Morning departure from your home to Bangkok. Overnight flight.
Early morning arrival in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Chinatown. In the afternoon, visit Jim Thompson’s House and the Ban Krua Nua neighborhood, home to Bangkok’s last remaining silk artisans. Your guide will be available until early evening to accompany you to a local restaurant for dinner.
With your guide, you will explore Bangkok’s iconic landmarks, starting with the Grand Palace and the surrounding temples. Next, board a traditional "long-tail" boat for a cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Navigate through the intricate canal network, discovering the "Venice of the East" and traditional Thai life. You will visit the Artist’s House in Bang Noi and watch a traditional Thai puppet show.
Head to Bang Pa In to visit the Bang Pa In Palace. Cross the river by a small "cable car" to reach an island in the middle of the river, where you will visit a unique Buddhist temple with Sino-Italian Baroque church architecture. Continue to Ayutthaya by traditional boat, experiencing riverside life and wooden stilt houses. Check into your hotel and, once the tourist crowds have returned to Bangkok, visit the historic site of Ayutthaya, a former fortified city.
This morning, head to the Mahasawat region, where you will visit an orchid farm and a lotus field. The tour will be conducted using a local agricultural tractor and boat. Continue to Nakhon Pathom to visit the Phra Pathom Chedi, one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world. In the evening, check into your riverside hotel.
Depart for Kanchanaburi, where you will take a train ride to the famous Bridge on the River Kwai. Visit the small Railway Museum, which features a World War II-era steam locomotive and a fascinating hybrid car/wagon from the same period.
This morning, enjoy an elephant ride along the river. For those interested, there will be an opportunity to bathe with the elephants in the river. Then, head to the peaceful town of Amphawa, a hidden gem away from the usual tourist crowds, famous for its floating markets. Upon arrival, check into your guesthouse, and in the late afternoon, embark on a traditional boat ride through the canals. On the way back, admire the magical sight of fireflies that make this region famous.
Travel to Ratchaburi to visit the extraordinary Shadow Puppet Theater Museum at Wat Kanon. Later in the morning, watch an outdoor performance by children from the local art school. In the afternoon, continue exploring Ratchaburi and discover the town’s renowned ceramic craftsmanship. Return to Amphawa in the mid-afternoon for either more sightseeing or a relaxing evening by the pool.
Spend the morning exploring Amphawa. Visit a palm sugar workshop, a small music school, the temple Wat Phumarin’s young puppeteers' school, Wat Bang Kae No temple, and the unusual temple of Kai Bang Kung, famous for its life-sized statues of wrestlers.
At around 9 AM, witness the famous train passing through Maeklong Market. Spend the rest of the morning with a Thai family in the mangrove area, observing shellfish fishermen before searching for the region’s famous swimming monkeys. Enjoy lunch at a fisherman’s house. In the afternoon, continue exploring the area with a visit to Wat Khao Yisarn Temple and its small museum. Enjoy a free evening, during which you may visit the floating market.
Depart for the seaside town of Pranburi. Enjoy a free day upon arrival.
Spend three nights at the Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas, with free time to relax and explore at your leisure.
Depart in the late morning or early afternoon for Bangkok and check into your hotel for your final night in Thailand.
Early morning transfer to Bangkok Airport for your return flight home, arriving in the evening after an unforgettable journey.
BANGKOK: Hotel Siam Kempinski Bangkok 5*
AYUTTHAYA: Hotel Sala Ayutthaya 4*
NAKHON PATHOM: Hotel Sunlove Resort and SPA Grand View 4*
SAI YOKE: Hotel The Float House River Kwaï 4*
AMPHAWA: Hotel Pomelo Amphawa the Local Residence 4*
PRANBURI: Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas 5*
