Thai Essence in a Small Group - Nomadays

Thailand

Thai Essence in a Small Group

After the visit to Bangkok and Ayutthaya, we head to Chiang Mai, the northern gem, where we stay for 3 nights to explore the city and its surroundings. This mountainous region on the borders of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand is located at the confluence of the Mekong River and is home to many ethnic minorities, where the beauty of the rice field landscapes is matched only by the smiles of the local people.

Then we fly to the Andaman Coast, where we will discover the spectacular Khao Sok National Park

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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.

  • Night at the Silome Serene, a hotel with a pool, located in the heart of Bangkok.

Day 2The "Venice of the East"

Day 2The "Venice of the East"

  • Departure in the morning to reach the pier and take the public boat-buses to 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 start our day with a visit to the Grand Palace of Bangkok, built in 1782, which includes several magnificent buildings, including the Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which houses a beautiful Emerald Buddha dating back to the 14th century.

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

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

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
1h 45m-100km
15m-15km
1h 15m-80km

Day 3Market Day

Day 3Market Day

  • Early morning wake-up to head to the outskirts of Bangkok, to the colorful, lively, and flavorful floating market of Damnoen Saduak.

    By boat, along the narrow canals of the market, we discover the stalls of goods joyfully swaying on the water. We negotiate for fresh fruits, clothing, or Thai masks from a wooden boat with vendors proudly wearing straw hats and vibrant dresses.

  • We then head to the town of Amphawa, a small town just 15 minutes from Damnoen Saduak that lives by the rhythm of its markets and small river commerce.

    We visit Wat Bang Kung (Kai Bang Kung), commonly known as the Banyan Tree Temple, named so since its chapel was enveloped by the roots and branches of a banyan tree.

    In its gardens, we can notably observe life-sized representations of wrestlers, commemorating the Battle of Ayutthaya between Thailand and Burma at the end of the 13th century.

  • We cannot leave Amphawa without making a brief stop at the Maeklong Market, where, four times a day, the fruit and vegetable stalls are hastily folded up as the train passes through the market. (Train passes at 5:00 PM)

    Finally, we return to Bangkok after a day full of experiences at Thailand's markets.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide
    
Prom Lok
2h 30m-120km

Day 4Exploration of Phatthalung

Day 4Exploration 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.
    
1h-65km
Bang Pa-In
1h-25km
11h 30m-620km

Day 5Ayutthaya, former capital of the kingdom

Day 5Ayutthaya, former capital of the kingdom

  • We set off to explore the Bang Pa-in Palace, built in the 17th century and abandoned after the destruction of Ayutthaya. The palace was restored and expanded in the mid-19th century by the King, who made it his summer residence.

  • From the palace, we will travel to Ayutthaya by traditional boat on the river. Along the way, we will discover the Thai way of life along the water, the wooden stilt houses, the rice barge convoys towed to Bangkok warehouses, and the temple spires pointing towards the sky.

    We will arrive in Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam.

  • After lunch, we'll explore the historic center of the city, including Wat Mahathat , dating back to the late 14th century. We'll then continue to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, which once served as the royal temple and is the largest in the city. Finally, we'll visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, famous for its reclining Buddha.

    The afternoon in Ayutthaya will be guided by an English-speaking guide.
    
  • 9:06 PM - We board our night train bound for Chiang Mai.

    Overnight in a 2nd class sleeper compartment.

Day 6First steps into the beauty of the North

Day 6First steps into the beauty of the North

  • 08:40 - Our train arrives at the station. Upon arrival, we meet our guide and driver who will take us to our hotel.

    Note: Room availability may be until 14:00. If your room is not ready upon arrival, you can drop off your belongings and start exploring the city.
    
  • Accompanied by our guide, we take a detour to the Grand Central Market of Warorot, where you can find all sorts of Northern Thai specialties, such as Sai ua (Northern Thai sausage), Moo yo (traditional Vietnamese pork sausage), Nam phrik num (Northern Thai green chili paste), dried fruits, and more. In addition to local food, the market also offers clothing, ceramics, fabrics, embroidery devices, flowers, and more.

  • 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.
    
  • We'll be staying at the De Lanna Hotel for 2 nights in Deluxe room.

1h 30m-60km
Mae Wang

Day 7Optional Activity in Chiang Mai

Day 7Optional Activity in Chiang Mai

  • Today, you are free to choose your activity! There are three possible options:

    • A trek in Doi Inthanon National Park starting from Mae Wan
    • A rafting excursion on the Mae Taeng River
    • A cycling tour of Chiang Mai
  • Activity 1:

    Today, we head into the mountains overlooking the city of Chiang Mai, in the Doi Inthanon National Park, where we will begin a guided hike through the mountains and explore the Karen people of northern Thailand.

    We start our Doi Inthanon Hill Tribe Trek through the region's still lush green rice fields. There will be an opportunity to swim in the waterfalls. We will visit a Karen village where we will have lunch and meet the locals.

    We return to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking hiking guide
    
  • We depart for the mountains north of Chiang Mai, where we head to the Mae Taeng River.

    From the village of Sop Kai, we embark on a 10 km rafting descent featuring an extensive section of Class III-IV rapids. Our adventure begins with the first 3 kilometers of Class III rapids through lush jungle and stunning landscapes. The upper section is beautiful, with some fun rapids to warm up before reaching the main Class IV section, a non-stop action thrill.

    Follow your guide’s recommendations as you navigate through numerous rewarding Class IV rapids.

    The day on the river ends with Class III rapids and a scenic descent to the camp. Don’t be surprised if you spot an elephant as you navigate this spectacular section of the river!

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking rafting guide.
    
  • Activity 3:

    This morning, we will go on a bicycle tour to explore the Rose of the North.

    Starting from the famous Tha Phae Gate of Chiang Mai, with the mountains of Doi Suthep as our backdrop, we will venture into the city's traditional small streets and alleys.

    You'll discover numerous ancient temples, monks walking through the city, bustling markets, and the daily life of the locals, including artisans from the mountain communities who go about their work as we cycle past them, under their curious gaze, in their neighborhood.

    Activity in a small group accompanied by an English-speaking local guide.
    

    Afternoon free.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: De Lanna Hotel

Lunch: Included

Accommodation: De Lanna Hotel

Day 8Cooking Class & Thai Boxing

Day 8Cooking Class & Thai Boxing

  • We begin our day with a traditional cooking class in the countryside, outside the city, in an old Lanna-style house.

    On the menu, typical northern dishes:

    • Chicken curry (Aou Kai)
    • Spicy chicken soup (Tom Som Kai)
    • Stir-fried pork (Phad Makauyaw Moo)
    • Minced pork (Nam Prik Ong)
    • Banana in coconut milk
  • 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.

  • 5:00 PM - We head to a Thai boxing school for a private one-hour demonstration of the discipline.

    Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
    
  • It's market night today. Let's head to the "Saturday Walking Street" to taste the delicious street food of northern Thailand and do some shopping in a much more relaxed atmosphere than in the south.

Meal and accommodations

Breakfast: De Lanna Hotel

Lunch: Made by your team

Accommodation: De Lanna Hotel

2h 5m-1450km

Day 9Khao Sok National Park

Day 9Khao Sok National Park

  • Early in the morning, we take our flight to Phuket.

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

  • Upon arriving in Phuket, we meet our driver, who will take us to the Khao Sok National Park, one of the most beautiful parks in the country, particularly due to its large emerald-green lake, Chiew Larn, and its limestone peaks that sometimes give the impression of being in Halong Bay, Vietnam. Rivers, caves, waterfalls, and treehouses complete the park's picturesque landscapes.

  • Our program today will start at 3 PM. We will accompany and witness the elephant bathing, followed by feeding them.

    In the evening, we will return to our accommodation for dinner (not included).

    Activity will be guided by a local English-speaking guide in small groups (Max 6 participants).
    
  • Night at Khao Sok Eco Resort in a Tree Lodge.

Day 10Khao Sok National Park

Day 10Khao Sok National Park

  • 10:30 AM - We then head to Cheow Larn Lake. From there, a boat awaits to transfer us to our floating accommodation.

    We have some free time to swim in the clear waters of the lake.

    In the late afternoon, we enjoy a final boat excursion to observe the sunset. Return to the floating resort for dinner.

  • Night in a magical setting in overwater bungalows with simple comfort at Kheeree Thara.

2h 30m-160km
40m-25km

Day 11Off to the islands!

Day 11Off to the islands!

  • This morning, we go on a safari to observe the surrounding wildlife, then return to the bungalow for our morning snack. We have some free time to enjoy the lake's waters, with the option of canoeing.

    After lunch, we leave these surroundings to return to the mainland.

  • At the dock, our vehicle awaits to transfer us to Krabi.

    With its postcard-worthy landscapes, the region is characterized by its karst peaks and numerous islands bordered by turquoise waters of incredible beauty.

  • From there, departure by ferry boat to the island of Koh Jum.

  • We spend 3 nights on a Bed and Breakfast basis at Koh Jum Delight Beach in a Twin Bungalow with a sea view.

Day 12-13Relaxation on the island of Koh Jum

Day 12-13Relaxation on the island of Koh Jum

  • We enjoy our free time on the stunning Koh Jum Island and at sea (not included – to be arranged on-site):

    • Exploration of the island's interior

    • Half-day or full-day boat excursions to nearby islets and small islands

    • Cooking classes (must be reserved in advance)

    • Kayaking

    • Snorkeling around the Phi Phi Islands

    Or simply relax by your pool or on the white sandy beach.

40m-25km
1h 15m-750km

Day 14Return to the City of Angels

Day 14Return to the City of Angels

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

    Our driver will be waiting for us upon arrival at the pier. Transfer to Krabi Airport (1 hour).

  • We board our return flight to Bangkok. Transfer to your hotel and rest.

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

Departure

Day 15See you soon in Thailand!

Day 15See you soon in Thailand!

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