A Luxury Thailand Journey - Glistening Cities, Ancient Capitals and Jungle Escapes

📍 Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport – The Sukhothai (32.4 km): approx. 30 min

Upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, meet a representative who will fast-track the immigration procedure. They will assist with your luggage and introduce you to the EXO Travel guide. Then, hop into an air-conditioned car for transfer to your luxury accommodation.
Enjoy some leisure time at your hotel.
This evening, enjoy a sumptuous Thai set dinner on the modern-style Saffron Cruise by Banyan Tree. Celebrate Thailand’s artistic heritage and the timeless splendour of the Chao Phraya River with a dining experience that blends both modern and traditional influences, featuring stylish touches, award-winning cuisine, and entertainment that highlights Thailand’s rich cultural and gastronomic traditions. Take in the sights from the comfort of the wrap-around glass-windowed dining area, or head upstairs to the moon deck to watch the beautiful scenery pass by from above. Enjoy the city views while savoring a fantastic meal served on board.
Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Bangkok
 

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. 
Start the afternoon at 14:00 with a visit to the Grand Palace, which has served as the seat of Thailand’s revered Royal Family for more than two centuries. Take a walk around the vast grounds, exploring the various temples, throne halls, the Emerald Buddha—the most revered Buddhist image in Thailand—and the museums within the compound, with a particular focus on the Queen Sirikit Museum. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, a curator from this remarkable museum will serve as your personal guide through the exhibits. The visit not only showcases high fashion but also chronicles the Queen's life and state visits.
On the way to Wat Pho, enjoy a coffee break at an authentic café.
Go behind the scenes for a closer look at Buddhist culture with a visit to Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s most enchanting temples. Walk around the complex and admire the vast collection of religious treasures on display. See the famed reclining Buddha, which stretches 45 metres in length, learn about the symbolism of the Buddha’s intricate footprints, and witness devotees making offerings to this revered image.
Enjoy the afternoon monks’ chants, witnessing this deeply spiritual ritual and gaining a better understanding of Thailand’s Buddhist heritage.
Following the tour of these iconic Bangkok monuments, continue your dining experience at Chakrabongse Villa.
As a riverside oasis nestled in Bangkok’s historic district, the Italian-style Chakrabongse Villa was built by Prince Chakrabongse as a retreat from palace life and is now run by his granddaughter, Narisa. The charming villa and gardens reflect the history of her royal family, Thai art, cuisine, and culture, captivating all visitors upon arrival. Here, experience the serene and privileged lifestyle of a bygone era while being served a welcome cocktail. Then, enjoy a luxury meal carefully prepared with authentic Royal Thai cuisine using original family recipes from the palace kitchen. Indulge in the meal while soaking up the spectacular view of the Temple of Dawn from the riverside terrace.
After dinner, embark on a private air-conditioned transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

You will be picked up at 08:00. Travel through the city streets to the banks of the Chao Phraya River to begin this insightful architectural tour. Board a private wooden barge, richly decorated with cushions and flowers, and slowly cruise along the river towards Chee Chin Khor Temple. Although not very old, this pagoda is Bangkok’s finest example of traditional Chinese pagoda design. Admire its eight-story structure and the eclectic images of Buddha, and learn how Chinese and Thai Buddhism have converged in modern-day Bangkok.
Continue by boat to Wat Prayun Wongsawat for a study of classic Thai architecture. Explore the typical structures of a Thai pagoda, including the ordination hall, assembly hall, meditation hall, and library. Notice the 80-metre-high chedi at the centre, surrounded by 18 smaller towers, creating a remarkable visual effect.
Next, visit Turtle Mountain, also known as Wat Prayoon. This site highlights Thailand’s deep-rooted spiritual beliefs. Examine the spirit houses, small shrines believed by locals to house the spirits of the deceased. Then continue to Wat Arun, an iconic riverside monument. Admire Wat Arun from afar and see how it represents Mount Meru, the spiritual centre of Buddhist cosmology. After years of hiding behind scaffolding, the incredible ceramic inlays on the chedis are now fully visible.
Travel along the Bangkok Noi Canal, a residential section of the waterways filled with shophouses and local temples. Learn how this area was once a major trading route lined with the impressive homes of aristocrats. On the way back to town, make a final stop at the Royal Barge Museum to admire the beautiful barges used by the King on state occasions.

Overnight in Bangkok

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Bangkok Hotel – Bangkok Airport (27.1 km): 1 hr Chiang Rai Airport – Anantara Golden Triangle (68.1 km): 1.10 hr

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide at the lobby, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Rai.
 
Upon arrival in Chiang Rai, you'll be met by your guide and transferred to your accommodation. After settling in to the comforts of your surroundings, you'll have the opportunity to delve into the secret history of the region on a visit to the Hall of Opium. (Note: The Hall of Opium is closed on Mondays.)

Dinner served at the hotel.

Overnight in Golden Triangle

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. 
This morning, starting at 10:00, observe the behavior and playful interactions of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation’s rescued elephants, and learn from Think Elephants International scientists about elephant behavior and intelligence. Begin with an exciting presentation and discussion with the education team, then head down to the elephant camp for an up-close and personal experience, including some fun water play with the elephants. For every booking, an additional 2,000 baht will be donated to support the foundations’ work.
The afternoon is free at leisure at Anantara Golden Triangle.
Lunch and dinner are served at the hotel.

Overnight in Golden Triangle

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Golden Triangle – Chiang Kham (142 km): 2.25 hr

Breakfast at the hotel. 
Check out and transfer for the city sightseeing program, “Art Scene of Chiang Rai ” which explores the contrast between heaven and hell. The famous Thai artist Thawan Duchanee, appointed National Artist in 2001, opened his house, “Baan Dam,” to the public. While the renowned “Wat Rong Khun,” or The White Temple, created by another celebrated artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, represents heaven, Baan Dam, or The Black House, perfectly embodies hell.
Lunch is at Chivit Thammada, a charming vintage-style restaurant located by the river. The restaurant serves natural, fresh, homemade foods, as well as bakery items, coffee, and drinks.
After lunch, continue driving from Chiang Rai for about an hour and a half towards Phayao Province. Passing through vast plains of rice fields, you will finally arrive at Rico Resort, situated near the small town of Chiang Kham.

Overnight in Chiang Kham
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Chiang Kham – Chiang Mai Hotel (142 km): 3.50 hr

Enjoy breakfast in the serene surroundings of the resort this morning.
After breakfast, hop on your bike and follow your guide through the rice fields along the backroads of the resort. Cycle off the beaten path until you reach Wat Phra Khaew, an over 400-year-old temple where the Emerald Buddha was housed for an unknown period. Continue to another famous temple in the town, Wat Phra Nang Din, which features a Buddha image in a sitting position on the ground. Make a short stop at one of the largest Bo trees in Chiang Kham and Thailand, then continue biking to visit the Huai Sa Reservoir.
Resume your ride through rubber plantations as well as rice and vegetable fields until it is time for lunch at the resort.
After lunch, meet your guide and transfer to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, get a true taste of Thai life and spend a day far removed from the tourist areas of Chiang Mai, fully immersed in local culture.
First, dress like a local by putting on a pair of ‘fisherman’s pants,’ the comfortable cotton trousers worn in rural villages in the north. Then, venture out of the city centre to the local district of Hang Dong to meet Mr. Prapat and his family, who will provide a warm welcome into their home.
After the meet and greet, explore Mr. Prapat’s property to observe local architectural styles and traditional ways of life. You may have the opportunity to witness basket weaving, a handmade process that has remained unchanged for centuries.
Next, visit Mr. Prapat’s gardens to browse his vibrant array of vegetation. Select some fresh ingredients, grab an apron, and head inside to begin an interactive cooking experience! The family will share their recipes and demonstrate the traditional techniques needed to prepare delicious northern Thai dishes. Share stories of food and family while cooking today’s lunch. Afterwards, sit down with the family to enjoy the meal you’ve prepared together.
The afternoon is free to explore the neighborhood. Capture scenes of daily life and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of this local area.
Towards the end of the day, say farewell to Mr. Prapat and his family and return to Chiang Mai.
This evening, enjoy dinner at Woo Café. Savor a meal or a beverage while exploring the beautiful artwork on the dishes.

Overnight in Chiang Mai
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. 
You will be picked up at 08:00, starting from the iconic Tha Phae Gate, leaving the city behind to experience the beauty and culture of the Thai countryside. Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and ride along the stunning mountain roads. Twist and turn through the forested highlands surrounding the city, riding pillion on stylish Vespas. The ride is the highlight, offering amazing views of vast rural landscapes and mountain vistas.
Make a stop to sample some local fruits and step back in time at a traditional Thai farmhouse to discover age-old farming techniques.
Deep in the forest, visit the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park, a strong supporter of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and learn how the local community transforms elephant dung into sustainable materials.
After spending time at the park, enjoy a tasty local lunch amidst lush tropical flower gardens run by The Royal Project, supporting Thai ethnic minorities.
Continue the adventure along this magnificent road, riding toward an idyllic hilltop temple. Stop to see the serene Buddha statue atop the hill and take in incredible panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
This is a true adventure, with an exhilarating ride through rural Chiang Mai!

Overnight in Chiang Mai
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Chiang Mai - Lampang (93.5 km): 1.40 hr Lampang - Sukhothai (199 km): 2.45 hr

Breakfast at the hotel. 
After check-out, continue driving to Lampang and visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, the most revered temple in the city. In the afternoon, drive to Sukhothai with a stop en route at Baan Na Thon Chan Community in Si Satchanalai District. This location is not something you will find in guidebooks or most holiday brochures, giving our guests the unique opportunity to see how locals live and experience an average day in the life of a grassroots Thai family.
Arrive in Sukhothai in the evening.

Overnight in Sukhothai
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Rise early this morning for alms giving, then return to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, later in the morning, proceed to Baan Phra Phim. Join a local workshop to learn how to create Buddha amulets and explore their important cultural significance in Thailand.
Next, it’s time for lunch. Continue to a local house to learn how to make a Sukhothai specialty, Sukhothai noodles. Mix and match the ingredients as you like, then sit down and enjoy your meal.
After lunch, take a coffee break at a charming café with a view of the rice fields.
In the late afternoon, visit Sukhothai Historical Park, which was once a walled city surrounded by a moat. The park contains almost 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition. Explore the main sites, including Wat Mahathat, Wat Sri Chum, Wat Sri Sawai, Wat Sra Sri, and Wat Trapang Ngoen. Take an electric tuk tuk around the park and enjoy the sunset over this historic site.

Overnight in Sukhothai 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Sukhothai - Phitsanulok (62.7 km): 1.03 hr  Phitsanulok - Ayutthaya (309 km): 4.09 hr

Breakfast at the hotel, then continue driving further south with a stop in Phitsanulok for a brief visit to Wat Mahathat, which features Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha image, Phra Puttha Chinnarat. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant along the way.
Arrive in Ayutthaya this evening and enjoy dinner at Artisan Ayutthaya, an authentic Thai restaurant with an extraordinary cultural heritage passed down through generations.

Overnight in Ayutthaya

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Bangkok Pier – Bangkok Hotel (1 km): 10 min

After breakfast at the hotel, begin the morning sightseeing tour. Visit the majestic Wat Yai Chaimongkol, the impressive Wat Phra Srisanphet, and Wat Mahathat, where the Buddha face naturally emerged from a tree. Learn about the history of Ayutthaya, which was once the largest city in the world, and hear the stories of its glory days and how it was eventually brought down by invading forces from Myanmar.
Continue with a transfer to the river for a boat trip from Ayutthaya to Bangkok. After a one-hour drive to the banks of the Chao Phraya River, board an air-conditioned riverboat and cruise down the river, commonly referred to as ‘The River of Kings.’ The journey takes approximately three hours, allowing plenty of time to observe riverside life. (The river cruise from Ayutthaya to Bangkok is scheduled to arrive at 16:30.)
Arrive in Bangkok in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a high tea set at the hotel.

Overnight in Bangkok

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Bangkok Hotel - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (34.1 km): approx. 1 hr

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out. You will be transferred to the airport in a private, air-conditioned luxury vehicle for your onward flight.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast