DAY ONE

Upon arrival in Bangkok, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

You will have the night at your leisure.

 

 DAY TWO

After breakfast in your hotel, you will go on a tour to visit two famous Buddhist temples in Bangkok.  Experience Wat Trimit with its Golden Buddha, Wat Po, with its massive reclining Buddha and ‘Chedi of the Kings’ as well as The Grand Palace including Wat Phra Kaew.

This afternoon, lunch will be provided at Supattra River House Restaurant.  Following lunch, travel by long tail speedboat on the picturesque Chao Phraya River and Klongs (canals) of Thonburi and stop to visit the Temple of Dawn.

Spend your first evening in Thailand at Chinatown on Yaowarat Night Foodie Walk & Culture Tour.  This tour will show you local life in the 200-year-old district of Chinatown in Thailand, through its rich ethnic tradition and delicious food.  During the tour, you will walk to explore and taste local cuisines from seven famous eateries, varied from street food vendors to renowned fine dining restaurants.

 

 DAY THREE

Set off this morning with a trip to visit one of the best markets in the world, “Or Tor Kor Market”. Experience how markets play a major role in Thai community life and see the fruits, vegetables, curry pastes, salted fish and ready-to-eat Thai delicacies on offer. You will observe the local market life and will be schooled on how to spot fresh local products and ingredients.

You will then proceed to one of the most popular cooking schools in Bangkok. Located in the heart of Bangkok, the Blue Elephant Cooking School welcomes you to a dazzling century old mansion where you will discover and experience the culinary wonders of Royal Thai Cuisine.  The Blue Elephant Cooking School has fully equipped facilities offering you the chance to try your hand at practicing Thai Cuisine. Here you can taste and enjoy your own culinary creation in a convivial Thai setting at the Blue Elephant Restaurant.

Following your culinary experience, you will return to your hotel for refreshment.  You will have the remainder of the day at your leisure.

 

 DAY FOUR

 This day you will be transferred to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport in order to board your flight to Chiang Mai.

Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check in and refreshment.

Following check in, lunch will be provided at a local restaurant. Later this day, drive through different parts of the city, passing markets, residential areas and Chiang Mai’s main street. Visit the famous hillside Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Phra Sing, Wat Suan Dok and Wat Chedi Luang.

You will have the evening at your leisure with dinner provided in the hotel.

 

 DAY FIVE

Start your day off with a tour to Chiang Mai’s famous food market exploring local culinary treasures as an inspiration for your class. Once back at Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai resort, Chef will bring you to the resort vegetable and herb garden where you will pick the ingredients for your class. At the cooking class you will learn many of the secrets of Lanna herbs and spices, including chili, lemongrass and curry.  You will also learn how to recreate recipes that reflect the tradition and culture of Thailand. Our instruction culminates with a celebratory lunch.  We will then leave the culinary academy to head back to the hotel.

Set off this evening with the trip to the former capital of the Lanna kingdom, Chiang Mai. This evening excursion provides an insight into the culinary heritage of the “Rose of the North”. You will embark on a guided tour where you will sample the delights of Chiang Mai cuisine, including various mouthwatering local snacks, and the delicious kao soi – a delicious coconut curry noodle dish that is unique to Chiang Mai. Afterwards you have the option to visit the night market, where your guide can assist you should you want some help with bartering, or searching for particular items.

 

 DAY SIX

In a beautiful jungle setting, approximately 60-km north of Chiang Mai on the banks of the Ping River, lies the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp. You will witness an enthralling display of elephant training and tricks as the trainers (mahouts) command their respective elephants to display the skills they once used in the logging industry. As the elephants no longer work in the forestry industry, this camp gives the jumbos a better way of life.

After a short elephant ride, take to the river on bamboo rafts. To glide effortlessly and silently along the river on a bamboo raft is a wonderful experience and a great way to relax after the exhilaration of elephant riding.   Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and following this excursion you will have the rest of the day at your leisure.

 

 DAY SEVEN

Today, you will be transferred to Chiang Mai Airport in order to board your domestic flight to Phuket.  Upon arrival in Phuket, you will transfer to your hotel where you can enjoy refreshments. Afterwards, take a short drive to the center of Phuket where lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

After lunch, begin your exploration of the Phuket town on foot.  This area is rich in culture and architecture that is unique in Thailand.  You will walk through Rommanee Alley where scenes in the famous Good Morning Vietnam movie and many more were filmed. Walking along the roads, you will be marveled at the old but well-preserved Sino-Portuguese buildings.

You will visit a local market, a true Thai treat that assaults the senses.  Here, colorful characters hawk condiments, dried herbs and spices.  They also proudly display pungent pickled kapi, fish, squirming eels and succulent durians.  Be prepared for a sensory overload.

Following your visit to the local market you will return to your hotel for refreshments.  Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

 

 DAY EIGHT

You will have the morning at your leisure before continuing your trip with an excursion to Hong Island via private charter.  There are 42 islands in the Phang-Nga Bay National Park and this cruise gives the best view of this fascinating land and seascape. Limestone cliffs rise vertically out of the sea creating a surreal image that is fit for a mythological legend. We use kayaks to visit the tidal caves and washouts called “hongs” which are part of the incredible limestone karst formations that have made the area a backdrop for countless international movies.

In addition to exploring the area, you will also have the opportunity to swim, relax, or even make a Loy Krathong, a decorative float that the Thai people set sail on streams and rivers during the Loi Krathong festival on the evening of the full moon of the 12th month in the traditional Thai lunar calendar (in November).  You can launch your own Krathong under a moonlit, starry night. A buffet lunch and dinner will be served onboard.

En-route back to Phuket, you  will be entertained by “Star Games” on the starlight desk.

 

 DAY NINE

Today, begin your journey to the comfort and serenity of a pristine beach paradise on Sirey Beach.  There you will take a comprehensive Thai cooking course, starting with an introduction to Thai ingredients, a visit to the local market, to actual cooking, with a wide selection of mouth-watering Thai dishes.  This is a true hands-on experience.  The class is conducted with fun and flair and begins with an in-depth discussion of Thai flavorings, followed by tips on selection of herbs and spices.  You will be given the recipes. Following the workshop, enjoy your master dishes for lunch.

You will return to your hotel with the rest of the day at your leisure.

 

 DAY TEN

 You will have the day at your leisure to enjoy the wonders of Phuket.

 

 DAY ELEVEN

Enjoy the day at your leisure in Phuket.  This evening you will have a farewell dinner provided for you at Baan Rim Pa Restaurant.

 

 DAY TWELVE

This day, you will be met and transferred to the Phuket Airport for your flight to Bangkok.

Upon arrival in Bangkok, connect to your international flight home or onto your next Willing Foot destination.