Carbon Friendly Rail-Ride Through Thailand

📍 Bangkok Airport Rail Link from the Airport directly to Phaya Thai BTS Skytrain Station or via Phetchaburi MRT Station 01:00 hr.

Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will be met by your Exo Travel guide and transferred to your hotel using public transportation.

You will take the Bangkok Airport Rail Link from the airport directly to Phaya Thai BTS Skytrain Station or via Phetchaburi MRT Station (Connecting Makkasan Airport Rail Link Station) where you can change to other train service lines or other forms of public transportation to reach your accommodation.

OPTIONAL TRANSFER: Private transfer from BTS/MRT to the hotel.
Note: In case the hotel is not located near the BTS (skytrain) or MRT (underground) station.

Free at leisure after check in or enjoy optional activities.

Overnight in Bangkok.
 

Inclusions:

Breakfast at the hotel. 

This morning, you will be picked up at 08:00. Look beyond the crowded streets of the metropolis and discover a more local side of Bangkok. Take advantage of the city’s network of public transportation of the capital, seeing the main sites but also getting a closer look at the traditions and lifestyles of the Thai people.
    
The day’s adventure begins with a walk or take a taxi with your guide to the nearest BTS Skytrain or MRT Underground. Then start to explore the iconic of Bangkok by taking the BTS and/or MRT to MRT Sanamchai station. 

Then walk to Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. Spend the remainder of the morning exploring these two remarkable sites, learning about the country’s regal history and of the deep-rooted spiritual traditions of its people. 

In the afternoon, board a public boat from Tha Maharat Pier to Saphan Phut Bridge, walking across the bridge and straight to the pier at Wat Kalayanamit to embark on a private Thai retro solar boat. The style of the boat may seem fairly mundane, but the boat is driven in an eco-friendly way, using solar power directly from the sun during the day, it is an impressive feat of engineering. Now, sit back and relax on a soft cushion while the boat slowly cruises along the banks of the Chao Phraya River through Bangkok’s historic, charming khlongs. Once a major trading route, this waterway is now lined with wooden shop houses and local temples. Then the boat continues cruising onwards to Khlong Bang Khuntien, and makes a stop at Wat Ratcha Orasaram Ratchaworawihan, a distinct temple with Chinese-style artwork and artifacts. Take a closer look at the temple's roof and see its unique green-coated ceramic tiling. If time allows, you may have an opportunity to visit the nearby Wat Nang Nong Worawihan, another historic temple built around the era of King Rama III, with beautiful mural paintings with Chinese-influenced stories. 

Return to the boat and chill out for a little while until reaching an authentic natural garden and restaurant called “Poomjai Garden”, nestled secretly on the banks of the canal. Owned by a local Thai family, this beautiful garden has a long history of over 100-years, when the family decided to renovate the land into an organic permaculture, while preserving some rare plants and trees, like a century-old Lychee tree in the area. In the meantime, the family is connected with the nearby local community to source fresh ingredients that can be used at the restaurant.

Enjoy your dinner while admiring the beautiful garden landscape before boarding a private transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Train transfer, Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Taling Chan takes about 15 minutes Train transfer, #1113 Dep. 08:24 Taling Chan railway station – Arr. 09:15 Nakhon Pathom

Wake up early and have breakfast at the hotel.

Escape from the bustling crowds of the city and explore the western outskirts of Bangkok in Nakhon Pathom Province. The province is well-known for the tallest enshrining golden stupa along with its beautiful Thai countryside and some, still quite secret, landmarks and cafes.

Set off in the morning with a short train journey, starting from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Formerly Bang Sue Grand Central Station), heading towards a local railway station and transit on a suburban train or a feeder train to the final terminal. While the train is slowly pulling away, the scene suddenly changes to a more rural view with lush nature and rice paddy fields along the way. Sit back and relax with the views for about an hour until the train finally comes to a halt. 

Once disembarkation is complete and you’ve exited the station, you can see the big stupa right in the middle of town. From here, walk through an old market selling various kinds of local produce, continue until getting closer to the stupa, and then visit this “Phra Pathom Chedi”, the impressive tallest stupa in the world, soaring to a height of 127 meters (417 feet).  

Next, be picked up in a private transportation and continue to “Niagara N Garden”, a cool family-oriented café and restaurant. Unlike other normal restaurants, this dining venue is unique in its own style as it is modeled as a small airport where the restaurant is designed as a boarding gate with an air bridge connecting the airplane where the drinks and bakery are served. Here, enjoy a great meal and spend time on board as well as enjoy the natural surroundings at the outdoor zone. 

After lunch, complete your full day excursion at a lesser-known Buddhist temple, “Wat Don Khanak”, highlighting the beautiful white reclining Buddha. The kanok architecture is similar to the White Temple in Chiang Rai. Soak up its beauty and have a great time making a merit as locals do.  

Return to Bangkok by private transportation.

**The train schedule is subject to change without prior notice**

Overnight in Bangkok.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Train transfer, Train #75, Dep. 08:45 Krungthep Apiwat Central Station – Arr. 09:41 Ayutthaya

Early breakfast at the hotel. 

Be picked up at your hotel in Bangkok and head to Krungthep Apiwat Central Station. Board the train and enjoy a leisurely ride first through the suburbs of the Thai capital before passing farmlands and local communities as the train journeys to Ayutthaya.

Upon arrival at the train station in Ayutthaya, transfer to the starting point of the cycling trip. Then start the ride through the Ayutthaya Historical Park and see the more classical side of Ayutthaya – the ancient temples and the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mostly urban cycling with some time spent in and around parks. 

Lunch at Malakor, a local Thai restaurant. 

After lunch, embark on a private transfer to Bang Pa-in Summer Palace, south of Ayutthaya. Visit the beautiful palace, followed by Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, the Gothic style temple. Today’s tour ends here with a transfer to your hotel in the city. 

**The train schedule is subject to change without prior notice**

Overnight in Ayutthaya.

Note: 

Starting from 20 January 2023 0nwards, the train route to Ayutthaya has moved to Krungthep Apiwat Central Station (Formerly Bang Sue Grand Central Station) with new schedules.

Difficulty: Easiest (approx. 9-km cycling)
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Train transfer, train #111, Dep. 08:38 Ayutthaya – Arr. 09:42 Lopburi Train transfer, train # 109, Dep. 16:23 Lopburi – Arr.20:35 Phitsanulok

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and transferred to the train station to board the train and head north to the small town of Lopburi.

Upon arrival in Lopburi, take a short walking tour in Lopburi town to Prang Som Yod, situated just opposite the railway station, which is famous for the many monkeys inhabiting the grounds. After that, proceed by van transfer to King Narai’s palace, where 350 years ago high-level trade and foreign diplomacy took place. French missions proposing Catholicism and a Greek adventurer as de facto ruler are a few of the interesting – and rarely heard– stories from the Sukhothai era. Then, continue further along the Lopburi River to a local restaurant for lunch, before heading back to the train station to board the train to Phitsanulok.

Dinner on board. 

Upon arrival at the train station in Phitsanulok, be transferred to the hotel for their overnight stay.

Overnight in Phitsanulok

**The train schedule is subject to change without prior notice**
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Train transfer, train #109, Dep. 20:37 Phitsanulok - Arr. 04:05 Chiang Mai Difficulty: Easy – Medium (approx. 25-30-km cycling, flat area)

Early breakfast at the hotel, depart the hotel around 07:00 for a transfer to Sukhothai and start a full day ‘join in’ cycling excursion in Sukhothai. The cycling tour starts from a small village on Sukhothai’s outskirts known as Ban Kheay. Take a dirt road passing through endless rice paddies with beautiful views of the Kao Laung mountain range in Ramkhamhang National Park. Arriving at the Southern Gate, explore some of Sukhothai’s famous ancient ruins. Marvel at beautiful Buddhist and Hindu architecture. The tour offers the visitor a guided cultural experience, learning about Sukhothai’s history and complex architecture as well as the story of Buddhism in Thailand. After a delicious local lunch, continue riding along small irrigation canals (Klong Mae Lampan) passing through rural villages before arriving back to town. 

Transfer back to Phitsanulok to board the overnight train to Chiang Mai. 

**The train schedule is subject to change without prior notice**

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Chiang Mai Train Station – Chiang Mai Hotel (5.2 km): 10 min

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai Train Station early in the morning, meet your guide and transfer to your accommodation in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle.

Early check in and free at leisure in the morning.

This afternoon, take a closer look at Chiang Mai while walking with a local guide. Step off the main streets to see hidden neighbourhoods brimming with charm.

During the tour, get a taste of local life. Visit bustling markets where Chiang Mai’s residents come to buy fresh vegetables, spices, and more. See school kids on their way to class, elderly Thais tending their garden, and other scenes of daily activity in the city.

Explore historic landmarks, including Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai’s oldest temple. Walk alongside the crumbling walls of the old town and admire the city’s iconic Three Kings Monument. 

