The most beautiful of Thailand: between nature, discovery and seaside

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Bangkok and first visits

  We will be waiting for you at Bangkok airport. You have nothing to worry about: the airport is simple and, once you go out, you are automatically channeled toward gate 3, where everyone waits for arrivals. In principle, most flights arrive early in the morning. When we have the whole group with us, we will take our van to go to our hotel. The hotel is located in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods of Bangkok. Very comfortable, it has the particularity of being quite central. Free morning. We will have lunch near the Grand Palace before visiting it, as well as Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Probably the most visited monument in Thailand, the Grand Palace of Bangkok is the place where every visitor must go at least once in their life. Construction of the Grand Palace began in 1782, under the reign of King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri dynasty, to become a royal residence. It has since been the greatest architectural symbol of Thailand. The Grand Palace served as an important royal residence until 1925 and is now used for ceremonial purposes only. The Grand Palace is divided into three main zones: the outer court, which houses the royal offices, public buildings and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; the middle court, where the most important residential and state buildings are located; and the inner court, which is exclusively reserved for the king, his queen and his consorts. The main attraction of the outer court is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the residence of Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist sculpture: Phra Kaeo Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), which was carved from highly pure green jade, located amid golden sculptures, ornaments and frescoes of the main ordination hall. Located in the center of the middle court is the Chakri-Mahaprasat Throne Hall, which was commissioned by King Rama V to become his residence and a grand throne hall. Construction began in 1876 and was completed in 1882, revealing an exceptional architectural style combining the European structure and tiles, as well as the traditional spires of Thai roofs. The interior features sophisticated decorations inspired by the European Renaissance, adorned with royal portraits of the monarchs of the Chakri dynasty. The building now serves only for state functions and royal ceremonies. Dress code: visitors must dress appropriately. The following clothing is strictly not allowed: 1) Shorts, miniskirts, short skirts, tight pants and tights 2) See-through shirts and blouses, as well as capri pants 3) Sleeveless shirts or vests 4) Sandals (without ankle or heel straps) 5) Shirts with rolled-up sleeves 6) Jogging and sweatpants, windbreakers, sports pants Shoulders must be covered. Return in the late afternoon and dinner at the hotel or nearby.

• day 2

  Jim Thompson House and the Thonburi klongs

  After breakfast, departure at 8:30 for the Klongs (Bangkok canals whose boat-buses make it possible to get around off the land routes). These boat-buses are popular with Bangkok residents, because they allow, depending on where one wants to go, to go obviously much faster than by land, traffic jams not existing. From our pier, we will reach the station where Jim Thompson’s house is located. You will be immersed in the everyday life of Bangkok residents, of very middle class (the wealthier take taxis), and will be impressed by the dexterity of the employees on board in charge of collecting tickets. Indeed, when passing under the many bridges, these employees, walking on the edge of the boat on the outside, must duck or risk being decapitated... The helmet they are saddled with is not of much use to them, but it must be said that accidents are truly very rare, as they are so used to it. Jim Thompson House In its green setting, sitting on the bank of the Saen Saeb canal, the house would no doubt have disappeared without a bequest left by an American named Jim Thompson. His elegant residential enclave, made up of six traditional Thai teak houses, transported from Ayutthaya and from Bangkok’s Ban Krua community, echoes Jim Thompson’s 30-year love affair with the art and cultural heritage of Southeast Asia. Trained as an architect and an avid collector of Asian art objects, Jim Thompson’s keen eyes and flair for design breathed life into everything he touched. After his discharge from military service in 1946, Jim Thompson decided to settle in Thailand, where he devoted more than 30 years to the revival of Thai silk and introduced it to the most respectable fashion houses in the world, in Paris, New York, London and Milan. The same goes for his Thai house, which was not an ordinary teak house, but a complex filled with incongruous collections of antiques, almost a museum, and which embodies Jim Thompson’s life and his passions. One day, in 1967, when he was at the height of his success, he mysteriously disappeared in the Malaysian jungle, and thus began Jim Thompson’s legacy... Master of his own craft As you stroll from one room to another, you cannot help but admire Jim Thompson’s thoughtful eclecticism and meticulous attention to detail. His sophisticated taste and deep knowledge of Southeast Asian art shine through the rare collections of antiques and art, tastefully placed in each room, which enrich the overall atmosphere rather than simply showing his wealth. While respecting local traditions and customs, he was not a slave to them either. The staircase and bathrooms are located inside, rather than outside, as is normally found in traditional Thai houses. The satellite houses, which would normally be connected by an open area, are all grouped under one roof with a covered passage. And the decorative window panels, which traditionally face outward, face inward. Jim Thompson’s skillful adaptation of the local style according to his Western upbringing was years ahead of its time, giving a timeless twist to what would otherwise be labeled as “classic” or simply “colonial”. The Jim Thompson brand After Jim Thompson’s mysterious disappearance, a Court-appointed administrator, who 10 years later became the James HW Thompson Foundation, took charge of his house and his property. Today, the Jim Thompson brand also extends to an art center, a souvenir shop, a restaurant and a café, as well as banquet facilities located in the same neighborhood. With an outdoor terrace by the canal, the elegantly appointed Araya Hall hosts gatherings of 40 to 80 people, whether it is a corporate function, a meeting, a fashion show, a wedding banquet, a press conference, private lunches or dinners. We will have lunch near Jim Thompson’s house, then we will head to the Thonburi district for a special experience: visiting the klongs. These klongs have kept all their authenticity, and you can see, on the sides, old and quite particular dwellings. You also very often encounter monitor lizards, which are part of the scenery. Here you are in an atmosphere of calm, in the countryside, among a very welcoming population that sees very few tourists. We can see orchards, small orchid nurseries, gardens... Another world in a megacity. Very surprising. The excursion lasts 3h and is really worth experiencing. Return to our hotel around 17:30 and dinner around the hotel.

