Food Trails of Thailand

📍 Bangkok Airport - Bangkok (35 km): 45 min

Pick up and transfer from Bangkok airport to the hotel for welcome drinks and an introduction to the tour.

After check-in, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of the old heritage of Siam. The tour begins with the Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok’s number-one “must-see” attraction and Thailand’s most important landmark. You will visit the main sites, including the magnificent throne halls and the Emerald Buddha.

(Note: The Grand Palace is one of the most popular destinations in Bangkok and receives millions of tourists annually. To make the most of your visit and avoid crowds, your guide may have the flexibility to schedule the visit either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, depending on your itinerary. If, at any time, you feel the crowd is too large, the guide can take you to an alternative temple in the area, such as Wat Saket or Wat Suthat. This decision must be made before entering the Grand Palace.)

Then continue to visit Wat Pho, Bangkok’s oldest temple. It is home to the magnificent Reclining Buddha, as well as the first school of traditional medicine and Thai massage, and is also regarded as Thailand’s first university.

After a day of touring this vibrant metropolis, a relaxing evening awaits with a drive through Bangkok’s old quarters, offering sights of the illuminated Grand Palace, the Royal Grounds, temples, and the lit-up Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

As dinner time approaches, stop by Krua Apsorn Restaurant for an appetizer known as “Somtam,” a light papaya salad. For the adventurous, try the version with raw crab!

For the main course, visit the older parts of Bangkok to enjoy a classic Thai dish. The Pad Thai at Lung Pha, cooked in the traditional way on a charcoal grill, is not to be missed.

Afterward, stroll through the local fresh market in the famous Bangkok area of Pak Klong Talad, one of the largest fresh markets in the region, where you can see a variety of orchids, fragrant exotic flowers, and an array of fresh vegetables, ingredients, and herbs.

Overnight in Bangkok

Inclusions:

🍗 Dinner

📍 Bangkok – Samut Songkram - Bangkok (160 km): 2 hrs

Just an hour’s drive south of Bangkok, Samut Songkhram Province offers visitors a glimpse into traditional Thai countryside life. The day begins with a stop at a local train station to experience a short regional train ride to an extraordinary market that has sprung up along the railway tracks. Here, you will witness the dexterity and speed of the vendors as they quickly pack their stalls before 8:30 a.m., when the train approaches, temporarily bringing shopping to a halt. This is standard practice, and the stallholders have perfected the art of assembling and reassembling their wares at a moment’s notice!

From here, we will take a boat ride along the canals to a small coastal village, where you will learn how traditional coconut desserts are made. Join hands with the knowledgeable host in this homestay setting and try making your own dessert—a perfect snack for the journey back to Bangkok. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the evening, explore the flavors, spices, and aromas of the city’s Village of Love—the historic Bangrak neighborhood. Experience how the locals live, eat, and shop as you take part in unique food tastings, each filled with authentic history and intimate stories of the neighborhood.

Our local experts have hand-picked food that is guaranteed to delight your taste buds, and their intimate stories of Bangkok and Thailand’s everyday culture will leave you amazed. Enjoy a dinner of scrumptious street food, satisfying your appetite with authentic flavors.

Overnight in Bangkok

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Bangkok - Ayutthaya (83 km): 1.30 hr

Check out from the hotel in Bangkok and drive north towards Ayutthaya, where we will visit some of the most significant historical sites and enjoy a ride in the Kermit tuk-tuk, a symbol unique to Ayutthaya.

Lunch will be at Krua Pak Wan Restaurant. Afterward, proceed to the town's Muslim Quarter, where you will have the opportunity to sample an unusual local delicacy: candy floss roti.

Apart from the main temples we pass along the way, highlights include Wat Tuk, the temple with the one-eyed cow, and the Temples of Sins, where you are constantly reminded that wrongdoings in this life may come back to haunt you in the next. We will also visit a local blacksmith in his workshop, where some of the most beautiful swords (Dab) and knives are handcrafted.

For dinner, travel to a cozy riverside restaurant called Baan Khun Pra, arguably home to some of the best seafood in Ayutthaya.

In the evening, stroll through the night market west of Bang Lan Road for a glimpse of local life and unique food tasting opportunities.

Overnight in Ayutthaya

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Ayutthaya - Khao Yai (110 km): 2 hrs

Today, the route takes us east to the valleys of Pak Chong and Khao Yai.

Before lunch, enter Khao Yai National Park, where we will walk a trail and try to spot some wildlife. Many birds can be seen, and with some luck, we might also spot larger mammals.

Lunch will be at Lookkai Restaurant, a local fine-dining establishment in Khao Yai.

Upon arrival at GranMonte Vineyard, meet Nikki, the daughter of the founder and an internationally renowned wine master. During this privately guided tour, she will teach us how Thai wine is made and reveal the secrets behind producing world-class quality wine in a tropical country. Enjoy a tasting of the wide selection of locally produced wines, tour the vineyards, and take in the tranquil and relaxed atmosphere.

For dinner, enjoy a special experience featuring some of the best local food paired with exquisite wine.

Overnight in Khao Yai

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Khao Yai – Phi Mai (166 km): 2.09 hr Phi Mai - Khon Kaen (153 km): 2.16 hr

We leave Khao Yai and the beautiful valleys, heading towards Nakhon Ratchasima via Route 2. After a few hours, stop for lunch near the Phi Mai Temples, an 11th-century Khmer compound, and enjoy a local specialty, Pad Mii Korat. If you are familiar with Thai cuisine, you have probably heard of the renowned Pad Thai, a relatively simple fried noodle dish. Pad Mii Korat is its sibling, cooked slightly differently, and is best enjoyed right here in Korat.

Continue the journey and arrive in Khon Kaen in the afternoon.

Check in at the hotel. Later, meet your guide in the lobby and drive into the town of Khon Kaen to visit the lake and watch the sunset at the One Pillar Pagoda.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Khon Kaen

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Khon Kaen – Phitsanulok (321 km): 4.36 hr

Enjoy a local picnic breakfast out in the open at a rice field before the journey begins toward Phitsanulok. Heading west from Khon Kaen, we leave the northeast and travel back to the central plains of Thailand.

After passing several national parks, we arrive in Phitsanulok for a daring tasting experience at the local market, where insects and bugs are considered local delicacies. For those who prefer a more conventional lunch, a local restaurant serves a traditional Phitsanulok meal.

After lunch, visit Wat Mahathat (also known as Wat Yai), situated near Naresuan Bridge. This temple houses what many consider the most beautiful golden Buddha image in the Kingdom, largely unknown to most tourists. Continue to Cha Thawee Folk Museum, where a historic collection of local tools and artifacts reflecting traditional lifestyles is displayed.

Overnight in Phitsanulok

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Phitsanulok - Sukhothai (61.6 km): 55 min

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Sukhothai.

Upon arrival, check in at the hotel located near Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site containing nearly 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition. Explore the park by bicycle.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Sukhothai

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Sukhothai – Chiang Mai (306 km): 4.30 hrs

Following breakfast, transfer from Sukhothai to Chiang Mai, with an en-route stop at the local community Ban Na Thon Chan, the 2012 PATA Gold Award-winning project in the heritage and culture category, located in Si Satchanalai District. Established over 200 years ago, Ban Na Thon Chan is a tourism-based community that offers visitors a balance of natural and cultural heritage. Most villagers are descendants of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, and daily life revolves around traditional tasks and customs while preserving local heritage. Here, you will have the opportunity to visit local families and interact with them, followed by a taste of the local specialty, Sukhothai Noodle, named after the province.

After lunch, drive north for approximately three and a half hours to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel, then enjoy a lively evening in Chiang Mai town. Wander through the South Gate of the old city to the traditional street food market, which opens every evening. During the walk, guests will be tempted by the heady aromas from various food stalls and simple carts, while the guide introduces the many local dishes on offer. Guests can try whichever dishes catch their fancy. Some of the most delicious options include deep-fried pancakes, deep-fried taro, kanom jin rice noodles with curry soup, kanom krok (Thai coconut pudding), noodle soup, Pad Thai, and the summer favorite of sweet mango with sticky rice. Guests can also sample the local rice whisky. After this gastronomic adventure, return to the hotel with your stomachs full and spirits lifted.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Chiang Mai – Wat Umong – Chiang Mai (12 km): 25 min

After breakfast at your hotel, visit an authentic Chiang Mai market filled with fresh produce from nearby farms. A TV chef will guide us, sharing her best tips and advice for selecting ingredients for Thai dishes. Loaded with vegetables, meats, and fresh fruits for dessert, we then take on the challenge of cooking a Thai dish to perfection.

After the cooking class, travel on the back of a local songthaew (pickup truck) to the underground temple Wat Umong. Make merit at this unique temple and return to the city feeling uplifted!

In the evening, enjoy a delightful dinner at the beautiful 137 Pillars House.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Chiang Mai – Mae Chan (232 km): 4 hrs

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and begin the journey northeast toward Chiang Rai. After approximately a four-hour drive, arrive at Ahsa Farmstay, an elegant farm set in the colorful and authentic northern Thai countryside. Here, enjoy an Akha-style set lunch served on natural bamboo and banana leaves. You will also witness a cooking demonstration of “Namprik Akha,” an Akha-style chili paste. After lunch, take a tour around the farm, visit the rice paddy fields, and try your hand at rubber tapping from the rubber trees.

Transfer to the resort and relax at leisure for the remainder of the day.

Dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Mae Chan

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Mae Chan – Chiang Rai Airport (49 km): 1 hr

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Chiang Rai Airport for your departure.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast