue with a visit to the hand-crafted Aranyik knife villages dating back to the early Ratanakosin period. The villagers at Ban Ton Pho and Ban Nhong Pai grew up in Vientiane in Laos and emigrated to Thailand. Most of them worked as craftsmen especially those who produced knives. Aranyik is a traditional name from the Ayutthaya period when wars were fought in hand-to-hand battles. Aranyik village gained fame as a place where swordsmiths were specialized in producing in battle blades.

Discover the fishermen market at Talad Klang Pue Kaset Tagon. The Ayutthaya province in Thailand is known for its freshwater rivers and canals and eating fresh fish and prawns is a traditional part of the diet in the region. The ancient capital city of Thailand is one of the most famous places in the country for eating jumbo sized freshwater river prawns.

Visit the peaceful meditation retreat at Wat Maheyong. Wat Maheyong was most likely used as a meditation venue in the quiet eastern fringe of the city after its establishment by King Borommarachathirat II in 1438. Now it is overseen by an adjacent monastery that focuses on Vipassana meditation. You can participate in a meditation lesson in the peaceful and quiet temple area. For the meditation session you will get dressed in white clothes.

Afterwards, check into your hotel.

Take a walking street tour of the night market. Taste the local famous noodle dish called Kuayteaw Ruea, a Thai style strong-flavored noodle dish.

Enjoy breakfast and check out of the hotel.

Head to Ang Thong to meet one of the last traditional Khon mask makers left in Thailand. As one of the last traditional artists using procedures handed down to him by his grandfather, his masks are of the highest craftsmanship and authenticity. Enjoy a workshop on Khon mask making.

Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Return to Bangkok. If time permits, visit a drum making village with some of the best drum makers of Thailand.

Breakfast is at the hotel.

Enjoy a Thai cooking class from 9 – 12:30pm.

This is an ideal home-style learning environment that is different from most of the hotels and restaurants in Thailand.

Breakfast is at the hotel.

Transfer to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport for a mid-morning flight to Chiang Mai.

In the arrival hall, you will meet your guide followed by half day excursion to the most sacred temple of Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep. This temple is perched atop a forested mountain with sweeping views of the city below. It houses a wealth of Buddha images, murals and Buddhist arts. Climb the 306 step Naga stair case to reach the temple. You will be given a blessing by a monk at the temple.

Breakfast is at the hotel

Your culinary adventure will not be complete if you do not experience a cooking course in Chiang Mai. The cooking course starts with a visit to a local market and an introduction to Thai ingredients. The course has been designed as a half-day course with four mouth-watering Northern Thai dishes: Abb Pla (Grilled fish with herbs in banana leaves), Nam Prig Ong (Northern style chilli dip with minced pork and cherry tomatoes), Lab Muang Kai (Northern Thai spicy chicken salad with herbs) and Khao Soi Gai (Chiang Mai curry noodle with chicken). The lesson is given in a beautiful modern wooden house set in a relaxing garden and an organic farm. The class is full of fun and is a real hands-on experience. After having lunch that you have cooked, return to your hotel.

Breakfast is at the hotel.

Enjoy a full day visit to Elephant Nature Park, a natural home and sanctuary for elephants, buffalos, dogs, cats, birds and many other rescued animals.

Afterwards take the city and temple tour of Chaing Mai. Visit Wat Laam Chang, Wat Chiang Man and Wat Phra Singh. Take a ride on a Three Wheel along the Chiang Mai Ta Pae Gate.

Also visit Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phantao. End the day with a visit to Warorot local market.

Breakfast is at the hotel

Drive to the south of the city to visit Wat Ton Kwen or Wat Inthrawat, some of the finest examples of classic Lanna architecture in Northern Thailand. Proceed to hang Dong for an incredible gastronomic experience with the local Ruankaew – Yanon family. You will be welcomed into their home to experience a typical day in the life of Thai people. You will learn to cook traditional home cooked recipes with authentic Northern Thai flavors that are different from standard dishes offered in commercial cooking classes. Enjoy a delicious home cooked meal which you helped to create with the Thai family.

Breakfast is at the hotel.

Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your onwards flight to a beach destination.