Onward to Chiang Mai! Bid farewell to Chiang Rai and start the three hour drive to Chiang Mai. Enroute, stop to visit Chiang Rai’s most famous attractions – the Blue Temple and the White Temple. Both temples were designed by the same architect and are a stunning visual blend of traditional Thai style with contemporary design. Continue on to Chiang Mai and check into your hotel for the next three nights.

Optional: street food adventure: This evening, explore markets, meet food artisans, and savor an array of delectable regional cuisines. Discover the art of ordering and unveil the secrets of time-honored recipes, some cherished across generations. By the end, relish your newfound ability to distinguish between dishes like Gaeng Hang Lay Moo and Khao Soy Mae Sai.

Visit Ban Mae Sa Mai today the largest Hmong community in Northern Thailand. Visit the small Hmong museum to learn more about the history and traditions of the Hmong people before taking a beautiful three-hour nature walk on the slopes of Doi Suthep. A local Hmong guide will guide you along the trails, pointing out various local plants along the way. After the trek, descend into the Mae Sa Valley where you can visit a Royal Project in the Hmong village Nong Hoi. Today, this project is one of the largest producers of vegetables for the Royal Project, as well as a research center for herb and vegetable production. A picnic lunch will be provided during the excursion. Free afternoon to explore Chiang Mai city on your own.

Experience a visit to a Lanna family residence embarking on a culinary journey through treasured ancestral recipes. Before breaking out the wok, your hosts will show you their home and delve into the village’s history. Wander through the orchard, learn about their teakwood home, identify diverse fruits like bananas, mangoes, and coconuts, and handpick fresh herbs for the upcoming cooking session. Using the garden-fresh ingredients, immerse yourself in preparing authentic Northern Thai dishes using time-honored cooking methods and clay pots. At the end of the cooking lesson, sit down all together for a family style meal and toast “chok dee” to a delicious meal.

In the afternoon, drive to Doi Suthep Mountain to observe local pilgrims climbing the 308 steps up the mythical Naga serpent staircase to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Join them in the climb, and at the top, enjoy sweeping views of the city below. Listen to the chanting of the monks, drink in the atmosphere and immerse yourself in the spirituality of this revered temple complex. Mingle with the pilgrims from across Thailand and discover pagodas and statues devoted to Buddhism with Hindu influences. Learn about Buddhism and its impact on the culture and daily life of Thai people as you tour one of northern Thailand’s most sacred temples.

Travel back in time today as you transfer from Chiang Mai to Sukhothai. Meet your private driver and guide for an overland adventure to Sukhothai, the first capital of Thailand. You’ll pass through rural Thailand, offering amazing landscapes and a unique view into everyday life. Enroute, you’ll have the chance to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, known as northern Thailand’s most magnificent temple. Have lunch in the quaint town of Lampang before heading to Si Satchanalai historical park, situated north of Sukhothai. Originally a 12th-century Khmer outpost, Si Satchanalai evolved into a royal residence during the Sukhothai era and was a vital pottery center. Visit the park’s highlights, including Wat Chedi Chet Thaeo—a mausoleum housing the remains of ruling families—and Wat Chang Lom, a well-preserved temple complex.

Sukhothai offers the perfect environment for cycling – flat, quiet roads that link various historical zones together. Today’s cycling tour starts at Ban Khuai, a village on Sukhothai’s outskirts. Passing rice paddies with scenic mountain views, the route includes a visit to a wood furniture factory and travels along small irrigation canals through rural villages. At the Eastern Gate, explore ancient ruins like Wat Chang Lom, Wat Si Chum, and Wat Mahathat, showcasing exquisite Buddhist and Hindu architecture from Thailand’s Golden Era. This experience delves into Sukhothai’s history, architecture, and Buddhism. After a delightful local lunch, your ride continues to the southern area of Sukhothai before returning to the hotel.

Travel like a local boarding the train to travel from Sukhothai to Ayutthaya. More than a hundred years have passed since Thailand’s inaugural train line was built, from Bangkok to the former royal capital of Ayutthaya. Since then, rail lines have been expanded across the country and have become an integral form of transportation for Thai residents. In our opinion, scenic railway routes remain one of the best ways to see the country. Transfer to the station for your three-hour train journey through the countryside, arriving in Ayutthaya in time to see some of the main temple sites with your expert guide. Ayutthaya is a UNESCO Heritage Site and exploring both Sukhothai and Ayutthaya gives you an in depth understanding of Thailand’s impressive history. Transfer to your riverside hotel and relax over sunset views of the historical park.

Begin your journey to Thailand’s South, meeting your private driver to transfer to the airport for your flight to Surat Thani. After a short flight, arrive in Surat Thani and transfer to Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok boasts breathtaking natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and unique floating bungalows on the emerald waters of Cheow Lan Lake. Board a longtail boat and head into the park, passing amazing Guilin rock formations on the way. Have some time to check-in to your floating abode before enjoying a delectable Thai dinner.

Free morning to relax and enjoy this unique part of the world. Take a plunge off the deck of your bungalow, paddle around in a kayak, or simply enjoy the view from your deck. In the afternoon, depart for a guided hike to Khao Sok’s highest viewpoint, walk to a local waterfall, or head deep into one of Sok’s signature caves (seasonal activity).

Begin your day with a morning safari, the best time to see Gibbons, Macaques, and Dusky Langur Monkeys. Return to the raft house for breakfast and some free time before check-out. After your longtail ride back to shore, head south towards Khao Lak and the Andaman coast. After the one hour drive, arrive at Khao Lak, your home for the next three nights. Your hotel overlooks the turquoise sea and a stunning white sand beach.

Free time to enjoy Khao Lak and relax on the beach.

Optional activities include full day excursions to snorkel or scuba in The Similan Islands or the Surin Islands:

The Similan Islands are a renowned archipelago in the Andaman Sea, celebrated for its stunning natural beauty and diverse marine life. Opt to take a speedboat out to the National Park and spend the day snorkeling and exploring the archipelago.

The Surin Islands are 5 dreamlike islands, about 100 km north of Khao Lak. Known for their colorful coral reefs, the islands are an untouched paradise. Explore three separate snorkel sites and pass by a local fishing village where your guide will tell about life on the islands. The Surin islands are the only inhabited archipelago in this area and they’re very protective of their way of life.

After a final relaxing morning on the coast bid farewell to Khao Lak and transfer to the airport. Fly to Bangkok and onward home or continue your journey elsewhere in Southeast Asia