Thai Immersion

Day notes

Welcome to Thailand!

Upon arrival in Bangkok, you will be greeted at the aircraft door or before you enter the terminal area, escorted to a VIP area, and fast-tracked through immigration.  You will then be transferred to your hotel to check in and relax for the evening after your international travel.

Day notes

The morning is free at leisure. Your car & guide will be on standby at the hotel for any optional tours that you require.

Once known as the "Venice of the East" due to its vast and intricate network of canals, it is no wonder that many of Bangkok's most spectacular attractions are set on the water's edge. So, there is no better way to discover the true heart of the city than by traditional long-tail boat with a relaxing cruise through the famous waterways.

The afternoon tour starts with a ride along the Chao Phraya, Bangkok's 'River of Kings', before entering the labyrinthine network of small canals, or ‘klongs’, where the pace of life feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city center.

The Chao Praya River remains an important ceremonial thoroughfare, and you have the chance to visit the Royal Barge Museum which houses the spectacular golden boats used by the King of Thailand on state occasions.

The boat emerges at Baan Silapin, a 100-year-old house that has been renovated and transformed into an art gallery. Here, guests can explore the local community and interact with the locals.

Optional - Joe Louis School of Puppetry at Baan Silapin - a unique show that features colorful and intricately-designed Thai puppets (puppet show performance not guaranteed due to short notice changes).

Experience the romantic Bangkok evening in style on the luxury Manohra rice barge cruise that has been converted into one of Bangkok’s finest dining venues. While cruising along the Chao Phraya River, passing the glittering sights,  enjoy a sumptuous five-course dinner. From the stunning Temple of Dawn, the illuminated Grand Palace, magnificent temples, striking bridges, and other Bangkok landmarks, the cruise offers a perfectly relaxing nighttime experience in Bangkok that you will never forget.

Day notes

Arguably Bangkok's most enchanting temple, Wat Pho allows visitors to experience traditional Buddhist ceremonies and rituals as they have been practiced for hundreds of years.

An early start will allow guests to arrive at this stunning temple in time to witness the monks' morning chanting ritual - a deeply spiritual and uplifting experience that captivates visitors and offers a real sense of Thailand's Buddhist heritage.

Guests can also explore Wat Pho's vast collection of treasures, the most famous of which is the stunning 45-meter-long Reclining Buddha.

The tour then continues to the nearby Grand Palace, which has served as the seat of Thailand's revered Royal family for more than two centuries. This incredible collection of temples, throne halls, and museums is also home to the mysterious and enchanting Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddhist image in Thailand.

Lunch is served overlooking the river at Sala Rattanakosin before continuing to the old market district of Talad Noi. Here, you will be met by your guide who will give you local insight of the district. Your guide will explain the history behind the community from the past to the present as you wander through small alleys, see hidden graffiti art, and say "hello" to the locals. Visit the first Thai bank, located in a colonial-style building, Chinese shrines and temples, and a rich Chinese mansion. Then, meet the only local family who produces vintage pillows in Chinese style. Along the way, sample some of the best street snacks in the area such as Curry Puffs, Chinese snacks, and Dim Sum from a family run Chinese restaurant that has been in business for decades. Also, try some Thai iced tea or coffee at a local coffee shop.

The day ends at River Vibe Restaurant & Bar, located on the rooftop of Riverview Guesthouse. Take in the breathtaking, panoramic river view with a cool cocktail in hand.

Day notes

Just a short drive from the bustling streets of Bangkok, the high-rise urban landscape dissolves into a lush green rural countryside. This full-day trip to Samut Songkhram and Ratchabburi Provinces, only an hour outside the capital, allows guests to experience the traditional charms of the Thai countryside life and the floating markets.

The day starts with a trip to a local railway station where a bustling country market has sprouted up along the tracks. When a train pulls in or out of the station, the vendors quickly clear their stalls, only to set them up again moments later when the train has passed!

