Taste of Thailand

Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the representative/guide bearing a signboard with your name on it is waiting in the guide pickup area near door 6, and the arrival gate B should be behind you as you exit the arrival hall.

If you don't encounter the representative/guide, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) desk at Door 4 can assist in locating the representative/guide. Present your travel voucher and provide your name, hotel, and your local agent, which is Khiri Travel. ATTA attempts to find the representative/guide for a meeting at the ATTA counter.

Meet the guide and driver for a private transfer to the hotel.

Spend this morning at leisure.

Temples and Prayers
Note: Pick-up time between 12:30 hrs

Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide, explore the main temples and monuments, uncover a few hidden gems, and gain an insightful introduction to Thai culture and its captivating history.

Begin with a visit to Wat Pho, Bangkok's oldest temple, where you'll encounter the country's largest reclining Buddha, measuring 46 meters in length and 15 meters in height, giving it the name "Temple of the Reclining Buddha." Continue to Lak Muang City Pillar, symbolizing Bangkok's foundation. Enter the Grand Palace, the official residence of the royal families from 1782 to 1925, before admiring the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Pra Kaew), the Kingdom's most revered shrine dating back to the early 18th century.

Note: A strict dress code is enforced at the Grand Palace, and prohibited attire includes sleeveless garments, vests, shorts, see-through tops, short, torn or tight pants, culottes, or mini skirts.

After breakfast at the hotel, an early start takes you to Tha Kha Floating Market. Take a paddle boat journey through the Klongs and stop to enjoy a glass of coconut sugar syrup with a local family. Then, continue to visit a family-operated coconut palm sugar factory. Observe the production process unfolding and savor some of the delectable snacks made from palm sugar (resembling jaggery).

Proceed to Maeklong Train Market, situated directly on the tracks of an active railway line. Listen for the sounds of the slowly approaching train and witness as the market stall holders rush to remove their goods from the tracks and fold down their canopies until the train slowly passes by, only to set it all up again when the train departs. Continue to Amphawa Floating Market on the Maeklong River. Dedicate time to exploring and identifying the fruits, vegetables, and herbs on sale and sampling some of the remarkable variety of food for which the floating market is renowned. 

Note: Tha Kha and Amphawa markets are open during the weekend, on Saturday and Sunday only.

Head back to Bangkok and enjoy some time to explore on your own. 

Late afternoon, indulge in an enticing exploration of Bangkok's 200-year-old Chinatown district by visiting diverse delectable eateries, ranging from sidewalk vendors to charming restaurants. Depart from the hotel and follow the guidance through some of Chinatown's most unique alleyways. Then, relish the breathtaking river views from a local riverside bar. A brief overview by the guide awaits, along with a refreshing drink (beer or soft drink) to enjoy while observing the sunset. Next, hop on a tuk-tuk to head deep into Chinatown and commence a captivating tour. You'll have the opportunity to sample over 14 delectable foods, snacks, and beverages in the Chinatown area, including dim sum, dumplings, fresh seafood, and local desserts.

Throughout the evening, the knowledgeable guide provides insights into the background of all the diverse food and beverages you'll taste, as well as sharing their own perspectives on the local surroundings. At approximately 20:00, conclude the excursion with a drink at a charming open-air bar, where you can sit comfortably and observe the vibrant activity of Chinatown. Return to the hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel today transfer by boat to Amita Thai Cooking School, a home-style culinary school set in a charming canal-side location. Today you experience a hands-on Thai cooking lesson with a qualified English-speaking instructor and a group of other travelers and students.

After a brief introduction start with a tour around the organic garden to learn about the varieties of Thai herbs. Pick out some fresh herbs to be used later in your dishes. Start then with a cooking demonstration before trying your own hand at creating a culinary masterpiece under your instructor's guidance. For lunch, sample the fruits of your labor in a Thai-style pavilion set amidst the garden. Before leaving, each student receives a set of course recipes to bring back home.

This afternoon board the ferry to Koh Kred, a small island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River and home of one of Thailand's oldest Mon settlements. The Mon are an ethnic group who originated from Burma and have largely assimilated with Thai culture in modern times. Walk around the island here and witness the local lifestyle in the countryside and visit the traditional Thai dessert-making house to see how some of these delights are made. Return to your hotel in Bangkok.

Transfer to the Bangkok airport this morning in time for your flight to Chiang Mai. Settle into your hotel and set out around lunchtime for Khao Soy lunch. Drive up the mountain by 'songtaew' onto the rough dirt towards the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project. Here you can enjoy a cup of the local arabica surrounded by a garden of flowers. Continue on to the white Hmong village of Chang Khien where the 800 inhabitants still wear their traditional hill tribe clothes and practice a culture that dates back 500 years.

End the day with a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the temple on the mountain and the most sacred in Northern Thailand. Learn about the history of the temple and observe its beautiful chedi and murals. Stay until dusk and witness the magical evening chanting of the monks before returning to Chiang Mai.

This evening you enjoy a traditional Khantoke Dinner, which is served on a special low and circular table called a toke. Try the delicious Northern Thai dishes and the accompanying folk dancing this evening. After dinner participants light a sky lantern (khom loy) and launch it in the cool night following the belief that misfortune is floated away.

Experience counts when learning the secrets to achieving the balance of flavors in Thai cuisine. Therefore, stepping into the kitchens of this Chiang Mai cooking school, guided by local chefs who follow methods and recipes passed down through generations, undoubtedly be of assistance.

Visit a local market to explore an array of local ingredients. Engage with personal chefs and gain insights and practical tips for crafting delectable Thai dishes. Discover age-old methods of cooking and learn about each ingredient and how it nourishes your body before putting your newfound skills to the test and preparing a feast of dishes. Finally, sit down and relish the fruits of your labor, departing with new friendships and enhanced comprehension of how to harmonize the sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors for that perfect taste.

*Market visit during the morning class only

After the cooking class, venture out on an exploration of the old town on foot. Accompany a local insider for an exclusive behind-the-scenes journey through the Old City. Along the way, listen to Buddhist tales. Interact with local vendors as they prepare their stalls with fresh produce and indigenous trinkets for the upcoming day at one of the city's primary markets. Discover the emerging artisans of chocolate and coffee, using locally sourced sustainable beans. Peer inside the ancient temple, Wat Chiang Man, established in 1297 by the inaugural king of the Lanna Kingdom. Proceed to the Three Kings Monument, a sculpture representing the founding fathers of Chiang Mai. Venture into the captivating Lanna Folk Life Museum and learn about the culture and history of the ethnic group of Northern Thailand. Experience a 30-minute foot massage provided by female inmates from the Chiang Mai Women's Correctional Institution, witnessing firsthand how this rehabilitation program trains prisoners and equips them with essential skills for their eventual release. Admire the majestic chedi (pagoda) of Wat Chedi Luang from the 14th century, originally much taller but reduced in size due to a 16th-century earthquake.

Enjoy a fantastic farewell dinner this evening at 137 Pillars House (Including a transfer with an English-speaking guide).

Take an internal flight back to Bangkok and connect with your international flight home.