Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok

Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport and be met by our representative before transferring to your riverside hotel in Bangkok. Thailand’s vibrant capital is a city of extraordinary contrasts – golden temples rising beside modern skyscrapers, long-tail boats gliding past luxury hotels, and bustling street markets existing alongside elegant rooftop bars.

After check-in, spend the remainder of the day at leisure along the Chao Phraya waterfront. As evening falls, the riverside comes alive with illuminated temples, lively cafés, and passing dinner cruises drifting across the water. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: Grand Palace, Wat Pho & Chao Phraya River Cruise

After breakfast, begin your day with a guided exploration of Bangkok’s most spectacular landmarks. Visit the magnificent Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew – Thailand’s most sacred royal and religious complex. Within its gilded courtyards and ornate halls lies the revered Emerald Buddha, one of the country’s most treasured spiritual icons.

Continue to Wat Pho, home to the extraordinary Reclining Buddha – a 46-metre-long golden statue stretching across the temple hall. Wat Pho is also regarded as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, and visitors can enjoy an authentic massage experience within the temple grounds.

In the late afternoon, board a Chao Phraya sunset river cruise and witness Bangkok at its most magical. Glide past historic riverside communities, glittering skyscrapers, and the illuminated spires of Wat Arun as the warm evening light reflects across the river. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 3: Floating Market & Bangkok Exploration

After breakfast, depart for a full-day excursion to Thailand’s famous floating markets. Visit the colourful Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where traditional wooden boats piled high with tropical fruits, flowers, and local delicacies drift through narrow canals in a vibrant display of Thai culture and commerce.

Continue to the fascinating Maeklong Railway Market, where vendors quickly retract their stalls moments before a train passes directly through the centre of the market – one of Thailand’s most unique and memorable local experiences.

Return to Bangkok in the evening and explore the legendary Yaowarat Chinatown district, renowned as one of Asia’s greatest street food destinations. Neon-lit streets filled with sizzling seafood grills, roasted duck stalls, dim sum vendors, and fragrant noodle kitchens create an unforgettable culinary atmosphere. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 4: Bangkok to Chiang Mai

After breakfast, transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport for your domestic flight to Chiang Mai – Thailand’s northern cultural capital. Surrounded by misty mountains and ancient city walls, Chiang Mai offers a slower and more traditional atmosphere than Bangkok, with over 300 temples scattered throughout its historic old quarter.

Upon arrival, transfer to your riverside resort and spend the afternoon exploring the charming Old City. Walk through ancient lanes lined with teakwood houses, Buddhist temples, cafés, and artisan shops while monks in saffron robes quietly move between temple courtyards. If your visit coincides with the weekend, enjoy the lively Sunday Walking Street Market filled with handicrafts, local food, and cultural performances. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 5: Doi Suthep Temple & Elephant Sanctuary

After breakfast, travel up the winding mountain road to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – Chiang Mai’s most sacred temple perched high above the city. Climb the famous staircase flanked by golden naga serpents or take the funicular to the summit, where the glittering golden chedi and panoramic views across the Ping River Valley create one of northern Thailand’s most iconic scenes.

In the afternoon, visit an ethical elephant sanctuary located in the forested mountains outside Chiang Mai. Unlike traditional elephant camps, these sanctuaries focus on rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation. Walk alongside rescued elephants, feed them, and observe their behaviour in natural surroundings while learning about their stories and the sanctuary’s conservation efforts. This deeply moving experience is consistently considered one of Thailand’s most memorable activities. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 6: Thai Cooking Class & Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

After breakfast, join a traditional Thai cooking class beginning with a guided tour of a local morning market. Learn about the fresh herbs, spices, vegetables, and ingredients that form the foundation of Thai cuisine, including lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime, basil, and Thai chillies.

At the cooking school, participate in a hands-on session preparing several classic Thai dishes such as green curry, pad thai, tom kha gai, papaya salad, and mango sticky rice before enjoying your creations for lunch.

In the evening, explore the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar – one of northern Thailand’s best shopping destinations for handcrafted silverware, hill tribe textiles, lacquerware, handmade soaps, carvings, and local souvenirs. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 7: Chiang Rai – White Temple & Golden Triangle

After breakfast, depart on a full-day excursion through the scenic mountain landscapes of northern Thailand toward Chiang Rai. Visit the extraordinary Wat Rong Khun, better known as the White Temple – a dazzling contemporary masterpiece covered in mirrored mosaics and intricate white carvings that shimmer brilliantly in the sunlight.

Continue to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak Rivers. Once infamous for opium trade routes, the region now offers spectacular river scenery and cultural significance. Enjoy panoramic views across all three countries and learn about the fascinating history of the region.

Return to Chiang Mai in the evening after a memorable day exploring northern Thailand’s unique cultural and natural landscapes. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 8: Doi Inthanon & Departure

After an early breakfast, journey to Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest mountain and one of the country’s most beautiful natural regions. Explore lush cloud forests, waterfalls, mountain trails, and panoramic viewpoints surrounded by cool highland scenery.

Visit the park’s famous twin royal pagodas perched high above the mountains, offering sweeping views across the mist-covered valleys and forests below. The area’s rich biodiversity, waterfalls, and peaceful atmosphere make it one of northern Thailand’s most rewarding natural experiences.

Later, transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your return flight to Bangkok and onward journey home.

Depart Thailand carrying unforgettable memories of Bangkok’s vibrant river life and temples, and the cultural richness and mountain beauty of Chiang Mai and northern Thailand.