Thailand : An Authentic Experience

Land in Bangkok in the morning, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. You will have some free time to relax before being picked up in the early afternoon. You will be transferred to the edge of the river, where you will board a boat to discover the fascinating Thonburi canals “Klongs” located on the other side of the river, followed by a visit to the majestic, colourful ceramic-covered temple, Wat Arun on the edge of the river. After an introduction tour of Bangkok, head back to your hotel to rest and do as you wish.

In the morning after breakfast, you will visit the Pak Klong Talat market. Just nearby you will continue with a visit to Wat Pho, a temple known for its reclining Buddha and Thai massage school. The next stop will be at the must-see Grand Palace with its golden arrows, chedis, colourful hallways, richly adorned reception halls, and of course, the Royal Palladium, and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keo). Wander along the piers near the palace to witness the clusters of people going up and down the river in their boats, and soak in the atmospheric street vendors and amulet market. If you like, you can have lunch at one of the little restaurants near the river, at Supanniga Eating Room for example. In the afternoon, you will meet up at the canal near Wat Saket, and embark on a ferry with the locals to discover the canals and lesser-known areas of Bangkok, which will bring you to the Jim Thompson house which is also a museum. There you will get to see typical Thai architecture, Thai pavilions, a magnificent collection of objects and its tropical garden. Return to the hotel after touring Bangkok to unwind and relax.
We can book one of our Secret Tables for your dinner (advanced reservation required)

Have breakfast in the morning, and check out so that you can head North to Ayutthaya to visit the ancient royal capital. You will first take a one-hour excursion onboard a large tuk-tuk that will take you along the river to witness the remains of the ancient capital. You will visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the symbol of Ayutthaya in the heart of the ancient royal palace, and Wat Mahathat with its Buddha head buried in the roots of a banyan tree. You will then proceed in your minivan and head to the outer part of the Island with its majestic Wat Chaiwatthanaram which lies on the edge of the river. You will also see the very picturesque Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, and its reclining Buddha and various other statues. You will then continue onwards to the Suphanburi region. Your driver will stop along the river where the fish will be waiting for you to feed them. Next, you will take a boat up the river to a small, quaint village and check into your villa. Enjoy some free time to swim in the pool and explore the peaceful environment. There will be dinner tonight prepared for you at the Villa.

Depending on what you have decided to do, just relax in your villa or spend the day exploring the area. If you wish, you can get up before dawn and participate in the daily alms ceremony held right next to the residence. Witness the procession of monks donning saffron-colored robes and silk umbrellas, as they offer up their alms bowls so that the villagers (and you if you wish) place rice into their bowls as an offering. Afterwards, you can go back to sleep, or go for a swim before breakfast. Go out and enjoy some local dishes while exploring the area. You can walk or bike ride around the village and explore the paths along the rice paddy fields in the heart of the country’s rice bowl. Go fishing for some famous river prawns, then learn how to cook authentic Thai food for the day is yours.. In the afternoon have a snack, work out at the gym, and play petanque. Head to your private jetty to take your boat up the river along the peaceful banks to see the houses and temples. Stop by one of the temples where your guide can help you start a conversation with the monks. You may also decide to relax in the hotel and stay in for the day if you like. There will be lunch and dinner prepared for you today at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will head North to Uthai Thani and take a boat to cross the river to reach the town so that you can visit the incredible Thasung Temple which is covered in small mirrors and home to a crystal hall. Next, you will take a boat cruise along the picturesque Sakaekrang River and pass by small houses and floating gardens. Lunch will be served onboard during the cruise. You will then head north into the middle of the rice paddy fields situated north of the small town of Uthai Thani, nature created a small wonderous mini valley hidden amid enormous ferns and lush vegetation interspersed with natural caves. Continue by road and arrive at Sukhothai at the end of the afternoon where you will find your hotel and check in to relax for the rest of the day.

Or Sukhothai – Lampang – OPTION 2 Chiang Rai (B/-/-)

Early in the morning, we begin the day on a bicycle (or a portion of it on a little tram if you prefer) in the Sukhothai’s historic park, home to Wat Mahathat, and the pretty Wat Sa Si located on a little Island. You will also see Wat Si Sawai. Outside the park, there are diverse temples and ruins scattered throughout the countryside including Wat Si Chum and its fifteen meter “talking” Buddha statue as well as the rarely visited Wat Phra Pai Luang.On the edge of Wat Saphan Hin’s hillock, there is a twelve-metre high Buddha replete with panoramic views over the plains You will leave for Lampang to reach midday. There, you will take a horse-drawn carriage to discover this historic town, its small roads near the river, its inviting atmosphere, and pretty old teakwood homes. Visit one of these houses, Baan Sao Nak. In the afternoon you will continue onwards to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai.

