Follow our trail to explore various aspects of Thailand on this 12-day itinerary. Travel from bustling Bangkok where you will see the city’s main attractions and its suburban area. Head north to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai where immersion in the lush jungle surrounds brings you closer to peace and nature. Wrap up your time in Phuket rewinding yourselves in the white sandy beach with clear turquoise water of the surrounding islands and beaches.
Trails of Indochina
There is an overwhelming sense of magic about Thailand, from its mystifying cultures and traditions to its exotic foods, colorful people and soul-stirring spirituality. Trails of Indochina Thailand has been creating high-end, customized experiences in this amazing land for more than 10 years, boasting its most-extensive infrastructure and network of experts to provide an unmatched level of exclusivity and rarity. Allow their team to introduce your clients to this “Land of Wellness,” where they can relax, de-stress and recharge with traditional massages, yoga and the daily tenets of Thai Buddhism.
Upon arrival at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (after you collected your luggage).You will meet your guide holding a signboard with your name. Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Take the rest of the day to relax after your flight(s). Accommodation: The Peninsula Bangkok Hotel/ Deluxe
Thai cuisine is regarded as one of the best in the world. Take part in a Blue Elephant Cooking Class, offered in the historic Thai Chine Building, built in 1903 and an exceptional example of colonial era architecture. Visit a local market (mornings only) with your instructor to learn about the ingredients you’ll be using in the cooking class. Return to the school to take part in a warm, open and interactive cooking session during which the instructor demonstrates and explains the unique narrative of each Thai dish. Next you will get a chance to try your hand at cooking several dishes and enjoy the tasty Thai food that you have prepared. In the afternoon, depart Bangkok on a 50km (31mi) drive to Nakhon Pathom Province and embark on an agro-tour of the Mahasawat Canal for a closer look into Thailand’s rural culture. Built over 150 years ago by order of King Rama IV to facilitate travel to one of the province’s temples, the canal is connected to the Chao Phraya River and the Tha Jeen River. At WatSuwannaram, board a small motorized boat to explore the canal. The boat trip offers plenty of photo opportunities of the Thai countryside including lotus fields, wooden stilt houses and fruit orchards including mangos, guava, and jackfruit. Visit local processing workshops and sample their specialty of Khao-Tung Hna-Tung (Thai Crispy Rice Crackers) which you will also learn how to make. Explore an orchid farm by local Thai-style tractor (E-taen). Thai orchids are famous for their beauty and the Kingdom is the largest exporter of these flowers in the world. Transfer back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: The Peninsula Bangkok Hotel/ Deluxe
Morning drive to Wat Pho in time to experience the monks’ morning chanting ritual. One of the oldest temples in Bangkok, Wat Pho houses the famous 45m (148ft) reclining Buddha as well as the original school of traditional Thai massage. From here, take a tuk-tuk ride via Pak Klong Taland Flower Market towards the spectacular Grand Palace, home to the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha (which is actually made of jade or jasper, rather than emerald). Continue with a walk to the pier for a long-tailed boat ride along the “klongs” (canals) of Thonburi to get a flavour of local life.Stop at Wat Arun, once the grand royal temple to King Rama II. After lunch at a local restaurant, cross the river and drive to Chinatown for a first-hand look at Old Bangkok. Walk along Yaowarat Road with shops selling everything from gold and garments to antiques and musical instruments. Enjoy a cup of Chinese tea with the locals at a very old teashop in this neighbourhood which dates back to 1782. Explore the bustling Talad Kao Market where a variety of food, fresh and dry fruits, and Chinese herbs are on offer before returning to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Peninsula Bangkok Hotel/ Deluxe
Enjoy this morning at your leisure time and then your guide will escort you from your accommodation to the airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, when you leave the airport terminal please look for a tour guide displaying a welcome signboard with the Trails of Indochina logo and your name. Transfer from the airport to your hotel with guide. Exciting discovery and unforgettable experiences await at this all-inclusive destination. Savour an evening meal on your arrival night, before retreating to your room or suite to toast magical travel with selections from your mini bar.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort/ Deluxe 3 Country View
Wake up to a leisurely breakfast buffet on a terrace with sweeping three country views, followed later in the day by a sumptuous lunch. Delve into the Golden Triangle’s infamous past with a visit to the world class Hall of Opium Museum, located just across from our Chiang Rai hotel. Choose from a range of intriguing activities at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort to indulge in during your time in the region known as the Golden Triangle. Relax with a pampered treatment at Anantara Spa or sample some of the regional flavours learning how to make local dishes in a Thai cooking class. You will also have the opportunity to engage with
the friendly giants native to the area as you learn to drive your very own elephant with a mahout training experience, or taking a fascinating tour of three countries in one day. The choice is yours to spend your day as you like at this luxurious resort.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort/ Deluxe 3 Country
Enjoy the breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival at Phuket Airport, either Domestic arrival or International arrival, and after collecting your luggage, please proceed to exit and look for “MEETING POINT B” which is situated in front of International arrival exit (inside the terminal) where you will find your guide waiting for you, holding the Trails of Indochina signboard with your name on it. If you cannot locate your guide, please call the emergency numbers (+66) 81 449 7283 before leaving the airport with a taxi. Transfer from the Airport to your hotel. In the evening, depart from your hotel on a private transfer to the Siam Niramit theatre. After a buffet-style dinner of Thai and international dishes, enjoy an epic stage show featuring over 100 performers and 500 costumes entitled “Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam”. The show presents an enthralling introduction to the magnificent civilization of Siam including its history touching on the ancient kingdom of Lanna, the heritage of the Khmer civilization in Isaan and the mighty former capital of Ayutthaya, as well as religion and festivals. After the show, return to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Amanpuri Resort/ Garden Pavilion
Full-day tour by speedboat to explore Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park, famed for its rock formations rising out of the sea. On arrival, explore some of the area’s fascinating caves by inflatable canoe accompanied by an expert guide. Visit Hong Island as well as Dark Cave, Mangrove Cave leading to a lagoon with mangroves and Diamond Cave, named for a glittering flowstone inside. Cruise to James Bond Island (Khao Tapu), famous for being in the film “The Man with the Golden Gun”. Continue to Panyi Island noted for its picturesque village built over small pilings and extending out across the water and inhabited mostly by Muslim fishermen. After a tasty Thai set lunch at a local restaurant, swim at Lawa or Naka Island before returning to Phuket and your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Amanpuri Resort/ Garden Pavilion
Depart by speedboat from Boat Lagoon Marina to visit one of Thailand’s most popular natural attractions, the gorgeous Phi Phi Islands. To avoid the crowds, first visit Bamboo Island and its pristine white sand beach with emerald waters, simply perfect for swimming. Next, enjoy snorkelling off Yoong Island noted for its antler corals and colourful fish. Cruise 30min to Monkey Beach with its colony of wild macaques. Enjoy a simple local buffet lunch on arrival at Koh Phi Phi Don before taking a dip in Viking Cave on the island’s northeastern tip, known for its swifts’ nests used in Bird’s Nest Soup. Visit Maya Bay, the postcard-perfect setting made famous by the film “The Beach”, and enjoy a swim or simply relax on its white sand beach. Cruise back to Phuket and transfer to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Amanpuri Resort/ Garden Pavilion
Enjoy your free time in the morning until your guide will see you off to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
