Thailand Heritage and Culture in 13 Days

13 days -- From USD 1,970 per person

Gain an insight of the Thai kingdom by following the tour that is passionately crafted with charm and quest for authenticity. Enjoy teak wood home stay, ethnical lodge and precious river barges. Discover the less-known treasures of Thailand and truly experience the traditional way of life of the exceptional Thai people.

Day 1- Bangkok

Arrive Bangkok International airport, meet and transfer from airport to hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking guide.

Overnight at Silom Serene Hotel

Day 2 - Bangkok (Breakfast)

Breakfast in the hotel. Pick up from the hotel and drive to the Grand Palace - the most beautiful buildings of an ancient Siamese court, which used to be the residence of the Kings of Bangkok. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions; the Funeral Hall, the Reception Hall, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple housing the famous Emerald Buddha. Return to your hotel or drop off at shopping area after the tour.

Note: The palace complex is subject to closure without notice and proper attire is required.

Overnight at Silom Serene Hotel.

Day 3 - Bangkok - Thai House (Breakfast, Dinner)

Breakfast in the hotel. Pick up and transfer to the Aquara Spa, original and charming cottage built by a Prince and registered as a National Architectural Heritage. You will have a specially tailored mix of jet-lag treatments (foot reflexology, 2 choices of body massage, facial rebalancing, chill out) lasting 2 hours 30 minutes. Afterwards continue on road to Pinklao pier and take a long tail boat to the Thai House, in the rural outskirts of the city. Check-in and explore the traditional house and its garden. Free time at leisure.

Dinner and overnight at the Thai House.

Day 4 -Thai House - Mekhala (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, leave with the neighbour's boat from the pier of the Thai House to discover the very authentic and less-known klongs (canals) of Bangkok's Nonthaburi side. Stop to discover a local fruit farm hidden in a maze of the canals and savour some delicious local fruits with the owner. Continue by boat to reach the majestic Chao Phraya River, all the way to the Supatra River House, where lunch is served by the river, overlooking the Grand Palace and Wat Arun.

The Mekhala barge will come to pick you up directly at the restaurant. Continue on board.

Dinner and overnight on The Mekhala.

Day 5 - Mekhala - Ayuthaya - Nakhon Sawan (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast on board. Cruise to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace and Wat Phanancherng for a visit. Proceed by boat to a local riverside restaurant in Ayuthaya for lunch. After that, visit the Historical Research Center and Wat Chai Wattanaram and Wat Pra Srisanphet.

Drive on the scenic road to Ang Thong to see the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand at Wat Khun Inthapramun. Continue to U-thai Thani Province to watch the sunset from Sakaekrang hill, overlooking the city and the countryside. Try your luck by throwing a coin in the belly button of the Chinese Buddha statue.

Overnight at Country Lake Nature Lodge (superior room) in a bungalow surrounded by trees.

Day 6 - Nakhon Sawan - Uthai Thani - Nakhon Sawan (Breakfast, Lunch)

Wake up to the sound of birds and enjoy your breakfast by the lotus field on the lake. Drive to Uthai Thani Province to explore a lively and colourful fresh market before you embark on a river barge for a boat trip passing floating houses, fish farms and picturesque temples. Before you return to the Country Lake stop at the unique Wat Chantharam, a large meditation center with its "Crystal Hall", famous throughout Thailand.

Lunch at the resort. Free afternoon for relaxation or bird watching. Optional hire of a bicycle or kayak to explore the rural surroundings. In the evening, visit a local village temple and attend the daily Buddhist prayer with the monks. Overnight at Country Lake Nature Lodge.

Day 7 - Nakhon Sawan - Sukhothai (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive on the rural back road to Kamphaeng Phet Province and visit the Historical Park and the National Museum that house statues from the archaeological site. Continue to Sukhothai to visit the famous Sukhothai Historical Park. Lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed on the scenic road to Sri Satchanalai. Visit the historical park with its impressive temple ruins in the forest.

Overnight at the Sukhothai Resort (Deluxe room).

Day 8 - Sukhothai - Phrae - Nan (Breakfast, Lunch)

Breakfast at the hotel. Then drive to Phrae Province and visit Wat Chom Sawan and the Vongburi house (museum). Continue to Tung Hong Village and visit a Mohom shirt workshop before driving to Nan Province. Visit the Sa paper production briefly. Lunch at a local restaurant in Nan.

Afterwards visit Nan National Museum, Wat Phumin and Wat Chang Kham. Continue to Ban Nong Bua, visit Wat Nong Bua and have a stroll in the Thai Lua village which ends at the silk weaving shop. Return to Nan with stop at the Riverside Gallery of the artist Khun Winai Prabripoo Overnight at Dhevaraj Hotel (Deluxe room).

Day 9 - Nan - Phayao - Lanna Farm (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast depart for Phayao. Visit Kwan Phayao (Phayao Lake), the largest fresh water swamp in Thailand and Wat Sri Khom Kham. Lunch at a local restaurant by the lake. Afterwards continue to Khum Lanna.

Dinner and overnight at Khum Lanna.

Day 10: Lanna Farm - Lisu Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Breakfast at the Farm. Then, enjoy a biking tour with a stop Wat Tham Dork Kum and some agro-cultural areas. Afterwards, return to Lanna Farm for lunch. Then, enjoy Lanna activities: learn and try fruit and vegetable carving or take a short Thai cooking lesson. Continue to the Lisu Lodge.

Dinner and overnight at Lisu Lodge.

Day 11- Lisu Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, a full day of Lisu Adventures is waiting: Cycling (mainly down hill) for about 13 km to the Mae Taeng Elephant Camp. Enjoy an hour on the back of an elephant and ride through the beautiful mountains and jungle to the river. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river at the elephant camp. Then embark on an inflatable raft for an exiting 45 minutes white water rafting along the Mae Taeng River. After this adventure take a short drive to visit a typical Akha Village. Then it's your choice: either cycles back to Lisu Lodge or use the transfer of a local truck. Upon arrival enjoy the refreshments at the lodge and then free time to enjoy Lisu activities such as embroidering and organic gardening. Dinner and overnight at Lisu Lodge.

Day 12 - Lisu Lodge - Chiang Mai (Breakfast, Dinner)

Breakfast at the lodge. Afterwards depart for Wiang Kum Kam, the archaeological remains of an ancient city before transfer to check in at Tamarind Village.

Afternoon, visit the Chiang Mai City Art and Cultural Center and Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a famous temple on the mountain. Take a local truck to visit White Hmong villager with a coffee break at the Coffee Research Project.

Evening dinner at Le Grand Lanna, a unique traditional northern Lanna restaurant.

Overnight at Tamarind Village.