Thailand's Cultural Experience

8 days -- from USD 1,475 per person

Embark onto a trip that will lead you to learn about various aspects of Thai culture from Thai culinary to aged-old puppet shows. In this program, you will marvel at the Grand Palace, stay in a lovely traditional Thai house in and relax in an authentic Thai massage in a Buddhist temple. Take a first class overnight train to Chiang Mai to discover the well-preserved cultures of Thailand’s northern region. Experience a wide range of activities such as visiting centuries-old Buddhist sanctuaries, a gallery exhibiting Buddhism-related artworks, riding an ox cart, getting invited to a dinner with a local family and learning Thai cooking.

itinerary:

Day One: Arrival Bangkok

Upon arrival at Suvarrnabhumi International Airport, meet by our representative and transfer to hotel. Check in and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight in Bangkok at lebua at State Tower.

Day Two: Bangkok - The Grand Palace - Massage at Wat Pho - Meditation at Wat Mahathat

Meal: Lunch, Dinner 
 
Pick up at the hotel in Bangkok and proceed to the City Pillar or Lak Muang Shrine, then proceeding to Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Admire buildings and halls which are currently used for royal and religious ceremonies such as the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest house and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple.

Afterwards, visit Wat Pho, Bangkok's oldest and largest temple. The temple compound features a large reclining Buddha, demon figures and numerous ancient stupas. This is where you will experience a Thai massage, Wat Pho is also known as Thailand's most recognized traditional Thai massage school.

Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Wat Mahathat for a meditation course. Then, go to Thai House, a group of conventional Thai houses located by the Chaophraya River, as this is your accommodation.

 Day Three: Thai Cooking Class at Thai House

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
 
Breakfast at Thai House. Then, take a short tour around the farm and, afterwards, head to the 'Open Air Kitchen'. The cooking lesson begins with your hands on participation in preparing various Thai recipes. Discussions on Thai cooking as well as food tasting will be part of the lesson. The course includes the introduction of herbs and spices, spicy Thai Pork Salad (appetizer), Hot and Sour Prawn Soup (soup), Thai Fried Noodles (luncheon dish), Yellow Chicken Curry (main dish), Cocunut Beef Curry (main dish). Lunch at Thai House.

In the afternoon, depart by road to Jim Thomson Museum, a magnificent Thai-style house that contains an extensive collection of Thai silk ware, art objects and antiques. In the evening, depart for Supatra River House for Thai set dinner. Come back to Thai House for overnight stay.

 Day Four: Thai House - Koh Kret - Bangkok

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch 
 
Breakfast at Thai House.
Drive to the pier for public ferry across the river to Koh Kret, a tiny island in the Chao Phraya River, located in Nonthaburi Province. On this island lives a community of craftsmen famous for their distinctive style of pottery, which dates back many centuries. The potteries are known for their fine, red-black glazed surface and folk design. They are all hand-made piece-by-piece and you can see the process. People live on Koh Kret and nearby are the descendants of the ethnic Mon people who managed to retain the skills of their forefathers. Lunch at Suan Thip Restaurant. This small community is also famed for making traditional Thai sweets. 

Transfer to Hua Lampong Railway station.  Take an overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in first class cabin with air-conditioned.  Overnight on the train.

Day Five: Chiang Mai

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport, transfer to Tamarind Village hotel for check in.

Late morning, visit the old Kingdom of Lamphun including Wat Chammadhevi, commonly referred to Ku Kut, located on the Lamphun-San Pa Tong Road and built in 1298 B.E. in the Lawo (Lopburi) style. Then, continue to visit Dhamma Park Gallery, a contemporary, ecumenical center for Socially Engaged Buddhism and the Arts. It offers an exciting third dimension Eco-Spiritual Tourism for those who wish to venture further on their travels. Visit and learn on the spiritual journey from ignorance to enlightenment via the humorous and satirical sculptures by British Artist and Peace Builder, Venetia Walkey, which mark the way stages and are on permanent exhibition at the Gallery. Lunch at Dhamma Park.

In the afternoon, visit Ban Nong Nguak in Pa Sang, handicraft center famous for its handmade cotton materials which are produced mainly in here. Then, drive to Chiang Mai, visit Wiang Kum Kam, the ancient city built and later abandoned due to a great flood long before the founding of the city of Chiang Mai. Another highlight along the way is the ancient ruins of Wat Chedi Liam, which was originally built in the style. After that, dine with local family in traditional Thai house on the outskirts of Chiang Mai.

Overnight at Tamarind Village or similar

Day Six:  Chiang Mai - Lisu Lodge

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
 
Breakfast at the resort. Morning visit Chiang Mai City Art and Cultural Center (close on Monday). Learn about every aspect of the city from its pre-history to the present. Then, onto visit Doi Suthep temple, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai with golden pagoda shrines on the hilltop overlooking the city. Next, visit Daraphirom Palace Museum (close on Monday) located in the Dara Rasamee Border Patrol Police Camp in Mae Rim District in Chiang Mai. The Palace was built after King Vajiravudh (King Rama VI) gave the petition to Jao Dara Rasamee to return to her hometown after King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) passed away. Jao Dara Rasamee used her home to perform many good deeds in the fields of agriculture, culture and arts. She also supported Buddhism and was a major influence in developing Lanna's handicrafts which made Chiang Mai a famous town of fine handicrafts today. Lunch at Lisu Lodge.

Afternoon, a tour at a hill tribe village of Lisu includes Ton Lung temple and herbal garden. Stop at the shaman's house for a tea-break and get some ideas of traditional medicine. The tour is guided by Lisu people who will be a translator and accompany you for all activities in the village. Then, get on an oxcart and ride through orchards and farmland to the village of Ban Pang Mai Daeng.

Dinner and overnight at Lisu Lodge.

Day Seven:  Lisu Lodge - Khum Lanna

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
 
Breakfast at the lodge. Then, visit the Thai Buffalo Training Camp Mae Rim, a tourist destination with a difference. The camp aims at showcasing the lifestyle of the Lanna or Northern Thai people. It is open to tourists who wish to see the preservation of a unique way of life. The main feature attractions are the buffaloes. Then, onto visit Mae Pan Din Phor Tham Suan, a home stay and pottery house where you can learn about pottery making and watch their gallery. Lunch at Khum Lanna.

In the afternoon, take the old style bicycle for agro-cutural tour to visit and talk with farm owners. Stop at a huge reclining Buddha image at Wat Tham Dork Kum.

Dinner and overnight at Khum Lanna.

Day Eight:  Khum Lanna - Chiang Mai

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch 
 
Take part in the food offering to the monks which will be held early morning at Wat Khuen Park near Khuum Lanna. Breakfast at Khum Lanna. Then, explore the local market in Phrae. Late morning, enjoy Thai cooking lesson, the courses include:
- Introduction of Thai ingredients
- The demonstration and cooking of 4 dishes
- Enjoy all food prepared in traditional northern Thai style.

Then, transfer to Chiang Mai airport for a connection to domestic flight back to Bangkok.

Package includes:

- Accommodation at selected hotels (1 night at lebua in Bangkok, 2 nights at Thai House, 1 night at Tamarind Village in Chiang Mai, 1 night at Lisu Lodge and 1 night at Khum Lanna in Chiang Mai)
- Most of the meals during the trip (breakfasts will be provided daily, lunches and dinners during the journey
- Tours and transfers with private transportation and English speaking guide
- First class train tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- One way air ticket from Chiang Mai to Bangkok