From Lampang, drive to Chiang Mai one of the most loved cities in the world, where you will check-in to of our Secret Retreats for the next 3 nights: lanna style in the heart of the old city, colonial style in the nature, modern style by the river or community style in the country. We will help you to choose based on your preferences.

Depart for Mae Taeng located approximately an hour North of town. You will go down the river on a bamboo raft. If you wish, for a nominal sum you can take a ride on an elephant in one of the elephant camps. You will continue to Sri Lanna Park and stop to see a lovely waterfall set around a forest. You can climb up to the top of the waterfall, go down on foot, or take a refreshing swim then return to town. In the afternoon, you will go to the mountain that that dominates Chiang Mai and visit the highly regarded 1056-metre high Doi Suthep Temple. Access to this temple is via a large staircase with ramps in the shape of naga, the mystical serpent. You can also access the temple on a little funicular to embrace the views of Chiang Mai and the valley below.
Return to hotel after your day of exploring around.

After an early breakfast your guide for the day will meet you at 8.30am and drive you to the first stop of the day, the Ancient Lanna House on the Ping River. A ‘samlor’ (rickshaw) driver will be waiting for you to pedal you across the river to visit the Sanpakoy Market. This is very much a local market, off the tourist trail, and your guide will give you the opportunity to taste some of the delicacies on sale here. Continuing your discovery of old Chiang Mai through the backstreets of Chiang Mai your samlor driver will next take you to the Buddhist temple of Wat Ket Karam. Don’t miss the museum here with a fascinating collection of old photographs of Chiang Mai as once was. Your guide will then walk you across the Ping River via the Chansom Memorial Bridge and share with you the stories of the different bridges that used to span the Ping River. Once on the western bank, take a stroll through the most famous markets of Chiang Mai - the adjoining Warorot and Ton Lamyai markets.
Your guide will escort you through these ancient and vibrant markets and will let you taste some of the typical Northern Thai delicacies before stopping to visit an old Chinese pagoda in what is Chiang Mai’s Chinatown along the way. On exiting the market your ‘samlor’ driver will be here to pick you up again and pedal you to your next stop at Wat Mahawan - a beautiful temple of Burmese and Lanna style. At lunchtime, your guide will take you to a riverside restaurant to enjoy a delicious Thai lunch. After lunch we will return to the old city within the moat to visit two of the city’s most spectacular temples - Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Sing. On completion of your visit to these two temples you will be returned to the Rachamankha Hotel where the day’s tour ends.

A leisurely morning enjoying breakfast and relaxing by the pool enjoying the quiet atmosphere and views over the green hills of Doi Suthep before checking out at lunchtime to head to Pai. You can either take lunch at the hotel before heading off or leave a little earlier and take lunch along the way. The drive to Pai is through rural Thailand, forested hills, river valleys and agricultural scenes await you. The roads winds its way through valleys and hills, a journey that will take approximately three hours including a few stops in the many coffee shops, or strawberry farms (seasonal) along the way, before reaching the country town of Pai, nestled in the Pai river valley.
Home to many artists and musicians, Pai in the evening has a very arty and bohemian atmosphere with a vibrant street market and some fun bars, coffee shops and restaurants to enjoy. Daytimes the town is known for its laid-back atmosphere and the natural beauty surrounding it, from Pai canyon to waterfalls, hot springs and caves. Not forgetting local temples set in the rice fields, tribal villages and Yunnan-style Chinese villages and tea plantations. You will be checking in at Reverie Siam and settle down in your Deluxe room for 3 nights. The evening is yours to enjoy!

If you are an early riser, you can start your day with sunrise views from the Yun Lai Chinese Tea House, perched a few hundred meters above the town and admire the tranquil view over the whole of the Pai river valley. Between December and February, you can expect to see a magical mist engulfing the surrounding mountains. After breakfast a chance to explore Pai’s natural wonders, we will drive you to your choice of Pai’s iconic landmarks - the canyon, the Mo Paeng or Pam Bok waterfalls, a walk on bamboo walkways over rice fields or visit some temples. Returning to the hotel in the early afternoon to take lunch and enjoy the afternoon at your own pace.

Enjoy a quiet morning at your speed, at Pai’s pace of life. You will go down on the river on a slow bamboo raft to a secret picnic location, where you will enjoy some drinks (or you can upgrade to champagne if you prefer) and some canapes, with a sunset view over the valley. We will then drive you back to the restaurant Silhouette for a further 2-course set menu and the rest of the evening.

Departure from Pai after breakfast to drive through the hills on beautiful roads with stunning scenery and then to Chiang Mai international Airport.

From Lampang, drive to Phayao, stopping along the way at a place where women sell fruit, vegetables, and produce foraged from the forest. From there you will take a short stroll along a small path set alongside a cliff laden with big trees and witness historic paintings. Next you will north in the direction of Phayao, with a stop near a lake that is one of Thailand’s most important water resources. At the edge of the lake there are many colourful and imaginative Buddhist Hell statues. You will then continue onwards to Chiang Rai, where you will check in at your hotel and have the rest of the day to yourself.

