Two Wondrous Weeks in Thailand

Bursting at the seams with cultural treasures, your time in Chiang Mai begins with an exciting evening experience, exploring the city by private tuk tuk. Learn more about the area’s history and explore local markets, before dinner at a recommended restaurant. The next day’s tour begins with an ascent up Doi Suthep mountain, a revered site with an intriguing legend. Visit several historical settlements and temples in the area, before exploring the charming streets of the old town. Next, slow down the pace with a day exploring the rice paddies and lush valleys outside of the city by bicycle, before cruising the Ping River by chauffeured bamboo raft.

The bustling capital of Bangkok is where your Thailand tour begins. After settling into your stunning hotel, head out on a fantastic foodie tour with local food columnist and photographer, Nym Korakot. Explore on foot and by tuk tuk, stopping at sizzling street food stalls and riverside bars. The following day, explore the city on a guided tour using a variety of local transport – from skytrains to canal boats. After visiting Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha, as well as several other points of interest, the tour ends with a classic mahogany motorboat ride down the mighty Chao Phraya River. Head out of Bangkok to the UNESCO-listed ancient Siamese capital of Ayutthaya, exploring the Buddhist sites and enjoying a private longtail boat ride.

Get closer to the sheer wonder and rare wildlife of Khao Sak National Park at Elephant Hills. You will stay at The Elephant Camp, enjoying an incredible ethical elephant encounter, feeding washing and interacting with these amazing animals. The camp has been frequently awarded with the Thailand Green Excellence Award for Animal Welfare and absolutely no riding is offered!

While there is plenty of time at your leisure to simply unwind on the tropical beaches, the splendour of Phuket stretches way beyond the sands. Spend a day kayaking around the captivating karst islands and mangrove forests of Phang Nga Nay, led by expert guides. You may catch a glimpse of macaque monkeys, water monitor lizards, and different bird species as you glide. After a sunset dinner on a larger boat, you’ll paddle into caves fascinatingly illuminated by natural phosphorescent plankton! Phuket is listed by UNESCO as a “City of Gastronomy” and you are invited to sample local delights as you take a tour with local culinary expert, Chef Pui. You also have the option to visit a resident artist at work, or to visit the Chinese-Siamese Baba community museum.