Thailand Tours | Culture and Art Tours

Essential Highlights of Thailand - Tripcode: EHOT10D
(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket or Koh Samui

This tour features the best of Thailand’s cities, rural countryside, and beautiful beaches, with an emphasis on regional culture, history, arts and cuisine.

Accommodation is at Thailand’s most highly regarded luxury resorts and hotels, and private touring is with expert local guides who provide exceptional insight and connection to the local people and culture.

Begin with comprehensive touring in Bangkok. With your own private guide, enjoy a fascinating, private long-tail boat tour through Bangkok's canals. Visit the most important temples. Learn about Buddhist practices and influences on daily life.

Hear monks chanting at a morning ceremony. Explore colorful markets selling textiles, flowers, food and crafts. Visit small museums and interesting local neighborhoods. When not sightseeing, enjoy time at the world’s leading spa, swim, play tennis, shop for exquisite Thai silks and art work, and dine on some of Southeast Asia’s best cuisine.

Spend several days in rural Chiang Mai in northern Thailand at one of Asia’s most luxurious and atmospheric resorts, surrounded by mountains and lush fields of terraced rice paddies.

Browse craft districts specializing in celadon ceramics, silver, teak furniture, paper umbrellas, and beautiful silk weavings. Visit revered mountaintop temples, the royal family’s Winter Palace, an elephant camp, and local hill tribe villages. A day will be at leisure to enjoy the resort's spa, cooking school, golf, or pool. Additional cultural excursions are also available.

Next, fly to one of the islands of the south (Phuket or Koh Samui) and enjoy several days at one of Thailand's leading luxury resorts. Spend your days relaxing on pristine beaches, indulging at the spa, swimming, playing tennis or golf, taking cooking classes or yoga lessons, diving, or exploring nearby islands by luxury boat.

Return to Bangkok for some last minute shopping or touring before departing Thailand.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Bangkok: Arrival transfer to hotel for two nights

Day 2 Bangkok: Full-day private city tour

Day 3 Bangkok - Chiang Mai: Transfer and flight to Chiang Mai for three nights. Afternoon tour of town and surrounding mountains

Day 4 Chiang Mai: Excursion to elephant camp and hill tribe villages

Day 5 Chiang Mai: Morning Thai cooking class and optional market visit. Afternoon at leisure at resort

Day 6 Chiang Mai - Phuket or Koh Samui: Transfer and flight to island for three nights

Day 7 Phuket or Koh Samui: Half-day yacht cruise to surrounding islands (Phuket) or sunset cruise (Koh Samui)

Day 8 Phuket or Koh Samui: At leisure at resort

Day 9 Phuket or Koh Samui - Bangkok: Transfer and flight to Bangkok for one night. Afternoon flexible private city touring or shopping

Day 10 Depart Thailand: Airport transfer for onward flight

Details Itinerary

• Private tour with English/French speaking guide
• Daily departure from Bangkok

Discover the delight of Thailand on a luxurious journey with your own choices to stay in some of the best hotels in the world. Escorted from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the far north of Thailand, you will experience the differences of exclusive services. Be fascinated with the superb journey that will linger in your memory for a lifetime. Welcome to Thailand, the land of smile.

DAY 1: BANGKOK ARRIVAL (-/-/-)

Upon arrival in Bangkok, you are welcomed by our local guide and escort to your hotel. Fast Track Immigration & VIP Service at the airport, including a welcome garland and a deluxe transfer to your hotel is also available for deluxe option. Overnight in Bangkok.

DAY 2: BANGKOK (B/L/-)

After the breakfast at your hotel, take a short ride to visit one of Bangkok's most beautiful temples, Wat Benchamaborphit with its remarkable Marble Temple. Continue to Bangkok’s century year old market called Nang Learng Market. Once it was one of the most important markets in inner Bangkok a hundred years ago when this area of the city was flourishing. Back then, the market was a major trade centre for all the various communities living in the city. It now offers a lot of historical insights in terms of both the food and the architecture you will get to see a lot of ancient-style wooden shop houses in the neighborhood and please your palate with local sweets and delicacies.

Challenge your morning by climbing up to the top of the artificial mountain “Golden Mount”. See the glittering golden pagoda and the 360˚ view on top of Rattanakosin Island. Visit Baan Bart Alley well-known for its effort to keep alive the ancient craft of making “Bart”, the alms bowl used by Buddhist monks.

After Baan Bart, a short ride takes you to a small but famous local restaurant near The Giant Swing to enjoy a mouthwatering Thai lunch.

Afternoon visit Jim Thompson House for a touch of Thai silk. This exquisite collection of traditional Thai houses stands as a museum to the man who revived the Thai silk industry after the Second World War. The story of James H.W. Thompson is one upon legends are made. You will learn more about the man himself, his involvement in the silk trade as well as about Thai culture and tradition. After the tour, cross the canal to Baan Krua, a Charming Muslim village whose artisans used to weave for Jim Thompson. Visit local houses and view artisans at work. The community also has a silk shop and gallery which showcases high quality Thai silk products- perfect as travel keepsakes or souvenirs for family and friends. Return to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Bangkok.

DAY 3: BANGKOK – CHIANG MAI (B/L/-)

Free until time to transfer to the airport for the flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you are welcomed at the airport and transferred to Chiang Mai town for an authentic Thai lunch at Chaunchom Restaurant, run by Chiang Mai Women Prison Office. The concept of the restaurant is to support & help the women prisoners who have already been released from prison.

Afternoon drive up to Doi Suthep to visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep located on a mountain overlooking the city and the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand, containing a holy relic of Lord Buddha, with a challenging climb of over 300 steps, flanked by enormous mythological Nagas. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here at 3,500 feet above sea level.

We drive down to Chiang Mai’s old town and proceed to Wat Chedi Luang for an exclusive monk chat. Experience Dhamma of Buddhism and local lifestyle always related to Buddhism. The Monk Chat Session gives an opportunity to foreigners to have an interactive communication with Thai monks by talking informally. Buddhism and Thai Culture as well as general topics about Thai ways of living can be discussed at the session. Transfer to your hotel for check in and time at leisure. Overnight in Chiang Mai

DAY 4: CHIANG MAI (B/L/-)

After early breakfast at your hotel, we depart the peaceful city of Chiang Mai northwards to Mae Tamaan Elephant Camp for an exciting ride on the elephant back followed by a tranquil bamboo rafting. Enjoy the elephant at work shows before departing to the Lisu Lodge. Enjoy a tasty Thai lunch at Lisu Lodge. Guided by a Lisu villager, walk from Ton Lung temple to view the herbal garden then continue visiting some local families with a stop for a cup of tea at the shaman’s house. Chat with the Lisu shaman and learn about his life, beliefs, curing rites and Lisu traditions. You will also visit the cultural centre and ‘museum’ created by the villagers. Inside you will find a collection of typical household items and tools used by the Lisu and Akha mountain tribes.

Return to Chiang Mai town with a stop at Muang Kud Village and walk across the suspension bridge to visit Himmapaan Foundation specialized in forest restoration project. Visitors are invited to make a donation with carbon offset certificate or become a member of Himmapaan Foundation. Then visit our nursery (getting to know the different tree species we used in the plot), hands-on experience in cultivating & watering young plant (Sprout is not included in the price and subjected to client’s preference upon visit). Walk to visit the planting plot & return to the vehicle through Himmapaan visitor center. (in raining season, visitors can plant a tree at the plot directly). The evening is at leisure. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

DAY 5: CHIANG MAI (B/L/-)

Enjoy a cooking class in an organic farm. Experience a morning visit of local market for ingredient shopping. Wade through the organic farm and learn more about various ingredients growing here as well as the essential ingredients for your own dishes. Enjoy cooking Thai dishes such as Curry, Tom Yam, Papaya Salad, Spring Roll and Mango with Sticky Rice. For lunch you will enjoy what you have prepared. Return to the hotel in the afternoon, the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

DAY 6: CHIANG MAI – BANGKOK – PHUKET / SAMUI(-/-/-)

Time at leisure until transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for departure to Bangkok. (Direct flights from Chiang Mai to Phuket and to Samui are also available.) Upon arrival in Bangkok, transit flight to your onward destination. Arrive Phuket or Samui Airport and transfer to your selected hotel. Overnight in Phuket or Samui.

DAY 7: PHUKET (B/L/-)

You will be picked up from the hotel at approximately 07:30 a.m. and transferred to the embarkation pier at Yacht Haven Marina by air-conditioned bus. Embark on board the "June Bahtra" for 09:00 a.m. departure and enjoy your cruise through the enchanting and breathtaking Phang Nga Bay.

Around noon, you will arrive at James Bond Island and continue your journey by long tail boat through the mangrove delta and the Grotto Cave to the Sea Gypsy village. A delicious Thai buffet lunch is served back on board, then the afternoon is free to relax, sunbathe and swim. Cruise back to Phuket Island and transfer to the hotel. You will arrive back in your hotel at approximately 18:00.

Note: (SIC, German/ English speaking guide: Every Wed, Fri & Sun) (SIC, French / English speaking guide: Every Mon, Tue, Thu & Sat) . Overnight in Phuket.

DAY 7: SAMUI (B/-/-)

Morning is at leisure. Mid afternoon depart hotel for a sunset trip. Our yacht departs at approx 4pm and arrives back around 6pm after sunset! We sail out into Big Buddha bay, Koh Som and sometimes Choeng Mon depending on the wind direction, to take in the views of the Island from the Boat and to watch the fantastic sunset. If guests like we can arrange to moor to enjoy swimming at dusk! All drinks (beer, wine and soft drinks) are included and a supper finger buffet. Overnight in Samui

DAY 8: PHUKET / SAMUI (B/-/-)

Today is free at leisure for relax and unwind. A wide variety of optional activities are available upon request. Overnight in Phuket or Samui.

DAY 9: PHUKET / SAMUI - BANGKOK (B/-/-)

Time at leisure until transfer to Phuket or Samui Airport for a flight to Bangkok. Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel.

Afternoon, discover Bangkok’s paradise shopping malls to explore the city’s impressive grounds and find a wealth of modern fashion, a choice of:

• Emporium (Exclusive world-class brand names, hot international designer items, leather & jewelry and glamorous garb for the young and trendy, this is your playground)
• Siam Paragon (the latest world class shopping complex for your leisure time to explore shops and activities around this trendy mall with hands-free shopping, personal stylist or gift advisor service)
• Central World Plaza (With more than 500 stores, 50 restaurants, 21 cinemas, a bowling hall, Kids' Zone and Learning Centre, two department stores, as well as a trendy food court, the largest supermarket in Asia)
• Gaysorn Plaza (a luxurious, up market white marble and gleaming chrome complex housing exclusively high-end luxury goods and designer labels).
• Siam Discovery (trendy shopping complex is still a favorite among Bangkok's younger and fashionable crowds. Showcases a good selection of shops, restaurants and designer fashion outlets)
• A flexible shopping tour with guide and driver on stand by
  Overnight in Bangkok.

DAY 10: BANGKOK DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Time at leisure until transfer to Bangkok International Airport for your onward journey.

Package price includes:

• All transfer & Transportation by private air-conditioned car
• English / French, speaking guide
• All In-tour flights
• Meals as indicated in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• Admission fees where applicable
• Accommodation shared in twin rooms with daily breakfast
• Service charge and applicable government tax

Package price excludes:

• International airfare and airport tax
• Domestic airfare and airport tax
• Compulsory meal during festive event
• Hotel’s early check-in and late check-out charge
• Alternative or optional services
• Other meals or services than mention in the program
• Expenditure of a personal nature such as; drinks, tips, laundry, insurance etc.,

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