Thai Heritage & Best Islands

Welcome to choose our best Thailand tour package! According to your flight, our guide and the driver will greet you at the arrival hall and then escort you to our well-selected hotel in downtown Bangkok in a private car. We have no tour scheduled for the rest of the day, allowing you to get over the jet lag at the hotel or explore on your own.

► Free Time Suggestion:
If you arrive early and it is on a weekend, take a tuk-tuk ride to Chatuchak, the world’s largest weekend market! Wear comfy shoes and bring enough cash to find something intriguing from more than 15,000 stalls. The handicraft section is known for fragrant soaps, essential oils, and rattan bags, with one piece starting from THB 50 (USD 1.5). Bargaining is also part of your experience, and offering 40-50% off the initial prices is best. Besides, you can savor local specialties like Coconut Ice Cream, Choconana, and MAMA Noodles for about THB 15-30 (USD 0.4-0.9) per serving. Opening from 09:00 to 18:00, the market attracts lots of tourists, so please keep your backpack in front of you for safety.
 
► Insider Tips: 
1. SIM Card: AIS has a wide coverage and stable signal, even on the islands. A 15-day traveler package with unlimited data at 4 Mbps and a pre-loaded 50 baht call credit is recommended. For your reference, the price at the airport is THB 699 (USD 20). You can get a better deal for THB 599 (USD 17) at the 7-Eleven near your hotel.
2. Clothing: Pack loose and breathable clothing to cope with hot and humid weather in Thailand, and bring a lightweight coat for cool indoor air-conditioning.
3. Ride-hailing: A Tuk-tuk ride may be ideal for your free exploration in congested Bangkok. To avoid unreasonable prices, you can use the Muvmi app to locate your area and find the nearest pick-up point, usually in front of the hotel. It accepts online payments.
 
Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok (5 stars) or similar

Today we’ll take an extensive tour of Bangkok’s Buddhist temples and classical architecture in the city center on both sides of the Chao Phraya River. The guide will first lead you to Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan. As one of Thailand’s three national treasures, this temple enshrines the world’s largest solid golden Buddha statue. Next, we will visit Wat Pho, home to an impressive 46-meter (151 ft.) long and 15-meter (49 ft.) high reclining Buddha statue. It is said that the Buddha achieved Nirvana with this side-lying position. Try to capture a panorama of the statue with a wide-angle lens from its feet. Behind the statue, you will find 108 bronze bowls, in which devotees drop coins to pray for blessings. The outdoor pagoda complex is also worth your attention, where 99 pagodas glisten with gorgeous porcelain tiles. The next will be today’s highlight – the Grand Palace. As the residence of the Thai royal family, it gathers the most magnificent palaces and temples. You will be amazed by golden halls, shrines, Buddha statues, and shiny artworks, especially the precious Emerald Buddha statue in Wat Phra Kaew. 
 Tips: Please ensure your clothing covers your shoulders and calves, and skip tight-fitting clothes and flip-flops. Also, you need to remove your shoes before entering the main hall. Some floors can be scorching under the sun, so wearing socks is a wise choice. ★ Discover Bangkok's Cityscape on a Long-tail Boat
In the afternoon, you will embark on a 1-hour Chao Phraya River cruise with a long-tail boat. Gliding through the river, you will catch sights of the stunning Rama VIII Bridge and a giant Buddha statue at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. Grab a front-row seat to capture those iconic cityscapes better! The boatmen may point out the lizards hiding among the grass, and their hefty bodies could easily be mistaken for crocodiles. 

Next, we will disembark at Wat Arun for a visit. Climb the top of its beautifully carved stupa, and you’ll catch a panoramic view of Bangkok in the twilight. However, that may not be advisable for the elders or children since the steps are high and steep. Then you will be escorted back to the hotel.

► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense): 
From lively night markets to upscale restaurants, you will always find Pad Thai on their menus. This dish features rice noodles stir-fried with tofu, dried shrimp, bean sprouts, and scrambled eggs. As the finishing touch, lemon juice brings out the light sour flavor of Thai cuisine. The Terminal 21 Mall promises an authentic Pad Thai from 10:00 to 22:00 at its fifth-floor food court. 
Average Cost per Person: THB 100 (USD 3)
Address: 88 Sukhumvit Road 5F, Terminal 21, Bangkok 10110 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok (5 stars) or similar

► Explore Traditional Floating Trade and Houses at Damnoen Saduak
This morning, we will drive for 1 hour to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market west of Bangkok. It’s a fun place to immerse yourself in some of Thailand’s most vibrant and simple life of common people. When traveling through the narrow canals on a boat, you will see the locals sitting on the prow, hawking boatloads of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables. Keep your hands inside the boat to avoid bumps from other ships. Although tempting local specialties may catch your eye, it’s best to savor them at shoreline shops if you have a sensitive stomach. An array of souvenirs may make you feel a bit commercial, but floating through canals to experience the vibrant atmosphere is quite interesting! After that, turn your attention to the small waterways, where stilt houses surrounded by banana and coconut trees showcase the true lives of local people.

Next, travel further west for a 2.5-hour ride to Kanchanaburi. Upon arrival, we will first visit the JEATH War Museum. The exhibits were mainly collected from the survivors who were once interned here to build the Thai-Burma Railway during World War II, also known as the “Death Railway”. Follow our knowledgeable guide to learn more about the tragedies behind those artifacts. Then we will take a stroll around the nearby River Kwai Bridge, a railroad bridge at the checkpoint of the Death Railway. To honor the soldiers and laborers who constructed it, the River Kwai Bridge Week Festival is celebrated in early December, when heroic deeds of the past will be recreated in a multimedia show. Finally, the guide will transfer you to a local hotel to check in.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: U Inchantree Kanchanaburi (4 stars) or similar

After a hearty breakfast, we will continue with a 3-hour private transfer from Kanchanaburi to Ayutthaya, a historic city and World Heritage Site. We will first visit Bang Pa-in Palace, which used to be the summer resort for the royal family, on the outskirts of Ayutthaya. Apart from admiring its diverse architectural styles, you will see the two marble monuments on the eastern side of the palace, one of which was erected by King Rama V for his beloved first wife and their young daughter. In 1880, the Queen and Princess’s boat capsized on the way to Bang Pa-in Palace, but no one could help them because it was illegal for citizens to touch the royal family members. After their tragic loss, the king changed the law.

Our next stop is Ayutthaya Historical Park. Since there are few shelters in the park and paths are dotted with pebbles, it’s recommended that you borrow a parasol at the entry and wear comfortable shoes. The guide will show you around several splendid Buddhist temples, including Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, and the most renowned Wat Mahathat, where you can see a stone Buddha’s head tightly intertwined in ancient tree roots. When capturing photos, keep your posture lower than the Buddha’s head. After visiting these temples and ruins, you will be escorted to a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya (4 stars) or similar

Today, we’ll leave Ayutthaya for Lopburi, about an hour’s drive away. As a vital town of the Khmer Empire (802-1431), Lopburi retains many Angkorian relics. But monkeys seem to overrun the whole city, and you will quickly notice them swaggering through the streets and temples. The guide will lead you to San Phra Kan, a Brahman shrine featuring distinctive Khmer arts. Surrounded by lush greenery, the temple is also an ideal habitat for monkeys, where you may spot them playing on slides. Our next stop is Phra Prang Sam Yot nearby, featuring three majestic Indian pagodas. It is also called the Monkey Temple, because monkeys dominate the ancient pagodas and green spaces. 

 Safety Tips: Although it’s fun to interact with these adorable monkeys, please skip feeding them because their fierce competition for food may cause unforeseen issues. Meanwhile, it’s best to avoid carrying sunglasses, hats, and glistening keychains as curious monkeys might snatch them.  

Afterward, we will travel to Sukhothai, once the capital of the prosperous Sukhothai Kingdom (1238-1438). It takes about 4 hours and you can have a nap on the way. Upon arrival, we would settle into a local hotel before heading to Sukhothai Historical Park. Accompanied by our guide, you will admire lotus-shaped pagodas in ruins like Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Sawai, and Wat Sa Si. Don’t miss paying your homage to the Walking Buddha statue in Wat Sa Si. If you happen to visit during mid-November, you will witness the park coming alive with the celebrations of Loy Krathong (the Festival of Water and Light). Drift water lanterns for blessings or find treasures in the park’s market. Then you will be escorted back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sukhothai Heritage Resort (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we will set off for Chiang Mai, a drive of about 4 hours along the beautiful mountain road. Upon arrival, our guide will lead you to a local hotel and help you check in. Chiang Mai is another historic city in Thailand, with many antique temples and palaces. We’ll head first to Doi Suthep Mountain on the outskirts. Follow the guide to climb the mountain and visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep with a profound Buddhist culture. You can take a one-way cable car ride, which is included in the price, but the climb-up offers a chance to appreciate the two Naga serpents along the staircases decorated by colored glass pieces and glazed tiles up close. The observation deck at the left side of the temple is a great spot to gaze upon a panorama of Chiang Mai. 

Next, our guide will accompany you to explore a primitive ethnic village – Meo Hilltribe Village. Stilt houses, handmade embroidery, and silver jewelry all reflect the relatively primitive style. You can enjoy the views of the entire village when standing on the flower-filled terrace field behind. Finally, we will go back and visit Chiang Mai’s largest temple, Wat Phra Singh. The main hall is a testament to the exquisite artistry of the Lanna Kingdom (1292-1775), featuring intricate teak carvings and murals that depict the daily life and customs of locals. You may encounter devotees who take part in the mediation course to find inner peace. After the visit, our guide and the driver will transfer you to the hotel.

► Encounter Thai New Year Festival - Songkran: Joyful Splashing for Blessings!
If your visit aligns with the Songkran Festival, the biggest celebration in Thailand held from April 13th to 15th, prepare for an exhilarating experience! You may witness crazy water-splashing battles, which are said to bring good luck. In Chiang Mai, locals and tourists gather near the City Wall, where water buckets are strategically placed along the road for participants to refill their water guns. Some hop on trucks to launch moving water gun attacks, while ingenious shop owners connect their water pipes to faucets for continuous water sprays. At night, the area is alive with foam spraying and dynamic music. You will also have a chance to see the Buddha bathing ritual, the sand tower building, and traditional dance performances.  

► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense): 
Grilled Fish is a must-try in Chiang Mai. Seasoned with lemongrass and salt, the fish is grilled to have a crispy exterior and a succulent interior. It tastes so fresh paired with the hot and sour sauce. To savor it, you can go to Huen Muan Jai restaurant, which is open from 17:00 to 21:00 and has won the Michelin Bib Gourmand award for 5 years. 
Average Cost per Person: THB 200-300 (USD 6-9)
Address: 24 Ratchaphuek Alley, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Rim Resort Chiang Mai (4 stars) or similar

Today promises a heartwarming experience as you step into the elephant world! Following breakfast, you will take a 1.5-hour ride to the Elephant Nature Park, a semi-wild reservation home to elephants rescued from logging, riding, or performing, which provides them a relatively natural habitat with space, food, clay and a river. To help them exhibit their true nature again, all activities in the park are ethical hands-off experiences, allowing you and other animal lovers to observe and learn about their stories and features, whether mischievous, shy, or sensitive. A unique experience awaits you on a raised wooden skywalk platform, where you can watch elephants hanging out on vast grasslands and doing whatever they want. After enjoying a vegan buffet lunch, let’s glimpse their happy time near the river! Some elephants may enjoy a post-bath mud massage or just share leaves with rescued buffalo. In the end, you will be escorted back to the hotel.
 Tips:
1. Some areas of the park may be muddy, so it is advised to wear comfortable and sturdy shoes.
2. To adapt to the hot and humid climate, please remember to pack sunscreen, a sunhat, and mosquito repellent. From May to October, a raincoat may also be useful.