From here, the journey continues to the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. A relaxing paddle boat ride through the labyrinth of canals offer the chance to see the older section of the floating market and local lifestyle along the canal side. Off the boat, it is time to enjoy strolling around the colorful floating marketplace, bustling with boats and vendors selling tropical fruits and other delights.

For visits falling on a Saturday or Sunday, you have the option of visiting either Damnoen Saduak or the smaller floating market, Tha Kha, where a short paddle boat ride through the backwaters leads you to an old Thai house where locals make coconut palm sugar.

Lunch will be served at Saban-Nga Restaurant at Baan Amphawa Resort. This restaurant features local Thai cuisine in the relaxing atmosphere by the river. We care for your heath, so NO MSG is used in any dishes.

After lunch, return to Bangkok to enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day notes

Start your Thai culinary journey with a visit to Bangkok’s morning market. Learn to select and buy the perfect Thai ingredients for your personal cooking lesson at Blue Elephant Cooking School. Your instructor will explain the artful culinary techniques of Thai cuisine and demonstrate each dish for you. After you've put your newly taught, Thai culinary skills to work, it's time to sample your cooking!

After lunch, visit a secluded, century-old house, now open to the public as the Museum of Floral Culture. Embark on a 45-minute guided tour through the museum which features incredible floral art and designs reflecting Asian culture and heritage.

The museum is also home to a quaint tea house surrounded by impeccably landscaped gardens. Relax in these peaceful surroundings while enjoying a cup of tea from the renowned florist Sakul Intakul’s own collection, accompanied by some Thai desserts.

After tea, take part in a private flower workshop, or “Dok Mai Pra Yuk”. The instructor will teach you the fundamentals of flower arranging, equipping you with the skills to prepare floral displays for dinners or special events. At the end of the class, you get to keep your handmade arrangements as a unique souvenir of the day.

Day notes

Explore Thailand's ancient capital and cultural heartlands by van and luxury boat, with this absorbing full-day tour. The day begins with a 1.5 hour drive north of Bangkok, passing through verdant countryside and lush paddy fields to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ayutthaya.

Having arrived in Ayutthaya, which dates back to the 14th-century, the morning is spent exploring the breath-taking, temple-studded landscape. Visit the highlighted temples of the city from Wat Yai Chaimongkol, Wat Mahathat - to see the Buddha face emerging out of the tree, and stroll through a local market to get to Wat Phra Srisanphet.

Visit the town's Muslim Quarter to sample an unusual local delicacy, candy floss roti, before having  lunch at Raan Tha Luang.

Following lunch, drive to Wat Chong Lom pier in Nonthaburi Province to embark on a 3-hour cruise along the Chao Phraya River back to Bangkok. Enjoy a glass of champagne and canapés on board while witnessing rural Thai life along both sides of the River of Kings.

Arrive in Bangkok in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure. 

Day notes

This morning, you will be met by your guide at the hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in.

After lunch at hotel, visit Mae Sai, the bustling trading town at the northernmost border between Thailand and Myanmar. Continue to the Golden Triangle pier and embark on a boat trip along the mighty Mekong River to see the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet at Sop Ruak, forming the “Triangle” between the three countries.

Then, drive to the ancient kingdom of Chiang Saen, on the steep banks of the Mekong River, where you will see magnificent ancient ruins and temples. Visit Chiang Saen Museum and Wat Pa Sak Ngam, the 14th-century stupa that combines elements of the Hariphoonchai and Sukhothai styles with a possible Burmese Bagan influence, and Wat Phra That Jom Kitti which overlooks the Mekong River.

Return to your hotel where you will have dinner and an evening at leisure to enjoy your surroundings. 

Day notes

This morning, embark on a journey to Hloyo, an Akha hill tribe village. You may stop en route to have a coffee, see a local market, or visit a local plantation.

Upon arrival at Hloyo, meet with your local guide to explore the community, see the traditional, hand-built, bamboo houses, and witness their daily life. Your guide, Yohan, is the original Akha and he is the owner of Akha Mudhouse Maesalong.

