Day 01: FEB 22, 2016: Arrive Bangkok

Bangkok. Each individual arrival is warmly received at Bangkok Airport and transferred to our hotel. Time permitting; we will be treated with a typical Thai foot massage. Balance of the day is free to rest. Bangkok, the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Thailand is known for many characteristics: as a land of smiles, a shoppers paradise, the exotic capital of Asia – but the best and most appropriate is taken from a Thai T- shirt “Bangkok: a city where the familiar and the exotic collide like the flavours on a plate of pad thai”.
Overnight: Hotel Novotel Fenix Silom (3 nights)
http://www.novotelbangkoksilom.com

Day 02: FEB 23, 2016: Grand Palace & Temple, Flower Market and Food street

After breakfast at our hotel our Thai culinary and cultural journey starts with a full day guided tour of Bangkok. We start with the icon of Bangkok, the Grand Palace, followed by the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po, Wat Arun and then it is fun time at the flower market. From here we travel the authentic way by taking a tuk-tuk to the popular Food Street located in the old Rattanakosin Island. The island is home to many small-specialised local restaurants, some of which have been known for their food for over 50 years. We are briefed by the local chefs how they prepare these popular eats along with the ingredients used, then we are invited to sample these items. We continue our touring till late afternoon. Evening dinner has been specially organized at the Supatra River House famous for its delicate Thai cuisine with an authentic Thai atmosphere. (B, L, D)

Day 03: FEB 24, 2016: Cooking Class, Chinatown & Old Chinese Market

Today it is from food tasting to the more hands on approach. Our first cooking class is at a well-known culinary school where we learn the secret principles of Thai delicacies. This is followed by lunch – a taste of our own cooking. Late afternoon, using local transport, we visit Chinatown Market and discover the influence of Chinese immigrants on Thai food. A walk through the busy Chinese Market gives us flair of China in Bangkok as many of the fresh ingredients are imported from China. Bangkok’s Chinatown is famous for its vast variety of delicious foods as well as the atmosphere of locals coming together for outdoor dinning at street-side restaurants. (B, L, D)

Day 04: FEB 25, 2016: Highlights of Ayutthaya by Thanatharee then fly to Chiang Rai

An exciting day ahead when at Ayutthaya we leave the modern transportation to an eco-friendly bike to explore Ayutthaya Historical Park – a UNESCO World Heritage. Visit the Elephant Kraal and then join in for a delicious Thai lunch aboard the Thanatharee Cruise, a beautiful teak barge. In the afternoon, we join the Thanatharee’s daily program, a unique cultural experience. Late afternoon we are transferred to Donmuang Airport for our short flight to Chiang Rai where we are met and transferred to our hotel. Evening, we visit the popular Chiang Rai night market – here we get to taste a variety of local northern foods.
Overnight: Wiang Inn, Chiang Rai (2 nights)(B, L, D)
http://www.wianginn.com

Day 05: FEB 26, 2016: Golden Triangle and Mae Sai

A whole different Thailand today. After breakfast we depart to the Mae Sai border of Thailand with Burma (Myanmar). This is the most northern point of Thailand – a remote place where time seems to stand still. Here we experience the lifestyle of the local people who are strongly influenced by the Burmese culture as well as the indigenous rural lifestyle. This gives us a picture of the diversity of the peoples and cultures of Thailand. After meeting the local people and shopping for the local handicrafts, we continue to the Golden Triangle where the Ruak River and the Mekong Rivers meet forming the borders of three countries - Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. It was here that the opium poppy growth was most prevalent. We visit the interesting Opium Museum before continuing to visit the ancient city of Chiang Sean at Wat Chedi Luang. It is well known for its octagonal 13th Century temples with an interesting architecture. Return to Chiang Rai. (B, L)

Day 06: FEB 27, 2016: Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai

Our cultural experience continues as we visit the Wat Ruang Khun (White Temple) followed by an interesting time at the local market where we are introduced to the different fruits and vegetables as well as the spices used in Thai cooking. Our guide will teach us the art of bargaining. From here we continue to the laid-back town and picturesque town of Chiang Mai. Here we visit the Doi Suthep, a highly revered temple spectacularly situated on a mountaintop with splendid views of the city. After a detailed city tour of Chiang Mai we are treated with a bowl of “Khao Soi”, being a soup-like dish made with a mix of deep-fried crispy egg noodles and boiled egg noodles, pickled cabbage, shallots, lime, ground chillies fried in oil, and meat in a curry-like sauce containing coconut milk. The curry is somewhat similar to that of yellow or massaman curry but of a thinner consistency. This evening we will enjoy a traditional Lanna Khantoke dinner with a performance of traditional northern Thai and hill-tribe music and dancing.
Overnight: Imperial Mae Ping Hotel (2 nights) (B, L, D)
http://www.imperialhotels.com

Day 07: FEB 28, 2016: Elephant Riding and River Rafting

Another day with exciting activities. We start with a visit of the Mae Ta Maan elephant camp. Here we see the elephants in action taking their morning bath and proudly showing off their skills. Next we get on elephant back and just like Sabu, enjoy an elephant ride. We go through the forest across streams culminating with an exciting bamboo-raft trip down the Mae Tang River. The day has not yet ended. Later in the evening we visit the famous night market in Chiang Mai. It is here that the town comes to live with inexpensive shopping, vendors of all sorts of goods, restaurant with typical meals. This ends our day at Chiang Mai. (B, L)

Day 08: FEB 29, 2016: Chiang Mai/Departure

Morning free at leisure. Breakfast and lunch at our hotel. After a wonderful journey experiencing the culture and cuisines of Thailand, we are transferred to Chiang Mai Airport for our flight back home. (B, L)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 15 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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