Thailand Cultural Colors

Duration: 10 days

Highlights: BANGKOK, CHIANG MAI, PHUKET
• Immerse in Thai cities, temples and traditions
• Encounter northern Thai nature and culture
• Bask in the tropical island lifestyle of Phuket

Description: Experience the best of Thailand from city to mountain and beach on this exciting 10-day journey. Experience the vibrant energy of Bangkok, visiting the Grand Palace and surrounding temples and take a step back in time to explore the old Thai capital of Ayutthaya. Then head north to bask in the captivating culture of Chiang Mai before heading to the beach in Phuket for snorkeling and swimming in the dazzling Andaman Sea.

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This tour is a recommended sample itinerary that can be fully customized to your preferred dates, time frame, hotels and interests. Contact your preferred travel agent for more information.

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Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Bangkok

Welcome to Bangkok! You are greeted with Fast Track service on arrival followed by a private transfer to your hotel.

In the evening, experience Bangkok’s buzzing nightlife with One Night in Bangkok, complete with well-crafted cocktails, city skyline views and a gastronomic Thai meal! Start with sundowners on the 78th floor of one of the city’s tallest buildings and step onto the sky-high glass platform to see the city lights beneath your feet. For dinner, savor authentic Thai flavors by a Michelin star chef whose inspired menu takes you on a journey through Thailand, with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients such as organic rice paddy crab or squid from a small fishing village in southern Thailand.

Overnight: Bangkok

Meal Plan: D

Day 2 - Bangkok

Take a journey back in time to discover historical treasures in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ayutthaya, Thailand´s former capital which prospered between the 14th and 18th centuries. Wander the landscaped gardens of Bang Pa In Summer Palace, a former retreat for Thai kings, and admire the iconic floating pavilion. Stop for a coffee at a riverside café and explore the remains of red brick temples in the old town as well as a Buddha head wrapped inside the roots of a tree at Wat Mahathat. Visit a local café, discover the former Grand Palace and try a local pancake-like treat made by local vendors. Then sit down for a leisurely lunch with views of nearby temples and river life before continuing to another towering old chedi that inspired the design of many temples in Bangkok.

Overnight: Bangkok

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 3 - Bangkok

Experience Bangkok of Old and uncover the quintessence of Thai culture, a city steeped in spiritual and regal tradition. Arrive at the glittering Grand Palace when it opens to beat the crowds. See a highly revered Emerald Buddha statue known locally as Wat Phra Kaew then continue to one of our favorite intimate museums, the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, which displays a selection of ball gowns and fashionable pieces from the Queen Mother’s elegant wardrobe. Zip through the streets by tuk tuk to see the impressive 46-meter (150-foot) long reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and unwind with an hour-long foot massage at one of the city's leading traditional Thai massage centers. Head to a trendy local restaurant for a home-style Thai cuisine lunch.

Overnight: Bangkok

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 4 - Bangkok - Chiang Mai

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai and enjoy private transfer to your hotel. Chiang Mai, the cultural heart of northern Thailand, is a land of misty mountains and colorful hill tribes where the kings of the Lanna civilization once held court. Reaching the height of prosperity between the 13th to 18th centuries, the city is home to centuries-old artistic traditions and numerous history-filled temples framed by crumbling red-brick city walls, distant rice fields, teak forests and the Ping River in the east.

Overnight: Chiang Mai

Meal Plan: B

Day 5 - Chiang Mai

Engage with northern Thailand's rich tribal culture and spend time in a remote ethnic community. After a one-hour drive from Chiang Mai, you are welcomed at an eco-lodge surrounded by lush, green mountains. Learn about the community-based project here that aims to conserve the heritage of Chiang Mai’s ethnic minorities and hear a bit about everyday life in this typical Thai hill tribe. Take a stroll around the village, stopping at the temple for lovely views of the community’s herbal garden, and visit the Shaman’s house for an introduction to hill tribe curing rites and herbal medicines. Continue to a nearby tea plantation to try your hand at harvesting tea leaves with the resident tea pluckers and witness the traditional processing method. Sip aromatic Assam tea while enjoying a delicious lunch made with fresh ingredients from the garden and soak up the breathtaking countryside views. 

Return to Chiang Mai in the afternoon. Stop by a busy marketplace to browse the local specialties such as northern Thai spicy sausage and other regional produce before enjoying a trishaw ride around the old town. Visit Wat Phra Singh, one of the city's most revered temples, and drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a mountaintop temple that overlooks the city.

Overnight: Chiang Mai

Meal Plan: B

Day 6 - Chiang Mai

Immerse in the beauty and nature of Chiang Mai’s north-western Mae Rim district, where colorful Thai flora meets traditional culture. Discover sustainable agriculture and local vegetable farming at a hill tribe village that thrives as part of the Royal Project, a Thai royal family initiative that supports the livelihood of remote villagers. Then explore the curated gardens and glasshouses of the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden where wild orchids, colorful water lilies and sweet-smelling gingers are showcased alongside rare, endemic and endangered native species. Enjoy lunch at a writer’s “secret garden” before heading back to Chiang Mai.

Enjoy an enchanting northern Thai night, sipping cocktails over canapés as the setting sun casts shadows across the peaceful Ping River. Unwind and watch the world go by from the venue’s riverside terrace or bar where live music fills the air. Then try out your bargaining skills at a bustling night bazaar where you can browse a range of locally-made arts and crafts and other unique souvenirs. For dinner, feast on northern-style cuisine at one of the city’s leading restaurants.  

Overnight: Chiang Mai

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7 - Chiang Mai to Phuket

Fly to Phuket and enjoy private transfer to your preferred hotel on the island. Framed by the sparkling waters of Andaman Sea, Phuket is a haven of tropical beaches, idyllic rainforests and mountainous landscapes. An excellent base for diving and snorkeling among nearby Phang Nga Bay's limestone karsts, crystal lagoons and vibrant coral reefs, the island also contains an interesting old town lined with Sino-Portuguese shophouses that hark back to the glory days of tin-mining.

Overnight: Phuket

Meal Plan: B

Day 8 - Phuket

Transfer to the pier to begin your speedboat adventure to the exciting Similan Islands. Surrounded by the Andaman Sea, the beautiful archipelago lies just 84 kilometers (52 miles) northwest of Phuket and is considered among the world’s top dive spots. Witness the spectacular tropical scenery and discover exotic marine life below the water's surface. The islands here are ideal for snorkeling or trekking and you can swim among colorful coral and tropical fish in areas often visited by sea turtles and clown fish. Enjoy a simple lunch along the way. Then return to Phuket in the late afternoon.

Please note: The cruise program may change depending on weather and tide conditions. The Similan Islands are open from mid October to mid May. Cruise experiences around Phuket can be arranged as an alternative.

Overnight: Phuket

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 9 - Phuket

Cruise to the Phi Phi Islands by premium Catamaran to explore the underwater world and islands of the Andaman Sea. Enjoy snorkeling and swimming among the colorful fish and vibrant coral reefs at Monkey Beach. Lounge on the Catamaran's sundeck while passing Camel Rock and Nui Bay. Relax at Tonsai Bay where you have time enjoy the beach or take a stroll through the village shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. A buffet lunch is served at a local restaurant. Later, head to Phi Phi Leh Island for more snorkeling and swimming. Then take the Catamaran back to Phuket where you can shower and change before transferring back to your hotel.

Please note: The cruise program may change depending on weather and tide conditions.

Overnight: Phuket

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 10 - Depart Phuket

Make the most of your final moments in this tropical island paradise. Then check out and transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight. 

Overnight:

Meal Plan: B

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