THAI TEMPLES, WATERWAYS & WILDLIFE

Day 1 Arrive in Bangkok

On arrival in Bangkok, you will be met and privately transferred to your riverside boutique hotel. Riva Surya is one of the few boutique, riverside hotels to have a pool. Its central location makes it the ideal base from which to explore the highlights of the city, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, China Town to name a few. A little oasis amidst the buzz and culture of this wonderful city.

Overnight: Riva Surya

Day 2 Bangkok

Rise early this morning and take a long tail boat ride with your private guide, to Wat Pho in time to experience the monks' early morning chanting ritual and avoid the crowds. Participate in a very special ritual at one of Thailand's most famous temples. Get up close and observe the temple's monks performing their morning prayer chanting in Pali. Morning prayers are an essential part of Buddhist practice, providing Theravada Buddhists with a way of both clearing their negative acts of the past, and to develop enlightenment. After this spiritual observance, you'll be invited into a private chamber usually off limits to visitors for a private ceremonial offering to the monks, receiving a personal blessing in return.

Afterwards, board your private long tail boat again and discover the original Bangkok riverside neighbourhoods which are the foundation of the city's early development. Chinese, Portuguese, Muslim and European influences blend with Thai communities along Bangkok's famous Chao Phraya River. Using the waterway as your launch point, you'll walk in the steps of early Bangkok merchants, exploring the architecture, neighbourhood mercantile and commercial identities, as well as significant temples well off the usual beaten track. Several longtail boat starts and stops take you through Thonburi, Thailand's capital between the Ayutthaya and Bangkok periods, visiting old artisan villages, markets and art communities. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

In the mid-afternoon head over to the vibrant flower market to stroll through narrow aisles lined with stalls offering all sorts of colourful garlands and flower arrangements. You'll emerge out of the market's organised chaos and as dusk begins to settle over the city, and jump into an iconic three-wheeled tuk-tuk and zip over to glittering Wat Pho, also known as The Temple of the Reclining Buddha. From there, head to Yaowarat in Bangkok's Chinatown. Fast, frantic and eclectic, a ramble through Yaowarat is cacophony for the senses. Step into the Chinese legacy of old Bangkok, and sample essential favourites as you graze along Bangkok's street food mecca! You can do a deep dive and feast at various roadside stalls or simply observe the mayhem for a bit before enjoying dinner at an indoor restaurant. The evening ends as you desire a riverside rooftop bar with a fabulous view of illuminated Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) or a more intimate experience in the narrow alleys of the Na Na neighbourhood near Chinatown, where there are plenty of small bars and cafes to sit with a drink or two and experience Bangkok's emerging creative scene.

Overnight: Riva Surya

Day 3 Bangkok - Kanchanaburi

Early this morning you will be met by your guide and taken on to The Float House in Kanchanaburi Province, where you will stay for two nights. The journey takes around 3.5 hours though we will make a fun road trip out of it with a detour to the Mae Klong River Delta. Here you will visit a unique country market lying beside the railway tracks, where goods are bartered and sold as the trains bring a constant stream of customers. From there you'll head to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the largest floating market in the vicinity of Bangkok and probably the one you've seen on postcards! Totally chaotic, small 'klongs' or canals are filled with small flat-bottom boats jockeying for position, expertly paddled by mature ladies ready to stop and bargain at a moment's notice. You can hop in a paddle boat yourselves to be a part of the action!

You'll then get back in the van for the drive to Kanchanaburi, enjoying lunch at a local restaurant near the famous 'Bridge on the River Kwai'. Time permitting, you can finish the day with a short train ride through Kwai Noi gorge with breath-taking river views. Or simply watch the train go by along one of the most picturesque train tracks in Asia. Afterwards you'll be taken to Resotel Pier from where it is a short boat ride to your floating hotel.

Overnight: The Float House River Kwai Resort

Day 4 Hellfire Pass

After a leisurely breakfast, visit the Bridge over the River Kwai which was built by the Japanese during World War II and was responsible for the deaths of 100,000 Asian labourers and 16,000 allied prisoners. A 4km walking trail takes you through "Hellfire Pass", aptly named by the prisoners of war due to the complexity of its creation and how it appeared when lit up by torchlight at night. If you wish you can take the train which runs 50kms along this historic route. Return to The Floathouse for an afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: The Float House River Kwai Resort

Day 5 Kanchanaburi -  Ayutthaya

This morning you will take the boat back to the pier where your guide and driver will be waiting to take you by road for a 3.5 hour journey to Ayutthaya, the second Siamese capital after Sukothai. Check in to your hotel and freshen up before an afternoon exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya Historical Park, with your guide. Your private van will take you to each of these spots and, if you are feeling adventurous, you could do a couple of kilometers on Mary Poppins style bikes. To cap off the day you can enjoy a private longtail boat ride around this historical island.

This intimate exploration of Ayutthaya will leave you with a genuine appreciation for the city's significance to the Thai people and why it is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight: iuDia Hotel

Day 6 Ayutthaya - Sukhothai

After breakfast drive the 4.5 hour journey to Phitsanulok, stopping en route for a walk around King Rama IV's summer palace. Phitsanulok is one of the oldest cities in Thailand and you will visit Phra Si Ratana Temple which is a bronze-casted statue widely considered to be the most beautiful Buddha in Thailand. This afternoon you can relax at your hotel and enjoy a swim and possibly a spa treatment.

Overnight: Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa

Day 7 Sukhothai Historial Park

Today is a full day to enjoy the Sukhothai Historical Park with your guide. Once a walled city surrounded by a moat, it contains almost 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition. Your guide will show you the main sites of Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Chum, Wat Sri Sawai, War Sra Sri, Wat Trapang Ngoen and Ramkamhaeng Museum. This evening is at leisure at your hotel.

Overnight: Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa

Day 8 Sukhothai - Chiang Mai

Embark on a gastronomic journey with a Pantawan cooking class. Select your ingredients from the vibrant colours and flavours of a local market before learning the secrets of Thai cuisine. After lunch, your guide will take you to explore ancient Chiang Mai with its old city walls, moats and markets. Finish the day with a drive up the mountain to Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the temple on the mountain, and the most sacred in Northern Thailand. Receive a private, spiritual blessing and as the light fades you can witness the magical evening chanting of the monks and as you look down over Chiang Mai.

Overnight: Tamarind Village

Day 9 Chiang Mai

Today you will have the unique opportunity to learn Thai home cooking from a local family. The Raunkaew-Yanon family has been living on the same property in Hang Dong village for more than 150 years, and the local cuisine you will learn to cook and indulge in today is deeply rooted in this legacy. Today will be as much a cooking experience as it will be a cultural one! After a 30 minute transfer from Chiang Mai, you will be welcomed at the home by Mr. Prapat. He will introduce you to his family's home and explain the nuances of the now rare to find Lanna-style houses and rice barns situated across the compound. You will then be led on a stroll through the extensive family gardens and rice field, getting to know many types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs which the family uses in their everyday cooking. And you will as well! You will be brought to a private, open-air, wooden pavilion housing the preparation section, charcoal braziers, and a charming dining area. No electric stoves here -- this is about learning traditional home cooked recipes with authentic Northern Thai flavors. One of Mr. Prapat's family members will guide you through the preparation of five Northern dishes, regaling you with stories of their significance. On the menu are: Auo Kai (dry red curry with herbs), Nam Prik Oong (Northern style tomato and chilli paste - kind of like a Thai Bolognese), Tom Som Kai (hot and sour soup), Phat Makauyay Moo (stir-fried eggplant with mince), and a banana in coconut milk dessert. Enjoy your creations along with the family and let the local vibes soak in before heading back to Chiang Mai. The afternoon is then at leisure to relax.

Overnight: Tamarind Village

Day 10 Elephant Day Care

Today you will get to care for some of earth's most majestic animals at the Patara Elephant Farm in Hang Dong Valley, a short 50 minute drive from the city of Chiang Mai. This is an ideal excursion to learn about, and to care for elephants with an emphasis on pregnant elephants and mothers with small babies. You will have quality time to learn about elephant conservation in action as you take part in the daily healthcare routine which includes inspection, feeding, and walking with the elephants. You'll be able to observe elephant families interacting in a natural environment and build an appreciation for these fascinating gentle giants.

Note: There is no riding of the elephants involved in this program.

Overnight: Tamarind Village

Day 11 Chiang Mai - Phuket

This morning you will be transferred to the airport in time to catch your short flight south to Phuket. On arrival in Phuket you will be met and privately transferred just over one hour to your hotel which sits almost on the southernmost point of Phuket, overlooking the Andaman Sea and with direct beach access.

Overnight: The Nai Harn

Day 12 At Leisure

Enjoy a day at leisure to relax on The Nai Harn's beach and enjoy the spa.

Overnight: The Nai Harn

Day 13 Kayaking & Hong by starlight

Spend the day kayaking through and around the beautiful karst islands of Phang Nga Bay. Hosted by the highly reputable John Gray's Sea Canoe team you will learn about the area's unique natural environment and enjoy paddling through limestone caves and hidden lagoons. A highlight will be entering a cave (known as "hong") under cover of starlight in the evening. After being picked up by van from your hotel, you will be brought to the John Gray comfortable private boat which will take you to Phang Nga Bay. Following a safety briefing the real action will begin and your experienced kayaking host will guide you through the stunning limestone caves, blue lagoons, and mangrove forests of Koh Panak and Koh Hong. You may even catch a glimpse of macaque monkeys, water monitor lizards, and different bird species as you gently slip through the calm waters. As dusk begins to settle, you will paddle into caves illuminated by natural phosphorescent plankton. Enjoy this magical moment before returning to the boat and transferring back to your hotel.

Overnight: The Nai Harn

Day 14 At Leisure

Spend your day enjoying sun, sand and sea! Why not hit the white sandy beaches of Kamala, Surin, Kata, Nai Harn and the list goes on. A relaxing spa treatment is always on the menu or how about a couple of midday drinks leading into sundowners at a great beach club?

Overnight: The Nai Harn

Day 15 Depart

At the appropriate time, a private transfer will take you to Phuket airport in time to catch your international flight home.