• day 3

  Bang Pa-In Royal Palace and visit of Ayutthaya before flying to Chiang Mai.

  We will leave around 8:30 for Ayutthaya in a private van. Less than one hundred kilometers from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is today a small, peaceful “prefecture” of 80,000 inhabitants. But at its peak, this former royal capital had 1 million souls... It was the flagship city of all of Southeast Asia in the 17th century. European kings then sent ambassadors there, and the city attracted merchants from Japan to Western Europe. Founded in 1351, it was totally destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. What remains from that era are the ruins of the temples, scattered throughout the modern city, as well as the accounts left by foreign visitors, who described it as of an unforgettable splendor or compared it to Venice because of the presence of its many canals at the time. The kingdom of Siam then extended beyond the current borders of Thailand. For more than four centuries, Ayutthaya was the royal capital. Thirty-three sovereigns from various dynasties reigned over this vast territory, before the fall of Ayutthaya during one of the many wars against the Burmese and the relocation of the capital to Thonburi. You will first visit, on the way, Bang Pa-In, the summer royal palace, before arriving in Ayutthaya. You will visit the three main temples (the Temple of Victory, the Mahathat Temple and the Srisanphet Temple), as well as, of course, the historical park, at your own pace. We will have lunch in Ayutthaya. We will leave Ayutthaya around 15:30 to go to Bangkok airport. We will take our flight to Chiang Mai at 18:40, for an arrival at 20:00, i.e. around 21:00 at our hotel. Our hotel is in the center of the old town, very well located and very comfortable, with a swimming pool and an on-site restaurant. We will have dinner near the hotel upon arrival.

• day 4

  Wat Phra Lat and Doi Suthep, as well as an orchid farm and temples of the old city.

  We will leave at 8:30am to go visit Wat Phra Lat. This temple is located about 20 min from the city and has the particularity of being in a very beautiful forest environment and of total tranquility, because it is little known. It is a rather surprising place and a visit really to do when you are in Chiang Mai. After visiting Wat Phra Lat, we will go to the famous Doi Suthep temple. This temple, at a significant altitude, is a must-see in Chiang Mai and offers a fantastic view over the city. The brave can climb the 300 steps; otherwise, for the others, there is a cable car allowing you to save your energy (often, you go up in a “mechanized” way and come down on foot, much easier...). After visiting the temple, we will go visit a very beautiful orchid farm. You will see here all the kinds of orchids present in Thailand, with, moreover, a butterfly reserve that feeds on the orchids. It is really a very beautiful spectacle. We can have lunch on site, where the restaurant offers a very good buffet. In the afternoon, back in Chiang Mai, we will leave by TUK TUK (it is essential to take a tuk-tuk when you are in Thailand, and it provides work for the local population) to go visit the Wat Chedi Luang temple, which is one of the most beautiful temples in Chiang Mai. The majesty of the place and the calm are also pleasant. Easy to access, the temple is located in the city center. The visit lasts between 1 and 2 h, depending on the time you want to spend there. We will then go visit the Wat Phra Singh temple, which is a must-see in Chiang Mai. It is a very beautiful temple gilded with fine gold, where the monks like to talk if you wish; some visitors can also be introduced to meditation. We will finish with the visit of Wat Chiang Man, which is a small temple, but very beautiful, with its elephant sculptures. Lunch in the old city. We will return to the hotel between 5pm and 6pm, then we will go have dinner nearby or at the night market.

• day 5

  Elephant day in an ethical sanctuary.

