Hill Tribes Of Thailand

Guests arrive today and will be met at the airport where our exclusive Fast Track Service offers expedited service through all immigration and customs formalities. Then you'll be chauffeured to our deluxe hotel to enjoy you complimentary pre-tour overnight.

After breakfast, guests have this day to do as they wish. Take advantage of our hotel's wonderful city-center location to explore on your own — or simply relax. Our other guests will be arriving today.

Your morning tour begins with the glittering halls and pavilions of the magnificent Grand Palace, including Coronation Hall and the Royal Guest House. At Wat Phra Kaew, home to the famed Emerald Buddha, you’ll discover one of Thailand’s most venerated Buddhist temples. Continue to Wat Pho, one of the city’s largest temples. In addition to being one of the country’s oldest institutions of learning, this spectacular complex is home to beautiful murals, ornate architectural detail and an enormous 150-foot long gilded image of a reclining Buddha. Next, you'll have a chance to stop and smell the roses at the photogenic flower market where you'll be awestruck by the vibrant colors and sheer variety on display. After lunch, your guided touring continues with an excursion along Bangkok’s famous Klongs; venturing out in a traditional long-tail speed boat is a delightful way to experience the sights and sounds of life along the city’s bustling canals. Along one of these waterways, you’ll explore the Khlong Bang Luang Artist Village, a small enclave of traditional wooden homes that are now home to studios, galleries, cafes and shops. Then continue your boat excursion onto the Chao Phraya River to visit the magnificent Temple of Dawn before returning to your hotel. You’ll have time to refresh and relax before dinner at your hotel.

This morning is all about Bangkok's coolest markets. Our first stop this morning will be Thailand’s famous Railway Track Market. Up to 8 times per day, vendors and shoppers alike have to scramble fast to avoid the passing trains. This is an active rail network, so you’ll have to pay close attention to your guide and surroundings! Continuing into Ratchburi Province, we’ll visit the floating market at Damnoen Saduak, one of the country’s busiest and most colorful. Hundreds of vendors ply the canals in their traditional wooden boats selling everything from tropical fruits and produce to daily staples and even souvenirs. Continue to Lao Tuk Luck market where traditional wooden houses line the canal. On the way back to Bangkok, stop at a local sugar palm farm for insight into how this sweetener is produced.

Our destination this morning is Ayutthaya, where vast ruins bear witness to the splendor of the ancient kingdom of Siam that flourished from 1350 until 1767. You’ll delve into the rich history of the erstwhile royal capital, exploring fabulous ruins including Wat Phra Sri Sanphet. This was the holiest temple on the site of the ancient Royal Palace and its still intact stupas attest to Ayutthaya’s former glory! Enjoy a relaxing lunch before setting off for Kanchanburi. On arrival, we’ll take you to the pier, where long tail boats will take you the Float House River Kwai. Here on the edge of the gently flowing river against a forested mountain backdrop, you’ll check in to your unique and spacious floating villa.

With our compliments, guests will have a chance today to join one of the activities offered by the resort. We also offer a guided excursion to Lawa Cave, filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Later this afternoon, rejoin your guide to venture by boat through spectacular river gorges into the jungle to visit a Mon tribal village. Enjoy dinner and a performance of Mon music and dance at our resort before retiring to your floating room.

This morning set off to explore Kanchanburi's WWII history. During the war, the River Kwai Bridge and train tracks were dug at the cost of numerous POW lives. Next visit the Thailand-Burma Railway Center and the Allied Cemetery to learn more about the thousands of prisoners of war who lost their lives during the construction of the Bridge and the Death Railway. After lunch, return to Bangkok for your included flight to the north of Thailand. On arrival in Chiang Rai, you’ll be met and escorted to your hotel.

This morning, you’ll visit the unique White Temple, locally called Wat Rong Khun. This contemporary Buddhist temple diverges from the traditional gold and red, as it appears to be made of porcelain, a dazzling effect achieved through a combination of whitewash and transparent mirrored chips. Next, we'll visit the Holy Community, home to Akha hill tribe. The Akha people are regarded of their colorful traditional dress and exceptional skills in farming, foraging and woodworking. Spend time in the community, gaining a deeper understanding of the past, present and future of the community. Return to the hotel for an afternoon of leisure.

Depart early this morning for an overland drive from Chiang Rai to The Rose of the North, Chiang Mai. Head to Mae Tang, a rural community tucked in the city's surrounding hills to visit a Lisu village. A resident from the hill tribe will guide you through the village, an amazing opportunity to learn about the customs of this small, but thriving community. You'll visit Ton Lung temple, an herbal garden and meet the community's spiritual healer. A fresh, delicious lunch will be served at the Lisu Lodge. In the afternoon, visit Araksa Tea Garden. A tea guide and plucker will introduce to every facet of the tea process, including taking part in plucking the leaves from the rows of plants. Overnight at Lisu Lodge, a comfortable community stay.

After breakfast and check-out, you'll spend some time in Ban Lorcha, an Akha tribal village where the residents still live in simple huts with thatched walls. Continue your journey into the forested mountain landscapes of Chiang Dao National Park where an experienced guide will show you the impressive stalactites, stalagmites and other geological formations of the Chiang Dao Caves. Venerated for centuries by local residents, the entrance to these caverns is marked by statues and other Buddhist offerings. In the village of Ban Pang Daeng, you'll meet members of the Palong community who came to the region from Burma in the 1980s to escape the fighting between government and rebel forces. The Palong are regarded for their extraordinary weaving skills and many villagers, especially the women, still prefer their traditional, very colorful dress. Then continue to Chiang Mai for a leisurely 3-night stay at our stylish hotel. This evening is free for you to enjoy and dine as you wish.

This morning offers a special opportunity to learn all about Buddhism. You'll have a morning meet-up with a local monk to discuss every facet of Buddhism and how it intertwines with Thai culture. The serene atmosphere is the perfect place to discuss meditation, the search for enlightenment, the eight-fold path, and how these core beliefs impact how Thais interact on a daily basis. Return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Led by a charismatic family, the Lanna cooking experience blends a hands-on cooking class with a real-life look into a Thai life. Under guidance of the various family members, you'll create some traditional northern Thai dishes from scratch. Afterwards, sit down at the family table for dinner.

Today’s exploration takes us into the heart of northern Thailand’s rich artisanal heritage with a journey through vibrant San Khampaeng. In this celebrated district near Chiang Mai—the birthplace of many time-honored crafts—we’ll visit working studios, galleries, and family-run workshops where generations of artisans continue to shape the region’s cultural identity. As we explore, we’ll witness the intricate processes behind Thailand’s most iconic crafts. With ample time for browsing and shopping, you’ll have the chance to take home a lasting memento of Chiang Mai’s proud artisanal legacy. After lunch at local Thai restaurant the rest of your day will be at leisure.

Enjoy a free morning until you transfer to the airport for a short included flight back to Bangkok. After arriving to your riverside hotel, you'll have the remainder of the afternoon free. This evening say farewell to Thailand in style, aboard a classic rice barge that has been converted into an elegant dinner cruise. Enjoy a sumptuous meal as you ply the Chao Phraya River, admiring the twinkling lights of Thailand's capital.

You will be taken to the airport this morning for your onward flight, or continue with us on a privately-arranged extension.