The mountains of the North and the beaches of Koh Yao Yai - Nomadays

Thailand

The mountains of the North and the beaches of Koh Yao Yai

A tour between Mountains and Beaches, which will make you discover the splendid landscapes of Northern Thailand, with its villages perched in the mountains, its rice fields, and its elephants, before offering you a great moment of relaxation and pleasure on one of our favorite islands: Koh Yao Yai!

Day 1Welcome and free visit of Bangkok

Day 1Welcome and free visit of Bangkok

  • Welcome by our team, then transfer to your hotel. Rooms available from 2:00 pm.

    The rest of the day is free.

  • Settling in at the Shanghai Mansion, a boutique hotel ideally located in the heart of the capital's Chinatown.

Day 2Chiang Rai and its attractions

Day 2Chiang Rai and its attractions

  • Morning transfer to Bangkok's domestic airport, and flight to Chiang Rai, our first stop in the north of the country.

  • We begin our stay at the Boon Rawd gardens, located 15 km south of the city.

  • Then, we'll visit the extraordinary Wat Rong Khun , also known as the White Temple, in Chiang Rai. This temple is a contemporary creation by one of Thailand's most famous artists, Chalermchai Kositpipat.

    While the site resembles a religious complex, its purpose is different: the nine buildings house extraordinary works of art, from meditating Buddha statues to idols of pop culture like Michael Jackson, and murals celebrating the doctrines of Theravada Buddhism. Its immaculate white color gives the building a unique and surprising charm.

  • Continuing to Wat Rong Sua Ten, also known as the "Blue Temple," in Chiang Rai. This temple is the work of a disciple of the architect Chalermchai.

    There, you'll observe sculptures of Buddha in lotus position, as well as figures of demons and legendary nagas, half human and half serpent, along with paintings illustrating the events of Gautama's earthly life.

    The day will be guided by an English-speaking guide.
    
30m-25km
Tham Pha Tong

Day 3Swimming with the elephants

Day 3Swimming with the elephants

  • Early departure to a village in the Mae Chan district to discover rural life.

    You will be welcomed by the hostess who will offer you tea and introduce you to her true Noah's Ark of all the animals she and her husband have rescued over the past twenty years.

    Among them are three elephants who have found an ideal refuge here to live in peace. You will learn more about their lives and have the opportunity to feed them before setting off with them and their Mahout for a walk in the surrounding jungle where the pachyderms will continue to feed.

    Lunch with Karen specialties by a small lake, with the possibility of a short bamboo raft ride on the waters.

    Back at the camp, we will finally witness the elephants bathing.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
  • Return to the city around 4 PM.

Day 4The tea plantations of Mae Salong

Day 4The tea plantations of Mae Salong

  • Departure for Mae Salong (25 to 30 km of mountain road), a region of Chinese refugee villages from the last century and large tea plantations.

    Visit the 101 Tea Plantation, take a walk in the small village of Mae Salong and the village of Santikhiri to discover the history of the KMT refugees - refugees from the former KuoMingTang army fleeing the end of the civil war in China.

    Relaxed return in the afternoon.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
1h-55km
1h 30m-80km

Day 5The Golden Triangle

Day 5The Golden Triangle

  • In the early morning, we meet our accompanying team and then depart for the Mekong River and the Golden Triangle, the convergence point of the Thai, Burmese, and Laotian borders. We travel along the banks of the Mekong River.

  • Visit to the superb Hall of Opium Museum, built into the hillside overlooking the Mekong Valley.

  • Return to Chiang Rai, with a stop at the residence of the painter Tawan Dachanee (also called the "black house"), the most famous (contemporary) painter in Thailand.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    

Day 6The city of Chiang Mai

Day 6The city of Chiang Mai

  • We continue our tour of the north and head towards Chiang Mai.

  • We take a stroll through the center of the old town, including a visit to the stunning Wat Sri Suphan temple, located in the Silversmiths' Street of Wualai. This temple is entirely covered in silver plates and other metals; you can see artisans working with metal on-site.

    Day accompanied by a English-speaking guide
    
  • Overnight at Banthai Village in a room

Day 7City stroll

Day 7City stroll

  • In the morning, we make a detour to the Warorot Market, where you can find all kinds of specialties from northern Thailand, such as Sai ua (northern Thai sausage), Moo yo (traditional Vietnamese pork sausage), Nam phrik num (green chili paste from northern Thailand), and dried fruits, etc. In addition to local food, you can also find clothing, ceramics, fabrics, embroidery supplies, flowers, etc.

  • We then head to the outskirts of the city to discover the magnificent Doi Suthep Temple, located on the mountain at 1,200 meters above sea level.

    This stunning Buddhist temple invites you to a pious meditation in an atmosphere imbued with silence and mysticism, where every stone, every statue, every step reveals an aspect of Buddhism.

    On the way, a stop at the Wat Pha Lat Temple.

  • Finally, we will end our day with a visit to the Wat Umong temple, an underground Buddhist temple from the 13th century. Nestled at the foot of the Doi Suthep mountains, Wat Umong is a haven of peace.

    Discover the history of the monastery, walk through old underground tunnels, and take the time to talk with the resident monks.

    The day will be guided by an English-speaking guide.
    
2h-1400km
1h-30km

Day 8Flight to the Andaman Sea

Day 8Flight to the Andaman Sea

  • Our driver will take you to Chiang Mai airport, from where we will fly to the southwest of Thailand, along the Andaman coast.

  • In the morning, flight towards Phuket.

  • From there, transfer to the docks and depart by ferry boat to the island of Koh Yao Yai

    Boat NOT included – to be taken on site depending on the available boat (ferry or speedboat)
    

    Dock to bungalow transport included

  • We will spend 4 nights at the Bed and Breakfast Koh Yao Yai Village.

Prom Lok
2h 30m-120km

Day 9Exploration of Phatthalung

Day 9Exploration of Phatthalung

  • We say goodbye to our hosts and hit the road towards Phatthalung.

  • At the destination, visit the temple Wat Tham Khuha Sawan

  • Visit the information center on the shadow theater "Nang Thalung" (hence the name of the Phatthalung region)

  • In the afternoon, if we feel up to it, we will climb Khao Ok Thalu, a rocky peak that overlooks the city. To reach it, there are 1,300 steps. A unique feature is that there is a hole in the rock.

    The day is accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
    
Prom Lok
2h 30m-120km

Day 10Exploration of Phatthalung

Day 10Exploration of Phatthalung

  • We say goodbye to our hosts and hit the road towards Phatthalung.

  • At the destination, visit the temple Wat Tham Khuha Sawan

  • Visit the information center on the shadow theater "Nang Thalung" (hence the name of the Phatthalung region)

  • In the afternoon, if we feel up to it, we will climb Khao Ok Thalu, a rocky peak that overlooks the city. To reach it, there are 1,300 steps. A unique feature is that there is a hole in the rock.

    The day is accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
    
Prom Lok
2h 30m-120km

Day 11Exploration of Phatthalung

Day 11Exploration of Phatthalung

  • We say goodbye to our hosts and hit the road towards Phatthalung.

  • At the destination, visit the temple Wat Tham Khuha Sawan

  • Visit the information center on the shadow theater "Nang Thalung" (hence the name of the Phatthalung region)

  • In the afternoon, if we feel up to it, we will climb Khao Ok Thalu, a rocky peak that overlooks the city. To reach it, there are 1,300 steps. A unique feature is that there is a hole in the rock.

    The day is accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
    

Day 12-14Relaxation on the island of Koh Yao Noi

Day 12-14Relaxation on the island of Koh Yao Noi

  • We are enjoying our free stay on the beautiful island of Koh Yao Noi. There are many activities available on-site: kayaking, snorkeling… (not included)

    Or why not simply laze by the pool or on the beach.

1h-20km
1h 15m-750km

Day 15Returning to the City of Angels

Day 15Returning to the City of Angels

  • Departure in the morning from the hotel to the Manoh pier and boat crossing to Phuket pier.

    Boat NOT INCLUDED (400 THB to be paid on site)
    

    Our driver will be waiting for us upon arrival at the pier. Transfer to Phuket airport.

  • We board our return flight to Bangkok, the rest of the day is free.

  • Settling into a guesthouse on the banks of the Chao Phraya.

Day 16Exploration of Bangkok

Day 16Exploration of Bangkok

  • Private traditional "long-tail" boat-taxi ride on the Chao Phraya River, one of the most important in the country. Discover the Venice of the East and the traditional life of the inhabitants of this city, half of whom still live along the water.

  • Depart in the morning to reach the dock and take the public boat-buses, heading up towards the center, on the right bank and the Pak Klong Talad flower market district.

  • Then, we walk to Wat Pho, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok, to see its reclining Buddha.

  • We then cross the river by a small boat to visit Wat Arun, the "Temple of Dawn," located on the right bank.

  • Visit to the Yaowarat and Talat Noi Chinatown district; the Temple of the Golden Buddha - Wat Traimitr, and the small but very interesting Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Museum, which traces the history of Chinese immigration to Bangkok.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
Departure

Day 17See you soon in Thailand!

Day 17See you soon in Thailand!

  • Breakfast at the hotel. Free day and transfer to the airport at your preferred time.