Thailand Family Experience Northern

📍 Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport- Bangkok Hotel (36.3 km): approx. 50 minutes

Upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will be met and greeted by our EXO Travel guide for transfer to your hotel. 

Evening Optional Activity: Flavors of Nighttime Chinatown 

You will be picked up at 17:00. When the evening crawls in, Bangkok really comes alive, and just about every street is filled with a great smell of delicious food that really delights your taste buds. And one of Bangkok’s best kept secrets is Chinatown, the neighborhood internationally renowned for the city’s longest street food, and definitely there is no way to explore the area’s secrets other than by foot. So getting on this tour, you will be taken to the starting point of the walk at MRT Hua Lamphong Railway Station to explore the backstreets as well as discover the bright lights and energy of Chinatown’s electric Yaowarat Street. Here, you will be introduced to the history of the area and some of the area’s favorite street food artisans. Grab some bites of various kinds of food, from famous Chinese dumplings, peppered pork noodles, Chinese donuts, and so on. Also, enjoy sweet Chinese desserts and visit a tea shop house. Once the tour ends, you will then have learned why Chinatown has some of Bangkok’s best kept secrets! 
Time:         17:00 – 21:00
Departure:     Daily except Mondays 
Note: 
●    The walking starts from MRT Hua Lamphong Station. 
Overnight in Bangkok.  

Inclusions:

Today’s adventure begins with a ride on a public express boat, a popular commuter option. The boat stops near the iconic Wat Pho and 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. 

Then hop aboard an electric tuk tuk, Thailand’s famous three-wheeled vehicles used by locals throughout the country. Zip through quieter city streets to Soi Ban Batra. Visit a family-run workshop that produces monks’ alms bowls. Witness the artisans at work and learn about the daily lives of the Buddhist monks, who wake early to collect alms offerings from the city’s residents. 

The last leg of today’s Bangkok full day tour is on a ‘bus boat’ through the city’s canals. Rarely used by tourists, this ride provides an up-close look at the ways of life of the local people who live alongside the canals. Then it’s a short walk to the Jim Thompson House. Take an insightful tour of the compound’s tranquil gardens and traditional buildings, which showcases the history of the famous and mysterious American silk merchant. Afterwards stroll to the nearby modern shopping malls for some retail therapy then return to the hotel via Skytrain. 

Overnight in Bangkok.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy the day out of the hectic crowds of the city and drive towards the southern outskirts of Bangkok for a full day guided tour of Samut Prakarn Province. Eventually connecting to Bang Khun Thian, the neighboring district of Samut Sakhon Province. These zones are totally off the beaten path and will give you new perspectives on Thai history, local culture, and nature. 

Follow the track to the first stop at Phra Chula Chomklao Fort, located at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. Discover Thailand’s military history while touring the compound, gaining a greater understanding of the country beyond just its religious and cultural aspects. See cannons used to fend off the French army in 1893 and board the HTMS Mae Klong which was used in World War II.
From here, continue on a short drive to a lesser-known over 100-year-old temple called “Wat Sakla”, located next to an old community established in the early Ayudhaya era, around the age of King Rama I. Then, upon arrival, you will explore all the highlights, such as paying respects to the Buddha of Luck and walking through the tunnel of Black Rahu for good fortune, discovering the history of some Buddha ruins, and even floating an artificial lotus as part of making merits and getting luck in return (following the locals’ belief). Then take a walk around the small museum housing various types of Hindu and Buddhism images. Also, have a bit of fun learning about the Thai local lifestyle, seeing how farmers do different jobs, through a wooden toy display. If the days visited fall on weekends, you will also enjoy the weekend market at the temple. If time allows, the guide will take you for a stroll around the local community lining the canal. 
        
Then, following this fun morning excursion, drive to a stylish and chic little café, called “Seayou Café”, designed in beach style while located by the river. Choose the right zone to enjoy your lunch (at your own expenses). (Note: Late lunch might be possible, depending on the time spent at the temple.) 

After lunch, hop back in the van and continue for about a 40-minute drive to the Bang Khun Thian quarter. Pull over next to Rak Thale Bang Khun Thian Bridge, the starting point of the mangrove path. Go on an hour bike ride along the path, paved well with cement, and some parts are partially painted with a nice, colorful design of nature. The biking route ends with a panoramic view of the ocean. 

After an exhausting but fun ride, hop back in the van back to the hotel. 

Overnight in Bangkok.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Bangkok Hotel – Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (36.3 km): approx. 50 min Chiang Mai Airport – Pai (132 km): 2.40 hr

Breakfast at the hotel, and transfer out to Bangkok Airport for flight to Chiang Mai. (Suggested morning flight). 

Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be met and greeted by our Exo Travel guide in Chiang Mai for transfer to your hotel in Pai. 

En-route to Pai, a stop can be made at the pretty, 60-meter high Mok Fah Waterfall and Pong Duad Hotspring located in Huay Nam Dang National Park. This powerful phenomenon spurts up from under the ground at a temperature of 99 degrees. Thai people believe its natural properties are good for the skin's complexion! 

Arrive in Pai in the late afternoon, check in at the hotel. 

In the evening, enjoy a stroll through the colourful Pai night markets for an evening snack or some hilltribe inspired crafts and gifts.

Overnight in Pai. 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

Following breakfast, we depart and continue south to Mae La Na (45 minutes), arguabley one of the most picturesque valleys in Mae Hong Son province. Here, we are are invited to visit two communities; Baan Ja Bo (Lahu) and Baan Mae La Na (Shan). Situated 30 minutes walk within each other, we are privileged to be invited into their homes and communities to meet the people and learn about their unique and distinict cultures.

