Less Visited Thailand 17 Days 16 Nights

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.

The first destination is the Grand Palace. This huge architecture complex is over 2 sq. kilometers, including 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office and pagodas (Wat) built in 1770s. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is no longer home of Thailand Royal, most of national significant events takes place there. Wat Phra Kaew is the most out-standing architecture in complex, built in 1785 when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. The pagoda is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhism architecture but also for the sacred jade Buddha statue.

Nearby Grand Palace is Wat Pho – the oldest and biggest pagoda in Bangkok with more than 1000 Buddha statues and the huge one sit-back Buddha in gold. This pagoda is also famous for being a birthplace of traditional Thai massage, since there is a traditional medicine school established in 1982, educating the arts of Thai massage.

After having lunch (by your own account), we visit the last destination of the day: Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue represents for prosperity and purity, as well as strength and power.

We will board on a boat to pay a visit along the Chao Phraya River, watching the life of local people close by. On route, we stop at Wat Arun, known as the most beautiful pagoda in Bangkok not only for its location on the Chao Phraya’s riverbank but also for the different architecture from other pagodas. The pagoda was decorated with glass pieces and Chinese ceramic, in a complicated style.

Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.

Early in the morning, we drive to the southwest of Bangkok, visitting the Maeklong railway market, taking photo, and enjoying the local snack in the market before driving to Damnoen Saduak - a rural floating market. Stop for a motor boat trip along the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen Saduak.
 
In the alternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Rai.
 

Breakfast we depart for northern Thailand, a wooded, mountainous and beautiful area. This morning, you will explore the surroundings and the first road you will take is the one that leads to Mae Salong. Climb up and down the green hills, covered with tea plantations. You will taste the delicious tea produced by one of the many plantations of the region, bef. From Doi Mae Salong, you will visit two villages of ethnic minorities: the village Akah of Loyo.
 
After that, have a ride to visit Chiang Saen the ancient city which is located on the Khong River Bank. Visit to Opium museum where show about the opium’s history in the past in Thailand. Have lunch by your own account at the local restaurant at the Golden triangle. Taking a boat trip along Mekong Kong River to see Thailand, Burma & Laos meet at the Golden Triangle.Transfer back to Chiang Rai. Stay overnight in Chiang Rai.

Morning after breakfast, we will visit the local market to discover the local products. After that we visit the world famous Wat Phra Kaew where the Emerald Buddha image was once enshrined. Move on to Wat Phra Singha where one of Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha images is now enshrined. Then short drive from Chiang Rai City to Black House. Baan Dam (Black House) is the unique creation of national artist, Thawan Duchanee. Part art studio, part museum, part home, Baan Dam is an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings interspersed with some outlandish modern designs. 
Lunch on your own and afternoon, visit the white temple, Wat Rong Khun. It nevertheless very recent temple is the most visited monument in the region, the work of Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, started in 1997. Its creator himself announces that he will only be completed 60 to 90 years after his death. Its uniqueness, its whiteness, making it a unique temple of its kind. In wihaan a fresco mixing Buddhist codes with Matrix, Star Wars, the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York and even Kung Fu Panda stands out from the usual decorations such monuments.
Then, we transfer directly to Chiang Mai. Check in hotel and overnight in Chiang Mai.
 
 

Pick up at your hotel at around 8:30 Am, we will head to the Doi Inthanon National Park, passing through various villages, rice fields and orchards. Upon arrival at Inthanon Mountain, we will spend spend 2-3 hours trekking to Thailand’s highest mountain at 2565 meters above sea level. Immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery, impressive waterfalls, and lush mountain forests. We first stop to the summit to see the great twin Royal Pagodas: Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Bhumisiri. Each pagoda also has relics of Buddha. We then visit Wachirathan waterffalls by a short trek along Michael’s Trail. After walk down the hill & have a short break at a local Hmong market, we will have lunch time. In the afternoon, continue to visit Hmong and Karen hill tribe village at Ban Mae Klang Village to observe their still primitive lifestyle. En route we will pass through the farmland where you will see the coffee plantation, flowers farm and the beautiful rice terraces. Transfer back to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

Bamboo rafting
Your trekking guide will pick you up at your hotel or guesthouse for your Chiang Dao private trekking. We will drive into the mountains. On the way, you'll stop at the Mae Ma Lai market. Your guide will do some shopping for the coming days. He will take you along and will explain about the different ingredients used in the Thai kitchen.
Then, continue to a riverside camp on the Tang River where you will make an experience an traditional raft trip. Continue by car to Chiang Dao where we will start trekking.
 
Royal Project at Paang Daeng Nai
We will start our trek with the hike to the Palong village Paang Daeng Nai, which is part of one of the Royal projects. Here the guide will explain about this agricultural project. Lunch will be at the village. There are only a handful of Palong communities in Northern Thailand. The Palong tribe only recently moved from Myanmar to Thailand. The women wear a distinctive costume mostly in red, with rattan hoops and a silver belt worn around the waist.
 
Overnight at the village
Your guide will introduce you to the Thai kitchen and will explain you about all the different herbs we use for the Thai dishes. After that, you can help him to cook dinner. After dinner, he will take you to one of the local houses to tell you the stories about the daily life of the Palong and the history of the village.
Overnight will be at Palong hill tribe village Baan Paang Daeng Nai.
 

Great trekking 
Second day of your Chiang Dao private trekking. After the sounds of nature and the locals woke you up, your guide will prepare breakfast. After breakfast, your guide will show you around the village. He will explain about the village shrine and the ‘huja rawl’, the ‘village heart’. After this, we will continue our trek through the forest about 3-4 hours to another Palong village. Your guide will take his time to explain about the natural environment. We will invite you to recognise wild ginger, rattan and the pitcher plant in the forest and tell you all about bamboo and its many uses.
 
Mae Chon, village of the Palong people
We walk out of the forest into the Mae Chon, another Palong village. Once we have arrived in the village, you can rest for a while or spend some time playing with the children. Your guide will prepare your evening meal for you all, and if you like, you can join him to cook dinner. At the campfire after dinner, it’s time to share some more stories with your guide and the local Palong people.
Overnight will be at Palong hill tribe village Baan Mae Chon.
 

After the sounds of nature and the locals woke you up, your guide will prepare breakfast. After breakfast we will trek about 1.5 hours to the Karen village Thakilek. Along the way we will stop at Lahu village where we will visit the very interesting spirit temple and a black smith.
After this we will continue trekking to the Karen village.
Drive to the foot of Doi Chiang Dao, the 3rd highest mountain in Thailand.  Here we will have lunch in a local restaurant.  Visit the famous Caves of Chiang Dao.
Last stop today will be the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Camp. During an excellent self-guided tour you will see all the stages of the production of paper from elephant dung and learn about the history of papermaking.
Return to Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, our morning tour will be started by a walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will be able to visit the beautiful temples of Chiang Mai Wat Chedi Luang, the impressive ruins of a temple in the center of Chiang Mai which was built in 1411. 
 
We then visit the Doi Suthep hill. You then exercise yourself by ascending the 306 steps to the temple. However, it is very well worth the effort. A panorama view of the city and the surrounding areas can be seen from the temple grounds.
 
In the afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Surat Thani and then transfer to your hotel in Khao Sok for check-in.
 
Enjoy a set dinner and relax in your comfortable jungle accommodation.

After breakfast, choose one of the following adventure options:
Raft Trek & Cave Exploration – A guided trek through the rainforest followed by bamboo rafting and a visit to a local cave. Picnic-style lunch provided.
OR
Elephant Experience – Learn about elephant care and conservation. Enjoy feeding, bathing, and interacting with the elephants in an ethical way. Lunch at the resort included.
In the afternoon, enjoy a Bamboo Cooking Class, preparing traditional Thai dishes using bamboo and local ingredients — your creation will be served as dinner.
After dinner, choose between:
Night Safari – Explore the jungle at night with a local guide to spot nocturnal wildlife, or
Traditional Thai Massage – Relax after your adventurous day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Our Jungle Camp
 
 

After breakfast, depart for the spectacular Cheow Lan Lake.
Enjoy a scenic boat ride across the emerald-green waters, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.
Activities include:
Jungle hike with a local guide
Boat safari to spot wildlife and enjoy the serene scenery
Lunch at the floating raft house
Dinner will be served at your accommodation on the lake.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Superior Raft House on Cheow Lan Lake

After breakfast we will pick up and transfer you to Krabi for your overnight

Today, you are free to explore exotic paradise of Krabi with over 150 islands off its 150km-long coast line (many of them featuring fantastic white-sand beaches and turquoise waters), a jungle-covered interior, towering limestone cliffs, caves

After breakfast pick up and transfer you to Koh Lanta for your overnight

The last day in this beautiful island is on your own. You are free to explore this magnificent island by yourself. You can go swimming, diving or just lazy by the beach

Free & easy until we pick up and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Bangkok and then connect with your international flight