Essence of Thailand
$0.00
Unavailable
per item
Highlights:
If you are focused on Thailand, this suggested program gives you an excellent overview in just the right amount of time. Start in Bangkok where we take you between new and historic city, a street food extravaganza and recommendations on high quality dining.
Spend an overnight in Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand then travel inland to the Bridge on the River Kwai and the memorial.
Get well acquainted and very close to elephants at a local shelter. How close? Take them out in the forest to forage for food including bananas or take them to the river to give them a bath. That close. Finish up your visit with some relaxation in the Southern province of Phuket, a perfect ending as you discover the Essence of Thailand.
If you are focused on Thailand, this suggested program gives you an excellent overview in just the right amount of time. Start in Bangkok where we take you between new and historic city, a street food extravaganza and recommendations on high quality dining.
Spend an overnight in Ayutthaya, the old capital of Thailand then travel inland to the Bridge on the River Kwai and the memorial.
Get well acquainted and very close to elephants at a local shelter. How close? Take them out in the forest to forage for food including bananas or take them to the river to give them a bath. That close. Finish up your visit with some relaxation in the Southern province of Phuket, a perfect ending as you discover the Essence of Thailand.
SKU:
Explore: Thailand
Customizable Itinerary - 11 Days (from $3,493 / person)
Day 1-2: USA –Thailand
You will board your aircraft to begin your transpacific flight to Thailand. You will cross the International Date Line and theoretically lose a day but it will all even out on the return trip. Get in the mindset of discovering the best on this Elegant Thailand Holiday.
Day 3: Welcome to Bangkok
Upon arrival in Bangkok you will be met by one of our guides for a private transfer to your riverside villa in Bangkok. In the evening enjoy dinner looking across the river to the Temple of Dawn.
Dinner
Day 4: The Regal Past and Present of Bangkok
After breakfast you meet your guide for a “behind the scenes” look at Buddhist culture. You arrive at Wat Pho, Bangkok’s most enchanting temple just as the resident monks gather for their morning chants which you will get to witness. The tour then continues to the nearby 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 and visit the Emerald Buddha. Following the tour your guide will take you on an afternoon canal tour. You board a private longtail boat for a ride along Bangkok’s ancient canals. Pass by shops, temples and residences designed in a range of decorative styles. The boat emerges at Baan Silapin, a 100 year old house that has been renovated into an art gallery. It serves as a central gathering point for the community’s artists. Spend some time admiring the art on display. There is also a chance to see intricately-designed Thai puppets. Return to the boat late this afternoon and cruise back towards town. Make a stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn which is conveniently close to your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 5: Morning at the Markets
An early start to the day as you are taken outside the city to visit local markets and countryside neighborhoods. Leave the high-rises behind as you enter a land of lush landscapes and traditional wooden houses. Stop at a local railway station where a bustling country market has sprouted up along the tracks. As a train approaches the station, you’ll see the vendors quickly clearing their stalls off the tracks. Then, after the train departs, watch them set up shop and resume business as usual. From there continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although admittedly touristy it remains the best example of a traditional floating market. Take a stroll around and then leave the main market area and take a relaxing paddle boat ride. Pass by an old section of the floating market and enter a labyrinth of quiet canals. You will see houses built alongside the waterways and catch glimpses of local life in this rural Thai province before returning to your hotel in the city. Relax in the afternoon and then join a guide for a tour of Chinatown which offers the best street food in Bangkok. Sample a variety of specialties and enjoy dinner on the move.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Ayutthaya Then and Now
In the morning you will be picked up at the hotel for the journey from Thailand’s current to its former capital. You will drive through suburbs followed by verdant countryside and lush paddy fields arriving at your destination about ninety minutes later. It was founded in the 14th Century but abandoned in the early 18th Century following an invasion from Burma. Venture through a temple-studded landscape but aside from monuments; take a look at Ayutthaya itself and how the city has evolved over the years. The town retains a sleepy, laid back atmosphere. Get a taste of the city’s rhythms with a walk through the market and the Muslim Quarter. Enjoy lunch of local Thai dishes then continue exploring with a leisurely one hour long-tail boat ride down the Chao Praya River. Arrive at a small river island home to a unique Buddhist temple with Gothic style architecture and stained glass windows. Take a cable car across the river for aerial views of the waterway and continue to the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace rarely used by the Royal Family. You then check in to your hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: The Bridge on the River Kwai
You start the day with a drive to Kanchanaburi arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant set along the banks of the River Kwai. After lunch you will learn about Thailand’s involvement in World War II, one of the country’s darkest eras. Visit the bridge spanning the River Kwai, built by Allied Prisoners of War and the insightful Railway Museum whose informative displays explain the tragic tale of the infamous ‘Death Railway’ and bridge. Following your visit, continue to the war cemetery and pay respect to those who died during World War II. Transfer to the pier for a boat ride down to your riverside (and floating) hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: A Day with Elephants
After breakfast you set off for an amazing elephant experience. Elephant World is located in a peaceful natural jungle landscape. When you arrive you will be greeted by the volunteers who will tell you about the lives of the elephants, the plight of many Thai elephants and the sanctuary’s efforts to save these miraculous creatures. They will also explain the relationship between the elephants and their mahouts or caretakers. Then the adventure truly begins. Meet the elephants and join the mahouts as they go about the daily routine: foraging for food in the jungle, cutting sugar cane and gathering Bananas. You then feed the elephants and see their amazingly agile trunks in action. After the elephants have been fed, you have a lunch of freshly prepared Thai food. Then it is back to work as the elephants await their afternoon bath. Jump into the river and help them cool off with a good scrub. You then lead them deeper into the forest where they will spend the night. Say farewell and return to your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Flight to Phuket
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in Bangkok for the short flight to the beach destination of Phuket. Upon landing you are met and taken to your Villa complete with your own private pool. In addition to the five restaurants at the resort, Phuket is known for its restaurants and nightlife so you have plenty of dining options.
Breakfast
Days 10 & 11: Enjoying Phuket
You have two full days to do as much or as little as you want. If you’re active you can try Tai Chi or Kick Boxing, sailing lessons on a Hobie Catamaran or scuba with a PADI Certified instructor. If you are looking to relax you can stay by your pool and have meals served on your patio, you can cruise out to nearby islands in the Andaman Sea or spend the day at the beach club complete with restaurant.
Breakfast
You will board your aircraft to begin your transpacific flight to Thailand. You will cross the International Date Line and theoretically lose a day but it will all even out on the return trip. Get in the mindset of discovering the best on this Elegant Thailand Holiday.
Day 3: Welcome to Bangkok
Upon arrival in Bangkok you will be met by one of our guides for a private transfer to your riverside villa in Bangkok. In the evening enjoy dinner looking across the river to the Temple of Dawn.
Dinner
Day 4: The Regal Past and Present of Bangkok
After breakfast you meet your guide for a “behind the scenes” look at Buddhist culture. You arrive at Wat Pho, Bangkok’s most enchanting temple just as the resident monks gather for their morning chants which you will get to witness. The tour then continues to the nearby 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 and visit the Emerald Buddha. Following the tour your guide will take you on an afternoon canal tour. You board a private longtail boat for a ride along Bangkok’s ancient canals. Pass by shops, temples and residences designed in a range of decorative styles. The boat emerges at Baan Silapin, a 100 year old house that has been renovated into an art gallery. It serves as a central gathering point for the community’s artists. Spend some time admiring the art on display. There is also a chance to see intricately-designed Thai puppets. Return to the boat late this afternoon and cruise back towards town. Make a stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn which is conveniently close to your hotel.
Breakfast
Day 5: Morning at the Markets
An early start to the day as you are taken outside the city to visit local markets and countryside neighborhoods. Leave the high-rises behind as you enter a land of lush landscapes and traditional wooden houses. Stop at a local railway station where a bustling country market has sprouted up along the tracks. As a train approaches the station, you’ll see the vendors quickly clearing their stalls off the tracks. Then, after the train departs, watch them set up shop and resume business as usual. From there continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Although admittedly touristy it remains the best example of a traditional floating market. Take a stroll around and then leave the main market area and take a relaxing paddle boat ride. Pass by an old section of the floating market and enter a labyrinth of quiet canals. You will see houses built alongside the waterways and catch glimpses of local life in this rural Thai province before returning to your hotel in the city. Relax in the afternoon and then join a guide for a tour of Chinatown which offers the best street food in Bangkok. Sample a variety of specialties and enjoy dinner on the move.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6: Ayutthaya Then and Now
In the morning you will be picked up at the hotel for the journey from Thailand’s current to its former capital. You will drive through suburbs followed by verdant countryside and lush paddy fields arriving at your destination about ninety minutes later. It was founded in the 14th Century but abandoned in the early 18th Century following an invasion from Burma. Venture through a temple-studded landscape but aside from monuments; take a look at Ayutthaya itself and how the city has evolved over the years. The town retains a sleepy, laid back atmosphere. Get a taste of the city’s rhythms with a walk through the market and the Muslim Quarter. Enjoy lunch of local Thai dishes then continue exploring with a leisurely one hour long-tail boat ride down the Chao Praya River. Arrive at a small river island home to a unique Buddhist temple with Gothic style architecture and stained glass windows. Take a cable car across the river for aerial views of the waterway and continue to the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace rarely used by the Royal Family. You then check in to your hotel.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: The Bridge on the River Kwai
You start the day with a drive to Kanchanaburi arriving in time for lunch at a local restaurant set along the banks of the River Kwai. After lunch you will learn about Thailand’s involvement in World War II, one of the country’s darkest eras. Visit the bridge spanning the River Kwai, built by Allied Prisoners of War and the insightful Railway Museum whose informative displays explain the tragic tale of the infamous ‘Death Railway’ and bridge. Following your visit, continue to the war cemetery and pay respect to those who died during World War II. Transfer to the pier for a boat ride down to your riverside (and floating) hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: A Day with Elephants
After breakfast you set off for an amazing elephant experience. Elephant World is located in a peaceful natural jungle landscape. When you arrive you will be greeted by the volunteers who will tell you about the lives of the elephants, the plight of many Thai elephants and the sanctuary’s efforts to save these miraculous creatures. They will also explain the relationship between the elephants and their mahouts or caretakers. Then the adventure truly begins. Meet the elephants and join the mahouts as they go about the daily routine: foraging for food in the jungle, cutting sugar cane and gathering Bananas. You then feed the elephants and see their amazingly agile trunks in action. After the elephants have been fed, you have a lunch of freshly prepared Thai food. Then it is back to work as the elephants await their afternoon bath. Jump into the river and help them cool off with a good scrub. You then lead them deeper into the forest where they will spend the night. Say farewell and return to your hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Flight to Phuket
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport in Bangkok for the short flight to the beach destination of Phuket. Upon landing you are met and taken to your Villa complete with your own private pool. In addition to the five restaurants at the resort, Phuket is known for its restaurants and nightlife so you have plenty of dining options.
Breakfast
Days 10 & 11: Enjoying Phuket
You have two full days to do as much or as little as you want. If you’re active you can try Tai Chi or Kick Boxing, sailing lessons on a Hobie Catamaran or scuba with a PADI Certified instructor. If you are looking to relax you can stay by your pool and have meals served on your patio, you can cruise out to nearby islands in the Andaman Sea or spend the day at the beach club complete with restaurant.
Breakfast