Authentic and sustainable Thailand

Welcome to Thailand! Thailand might almost have been designed with holidays in mind, so blessed is the country with attractions from bustling modern cities to golden tropical beaches. It’s a famously friendly country and known as ‘The Land of Smiles’ thanks to the renowned hospitality of the Thai people. Arrival at Bangkok Airport. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, please follow the Exit signs (Exit B & C). Then go through and turn right. Please, follow the sign “Meeting Point”. You can meet our Tour Guide or Airport Representative who’s holding your welcome sign around the Gate 6 zone. Transfer from Bangkok Airport to Hotel. Rest of day at leisure.

Bangkok Highlight by public transportation (08.00 – 12.00 hours) – with private guide
Exploring Bangkok by public transportation offers a convenient and authentic experience. Start by taking the subway (MRT) to Sanam Chai station, which is close to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, two of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The Grand Palace has no equal and is a must-see for any visitor to Bangkok. Built by King Rama I in 1782, it was the center of power for more than 150 years. Today it is Bangkok’s most celebrated landmark. Within the compound is the Temple of The Emerald Buddha - Wat Pra Kaew, which houses Thailand’s most precious image of the Lord Buddha and The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, an enormous Buddha covered in gold leaf and lying majestically on its side. After visiting these magnificent sites, head to the nearby pier and hop on a public boat along the Chao Phraya River. The scenic ride will take you across the river to Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, which boasts stunning views, especially at sunset. This journey combines culture and the charm of local transit, making it an ideal way to explore the city. Note: You are required to wear proper attire (no bare shoulders, bare knees or strapless heel shoes). Shoes must be removed before entering all temple buildings. Sights can be closed during public holidays

Colors of Bangkok (13.00 – 17.00 hours) (Join activities and private transfers without guide)
After lunch you will start you biking experience. The first part of our journey is on Rama III Road. While standing on the riverbanks of the Chao Praya River, you will be impressed by the many loops that are running in and out the Bhumibol Bridges I and II at 40 meters high. Once you will have crossed the river, you will find yourselves in Bangkrachao sub-district. Bangkokians also call this area “The Green Lung of Bangkok” or the “Bangkok’s green jungle”. It is the biggest and greenest area near the city. (Bangkrachao is about 16 KM2).
Here we cycle on elevated pathways through lush vegetation, coconut palms and banana trees, all while in the shade. Colors of Bangkok, our popular half day cycling tour, takes participants through a part of the Thai capital. Biking in Bangkok’s green lung gives the participants the feeling they are miles out of town yet, the hustle and bustle of the town is very near. An area where there is almost no traffic, just narrow streets and backyards. Bangkok as you have never imagined! After a quick bicycle fitting and instructions, we start with our Bangkok bicycle adventure. The first stop in Bangkrachao is a local, non-touristy Buddhist temple (Wat Bang Krasop) with a history dating back 700 years. Mind your head when stepping inside the old temple. Doors/entrances, especially the very old ones, are not for tall visitors. If time and allowed, we will pay a short visit to the elementary school next to the temple to say hello to the children. We continue the bicycle ride deeper into the jungle until we reach a Muay Thai boxing gym. Here we’ll show/tell you about this national sport and perhaps we will have a boxing enthusiast among us that is keen in taking a short lesson from the master. We continue our ride by crossing a market (when opened) and the beautiful Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park where we take a break and enjoy the scenery. During the ride, we will also make a stop at a local restaurant to offer a typical Thai meal like “Pad Thai” or “Kao Pad” (Fried noodles or fried rice) which can be with shrimps, crab, pork, chicken or vegetarian. You will need to advise your preference to the guide. After the meal, we wil return to the pier where we take the ferry back to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok again. You don’t need to be a cycling fanatic to join the excursion. The pace is relaxing, and we make enough stops along the way to take pictures, explanation of sights, stop to drink and relax.
Colors of Bangkok will be an amazing experience for the young and old! Note: reserves the right to change advertised itineraries, since schools and local shops may be closed during the weekend, school holidays and national holidays.

Cooking Class with Poo (morning) (Join activities and private transfers without guide)
Khlongtoey (“Pandanus Tree canal” in Thai) sits on land owned by the Port Authority of Thailand. Cheap labor was needed in Bangkok in the 1950s and many of the first residents of the district moved there from all over Thailand to benefit from a land rent system at a very low cost. Khlongtoey, which counts over 100,000 people, is now known to many Bangkokians as the slums of Bangkok. The land is swampy and homes are built on stilts over stagnant and polluted water. Public spaces and sewage systems need to be greatly improved and access to decent education is a real challenge. Visiting the district and supporting local initiatives is the best chance to make things change. You will be picked up by your guide at your hotel and will head to Klong Toei by MRT (subway / underground), which is best way to get to the area. A unique way to experience Bangkok’s vibrant culinary culture is by joining the Cooking Class with Poo. Founded by Khun Poo, this popular cooking class not only teaches participants how to prepare authentic Thai dishes but also offers a glimpse into the daily life of Bangkok’s Klong Toey community. The class begins with a guided market tour where participants can explore fresh local ingredients before learning to cook traditional favorites like pad thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice. It’s a hands-on, immersive experience, perfect for food lovers looking to dive deeper into Thailand’s rich flavors and cultural heritage. Afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, experience the Tuk Tuk Food Tour (Depart hotel by public transportation). Experience the vibrant flavors of Bangkok after dark with the Tuk Tuk Evening Street Food Tour. This guided adventure takes you through the bustling streets of the city in an iconic tuk-tuk, stopping at some of Bangkok’s best street food spots. From savory pad thai and fragrant grilled satay to sweet mango sticky rice, you’ll have the chance to sample a variety of authentic Thai dishes. Along the way, you’ll also pass by famous landmarks beautifully illuminated at night, adding to the charm of the evening. This tour is perfect for food lovers looking to enjoy Bangkok’s culinary delights in a fun and exciting way.

Transfer to Bangkok train station to take a train to Phitsanuloke. Tentative train travel time: 9:20 am - 1:12 pm
Remark:
- Train ticket is subject to availability.
- The reservation needs to be made at least 30 days before the departure date.
- Passport details are required to make a reservation.
- Our guide will drop customer at the train station (no guide on board).

Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you and you will get transferred to Sukhothai Historical Park (45 minutes to 1 hour drive). Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its incredible beauty and sample of the several centuries of prosperity of Thai civilization, Sukhothai, raising monumental cities and sophisticated temples. Sukhothai Historical Park, which was once a walled city surrounded by a moat, the park contains almost 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition. Many of the temples here date back almost 800 years and with a picturesque natural setting, it is a wonderful place to experience for a day. You will ride a bicycle to explore the main sites in the park. These include Wat Sri Sawai, Wat Sra Sri, Wat Trapang Ngoen, and Wat Mahathat. Another highlight not to be missed is Wat Sri Chum where an enormous Buddha lies in a sitting position. Transfer back to your hotel.

You will leave the hotel to visit Sri Satchanalai Historical Park. Sri Satchanalai was once considered the economic (ceramic export industry) and spiritual center of the Sukhothai kingdom, located along the Yom River in a wooded setting. In total, 134 ruined monuments have been discovered within the park (45 sq km) which used to be palaces, temples, and homes. The main attractions are Wat Chang Lom, Wat Chedi Jet Taew as well as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Rajaworaviharn (a little outside the park) all of which feature authentic Sukhothai architectural style. You will discover the park by bicycle. You will continue to visit Ban Na Thon Chan, a local community-based tourism effort offering the balance of natural and cultural heritage to most visitors. Most villagers are descendants of the ancient Lanna kingdom, and every day’s life is based on their daily tasks and customs while conserving their local heritage. It’s the first village in the country to receive the international PATA Gold Award Heritage & Culture (2012). You will visit the weaving center showcasing ancestral technique of using mud to soften textiles. You will try the “khao poeb” noodles, made popular thanks, in particular, to the story of the “golden necklace”, a symbol of Sangiam’s exemplary generosity. Transfer back to Sukhothai.

Morning at leisure. Transfer to Phitsanuloke train station to take a train to Chiang Mai. Tentative train travel time: 1:22 pm - 7:30 pm. Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you and you will get transferred to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

Drive to the Elephant Eco Valley to learn about elephants in Thailand. Feed the elephants herb and fruit balls, bananas, and sugar cane. Help with elephant poo paper production. Get info on herbal treatments, walk in the nature garden, and make herb and fruit nutritional vitamin balls, the elephants love them! Watch elephants in water and mud bath under waterfall. (Or wash them yourself!). You will then head to Araksa Tea Garden. “Araksa” means “Preserve” in Sanskrit and sums up the philosophy of the place and the origin of tea. Araksa specializes in Assam black tea (named after the largest producing region in India), which is grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers. You will be introduced to your tea garden tour guide. Your guide, along with the resident Plucker, will lead you to the tea bushes where they will show you how to pluck tea leaves. You are welcome to join them (we will give you a bamboo basket to carry during the tea plucking activity). At the roasting station, we will demonstrate the art of making tea by hand from kneading to roasting tea leaves. During the process, learn from your guide about the different processes and methods used to cultivate young tea plants. When the roasting is done, enjoy a cup of tea with a delicious Thai snack. Transfer back to your hotel.

High in the hills above Chiang Mai (15km from the city) is Doi Suthep Temple (Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep), a spectacular shrine commissioned by King Kuena, ruler of Chiang Mai from 1367-88. According to an old legend, the King was persuaded to build the temple when the monk Sumana presented him with a bone relic of the historical Buddha. The King searched far and wide for a suitable spot to build the temple, but none could be found. Finally, he resolved to let fate decide its location, and he tied the relic to the back of an elephant and set it loose. For days the elephant stomped through the jungle, shadowed by the king’s men, until it reached the mountaintop of Doi Suthep. The elephant made a good choice because the King readily agreed to the spot. Construction began in 1386 and was completed within a few years. After you will visit Wat Chedi Luang, the site of a formerly massive pagoda that was unfortunately destroyed in the great earthquake of 1545. After visit Wat Phra Singh, the lovely Lai Kam chapel houses the revered Phra Singh Buddha image. You will end your temple visit with Wat Suan Dok located just West of the old walled part of Chiang Mai city. It is known for its large number of white chedis or pagodas. Wat Suan Dok literally means “flower garden temple”. The temple derives its name from the location where it was built. The temple area was once used as a Royal flower garden by the ruler of Chiang Mai. It contains the ashes of Chiang Mai’s former Royal family. In the afternoon you will head to Studio Naenna, an indigo dyeing and eco-friendly fabrics workshop and shop, part of a group of weavers, embroiderers and designers (WFE) of different ethnicities (Karen, Hmong) whose goal is to create quality, sustainable and environmentally friendly products. You will start with an introduction to the traditional Thai ikat (mudmee) technique and Studio Naenna. Customers have a chance to visit the gallery where there is a large variety of high-quality garments and accessories for sale and exquisite interior design textiles. You will start instruction for the tie-dye workshop and the magic of indigo dyeing. Each person will receive fabric for creating a tie-dye textile and take home their creations. Please wear suitable clothing, aprons are provided. Coffee and tea will be served. Transfer back to your hotel.

After breakfast, private transfer with guide to the airport for your flight to Krabi. Upon arrival, your local guide will welcome you and you will get transferred to your hotel in Krabi. Rest of the day at leisure.

We start at 8:00 am from the hotel lobby for the Krabi city tour and longtail manufacturers’ experience. First, we will take you to the morning market, where you can experience exotic morning life in a local market. After that we take you to Khao Kanab Nam for sightseeing along the Krabi River by traditional long-tailed boat. We visit many nice places such as caves where you can see the stalagmites and stalactites with many bats inside, mangroves forests where you may see some monkeys, water monitors and many other kinds of animals that live in this wide mangrove forest. Then we will go back to the pier, and we will visit Klong Rua Village, the longtail manufacturers experience where the tradition of building the best quality longtail boats has continued here for several decades. Longtails are fascinating, they often characterize the typical photos taken by tourists. They have never undergone an evolution. Optional: you can also stop at the fascinating Wat Tham Seua (Tiger Cave Temple) that offers magnificent views of Krabi’s rugged landscape covered in lush jungle, with the Andaman Sea in the distance. Be prepared for the 1237 steps to reach the top! Lunch in a local restaurant. At 14:00, return to hotel.

PHANG NGA BAY – Full day tour by shared speedboat. (Included kayaking for 20 minutes)
This is truly one of the most unique places in the world with over 47 islands and a gorgeous Mangroves Forest, not to be missed for those who love nature. The Phang Nga Bay day trip from Krabi takes you through the emerald waters of this epic bay, past hundreds of limestone islands, aboard the boat. Stop off at the world-famous James Bond Island, made famous in the 1974 by “The Man with The Golden Gun”. Visit the fishing village of Koh Panyee. Swim and relax in one of the hidden islands. Pick up from hotel and transfer to Krabi pier. Depart by speed boat to Phang- Nga. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of Phang – Nga – Bay National Park, beautiful Mangrove forests and ancient Limestone caves. Reaching the destination of “Koh Talu”, you will join our experienced Guide to the ancient limestone caves and bizarre rock formations. Visit the amazing “Koh Tapoo”, better known as James Bond Island. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the beautiful “Koh Panyi” Floating village. Depart from Koh Panyee to Koh Noak. Arrival Koh Noak for swimming and relaxing. Arrive at Krabi Pier safely with a long-lasting impression. Transfer back to your hotel.

Transfer from hotel to Krabi airport for your departure flight.