Start your journey through historic Siam in Bangkok, where our knowledgeable guide will help you unravel the secrets of this ancient empire – from the grand palace and emerald Buddha to the city’s intricate canals. Be sure to bring your appetite when you investigate the tastes of this culinary capital with Amita’s Thai Cooking School.
After getting to know the one of the world’s finest cities, head north to Chiang Rai. Become an Elephant researcher for a day at the Four Seasons Tented Camp, using the luxury retreat as your base to hop across the Golden Triangle border for a discovery tour of Burma (Myanmar).
Get up close and personal with Chiang Mai’s hill tribes, exploring this beautiful countryside as you pass through local villages. Explore the region’s dominant religion, Buddhism, and learn how to respectfully give alms to local monks.
No first time trip to the former Siam would be complete without a stopover at one of the country’s most breath taking beaches. Enjoy spectacular sunsets at The Shore at Kata Thani Resort, where you will enjoy a luxurious few days of rest and relaxation before heading home.
Day 1 Bangkok: VIP Arrival
You will be greeted at the jet way in the terminal building by a uniformed hostess with a welcome sign with your name on it. You will be escorted to the Fast Track Immigration counter where your entry into Thailand will be expedited. The hostess will handle all airport formalities with immigration and customs officials. Your hostess and porter (the porter will wait at the luggage belt) will assist in obtaining all baggage.
They will then escort you through customs and to your waiting guide. Your guide and driver will then transfer you into the city to check into The Siam Hotel.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at The Siam Hotel – Riverview Pool Villa
Day 2 Bangkok: Highlights of the City
You will be met by your guide at your hotel at 8.00am before transferring to the pride of Thailand – the Grand Palace, also visiting Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the famous Emerald Buddha. Take a stroll down the street to a local Buddhist amulet market before taking a lively tuk-tuk ride to Wat Pho to see the famous Reclining Buddha. Continue on to visit the nearby flower market, followed by lunch at a local restaurant which will be suggested by your guide. The local restaurant will be suggested by your guide. Only the most authentic local restaurants will be recommended. Chat with your guide about the food before ordering your favorite dishes.
After lunch, board a local long tail boat and set off along the klongs (canals), passing by the famous Wat Arun. Finish your river journey at the Central Pier, where you will board the exciting Skytrain. Enjoy an elevated view of central Bangkok as you head to your last stop of the day – the famous Thann Sanctuary. Here you can enjoy a 60-minute spa treatment of your choice before returning to your hotel by private transfer.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at The Siam Hotel – Riverview Pool Villa
Day 3 Bangkok: Private Amita Thai Cooking Class
In the morning you will be met by your guide and a representative from the Amita Cooking School and taken by boat along the Chao Phraya River, where you will pass such sites as the Temple of Dawn as you move through the smaller canals for an enjoyable insight into local life on the river. Arrive at the Amita Thai Cooking School where you will be greeted with a refreshing welcome beverage and introduced to your instructor for the day. You will be shown around the Amita vegetable garden and learn more about the ingredients you will be using in your cooking lesson.
Now start your hands-on experience! Be sure to arrive with an appetite because later in the day you will be enjoying each of the four dishes you learn to prepare. After the class your guide will meet you and you will depart by boat back to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at The Siam Hotel – Riverview Pool Villa
Day 4 Bangkok: Departure & Four Seasons Tented Camp: Arrival
You will be transferred to Bangkok Airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. On arrival at Chiang Rai Airport you will be met by a Four Seasons Tented Camp representative and will have a private transfer to the world renowned tented camp.On arrival at the camp you will be met by your host and shown to your private luxury tent.
In the evening you will be picked up and taken to the wonderful Khantoke Dinner Show, a fine example of classical Thai dancing. Your meal will be served on the wooden tray, known as the ‘khantoke’, with a fine range of authentic northern Thai delicacies. During your meal you can enjoy a range of dance and music, performed by different hill tribes in the area, each with their own distinct dress and traditions.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Four Seasons Tented Camp
Day 5 Four Seasons Tented Camp: Mahout Training
Upon arrival at the camp, guests will receive traditional mahout outfits. First, learn the golden rules of how to behave around elephants , then the basic vocal commands, then how to get onand off safely. Accompanied by the elephant’s own mahout, guests learn the basic commands needed to drive an elephant, a skill they will have an opportunity to practise on an exploration of the Thai jungle. Guests wanting to experience a customary daybreak in the jungle are invited to join the mahouts as they get the elephants ready for trekking by bathing and scrubbing the gentle giants in the river or pond.
After you have settled back into the camp, you will be treated to a 60-minute spa treatment of your choice. Amidst the bamboo forests of the Golden Triangle are two open-air salas featuring double treatment rooms, spa beds and a bathtub/shower area. With their rustic design and use of natural materials, the salas blend in with the environment.
Sundowners will be served when the sun begins to set over the horizon, after which the elephants will be released into the jungle for night feeding.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Four Seasons Tented Camp
Day 6 Four Seasons Tented Camp: The Burma Discovery Tour
Discover Burma and its fascinating culture on a half-day visit to the border town of Takilek. Depart the Tented Camp by boat and then transfer by private car to the town of Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand. Visit Wat Pradhat Doi Wao, also known as the Scorpion Temple, located on a hilltop with views of Thailand and Burma, before walking across the bridge that forms the border. Pass through Thai and Burmese immigration, and enter the town of Takilek, where you will begin your Burmese discovery.
Then, take a walk to the Temple of the Jade Buddha, where you will learn about Burmese Buddhist traditions. From there you’ll be driven to a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda and learn about the animal corresponding to your birthday, make temple offerings, and enjoy the stunning views over the town, the surrounding mountains, and back into Thailand. Head back down into Takilek to visit the bustling Chinese Market, full of produce from the countries bordering the Mekong River, including antiques and artefacts from Burma and products from Thailand and China. Return to Four Seasons Tented Camp in the early evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Four Seasons Tented Camp
Day 7 Chiang Mai: Temples and Prayers at Sunset
Today you will be transferred to the nearby Helicopter Park (approx. 15mins). Here you will board your private helicopter and set off towards Chiang Mai. The journey will take around 1 ½ hours, as you pass over some of Northern Thailand’s most beautiful scenery. After arriving in Chiang Mai by helicopter you will be met by a Four Seasons representative and will be transerred by private car to the Four Seasons resort in Chiang Mai. After checking in and having the opportunity to relax in the comfort of your hotel, your guide will meet you and take you to view the sunset over the city. You and your guide will drive up to visit Doi Suthep, the most important Wat in Chiang Mai. Perched high above the city, it offers wonderful views of the city and countryside below.
From here head west of the city walls on to one of the most beautiful viewpoints for sunset – Wat Suan Dok. Literally translated as “ield of flowers”, this temple was built by King Keu Na of Lanna, and is a prime example of Lanna architecture.
Here at this fourteenth century temple you will witness evening prayer as the monks and local people come together at the end of the day.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Four Seasons Resort – Rice Terrace Pavilion
Day 8 Chiang Mai: Five Hill Tribe Villages Trek
Today you will be met at your hotel by your guide and driver and set off north of Chiang Mai, stopping on the way at the colorful Mae Malai market to pick up supplies for your trek. This is where you’ll see both local people and hill tribes trading their goods, which are usually flowers, vegetables and fruits. Continue on into the Doi Suthep National Park to the beautiful Mok Fah Waterfall, where you can spend some time relaxing and have a swim. You will then carry on by truck to Baan Pang Lun where you will have an early lunch.
In the afternoon you will set off on your trek. Explore this beautiful countryside as you pass through local villages, home to all five tribes of the area – Karen, Lahu, Lisu, Akha and Palong. Learn more about their history with your guide as you stop and explore the villages and meet some of the local people.
Late afternoon you will be returned to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Four Seasons Resort – Rice Terrace Pavillion
Day 9 Chiang Mai: Exploring Buddhism and Meditation
Buddhism is a huge part of life in Thailand and this morning you’ll see how local lives can revolve around Buddhism and its rituals. Wake up early and meet your guide at 6.30am to head to Wat Sri Sodha to see 500 monks from the monastery collecting alms and returning for their morning meal. Participate in the alms giving and your guide will explain why and how to give alms to the monks in a correct and respectful manner. Visit a local statue where many locals come to leave candles, incense and flowers, and learn about the significance of each item as an offering.
Follow your guide to Chiang Mai morning market where you can try some of the fried noodles and local tea and coffee before heading to Wat Sanpasak. Here the local monks lead a meditation and you can then join local devotees in sharing a meal. After you’ve had this mid-morning meal you can head back to your hotel and have an afternoon free to relax or explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Four Seasons Resort – Rice Terrace Pavilion
Day 10 Phuket: Arrival
You will be met by your guide at your hotel and transferred to Chiang Mai airport for your flight to Phuket.
On arrival you will be met by your guide and will be transferred by private air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at The Shore at Kata Thani Resort – Sea View Pool Villa
Day 11 Phuket: Day at Leisure
Enjoy this day at your leisure in Phuket. You may simply want to relax on the beach, or you may want to explore Phuket Island by private sail boat or jet skis, or maybe have a guided trek through the National Park. The Journeys Within Luxury Concierge is available to take your call and arrange any activities or restaurant or spa reservations as you wish.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at The Shore at Kata Thani Resort – Sea View Pool Villa
Day 12 Phuket: Day at Leisure
Enjoy this day in Phuket at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at The Shore at Kata Thani Resort – Sea View Pool Villa
Day 13 Phuket: Private Hongs by Starlight
Late morning you will be met at your hotel and driven to the Ao Po Pier to board your private boat. Cruise towards the National Park while you enjoy a light Thai lunch and listen to a briefing on the wildlife and your schedule. In the afternoon you will be taken by kayak into various hongs and caves, enjoying some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. In the evening enjoy a Thai Seafood dinner and then make your own krathong to float for luck that evening.
Enjoy the sunset on board before returning in the dusk to a hong where you will launch your kratong, experiencing a magical moment! At around 8pm you will start your return to the island. Relax on the Starlight Deck and enjoy the amazing boat ride back your way lit by the stars. You will return to your hotel around 10pm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at The Shore at Kata Thani Resort – Sea View Pool Villa
Day 14 Phuket: Departure
You will be met by your guide and transferred from your hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle to the airport in time to catch your onward flight to Bangkok.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tour Rate starting from: $21,550 per person based on two people traveling.
Price includes:
- Business Class air tickets Bangkok – Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai – Phuket – Bangkok
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Luxury air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including non-alcoholic drinks
- Journeys Within Luxury Tours Concierge service
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips
