The best of Thailand – 10 Days 9 Nights – 2×1

Hotel pickup: 07:40–08:00 Meals: Breakfast  After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will pick you up at reception to visit the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit) in the heart of Chinatown. This 5.5-ton solid gold statue dates back to the Sukhothai era and is one of the most valuable representations of Buddha in Thailand.  Next, visit the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew), home to the Emerald Buddha carved from a single piece of jade. Continue to the Royal Palace, where the Thai kings lived until the 19th century.  Later, visit Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. In addition to housing the iconic statue, this temple was Thailand’s first school of traditional medicine and is considered the country’s first university.  Return to the hotel around 12–1 PM. Afternoon free.  Important: Long pants and sleeved shirts are required to enter the Grand Palace. 

Hotel pickup: 06:40–07:00 Meals: Breakfast  After breakfast, travel to the Maeklong Railway Market (Talad Rom Hub) about 80 km away. This 100% local market is famous for the train that passes through it six times a day, forcing vendors to quickly dismantle their stalls — a surreal experience!  Even if the train doesn’t pass, we’ll still be able to explore the market and its wide variety of everyday products used by local people.  Afterwards, we’ll travel another 15 km to visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the most famous and touristic in Thailand, featured in countless travel catalogs. A boat ride through the market is included. We’ll return to the hotel around 1 PM, with the afternoon free to enjoy at your leisure. 

Hotel pickup: To be determined Meals: Breakfast  Transfer to the airport. Domestic flight to Chiang Mai (not included – we recommend www.airasia.com). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. 

Hotel pickup: 08:00–08:30 Meals: Breakfast and lunch  Visit Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest peak at 2,565 meters above sea level. Explore Wachirathan Waterfall, the most famous in the park, and visit the twin royal pagodas built in honor of the Thai monarchs.  Weather permitting, enjoy panoramic views of the park. Lunch included. Visit a Hmong market and take a 1.5–2-hour nature walk through forest trails, waterfalls, and rice fields, guided by a local from a tribal village.  End the tour at a Karen village, where you’ll enjoy coffee grown in the area. Return to the hotel. 

Hotel pickup: 06:30–07:00 (to be confirmed) Meals: Breakfast  Early morning departure to the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary, about 50 minutes away. Dress as a mahout (elephant caretaker), feed the elephants in their natural habitat, and learn about their care. Then accompany them to the river for their daily bath — you’re welcome to join in!  At the end, we will have some coffee, tea, and fruit before saying goodbye to the elephants and returning to our hotel in Chiang Mai, where we will arrive around 12:00 noon. In this park, riding elephants is not allowed.  Note: This tour can also be booked for the afternoon, but this must be requested at the time of booking. Morning tours are the default. Tour is in English and in small groups. Bring a swimsuit, change of clothes, sandals, sunscreen, hat, and of course, your camera or phone! 

Hotel pickup: To be determined Meals: Breakfast  Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport. Flight to Phuket (not included – we recommend www.airasia.com). Pickup at the airport and transfer to the hotel. 

Hotel pickup: 05:00–05:30 (to be confirmed) Meals: Breakfast and lunch  Pickup and transfer to the Phi Phi pier. During this excursion, we will visit the stunning beaches of Koh Phi Phi, Phi Phi Leh, and Phi Phi Don. Among the highlights, we’ll visit Monkey Island and Viking Cave.  We’ll also have the chance to climb to the famous viewpoint on Phi Phi Don Island, with amazing panoramic views.  We’ll have lunch on one of the beaches, and the excursion includes snorkeling gear, water, fruit, and soft drinks.  Group tour: max 30 people. Note: The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions without prior notice. 

Meals: Breakfast  Free day. 

Hotel pickup: To be determined Meals: Breakfast  At the scheduled time, transfer to Phuket International Airport. Departure on flight back to your country of origin, via the chosen route.