The Lahu people of Baan Ja Bo are colourful, flamboyant and welcoming. It’s known for its traditional medicine and wild traditional hilltribe food. Here, a local village guide will escort you to explore the important cultural sites, introduce you to local craftsmen and craftswomen who will explain the the many different meanings of the colours of their traditional clothes. The guide will lead you to hike up the mountain to visit the Coffin cave, considered to be a sacred site by the Lahu people. You will be explained about local beliefs and how to behave in the caves, and shown locals’ rice fields and rotational rice farming system, as well as how locals live in harmony with the forest. Enjoy a local lunch prepared by the villagers at Baan Ja Bo. 

From here, enjoy a downhill walk (30 minutes) or drive through a stunning valley of majestic limestone cliffs to Baan Mae La Na. Here, you will be met by a local village guide who will lead you on the trail to visit the beautiful Coral cave. During your trek, enjoy the beautiful fertile mixed deciduous forest area where you will find the significant herbal plantation that locals always use as their traditional medicine. 

Please note: These villages are part of a program called “Project for Recovery of Life and Culture” which helps communities prepare for meaningful community-based tourism projects that share culture, raise funds to conserve natural resources, train community guides and create income for local members. 

Return to Pai for an overnight. 

(Note: The program is not suitable for children under 7 years old.)
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Following breakfast, continue further north to Tham Lod cave in the small town of Soppong (1.5 hours). This must- see historic cave is explored by bamboo raft via a tiny river that winds through the cave. You will disembark the raft 2- 3 times to explore the huge taverns that contain remains of ancient teak coffins that date back over 2,500 years and simple cave painting- all the while be accompanied by a local guide bearing a kerosene lantern. Indeed, Tham lod is considered a good example of community-based tourism as all of the guides at the cave are from the local Shan village. 

Continue to a local restaurant for lunch and then travel onwards to Tham Pla park (1.5 hours). The park features a number of creeks running out of a cave and the waters are filled with soro brook carp fish. Return to hotel late afternoon.

Overnight in Pai. 

(Note: The program is not suitable for children under 7 years old.)
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Pai – Chiang Mai (146 km): 2.50 hr

Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer from Pai to Chiang Mai.

Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, explore the old and modern city, including its old crumbling city walls, gates, moat, eclectic markets, residential areas, majestic foreign consulates, government buildings and Tapae Road, one of Chiang Mai’s main streets. Continue with a drive up to Doi Suthep Mountain for a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Built in 1384 AD, this is the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand. Inside the temple, you will see one of the most sacred stupas in all of Thailand. A fantastic panoramic view over the city can be seen from here. 

In the early evening, your guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to transfer by a local songtaew and travel by foot to explore a number of the evening street food markets around Chiang Mai city, trying out some northern Thai delicacies and learning how to order food in Thai. Your tour will finish around 9:00 pm. 

Overnight in Chiang Mai. 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

Breakfast at the hotel. 
So you really want to live life at a local day? Today, you will experience a typical day in the life of a Thai person- no tourists, no sightseeing, just real life home cooking in a real Thai neighborhood.
Join Mr.Prapat in his family car and transfer 20 minutes to Hang Dong to spend the day with your ‘Thai family’. In true Thai style, slip into a pair of local ‘fisherman’s pants’ and discover the architecture of a traditional Thai house and rice barn. Your Thai family will also demonstrate their basket weaving skills, a tradition that has been in Thailand for centuries. Stroll around the small, family orchid and select fresh ingredients to add to the days cooking extravaganza. You will learn to cook traditional home cooked recipes with authentic Northern Thai flavors that are different from standard dishes offered in commercial cooking classes. Best of all, you will have the opportunity to get to know a real Thai family and be their house’s guest for the day. Enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch with your family (cooked together). In the afternoon, go for a stroll around the neighborhood to see some cottage industry goods being made before returning to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai. 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day at leisure or enjoy an optional activity. 

Half Day Optional Activity: Cycling Lanna Countryside and Sankampaeng 

After breakfast at the hotel, be picked up at 08:00. Travelling east of Chiang Mai, we head away from the tourist trail and into fertile valleys that offer inspiring views and mountainous horizons hidden from the city’s view. 

After a short drive from the city, we start our bicycle trail of Sankampaeng and the beautiful, peaceful Lanna countryside.

This one-day ride takes us out to tranquil places where rice is grown and the pace of life is slow. We see the importance of family, friends and the Buddhist faith to the Thai people and appreciate their simple joys of harvesting a good crop and living a healthy life.

We visit markets where fresh produce is artfully arranged on display. Sample seasonal fruits that would upkeep energy levels for the cycle through this picturesque landscape. We’ll pass by temples where we can stop and make an offering. Next, the ride will take us along open plains and short cuts through lush rice paddies as we head towards the forests and mountains that surround this area.

Country roads at the base of a mountain range will bring us to the Sankampaeng Hot Springs. Enjoy a dip in the natural mineral springs that are said to be curative and rejuvenating. (L)

Time:         08:00 - 17:00 
Departure:     Daily 
Note:
●    The tour is not suitable for children under 6 years old. 
●    Child is charged as an adult. 
●    When booked please provide the height of each client as this information is essential to secure the right bike size for the trip.
●    Failure to inform EXO of the guest's height at least 14 days prior to the booking date will result in EXO having to bring multiple bikes of multiple sizes to the tour pick-up point for which there will be local charges.
●    Lunch at the local restaurant

Overnight in Chiang Mai. 
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Chiang Mai Hotel – Chiang Mai Airport (10.8 km): 15 min

Breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your onward flight. 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast