Treasures of Thailand: Floating Hotels, Temples & Markets

Welcome to Thailand! 

Our guide will welcome you at the airport and transfer you to the Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok Hotel. 

We'll have lunch at the Blue Elephant Restaurant. 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. Established in the 18th century by King Taksin, Wat Arun has expanded over the years, its central tower rising impressively to about 70 meters. The temple's unique architectural style is distinguished by its exquisite decor, which includes patterns of tiny pieces of colored glass 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 and 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. Along the way, we'll stop at a sugar palm factory to see how sugar is made from palm trees.

We'll take a boat trip to the floating market from the pier, getting close to the local people living along the small 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 Death Railway and learn more about this historical event. 

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

You can explore the natural surroundings or participate in the resort's activities. Dinner is at the Pontoon Floating Restaurant & Bar.

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

After breakfast, we'll take a long-tailed boat upstream to visit Sai Yok Yai Waterfall and National Park. Then, visit the Mon tribal village, which has been their home for generations. 

We'll 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 river bank 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 float house, we can marvel at the beauty of this place, enjoy dinner, and relax for the night. 

After breakfast, you 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. If you participate, you'll paddle downstream, gliding through lush tropical forests, surrounded by nature's beauty. If you'd like a bit more adventure, challenge yourself by paddling upstream against the current for a fun and invigorating exercise. 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 you downstream to The FloatHouse River Kwai resort. This scenic journey lasts around 40 minutes, depending on your paddling speed.

After this, we'll check out and 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 in to 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. Known as one of the world's largest and most cosmopolitan cities, it 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 return to Bangkok airport for our flight to Chiang Mai. A guide will greet us at the airport and take us to the Parc Thai Eatery for a lovely dinner. Then, we'll return to the hotel for check-in and a restful night.

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'll join the experienced staff for a guided tour of the park. This unique experience emphasizes a no-riding policy, allowing us to walk alongside the elephants and learn about their natural habitat and history. The tour includes a visit to the river that borders the park, offering further insights into the animal's lives and conservation.

The day'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 itinerary, 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 a visit to 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 to relax, the evening continues with another cultural immersion: a Kantoke Dinner at the Benjarong Khantoke Restaurant. Traditional Thai cultural and folk performances will be featured.

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 participate in a Tea-Blending Workshop. We'll explore different teas and blending techniques, taste and identify various 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.

The evening concludes with a farewell dinner 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 Thailand’s largest island.

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 speedboat ride to Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi. From there, we'll take a brief drive to our hotel, Chala No 6. 

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

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

Take a free Tuk-tuk “Songthaew” island tour on the hotel's schedule. This tour includes stops at a Batik Painting community, a rubber tree plantation, scenic rice fields, a Coconut Farm, and the main village for some local shopping. Lunch is at the hotel. 

Enjoy your afternoon. You can choose where 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, venture out to the local restaurant Rice Paddy or enjoy the hotel facilities. One complimentary drink is included at each meal.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Phuket via a public speedboat, scheduled according to your flight time. Ensure you coordinate with the hotel reception for the best speedboat timing to match your departure flight.

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