2-week treasures of Thailand Tour

Upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, meet a representative who will fast-track the immigration procedure. Be assisted with the luggage and be introduced to the Sonasia travel guide. Hop in the air-conditioned car and take a leisurely drive to Park Hyatt Hotel.
Begin a lovely dinner this evening onboard the Supanniga Cruise, a brand new modern cruise that provides a whole new perspective of the Chao Phraya River. The dinner cruise is designed for those who would like to indulge in a 6-course dinner of genuine and exquisite Thai taste while enjoying the grande nighttime view of the river.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Start the morning with a trip to Wat Pho which is one of Bangkok’s most enchanting temples. Arrive just as the resident monks gather for their morning chants. Witness this deeply spiritual ritual and gain a better sense of Thailand’s Buddhist heritage.
After the chants, take a walk around Wat Pho and see the vast collection of religious treasures on display. Admire the famed reclining Buddha image, which stretches 45-metres in length. Learn about the symbolism of the Buddha’s intricate footprint and witness devotees making offerings to this revered image.
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, stopping in to explore the various temples, throne halls and museums within the compound. Visit the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddhist image in Thailand, and hear about its mysterious origins.
In this afternoon, transfer to the famous master class studio of Nattayasala Hun Lakhon Lek, internationally known as the ‘Joe Louis Thai Puppet Theatre’.
Visit the artist’s working space and explore the fundamentals of traditional Thai puppet theatre. Learn about different characters like Hanuman the monkey god, and see the different elements of tradition and functionality come into play. Learn how to put on a “jong kraben”, the comfortable Thai loincloth, worn at performances during the old times. Have a laugh and sing the famous Thai song ‘Lao Duang Duen’, during a casual karaoke session.
Observe and imitate the basics of Thai classical dance, as performed by the professional puppeteers. Under tutelage of the professionals, carefully reproduce the moves of the puppets. Receive an adorable little Hanuman puppet at the end of the workshop.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Today’s tour starts early morning at 7.00 a.m. Travel away from Bangkok’s city centre for a visit to local markets and countryside neighbourhoods. Take a one-hour drive in a private vehicle, leaving the high-rises behind and enter a land of lush landscapes and more traditional wooden architecture.
Stop at a local railway station where a bustling country market has gradually taken over the railway tracks. Notice the sudden activity when a train pulls into the station, as the vendors quickly remove their stalls from the tracks. Then, after the train departs, watch them set up shop and resume business as usual.
Continue to the charming and quaint floating market Tha Kha. Here, take a stroll around the market and admire the floating shops, stalled out on traditional sampan boats. Take in the lifestyle of the locals and leave the main market area for a relaxing paddle boat ride.
Pass by an old section of the floating market and enter a labyrinth of quiet canals. See the different houses built alongside the waterways and catch glimpses of local life in this rural Thai province. Return back to the hotel.
Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Bangkok.
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Meet with the guide at the lobby, check out and be transferred to the airport for the onward flight to Chiang Rai.
Upon arrival in Chiang Rai, be met by the guide and transferred to the accommodation. After settling down comfortably have the opportunity to delve into the secret history of the region on a visit to the Hall of Opium.
Dinner served at the hotel.
Overnight in Golden Triangle.

Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning, starting at 10:30, observe the playful behaviour and interact with these gentle giants at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation rescued elephants, and learn from Think Elephants International scientists about elephant behaviour and intelligence. Start with an exciting presentation and discussion with the education team, and then head down to the elephant camp for an up-close-and-personal experience (including some fun water play!) with our elephants. For every booking there is a donation of an additional 2,000 baht to support the foundations' work.
Spend the afternoon at leisure at the Anantara Golden Triangle.
Lunch and dinner served at the hotel.
Overnight in Golden Triangle.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Check out and transfer for the city sightseeing of the ‘Art Scene of Chiang Rai’ program with the contradiction between heaven and hell since the famous Thai artist Thawan Duchanee, who was appointed as  National Artist in 2001, has opened his house “Baan Dam” to the public. While the famous “Wat Rong Khun” or The White Temple, a contemporary Buddhist temple, of another renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipat represents the heaven, Baan Dam or The Black House is perfectly matched to represent the hell.
Lunch at Chivit Thammada, a nice restaurant in a vintage style, located by the river. The restaurant serves natural, fresh and homemade foods, bakery, coffee and drinks.
After lunch, continue driving from Chiang Rai about an hour and a half towards Phayao Province. Passing through the vast plains of rice fields, arrive at Rico Resort, situated near a small town of Chiang Kham.
Overnight in Chiang Kham.
 

Enjoy a breakfast in the serene surroundings of the resort this morning.
After breakfast, hop on a bike and follow the guide biking through the rice fields along the backroads of the resort. Cycle through the off-the-beaten path until reaching “Wat Phra Khaew”, an over 400-year old temple, where the Emerald Buddha was housed for an unknown period of time and ride to visit another famous temple of the town, “Wat Phra Nang Din”, which highlights the Buddha image in a sitting position or on the ground.  Make a short stop at one of the biggest Bo trees in Chiang Kham and Thailand, and proceed on bike to visit the Huai Sa Reservoir.
Embark on the bike again and bike through rubber plantations and rice and vegetable fields, until it is time for lunch. Then be taken to a favourite “Somtum” restaurant, to try various kinds of local dishes. 
After lunch, meet the guide and transfer to Chiang Mai.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, get a true taste of Thai life. Spend a day far removed from the tourist areas of Chiang Mai and be immersed in local culture.
Firstly, it’s important to dress like a local, so don 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. The hosts will provide a warm welcome into their home.
After meet and greets, explore the property of Mr. Prapat to encounter local architectural styles and uniquely traditional ways of life. There may be an opportunity to witness basket weaving, a handmade process that has remained unchanged for centuries.
Next up is a visit to Mr. Prapat’s gardens to browse his vibrant array of vegetation. Select some fresh ingredients, grab an apron and head inside to begin the 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 and dine on the tasty meal.
Take the afternoon off to explore the neighbourhood. 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, have dinner at Woo Café. Enjoy a meal or a beverage and explore the beautifully plated dishes that resemble artwork.  
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Spend the day at leisure in Chiang Mai and be free to explore the town. 
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
 

Breakfast at the hotel.
After check out, continue driving to Lampang, enjoy a horse cart ride around the city. This afternoon, drive to Sukhothai for a visit to Sri Satchanalai Historical Park, which is a listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and take a tram travel around the green park.
Overnight in Sukhothai.

Breakfast at the hotel. Wake up with fresh air in the surroundings. Check out and visit Sukhothai Historical Park, which was once a walled city surrounded by moat. Explore the main historical site by tram.
Continue the journey towards the accommodation in Muak Lek.
Spend the rest of the day at leisure in the hotel.
Overnight in Khao Yai.
 

After breakfast at the hotel, take a few minutes’ walk from the hotel grounds which is a family-owned vineyard where guests can relax in harmony with nature.
The winery tour starts in the vineyard where the journey of winemaking begins. Stroll through the vineyards with our oenologist and learn about the earth soil, terrain and grapevines of the estate. Next, embark on an exploration at The Gallery, a fermentation room and art space where guests learn the process of harvesting, fermenting, and aging wine. The tour ends with wine tasting and discussion on Issara Estates vintages and Reserves followed by lunch of nice tasty Thai food with the backdrop of a mountain. 
Leave from Khao Yai and be transferred to explore Thailand's ancient capital and cultural heartlands which is the UNESCO World Heritage certified site of Ayutthaya.
Overnight in Ayutthaya.

After breakfast at the hotel, start the morning discovery of Ayutthaya. See the majestic Wat Yai Chaimongkol, impressive Wat Phra Srisanphet and Wat Mahathat, where the Buddha face is naturally engraved on the trunk of a tree. Learn about the history of Ayutthaya, which was once the largest city in the world. Hear the stories of its glory days and how it was eventually brought down by invading forces from Myanmar.
Be transferred on a return boat trip from Ayutthaya to Bangkok with 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 three hours, allowing for plenty of time to observe the passing scenery of riverside life. (Transfer from Ayutthaya to Bangkok by cruise arrive at 16.30)
Arrive in Bangkok in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a high tea set at thehotel.
Overnight in Bangkok.

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight