Classic Thailand

Day 1: Arrive Bangkok, Thailand

Welcome to Thailand. On arrival you will be met at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and transferred to your hotel.  The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Days 2-3: Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand, offering historical architecture, floating and street markets, many rooftop bars, rich culture and bustling nightlife. There is no shortage of things to explore here, we have included the following two excursions during your stay:

Half day Bangkok City, Temples and Grand Palace – this morning discover the city including three of the most unusual Buddhist temples in the city. Start at the ornate Wat Trimitr, home to a giant Golden Buddha that weighs 5.5 tons. Then visit Wat Po, the largest temple complex in Bangkok with an impressive reclining 46m long Buddha and ornate chedis (Buddhist shrines). Your last stop will be the magnificent Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful examples of a traditional Siamese Court.  This was previously the royal residence, and includes the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the famed Emerald Buddha Temple. Please note: The dress code at the Grand Palace in Bangkok is strictly enforced, the following clothes are not allowed for any visitors: sleeveless tops showing shoulders, see-through garments, dresses above the knee, short pants or three-quarter pants, sportswear

Bangkok Street Food Tuk Tuk Adventure – one evening take a guided excursion to indulge in Thai street food travelling in a tuk-tuks that make you feel even closer to the action of the night scene and stop at eateries off the main tourist trail. Your food exploration visits Thonburi, on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River that was briefly the capital in the 18th century after Ayutthaya was ransacked by Burmese invaders. Rattanakosin is the essence of 18th and 19th century Siam and home to the country’s most important buildings, including the Grand Palace. Chinatown is the largest Chinatown in the world and it comes alive in the evening when streetside eateries appear. In addition to food, you will also learn about local culture and see landmark sites in the historical quarter and learn how the kingdom’s provinces influenced the national cuisine and elevated it onto the world stage. Meals included: Breakfast 

Day 4: Bangkok – Chiang Mai

Transfer from your hotel to Bangkok Airport for your flight to northern Thailand.  On arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city near the old town where you will stay for 4 nights.  The rest of your day is at leisure.

Days 4-7: Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the historical capital of the old Lanna Kingdom and a popular destination famous for its historic temples, interesting cultural sites, picturesque countryside and traditional rural villages. The climate here is cooler than Bangkok and the pace more relaxed.  It also has an amazing food scene and has many great restaurants and cafes. There is plentiful great coffee to be found. Your time here is at leisure to explore the region, we have included two excursions to get you started:

Chiang Mai City and Temples including Doi Suthep – Take a temple tour starting with a climb to one of city’s most sacred temples Wat Doi Suthep, perched on a forested mountain. After this, visit Chiang Mai’s biggest market, Talat Warorot with its myriad of traders selling souvenirs, as well as everyday necessities such as cookware, fishing nets and food. Continue to the popular pilgrimage destination of Wat Phra Singh which is situated inside the city walls that is known for its famous Buddha image. You will also explore Chedi Luang, a Lanna-style chedi which offers an insight into the ancient Lanna Kingdom.

Private Handicraft Villages Excursion – Meet skilled craftsmen at work with an exploration of San Khampaeng including various galleries and factories where household and decorative items are crafted, painted and displayed. Chiang Mai is the birthplace of these skills and you see workshops for items such as Thai silk, colourful paper parasols and handcrafted teak wood furniture. These crafts have been passed down generations, you also learn the art of marking Celadon ceramics with methods dating back to the Sukhothai period and learn the intricacies behind decorating lacquerware and silverware.

Day 8: Chiang Mai – Phuket

Your day is at leisure until your transfer to the airport for a flight south to Phuket.  On arrival in Phuket, you will be transferred to your resort at Kamala Beach (approximately 35mins) where you will stay for 6 nights.

Days 9-13: Phuket

Your resort is located on a quiet stretch of sand just 10km north of popular Patong in Phuket. This is a quieter relaxing pace , you have plenty of time to relax and explore the area, we have included the following two excursions to get you started:

Hidden Phuket – Phuket Old Town is brimming with Sino-Portuguese architecture and this is the perfect location to
explore by foot. Rich cultural heritage and quaint colonial mansions take you back to yesteryear when Phuket was in the midst of a tin mining boom that resulted in many grand homes and ornate civic buildings. Outside of its rich cultural heritage, Phuket Old Town is a melting point of street-side eateries and stalls that serve some of the best Thai food available. The town’s small size enables you to wander around this historic locale and admire in detail the design of the surrounding buildings and the attractiveness of Phuket’s architecture along its side streets. This tour also visits an old Chinese temple and ends with dinner from a viewpoint looking across the island.

Koh Phi Phi Island – Travel to the island of Koh Phi Phi that became famous after Leonardo DiCaprio’s film The Beach. Consisting of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, the spectacular limestone rocky islands are best enjoyed first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive. Depart early and board a speedboat to explore Pileh Lagoon, a spectacular emerald green lagoon surrounded by high limestone cliffs, one of the world’s most gorgeous natural swimming pools. Koh Phi Phi is home to some of the nicest secluded bays to relax, swim or snorkel in the crystal clear water.

Day 14: Phuket – Bangkok

Farewell your island resort today.  Your day is at leisure until your transfer to Phuket airport for your flight to Bangkok.

To extend your trip and discover more of Thailand, have our team customise a package for you. Here are a few other vacation ideas to get you started:

Luxury Thailand – Romantic Getaway – 14 Days
Thailand Beaches – Island Hopping – 16 Days
Bangkok Stopover – City Discovery – 3 days
Taste of Chiang Mai – Culinary Adventure – 3 Days