13-DAY TOUR - THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF THAILAND - BETWEEN NATURE, DISCOVERY AND BEACH

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 exit, you are automatically directed to gate 3 where everyone waits for arrivals. We will have a sign with the indication "SIAM HOLIDAYS", no chance of missing us. In the unlikely event that this happens, just call this number: +66 890 966 052. 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 popular districts 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 every visitor must go at least once in their life. The 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. Since then, it has been the greatest architectural symbol of Thailand. The Grand Palace served as an important royal residence until 1925 and is now used only for ceremonial purposes. The Grand Palace is divided into three main areas: 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 the most sacred Buddhist sculpture in Thailand: Phra Kaeo Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), which was carved from high-purity green jade, situated among 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 European structure and tiles as well as traditional Thai roof spires. 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, mini-skirts, short skirts, tight pants, and leggings 2) Transparent shirts and blouses, as well as capri pants 3) Sleeveless shirts or vests 4) Sandals (without ankle or heel straps) 5) Rolled-up sleeve shirts 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 am for the Klongs (canals in Bangkok where the boat-buses allow you to travel outside of the land routes). These boat-buses are popular with Bangkok residents because, depending on where you want to go, they obviously allow you to get there much faster than by land, as there are no traffic jams. From our pier, we will head to the station where Jim Thompson's house is located. You will be immersed in the everyday life of Bangkok's very middle-class residents (the wealthiest take taxis) and will be impressed by the dexterity of the employees on board who are in charge of collecting tickets. Indeed, when passing under the many bridges, these employees, walking on the edge of the boat outside, must duck or risk being decapitated… The helmet they wear is not very useful, but it must be said that accidents are extremely 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 legacy left by an American named Jim Thompson. His elegant residential enclave, composed of six traditional Thai teak houses, transported from Ayutthaya and the Ban Krua community of Bangkok, echoes Jim Thompson's 30-year love affair with the art and cultural heritage of Southeast Asia. An architect by training and an avid collector of Asian art objects, Jim Thompson's sharp eye and flair for design brought life to everything he touched. After his release 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, but one that embodies the life of Jim Thompson and his passions. One day, in 1967, while at the height of his success, he mysteriously disappeared in the Malaysian jungle, and thus began the legacy of Jim Thompson... Master of his own craft As you walk from room to room, you can't 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 ambiance rather than simply displaying his wealth. While respecting local traditions and customs, he was not a slave to them either. The staircase and bathrooms are 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 the mysterious disappearance of Jim Thompson, a court-appointed administrator, who became the James HW Thompson Foundation 10 years later, took over the management of his house and assets. 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 open-air 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 and then head to the Thonburi district for a special experience: visiting the klongs. These klongs have retained all their authenticity and you can see old and quite unique houses on the sides. You also very often encounter monitor lizards that are part of the scenery. Here, you are in a calm atmosphere, in the countryside and 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 3 hours and is really worth experiencing. Return to our hotel around 5:30 pm and dinner near the hotel.