Pay a visit to the Lanna Folklife Museum. Located inside a restored colonial building, the museum showcases the rich heritage of Northern Thailand and provides further insight into the history of Chiang Mai. 

Having spent several hours walking, it’s time to refresh tired muscles. Head to the Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institute where former female prisoners run a traditional Thai massage spa. The project trains the prisoners to be masseuses, providing them with a valuable skill and allowing them to be self-sufficient after their prison term. Help support this fabulous program by enjoying a thirty-minute foot massage.  

Before returning to the hotel, take a short stroll to majestic Wat Chedi Luang, the final stop on the Chiang Mai walking tour. After a visit to the temple, return to the hotel by car.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Inclusions:

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, discover the many facets of Chiang Mai. Spend a day exploring the town’s main monuments and many lesser known sites, travelling by local transport for a more authentic experience.

Set off on a songtaew, a local pick-up truck taxi (Known as Rot Daeng in Chiang Mai translated to red car), and drive to Wat Gatekaram for a glimpse into a local neighbourhood. Venture through the small alleyways of this trading community, stopping to see old temples and a local market. Then venture away from the city’s centre to Wiang Kum Kam, a ‘lost civilization’ wiped out by a flood 200 years ago. Hop on a bike to explore the ancient ruins which are scattered about the rural fields. See traces of the past while pedalling slowly through the site. The museum there is a real eye into this lost civilization. Take some time to understand this history with the innovative technology that the museum is now using. The technology used to bring the museum to life is fun and interactive for children and adults alike. 

Take a rest and board a long-tail boat for a scenic ride down the Mae Ping River. Relax and enjoy the views of riverside villages, fishermen and other boats pass by. 

Disembark near the city and have lunch at a local Thai restaurant.

In the late afternoon, start with a visit to the city’s old town, venturing through the crumbling city walls and admiring a blend of old and new buildings. Catch glimpses of glittering pagoda spires illuminated by the late afternoon sun. 

Then step into the secret jungle temple, Wat Phalad. As one of the most peaceful and enchanting crafted temples in Chiang Mai, the temple has got a fantastic history as it was built to enshrine a piece of bone said to be from the historical Buddha. Here, visit one of the monks and receive a blessing of good health and good fortune.  

Continue on the spiritual trail, leaving the city centre, and taking a winding drive into the hills. Climb up the staircase of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, admiring the intricate naga carvings along the way. Upon reaching the top, explore the 14th-century pagoda and hear about its origins. Wander around the towering gilded stupa and take a moment to enjoy the views of Chiang Mai in the distance.

Before the sun sets, witness the magical evening chanting of the monks, a serene way to end the day’s spiritual tour.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Chiang Mai - Saraphee (9.2 km): 20 min Saraphee – Chiang Mai Train Station (9.2 km): 20 min Train transfer, train #10, Dep. 18:00 Chiang Mai – Arr. 06:50 Bangkok

Be picked up at the hotel at 08.00 - 08.30 by a resident chef who will lead the way using local modes of transport such as the songtaew (a local join-in mini bus) and train. Begin the trip with a ride on a local songtaew to a local bustling market, learn about the ingredients that will be used for your cooking class later. Then, head towards the train station for a short train ride, approximately 20 minutes, to the outskirts of Chiang Mai towards Lamphun. Get off the train at a local train station, and then hop in a van to Saraphee Cooking Studio, located in the lesser-known Thai-Burmese community of Lamphun. The drive takes approximately up to 40 minutes. On the way, if you wish, make a brief stop at a local temple.

Upon arrival at the cooking home, be warmly welcomed, and enjoy a local style coffee, tea, or herbal drinks. Be introduced to some Lanna culture and traditions, such as the welcome set of Betel Nuts (a kind of snacks, mainly for old grandparents), learn some Lanna cultural traditions from grandma, taste some “Mieng” (fermented tea leaves), and learn how to make cigars and beautiful flower cones for the Buddha and Spirit House.  

Then, take a stroll around the organic garden and pick fresh ingredients for the cooking class with the chef. The cooking is conducted in a traditional charcoal and firewood style, no gas stove. Learn to cook various kinds of Northern Thai dishes for a better cooking experience. 

After lunch, say goodbye to the chef and drive to Chiang Mai train station to board the overnight train back to Bangkok. (Note: No guide on board with guests.) 

**The train schedule is subject to change without prior notice**

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Arrive at Bangkok Train Station in the morning (no services on this day).

Inclusions: