THAILAND CULTURAL IMMERSION

Embark on a cultural journey that takes you from a modern-day metropolis to an ancient kingdom in northern Thailand and finally to a tropical island retreat. Discover the highlights of Bangkok with excursions to countryside markets and the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Then head north to Chiang Mai where you enjoy a spiritual dining experience at a ruined temple, a gourmet picnic breakfast on a mountain and a day with the elephants. Then relax at an island resort on Koh Yao Noi.

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Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Koh Yao Noi
12 days, 11 nights

Day 1

ARRIVE IN A BUSTLING METROPOLIS

Arrive in Bangkok, the vibrant capital and commercial center of Thailand. Lively and colorful, the bustling metropolis is an exciting mix of ornate temples and shrines that stand alongside glamorous shopping and towering skyscrapers. To maximize your time in the city and ensure a smooth start to your journey, an airport representative is waiting to meet you at the landing gate as soon as you enter the airport terminal. You are then assisted through fast-track immigration and customs procedures before meeting your guide who transfers you directly to the iconic Mandarin Oriental. Sitting serenely on the Chao Phraya River, the hotel is a stately property that offers a refined elegance combined with lavish comfort.   

Overnight at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Meals: None

BANGKOK CITY IMMERSION

Day 2

An optional morning excursion takes you to an old neighborhood to learn about cultural history at Museum Siam and up Golden Mount to see a temple and wonderful city views. For lunch, taste “Urban Rustic Thai” cuisine at ERR. Then visit the Grand Palace, one of the most dazzling examples of traditional Thai architecture, and continue to Wat Pho which houses a reclining Buddha statue. Discover Chinatown’s hidden gem, Sol Heng Tai Mansion, which was once a merchant’s home. Then ride a long tail boat to discover local life along the city’s canals, or board a converted rice barge for a private sunset river cruise with cocktails. Later, experience Bangkok’s vibrant nightlife, traveling in a tuk tuk with a transparent roof.

Overnight at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3

COUNTRYSIDE MARKET EXCURSION

Leave the city and visit unique countryside markets for a sense of real local life. If visiting on a weekday, take an 80-kilometer drive with your guide to Samut Songkram, a provincial town southwest of Bangkok. This rural area is home to the so-called “Train Market” which is a typical market with one remarkable difference; it is located over a working railway track. See how the vendors quickly pull away their wares as the train passes and then put them back again, just as fast.  If visiting on the weekend, drive a little further to explore the authentic floating markets at Thaka and Amphawa, where goods are bought and sold along the charming waterways. Stop for lunch and sample some of the local dishes at the markets.

Overnight at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DISCOVERING AN ANCIENT CAPITAL

Day 4

Enjoy the morning at leisure before embarking on an afternoon excursion to an ancient capital.  Located 80 kilometers north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya was a prosperous trading port that connected Siam with the Arab world, China, India, Japan, Portugal, the Netherlands and France. The ruins of palaces, temples, monasteries and statues are now preserved in a historical park and provide a fascinating glimpse of the city’s former prosperity. Explore the temples and discover the city’s international influences at a 17th century Dutch village called Baan Hollanda, a Japanese Village and Wat Nived, a Gothic inspired temple. In the evening, board a private dinner cruise to see the ancient temples magnificently illuminated at night.

Overnight at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5

A SPIRITUAL MOMENT IN THE LANNA KINGDOM

Take a 1-hour flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of northern Thailand and capital of the ancient Lanna Thai kingdom. The charming city is framed by the remains of ancient city walls and the Ping River to the east. Your local guide greets you at the airport and transfers you to Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai where you are immersed in lush countryside, surrounded by rice fields and verdant landscapes. Later, ride a horse-drawn carriage to explore the historical settlement of Wiang Kum Kam. The ruins provide a charming backdrop for your evening cocktails and exclusive Kantoke style dinner. Accompanied by a Lanna music performance, the spiritual moment is complete with a private Baci blessing ceremony.

Overnight at Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

MOUNTAIN TEMPLE AND PICNIC BREAKFAST

Day 6

Rise early this morning to experience a local tradition of almsgiving, where you make an offering of food and other essentials to the local monks in exchange for a blessing. Then drive a short distance to Doi Suthep mountain where a glittering temple stands at the summit overlooking an inspiring view of the city and its surrounding countryside. Arriving in the early morning, you have a chance to see the temple before the regular tourist crowds and enjoy a gourmet picnic breakfast in a scenic location. After the atmospheric breakfast, visit a morning market to sample some local street food delights. Continue with a leisurely trishaw ride around the old town before heading back to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Overnight at Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7

ELEPHANT LIFE EXPERIENCE AND LANNA ARCHITECTURE

Prepare for an unforgettable day getting to know the elephants at Elephant Life Experience (E.L.E), an immersive elephant camp which allows you to build a close relationship with a friendly giant and observe its natural behaviors first-hand. The private 5-hour experience includes feeding and bathing the elephant, learning basic commands and riding on its back for 30 minutes. You can also paint with your new friend and see how the skilled pachyderm creates artistic masterpieces with its trunk. After a picnic lunch, bid farewell to the elephants and begin the transfer back to your hotel, stopping en route at Wat Padarapirom, a quiet, off-the-beaten-track temple that demonstrates the true beauty of Lanna architecture.  

Overnight at Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

A TROPICAL ISLAND RETREAT

Day 8-11

Depart Chiang Mai and fly to the southern coastal region of Thailand for a tropical island escape surrounded by the Andaman Sea.  After a domestic flight, you are greeted at the airport and transferred by boat and car to the island of Koh Yao Noi to check in to the beautiful Six Senses resort. Embodying the brand’s commitment to sustainability, Six Senses Yao Noi is built using natural materials that blend well with the environment and deliver a delightful sense of calm and uncompromised beauty. Located just a short distance from the popular island of Phuket, this resort offers all the charms and splendor of a tropical island retreat without all the crowds. Enjoy your days basking in the peacefulness of the resort.

Overnight at Six Senses Yao Noi, Phang Nga

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12

A FOND FAREWELL

Savor the last moments of your holiday in this tropical island resort overlooking the Andaman Sea.  If time permits, you may choose to spend the morning swimming and take one final look at the gorgeous ocean view from the infinity pool. Alternatively, you can take a stroll along the beach and feel the soft white sand beneath your feet or simply relax at the resort, making the most of your final moments in this slice of tropical heaven.  Then check out of the hotel and, at the appointed time, head to the pier to board the speedboat bound for Phuket. From the pier on Phuket, continue by private vehicle to Phuket International Airport, arriving in time for your departure flight or onward journey to your next destination.  

Meals: Breakfast

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