Treasures of Thailand: Floating Hotels, Temples & Markets

Fly into Bangkok Airport (BKK), where our guide will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to the Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok Hotel. 

Let's dive right into this vibrant city. We'll have lunch together at the Blue Elephant Restaurant, getting our first taste of authentic Thai food, right from the source. 

Later in the afternoon, we'll explore Wat Pho, the "Temple of the Reclining Buddha," famous for its beautiful carvings and architecture. Wat Pho is also recognized as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. We'll enjoy a one-hour massage at the temple, then continue to Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. Founded in the 18th century by King Taksin, Wat Arun has evolved, with its central tower now standing at about 70 meters in height. The temple's architecture features exquisite decor of tiny glass pieces and Chinese porcelain. 

We'll join the Manohra Dinner Cruise in the evening on a restored antique rice barge. As we sail along the Chao Phraya River, we'll view royal palaces and glittering temples while enjoying fine Thai cuisine and a welcome drink.

After breakfast, we'll explore Bangkok's rich cultural heritage, beginning with the majestic Grand Palace. Our first stop is Wat Phra Kaew, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, a sacred statue carved from a single block of jade. 

We'll explore the Grand Palace, once the residence of Thai royalty. The palace is still used for official events. During this visit, you can enjoy the finest examples of Thai architecture and learn more about the country's history.

We'll have lunch at the Thien Duong, Baan Dusit Thani, then move to Jim Thompson House in the heart of Bangkok to uncover the story of the American businessman who played a pivotal role in reviving the Thai silk industry. We'll wander through his home, constructed from traditional Thai teak from various parts of the country.

We'll continue our journey to the Paiweaver Handcrafted Workshop Studio at Samyanmitrtown. In a lively and hands-on class, we'll experiment with multicolored yarns and create our own patterns. You can take this fabric home and transform it into silk scarves, handbags, and more. 

Dinner tonight is at Sala Rattanakosin Bangkok Restaurant. 

Get up early to enjoy a delicious breakfast before we check out of the hotel. Today, we're off to Damnoen Saduak, a world-famous must-visit destination in Thailand. To start, we'll head southwest of Bangkok, stopping along the way at a sugar palm factory to see how sugar is made from palm trees.

We will take a boat ride to the floating market from the pier, allowing us to get close to the local people living along the narrow canal. 

Discover vendors on the water selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more from their boats while customers browse from the shore. Try local foods like coconut and fresh fruit, or pick up souvenirs for friends and family. We'll enjoy lunch at the local restaurant, Spring 22 & Gallery at Maikaew Damnoen Resort.

In the afternoon, we'll continue to Kanchanaburi, home to the world-famous Bridge on the River Kwai. This bridge, built by prisoners of war during World War II, was part of Japan's plan to construct a railway connecting Thailand and Myanmar, known as the Death Railway.

We'll take a 30-minute train ride along the remaining part of the railway and learn more about this historical event. 

Afterward, we'll go to Phutakien Pier to board The Float House River Kwai for the night. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in our floating house! 

You can explore the natural surroundings or participate in the resort's many activities. We'll reconvene for dinner at the Pontoon Floating Restaurant & Bar.

Enjoy free time this morning to soak in the resort's peaceful atmosphere or participate in other activities. 

Following breakfast, we will board a long-tailed boat to travel upstream to Sai Yok Yai Waterfall and its National Park. Afterwards, we will explore the Mon Tribal Village, home to the Mon ethnic group, who originally hail from Mongolia and have lived there for generations. They are the earliest inhabitants of Southeast Asia.

We'll continue on to visit the Golden Rock, the Buddha image cave, and the village school. Then, we'll take a short walk on an easy jungle trail along the riverbank for a stunning view of River Kwai.

We'll enjoy lunch at the float house, and in the afternoon, we'll visit Lawa Cave and explore its spacious chambers, which contain stalactites and stalagmites. 

When we return to our floating house, we can marvel at the beauty of this place, enjoy dinner, and relax for the night. 

After breakfast, we will have free time to admire the resort's quiet atmosphere. This is a perfect time to take a leisurely walk, swim, relax, and enjoy the serene surroundings.

Later in the morning, you can join an exciting canoeing adventure. We'll paddle downstream, gliding through lush tropical forests, surrounded by nature's beauty. Our flat-bottomed boats offer extra stability, ensuring a safe and worry-free experience!

The canoeing route departs from our sister resort, River Kwai Jungle Rafts, and takes us downstream back to The Float House River Kwai resort. This scenic journey lasts around 40 minutes, depending on your paddling speed.

After this, we'll check out of the hotel to take a boat to the mainland and make our way to the ancient city of Ayutthaya.

En route, we'll stop for lunch at Keeree Mantra Restaurant.

The journey to Ayutthaya takes over three hours, so we'll arrive in the evening. We'll check into the SALA Ayutthaya Boutique Hotel, where you can unwind and relax on your own time.

Later, we'll gather for dinner at the Sala Ayutthaya Eatery and Bar. Enjoy a delicious meal with two hours of free-flowing juice, soft drinks, and local beer, providing the perfect end to a day filled with adventure and discovery.

We'll start our day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before taking an adventurous Kermit tuk-tuk ride through the streets of Ayutthaya. These charming tuk-tuks, found only in Ayutthaya and Trang, add a unique touch to our exploration.

Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in 1350 AD, was once the capital of the Siamese Kingdom. It was once renowned as one of the world's largest and most cosmopolitan cities, and was a center of global diplomacy and commerce. Although the city was destroyed by the Burmese invasion in 1767, the remains still offer a fascinating glimpse into its illustrious past.

We'll explore the remarkable sites of the Ayutthaya Historical Park, including Wat Yai Chai Mongkol and Wat Mahathat, where Buddha's face mysteriously emerges from a tree. 

Strolling through the local market en route to Wat Phra Srisanphet, we'll admire the captivating mix of Khmer and Sukhothai architectural styles that reflect the cosmopolitan spirit of the ancient city.

A delightful lunch awaits us at Sukunya Bistro Restaurant, where you can enjoy a meal with a complimentary drink, whether a soft drink, juice, local beer, or a glass of wine.

Following lunch, we'll head to Bangkok airport for a short flight to Chiang Mai. Once we land, a guide will greet us at the airport and take us to the Parc Thai Eatery for a lovely dinner. 

We'll be staying in Chala Number 6 for the rest of our trip, so take some time to unpack, settle in, and explore the gorgeous grounds tonight. 

Start your day with a special kind of sunrise! We'll leave the hotel at 6 am, fueled by a packed breakfast, and journey to the foot of Doi Suthep mountain. We'll participate in a truly special experience: the daily alms-giving ceremony. Witness the serene procession of dozens of saffron-robed monks collecting offerings as they walk barefoot through the streets at dawn. This is a glimpse into the heart of Thai culture and a profoundly spiritual experience.

Next, we'll ascend Doi Suthep by car or climb the majestic 309-step Golden Naga staircase (your choice!). Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most revered temple in Northern Thailand, awaits at the summit. Marvel at its sparkling pagodas and soak in the breathtaking panoramic views.

Afterward, we'll refuel with lunch at Baan Mae Cafe & Restaurant. Take some time at the hotel to relax and recharge before our next adventure.

In the afternoon, we'll visit Boonpratana House, a haven for traditional Thai cooking. As the matriarch welcomes us, we'll immerse ourselves in the family's culinary heritage. 

We'll handpick fresh ingredients from the organic vegetable garden, using them in the feast we'll help create. You're about to learn authentic cooking secrets and master the art of combining ingredients to unlock vibrant Thai flavors. 

We'll cook and savor dishes from the north, northeast, and central regions. We'll enjoy our creations for an unforgettable early dinner.

The day begins with breakfast, and then our guide will escort us to Elephant Nature Park. 