► Interesting Facts about Elephants:
1. Elephants enjoy covering their bodies with mud and sand because it shields them from mosquitoes and sunburn.
2. When bitten by mosquitoes, elephants will scratch themselves with trunks or tree branches.
3. Wrinkles on elephants’ skins can help them cool down and keep them moisturized.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Rim Resort Chiang Mai (4 stars) or similar

Today, we will continue our trip to Chiang Rai for about a 4-hour drive. En route, our guide will lead you to visit Wat Rong Khun, aka the White Temple. Marvel at this pure white Buddhist building complex that sparkles in the sunlight like a scene from a fairytale. To enter the main hall, you need to cross a bridge with intricate carvings. Countless sculptures of hands and skulls adorn the pools on either side, symbolizing the lost souls yearning for redemption. Please do not look back, because crossing the bridge means that you have overcome all temptations and are no longer in the shadows of the past.

Then we will stop at Mae Khachan Hot Spring for a short rest. Try a soothing foot soak or savor hot spring-boiled eggs if you like. After settling in at a hotel in Chiang Rai, the guide will accompany you on a visit to the Mae Sai Border between Thailand and Myanmar, where you can enjoy the unique boundary scenery: a bustling border market sells local agricultural treasures, traditional handicrafts, and exquisite jade jewelry. You may glimpse the authentic border life, as some Burmese dressed in ethnic costumes often buy daily necessities. In the evening, we’ll return to the hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort and Spa (4 stars) or similar

Today will kick off the second half of your trip, nearly a week of relaxing seaside vacation. Koh Samui will be your first seaside destination! After breakfast, our guide and the driver will escort you from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai Airport to board a 2-hour flight to Koh Samui. Upon landing, you will be warmly greeted by our local driver and escorted to the hotel. You will be free to plan your island vacation.

Being one of the most popular tourist islands in Thailand, Koh Samui boasts some of the most beautiful seascapes and beaches on Earth, and it offers fun island-hopping tours and plenty of water sports and entertainment. Given that you would prefer an undisturbed seaside vacation, we will leave the following two days for you to do whatever you like to make the most of Koh Samui.

► Recommended Night Activity:
Our well-chosen hotel boasts unbeatable sea views and near the most popular Chaweng Beach, where you can experience the exhilarating nightlife in theme bars and electronic music clubs. Let the rhythm of the night wash your worries away at hot spots like Seen Beach Club, ARK Bar, and Reggae Pub.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Nora Beach Resort & Spa, Koh Samui (4 stars) or similar

This is your first free day in Koh Samui. Spend a leisurely day at Chaweng Beach, where you can enjoy the seascape, swim, or rent windsurfing equipment or jet ski to experience the charm of the sea. Various water activities such as the banana boat and parasailing are also available. 

To avoid the crowds, you can proceed to Bo Phut Beach. It is near a fishing village, so you will feel the local cozy lifestyle. Just relax on a lounge chair and enjoy the sun, perhaps while turtles, seals, and crabs are around. You will be spoiled for lunch choices as the beach is surrounded by seaside restaurants and cafes. At dusk, walk 10 minutes southeast from Bo Phut Beach to the nearby Fisherman’s Village Night Market, which is bustling every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 18:00 to 22:00. After traversing through ancient wooden houses, immerse yourself in the lively market ambiance. Vendors proudly show their culinary skills from fresh seafood and sizzling barbecues to Thai stir-fried noodles and tropical fruits, starting from THB 30 (USD 1) per serving. It is also fun to have a refreshing beer and chat with the welcoming locals. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Nora Beach Resort & Spa, Koh Samui (4 stars) or similar

This is another free day for you to explore Koh Samui. For outdoor adventure lovers, Koh Samui will offer more than you expect. Take a day trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan to snorkel and observe the underwater life up close, or experience the thrill of flying through the jungle by zip lines.

Besides, you can spend the day exploring Koh Wao and Koh Wua Ta Lap, two of the Ang Thong National Marine Park’s 42 small islands west of Koh Samui. Koh Wao beckons with its crystal-clear water, perfect for snorkeling while admiring the underwater colorful coral reefs and schools of fish. On Koh Wua Ta Lap, you can paddle through caves featuring stalactites and stalagmites, or trek to the Pha Chan Charat view platform for a panorama of the park. Just head to Chaweng Beach to book a day trip, but please check if the island entry fee is included. 

► Tips:
1. In case of motion sickness, take some pills before leaving, as the speedboat ride from Chaweng Beach to the park takes about 70 minutes.
2. There is a 500-meter steep hike on Koh Wua Ta Lap. Make your journey easier with comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Nora Beach Resort & Spa, Koh Samui (4 stars) or similar

Depending on the flight time, you will be escorted to the Koh Samui Airport for a 1-hour flight to Krabi. Upon your arrival, our local driver will greet you with a private transfer to the hotel. You’re free to start your wonderful holiday in Krabi.

As another popular seaside resort in southern Thailand, Krabi is a paradise for divers and rock climbers, in addition to its crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. If adventurous sports aren’t for you, Krabi also has plenty of easy and fun water activities to take you through the next two free days of a relaxing vacation.

► Dinner Suggestion (at your own expense):
Located on Ao Nang Beach, Kodam Kitchen provides a romantic atmosphere where you can dine beneath a Thai pavilion adorned with star-shaped chandeliers. With over 50 expertly crafted dishes, you will find it hard to choose what you like. Don’t miss trying signature dishes like Grilled Chicken Sticks with Turmeric, Fried Pork Belly, and Thai Fried Noodles with Shrimp. It is open from 11:00 to 22:30, and it’s best to make a reservation at least a week in advance.
Average Cost per Person: THB 200-400 (USD 6-11)
Address: 155/17, 4 Khlong Hang Road, Ao Nang 81180

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Beyond Krabi (4 stars) or similar

Today, you can explore Krabi at your own pace. You can take a long-tail boat to island-hop to Koh Kai, Koh Tup, Koh Mor, and Koh Poda, enjoying snorkeling and admiring the limestone cliffs. Or explore the Phi Phi Islands, where Bamboo Island, Viking Cave, Maya Bay, and Monkey Beach all promise unrivaled sea views and different relaxing activities.  

If you want an adventure, go kayaking at Klong Root (Clear Water Canal), the filming location of Jurassic World 4! Gliding through lush mangroves, you can admire many towering karst hills beautifully mirrored on the lake’s surface, looking like a living artwork on sunny days. Look for vibrant fishes under the lake at the end of your paddling and jump into the water to rejuvenate yourself. Many boat rental shops surround the shore, with prices ranging from THB 200 to 300 (USD 6-9) per hour. Feel free to let the boat owner know if you’d like to spend more time on the lake. Due to the scarcity of returning taxis, negotiate with the driver about return time or ask a boatman for help.
► Tips:
1. Apply sunscreen or wear a hat to protect against the scorching sunlight.
2. Be cautious of submerged objects such as reefs, rocks, and stumps when swimming in the lake.
3. Wear your swimsuit underneath before departure and pack an extra set of clothes for changing.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Beyond Krabi (4 stars) or similar

Today, you can also do whatever you like in Krabi! Spend a half day experiencing rock climbing on the karst cliffs above Railay and Phra Nang and learn belay techniques and basic safety skills. Otherwise, you can sunbathe on the Ao Nang Beach, or end your Krabi journey with a relaxing massage! Thai massage combines traditional massage techniques with yoga-inspired poses. You will be assisted by a skilled therapist to find the natural balance of joints by completing a series of stretches. Massage Corner on Ao Nang Beach is highly praised among tourists, open from 10:00 to 23:00, where you can experience a traditional Thai massage, coconut oil massage, and aloe vera massage. Depending on your package, the cost of a one-hour treatment ranges from THB 400 to 700 (USD 12-21).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Beyond Krabi (4 stars) or similar

Your Thailand best tour is coming to an end today. After breakfast, you will be escorted to Krabi Airport for a 1-hour flight to Bangkok. Wish you a pleasant trip!

Please Note: Bangkok has two airports - Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airport. If your flight out of Bangkok will not depart from the airport where you landed, leave enough time to transfer. With your passport and e-ticket for the connecting flight, you can take a free shuttle bus between the two airports at Gate 3 on the second floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport or Gate 6 on the first floor of Don Mueang Airport, which will take about 50 minutes without traffic jam. Consider booking your connecting flight for the late afternoon or evening to ensure a smooth journey.

If you want to extend your Thailand trip to Mae Hong Son and Pai, or you would like to travel to other countries in Southeast Asia, please feel free to contact us.

Meals: Breakfast