After your tour of the village, lunch will be served at Khan Tok while enjoying the scenic view at mudhouse homestay.

Continue the day with a drive up to Doi Mae Salong to visit the Santikiri Kuo Min Tang Chinese refugee settlement. The town of Mae Salong was founded in the 1960s by former Kuo Min Tang soldiers who had been expelled from Myanmar. Visit their local stores where the villagers sell their homemade wines and other locally grown products. The villagers are ethnic Chinese, descendants of the Kuo Min Tang Nationalist Chinese army regiment that took refuge in Thailand almost 50 years ago when Communist Forces won the civil war in mainland China.

Return to your hotel by late afternoon. 

Day notes

After breakfast at the resort, visit the Hall of Opium before driving to Chiang Mai.

Stop en route at the famous Wat Rong Khun or ‘The White Temple’, a contemporary Buddhist temple created by renowned artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat.

Take a break for lunch at Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House before continuing to your Chiang Mai hotel, Dhara Dhevi. Later, you will be pampered with a one hour spa treatment at the hotel.

Day notes

Depart the hotel at 6:00am in order to arrive at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain in time to buy some offerings and join the locals in the daily alms-giving ceremony. This is a serene Buddhist procession which sees dozens of monks walk barefoot through the streets collecting food and everyday items. Continue up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and climb the 309 steps of the Golden Naga staircase to reach its golden pagodas.

Proceed to Wat Umong, which dates back to the 14th-century. This forested temple is covered with moss and foliage, giving it a unique and charming natural ambience. After a walk through its mysterious tunnels, reach the Viharn of the temple to experience a private blessing ceremony.

Next, visit Studio Naenna and meet with Patricia Cheesman, an expert in antique Lao and Thai textiles, and lecturer in Thai textile, ceramics, and contemporary design at Chiang Mai University.

Lunch will be served at The Service 1921, at Anantara Chiang Mai. This unique culinary experience is filled with mystery and intrigue from the moment of arrival with a spy hole in the entrance door. Guests can watch the resident mixologist concoct Asian-inspired cocktails from high bar stools, or relax in vintage-style salons. Lunch will be created by the restaurant’s expert chefs, either in the sociable surroundings of the communal dining rooms or in the private dining room which is accessed through a secret door hidden in one of the bookshelves that line the library wall.

After lunch, head to the village of Hang Dong to spend the afternoon with a Thai family. In true Thai style, guests can slip into a pair of local ‘fisherman’s pants’ and discover the architecture of a traditional Thai house and rice barn. The family will also demonstrate their basket weaving skills, a traditional craft that has been practiced in Thailand for centuries. Stroll around the small, family orchard and select fresh ingredients for the home-cooked dinner which you will help prepare. Under the tutelage of the local family, learn how to create traditional home-cooked recipes with authentic Northern Thai flavors that are considerably different from standard dishes offered in commercial cooking classes. Best of all, you will have the opportunity to get to know a real Thai family, be their house guest for the day, and enjoy a delicious home cooked dinner together.

Day notes

This morning, visit Elephant Chang Sanctuary and rehabilitation center to learn about elephant biology, health, history, basic commands, and basic control of the elephant (no elephant riding). Prepare the elephant’s food which mostly consists of sugarcane, pumpkin, banana, fresh grass, and seasonal fruit. 

Head over to the organic farm to pick vegetables for your cooking class at Elephant Terrace. Enjoy your organic lunch while viewing the elephants in the distance.

After lunch, watch the elephants playing in the mud, swimming in the pond, or for the adventurous, enjoy swimming and bathing with them. 

Bid farewell to the elephants and transfer back to your hotel for an evening at leisure. 

Day notes

Enjoy a final trip through Chiang Mai on your private transfer to the airport as you relish and reflect on all you have experienced on your spectacular journey through Thailand!