  We will be picked up at the hotel by the elephant reserve’s van. We will go to a reserve where the elephants do not work, do not take part in games or shows, but are simply treated well. They are taken in here and sometimes rescued from abuse. They will pick us up at 8 a.m. at our hotel to go to the reserve, located about 1h30 away by road. On the way, we will be able to admire very beautiful landscapes. During this afternoon, in addition to taking care of the elephants, we will also take a mud bath with them, to finish in the river. We will therefore need to bring a change of clothes to get dressed after the bath, as well as a swimsuit, of course… Here, we do not ride the elephants, because it is suffering for them, but we simply take care of them and play with them. Note that we will have a traditional meal for lunch, prepared by a woman from the Akha tribe, because here we are in Akha country, with many small hamlets lost in the mountains. If you have cameras or video cameras, we can take care of them during the swim. We have a waterproof bag planned for going into the water (even though we are not going into the water with the devices, of course…) It is truly a magical moment, and you should know that the funds collected by the payment of the packages are mainly used for the rescue and upkeep of the elephants, as well as for the simple life of those who live here. We will be back at the hotel around 5:30 p.m. and we will have dinner at the hotel or nearby.

• day 6

  Suan Lahu organic farm and Mu Seu tribe tribal village.

  We will leave at 7am in a private van to visit an organic coffee farm in the mountains, 90 km north of Chiang Mai. On site, we will be able to visit the coffee plantation and have the particularities of this crop explained to us. We will be expected and will be the only visitors (lunch included). After the visit and lunch, we will go to the village next door, of the Mu Seu tribe, where the inhabitants are charming and really very kind. On the way back down, when we reach the main road, we will make a stop at the « hot springs ». This area is volcanic and hot water springs emerge from the bowels of the earth. You will see egg vendors who offer to cook eggs in the spring… original… We will be back around 16h30 – 17h at our hotel and we will have dinner in the old town.

• day 7

  Transfer to Khao Sok National Park

  We will leave the hotel at 9:30 to go to the airport. We will take our flight at 11:10 to Surat Thani, where we will arrive at 13:00. We will arrive at our hotel around 14:30. We will be able to have lunch upon arrival. Free late afternoon, with the possibility of a walk in the surroundings of the hotel. Our hotel, of very good comfort, also has the advantage of being near the dam where the pier is located to visit the lake, and not far from the trek departures. The lake is very large, and it is interesting not to have to do 2h of driving to do an activity, and thus contribute to less pollution. We will have dinner at the hotel restaurant.

• day 8

  One-day trek in the jungle with a ranger guide.

  We will leave in the morning for a day in the jungle with a ranger guide (it is forbidden to leave without a guide, for safety reasons). The guide will know how to show us the most beautiful things of the fauna and flora, which are very protected here. Khao Sok National Park is indeed one of the only ones in Southeast Asia to have a jungle that is still very pristine and very authentic. We will have lunch in the jungle and will be back in the late afternoon at our hotel, where we will have dinner.

• day 9

  Excursion day on Lake Khao Sok.

  We will leave in the morning for a day trip on the lake. We will have lunch in a floating house where we can swim. We will then canoe along the Sok River to the cave, which we will reach after a short hike. We will be back in the late afternoon.

• day 10

  Transfer to Koh Lanta island.

  We will leave the hotel around 8 a.m. to take the road to Krabi, where we will arrive at the “Lam Kruat Pier” port around 11 a.m. We will take a van and a ferry to get to the island of Koh Lanta, where we will arrive at our hotel around 2 p.m. We will have lunch upon our arrival. Our hotel, very comfortable, is located 1 minute from the beach. It is very quiet, with a magnificent environment and a swimming pool. We will be able to have meals around the hotel, where there are many local restaurants, or elsewhere, as we go on our walks or excursions.

• day 11

  Island tour day and snorkeling.

  We will leave the hotel at 8:00, where a van will come to pick us up to take us to the port in order to board for a day of discovery and snorkeling. We will visit 5 islands among the most beautiful and the best snorkeling spots: Ko Mook, Ko Chueak, Ko Waen, Ko Kradan and Ko Ngai. At Ko Mook, you will be amazed by the visit to the Emerald Cave. You will swim through a tunnel (the guide will light the way and you will be in single file, for safety reasons, wearing a life jacket). The tunnel will reveal truly emerald-colored water, hence the name of the cave. It is a fantastic spectacle. After about a hundred meters, you will arrive in an ancient volcanic crater where there is a small beach. Here, no sun, because the crater is narrow, but the summit is very high, with an image comparable to the film Avatar and its tree-like plants clinging to the cliff. Cameras, video cameras, iPhones and other objects will be placed in a waterproof bag so that you can take photos on the beach. At the different snorkeling spots, you will be able to see big fish, barracudas, parrotfish and many other colorful species. We will have lunch on the way (on board the boat or on one of the islands), where a buffet will be served to us. Return planned around 17h.

• day 12

  Free day in Koh Lanta

  We will be there to guide you, explain things to you, and find the best excursions or activities for you.

• day 13

  Return to Bangkok

  Departure at noon from the hotel to reach Krabi airport. Our flight departs at 15h40 to arrive in Bangkok at 17h. We will have lunch at the airport.