• day 3

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

  We will leave around 8:30 am for Ayutthaya in a private van. Less than one hundred kilometers from Bangkok, Ayutthaya is today a small "prefecture" of 80,000 inhabitants, peaceful. But at its peak, this former royal capital had 1 million souls... It was the flagship city of all Southeast Asia in the 17th century. European kings sent ambassadors there, and the city attracted merchants from Japan to Western Europe. Founded in 1351, it was completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. What remains from that era are the ruins of temples, scattered throughout the modern city, and the accounts left by foreign visitors who described it as of unforgettable splendor, or compared it to Venice because 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 ruled over this vast territory, before the fall of Ayutthaya during one of the many wars against the Burmese, and the move of the capital to Thonburi. You will first visit, on the way, Bang Pa-In, the royal summer palace, before arriving in Ayutthaya. You will visit the three main temples (the Temple of Victory, the Mahathat Temple, and the Srisanphet Temple), with of course the historical park, at your own pace. We will have lunch in Ayutthaya. We will leave Ayutthaya around 3:30 pm to go to Bangkok airport. We will take our flight to Chiang Mai at 6:40 pm for an arrival at 8:00 pm, so around 9:00 pm at our hotel. Our hotel is in the center of the old city, very well located and very comfortable, with a swimming pool and a restaurant on site. 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 8:30 am to visit Wat Phra Lat. This temple is located about 20 minutes from the city and is unique in that it is in a very beautiful forest environment and is totally peaceful, as it is little known. It is quite a surprising place and a visit you really must do when 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 of the city. The brave can climb the 300 steps, otherwise for others, there is a cable car to save your energy (often, people go up by "mechanical means" and walk down, which is much easier...). After visiting the temple, we will visit a very beautiful orchid farm. Here you will see all kinds of orchids found in Thailand, with, in addition, a butterfly reserve where butterflies pollinate the orchids. It is truly a beautiful sight. 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's essential to ride a tuk tuk when in Thailand and it supports the local population) to 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. Easily accessible, the temple is located in the city center. The visit lasts between 1 and 2 hours depending on how much time you want to spend there. We will then visit the Wat Phra Singh temple, which is a must-see in Chiang Mai. A very beautiful temple gilded with fine gold where the monks like to chat if you wish, and some visitors can try meditation. We will finish with a visit to Wat Chiang Man, which is a small temple but very beautiful with its elephant sculptures. Lunch in the old town. We will return to the hotel between 5 pm and 6 pm and will go for 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 van. We will go to a reserve where the elephants do not work, do not participate in games or shows, but are simply well treated. They are taken in here and sometimes rescued from mistreatment. We will be picked up at 8am at our hotel to go to the reserve, which is about 1h30 away by road. On the way, we will be able to admire very beautiful landscapes. During this afternoon, besides taking care of the elephants, we will also take a mud bath with them, finishing in the river. So you will need to bring a change of clothes for 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 bathing. We have a waterproof bag planned for going into the water (even if we do not go into the water with the devices, of course…) It is truly a magical moment and you should know that the funds collected from the payment of the packages are mainly used for the protection and care of the elephants, as well as for the basic needs of those who live here. We will be back at the hotel around 5:30pm and 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. Once there, 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 nearby village, home to the Mu Seu tribe, where the inhabitants are charming and truly very kind. On the way back down, as we reach the main road, we will make a stop at the "hot spring". This area is a volcanic zone and hot springs emerge from the depths of the earth. You will see egg vendors offering to cook eggs in the spring... original... We will be back around 4:30 – 5:00 pm at our hotel and will have dinner in the old town.

• day 7

  Transfer to Khao Sok National Park

  We will leave the hotel at 9:30 am to go to the airport. We will take our flight at 11:10 am to Surat Thani, where we will arrive at 1:00 pm. We will arrive at our hotel around 2:30 pm. We will be able to have lunch upon arrival. Free late afternoon with the possibility of a walk around the hotel. Our hotel, which is very comfortable, also has the advantage of being near the dam where the pier to visit the lake is located, and not far from the trek departures. The lake is very large and it is interesting not to have to drive 2 hours to do an activity, thus contributing 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 go without a guide, for safety reasons). The guide will be able to show us the most beautiful aspects of the fauna and flora, which are very well protected here. The 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 return in the late afternoon to 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 raft house where we can swim. We will then canoe along the Sok River to the cave, which we will reach after a short (and brief) hike. We will be back in the late afternoon.

• day 10

  Transfer to Koh Lanta island.

  We will leave the hotel around 8am to head to Krabi, where we will arrive at the "Lam Kruat Pier" port around 11am. We will take a van and a ferry to get to the island of Koh Lanta, where we will arrive at our hotel around 2pm. We will have lunch upon arrival. Our hotel, very comfortable, is 1 minute from the beach. It is very quiet, with a beautiful 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 wish during our walks or excursions.

• day 11

  Island tour day and snorkeling.

  We will leave the hotel at 8:00 am, where a van will pick us up to take us to the port 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 go in single file for safety reasons, equipped with a life jacket). The tunnel will reveal truly emerald-colored water, hence the name of the cave. It is a fantastic sight. After about a hundred meters, you will arrive in an ancient volcanic crater where there is a small beach. Here, there is no sunlight because the crater is narrow, but the top is very high, with a scene comparable to the movie Avatar and its tree-like plants clinging to the cliff. Cameras, camcorders, iPhones, and other items will be placed in a waterproof bag so 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. Return scheduled around 5:00 pm.

• 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 go to Krabi airport. Our flight leaves at 3:40 pm to arrive in Bangkok at 5 pm. We will have lunch at the airport.