The Astounding Sites and Experiences of Thailand

On Thursday we’ll arrive in Bangkok. After your long flight, we’ll start off our trip the best way we can, with a relaxing 2-hour Thai massage. After your spa session, spend the evening meeting your fellow adventurers with a welcome dinner at a rooftop restaurant. You’ll feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to rest up for the days of excitement and cultural experiences ahead.

Bangkok

Today the adventure begins. We’ll be having a full-day tour of the best sites you can see in Bangkok. The day will include a gorgeous boat ride along the river and canals. We’ll visit the Grand Palace at the heart of Bangkok, The Emerald Buddha Temple as well as Wat Pho, which is the beautiful Buddhist temple home to Bangkok’s largest reclining Buddha. We’ll also see Wat Traimit, which has a 5.5-ton Golden Buddha. Midday we’ll get lunch at a delicious local restaurant.

Bangkok to Sukhothai

On Saturday we’ll fly to Sukhothai and check into our hotel. Your afternoon is free to explore the hotel grounds and surrounding village. We recommend taking a tuk-tuk to the local market for some Thai streetfood and local handicrafts.

Sukhothai

We’ll take a bike tour of Sukhothai Historical Park. You’ll feel just like Indiana Jones exploring the ancient ruins. Sukhothai is the first kingdom of Siam established some 800 years ago, and this historic city is full of shrines and 700-year old temples and ruins.

It was the first state capital of Thailand, Sukhothai was once the center of politics, culture, religion, and education. The earliest examples of Thai writing were found here and the area was kept clear of floods with the use of impressive hydraulic engineering. With massive Buddha statues and ruins spread out across a variety of areas, Sukhothai is a great place to explore a less crowded historic site.

We’ll get lunch at a local restaurant and take an afternoon visit to Sri Satchanalai, another historic park at the northern outpost of Sukhothai.

Sukhothai to Chiang Mai

This morning we’ll Depart Sukhothai with a five-hour road trip to the largest city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai. While on our way, we’ll stop to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a monument to fine Lanna art and architecture in Lampang. It’s also known as “Mueang Rot Ma” in Thai, meaning “Horse Carriage City”. The horse-drawn carriage is one of the most memorable symbols of this town, as reflected in many traditional products.

We’ll arrive in Chiang Mai in the early afternoon and check in for a leisurely day/evening that you can spend however you’d like but we recommend wandering the streets of Old Town, checking out a Muy Thai boxing match, and devouring an order of Mango Sticky Rice from a local street food vendor. 

Chiang Mai

Our day will include a visit to  Doi Suthep, one of the most renowned sites of the Buddhist community, and an ancient pilgrimage site. Statues, murals, and shrines can be seen in various areas. We’ll see Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which is the most revered Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai. Its hilltop location gives you a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. It’s an extremely impressive build and has a bone from the Buddha’s shoulder, according to a legend. 

The afternoon will be a time to relax and explore at your own pace.

In the evening, we’ll be going to the Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival. The festival is a combined celebration with Loy Krathong. In the lantern festival, thousands of lanterns are cast into the sky creating a breathtaking site. It’s an important tradition for the Thai people, and the event has religious undertones. Buddhist monks participate in it and light candles inside floating lanterns to symbolize the Buddha. As the lanterns are released into the sky, both the Thai people and travelers can make wishes and recognize the lanterns as good luck and a new beginning. You won’t want to miss this pivotal event.

Dinner will be included with today’s events.

Chiang Mai

We’ll be touring Patara Elephant Farm, which is considered the best elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai in terms of health recovery and reproduction management for elephants. The farm strives to be a place of rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary for elephants. Their focus is on educating the public about the threats elephants face. The farm pairs visitors up with an elephant for a day and assigns them the task of caring for that elephant. This is an opportunity to share a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the elephants, and you will be touched by their beauty. This activity includes roundtrip transportation from and to the hotel, a picnic lunch, drinking water, training outfit, and photos of the activity so you can remember the amazing time you had with the elephants.

Chiang Mai to Phuket

We’ll travel from Chiang Mai to the exciting island of Phuket. Phuket is surrounded by soaring limestone cliffs and crystal blue water. Take the evening as a free night to explore the hotel and surrounding areas. 

Phuket

Today is a free day of exploring and relaxing in Thailand! 

In the evening join us for a Ladyboy Cabaret. Gender in Thailand is viewed and defined in a unique context because of their ancient tradition of a third gender. Ladyboy is a local identity that is different than the western ideas of transgender or drag queens. Lady Boy Cabarets are more similar to western beauty pageants with high-quality dance performances, breathtaking gowns, and show-stopping live singing. 

We’ll take a trip to Phi Phi Island and Bamboo Island by speed boat. We’ll explore the glorious limestone cliffs of the Phi Phi Islands that scale above the beautiful, clear water and beaches. They are truly spectacular views to see.

Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or relax and feed wild monkeys at Monkey Beach. Sightseeing at Viking Cave where the swallow birds have their nest empire. Head to Pileh Cove lagoon for sightseeing or swimming in the calm emerald water surrounded by impressive cliffs.

Snorkel and discover the fabulously colorful sea wildlife at Loh Samah or Bida Island. Buffet Lunch is served on Phi Phi Don Island. After lunch, visit Hin Klang or Great Coral Reef for snorkeling. You will have some free time to relax on Bamboo Island, where you can enjoy swimming or just layout on the beach before it’s time to go back. After an hour’s cruise, you will arrive at the pier in Phuket and you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Another free day to explore all the city of Phuket has to offer! We recommend taking a Thai cooking class and immersing yourself in the culinary experience of Thai cuisine. 

Free Day! You’re welcome to take the time to explore on your own, with those you came with, or with any new friends you made before heading back home.

We’ll be transferring out to the airport.