We will accompany the knowledgeable staff on a guided park tour. This distinctive experience maintains a no-riding policy, enabling us to stroll beside the elephants while learning about their natural habitat and history. The tour also features a visit to the river that borders the park, providing additional insights into the animals' lives and conservation.

Today's highlight is a nutritious vegan buffet with a wide selection of Asian and International dishes. Then, it's time to say goodbye to the elephants and begin our journey back to Chiang Mai.

The afternoon plan, which may change based on the weather, typically includes a visit to the Thai Craft Village at San Kamphaeng. Here, we'll explore a center of traditional Thai handicrafts, where skills have been handed down through generations. Following this, we plan to visit Wat Sri Suphan. Known as the Silver Temple, this site demonstrates traditional Lanna silversmith techniques, with its surfaces adorned in handmade silver decorations. Established around 1500, this temple is among the oldest in Chiang Mai.

After returning to the hotel for some relaxation, the evening unfolds with yet another cultural experience: a Kantoke Dinner at Benjarong Khantoke Restaurant, showcasing traditional Thai cultural and folk performances.

This morning starts with breakfast, followed by a visit to the Araksa Tea House, located on an organic tea farm about an hour's drive from the city center.

We'll take a guided tour of lush tea gardens and learn about the cultivation and processing techniques. We'll also meet with resident tea pluckers, observe traditional methods of processing tea leaves, explore the factory, and finish with a freshly brewed cup of tea and a traditional Thai snack.

We'll enjoy home-style Thai cuisine prepared with locally sourced and organic ingredients for lunch.

In the afternoon, we'll try our hand at a Tea-Blending Workshop. We'll sample different teas and explore various blending techniques, taste and identify different flavors, and learn optimal brewing methods. The workshop will end with us creating and packaging our own tea blends to take home.

Then, we'll head back to our hotel in Chiang Mai to relax before we come together for our final dinner as a group at the Rice Barn House Restaurant. 

Start your day with breakfast before our Thailand adventure ends. We'll have a few final hours to relax at the hotel before we transfer to the airport. A light lunch box will be provided to enjoy while you wait. If you're continuing on our extension trip to Phuket, get ready for a seamless transition from the northern charm of Chiang Mai to the tropical paradise of one of Thailand’s largely undiscovered islands.

Safe travels! 

We'll handle your airport transfer so you can have a smooth flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket. You'll go from Phuket Domestic Airport to the Cape Kudu Hospitality Lounge at Bang Rong Pier upon arrival. 

We'll enjoy downtime before taking a 30-minute speedboat ride to Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi. From there, we'll take a brief drive to our hotel, The Cape Kudu Resort.

We'll settle into our stunning surroundings and relax at the hotel before enjoying an exclusive private dinner on the beach under the stars. 

After breakfast, spend the day exploring the beautiful island of Koh Yao Noi at your leisure.

Join the hotel-scheduled Tuk-tuk “Songthaew” island tour. This excursion features visits to a Batik Painting community, a rubber tree plantation, picturesque rice fields, a Coconut Farm, and the main village for local shopping. Lunch will be served at the hotel. 

Enjoy your afternoon, indulge in some me time at the spa, or relax and read by the pool. You can choose where on or off the property to have dinner tonight. Our guide can help you with recommendations!

After breakfast, we're off to sail around the islands. The adventure includes swimming in crystal-clear waters, hiking through panoramic vistas, and viewing local wildlife, like diving monkeys. It's your ideal day if you enjoy snorkeling and experiencing natural beauty.

Return to the hotel for lunch, followed by time to relax. For dinner, we'll venture out to the restaurant Rice Paddy, a high-quality spot serving up dishes made with local ingredients and fish fresh from the island's fishermen. 

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Phuket via a public speedboat, scheduled according to your flight time. Our guide will ensure the hotel coordinates for the best speed boat timing to match your departure flight.

You will go directly from the pier to Phuket International Airport to catch your return flight, concluding your memorable stay in Koh Yao Noi.