Have some breakfast and enjoy the morning at your own pace. In the afternoon, you will explore Chiang Rai by Samlor. At the monument of Mangrai our samlors are waiting for us. The samlor is the traditional bicycle taxi.. Unfortunately the samlor is disappearing. There are probably about seventy left in Chiang Rai and the drivers are mostly elderly men. We want to support the samlors in Chiang Rai. We pass the beautiful old City Hall which dates back from 1899. Next stop is Wat Phra Singh, one of the oldest temples of Chiang Rai. We continue our samlor tour, passing through a street with magnificent rain trees. The Wat Phra Kaew is without a doubt Chiang Rai's most famous temple. It once housed the famous Emerald Buddha image which is now in Bangkok. We visit the museum and the main temple before we continue to the Kad Luang, Thai for "big market". We take our time to chat with the vendors and taste some of the local delicacies that are being made in front of us. Our tour ends at one of our favourite Khao Soi restaurants, close to the spectacular clock tower. Then, drive to the Blue Temple. Wat Rong Suea Ten is the real name of this temple that is constantly under development. Buildings are being added. The Blue Temple is stunning and attracts a growing number of visitors. Not far from the Blue temple is the imposing Wat Huay Pla Kang. The statue is not a Buddha statue but an image of Kuan Im aka Guan Yin, the goddess of compassion. There is an elevator in the statue that will take you to a floor from which you have a nice view of Chiang Rai and surroundings. After that you will head to your hotel to relax.

Have breakfast and a lazy morning to relax/ Check out by noon and we take the road to Ahsa Farm, an eco-farm stay surrounded by acres of organic plantations and forest. Check-in for 2 nights in Double Room. Once settled in a guide will be ready to escort you on a tour of the estate and farm. Join the activities at the firm, or simply relax and enjoy nature.
Dinner served at the farm

Enjoy breakfast early in time to enjoy a morning walk through the plantation in the cool morning air. In the morning you can either go for a trek in the jungle if you are more the active type, or learn with the kitchen team some of their secrets during a cooking class where you will learn to prepare three dishes and then enjoy your gastronomic creations for lunch. You will have the afternoon to yourself to do as you wish. Dinner will be served at seven in the evening with a choice between Thai or Western dishes.

Start your day with some breakfast in the paddy fields before checking out to be transferred to Chaeng Saen. Chaeng Saen is a river town that straddles the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, and is arguably known as one of the oldest city in Thailand. Chaeng Saen is teeming with temples and steeped in centuries of history. Check-in for a 2-night stays at Athita, The Hidden Court. The entire building is made of teak wood and handmade bricks, connecting with the nearby temple, Wat Athi Ton Kaeow. A beautiful piece of living history tucked away, overlooking a 700-year-old ancient temple. Catch the sunrise on the edge of the river or even enjoy traditional Thai food in the evening overlooking the vibrant Mekong. Explore the old city walls of Chaeng Saen and delve into local markets with local farmers selling fresh fruit and vegetables. Local venders will be selling traditional Thai snacks, herbs and insects. No arrangement for dinner.

After a restful sleep, enjoy breakfast before embarking on an exploration of The Golden Triangle. This region was historically the primary opium-growing and trading area in Southeast Asia, situated at the meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. The term 'Golden Triangle' refers to the geographical area formed by the borders of these three countries. Traders used to exchange opium or heroin for gold, giving rise to the name Golden Triangle. The Mekong River serves as the boundary between Thailand and Laos. At 8:30 am, your guide will be ready to accompany you to the impressive "Hall of Opium," an excellent museum that delves into the history of the Golden Triangle and the opium trade. Following this, enjoy a short boat ride around the Golden Triangle before having lunch at a riverside restaurant. After lunch, explore the ancient temple in Chiang Saen, one of the oldest settlements in Northern Thailand. It boasts well-preserved city walls and captivating centuries-old ruins. The visit will focus on our favorite temple ruin, Wat Pa Sak. Following the city walls back to the Mekong River, we'll head to Wat Phra That Pha Ngao. This extensive temple complex is often overlooked by foreign visitors, but it holds various attractions. Explore the small yet thrilling weaving center, a textile museum, and a viharn adorned with marvelous wood carvings. The highlight is the white chedi atop a hill, known as Phra Borommathat Putta Nimit Chedi. We'll drive to the chedi for its majestic view over the Mekong River and Laos, offering a superior perspective compared to the actual Golden Triangle. Later this afternoon, transfer back to the hotel.

Enjoy your breakfast beside the Mekong river before checking out so that your driver can pick you up to take you to the airport for your flight to the next destination (or take a boat to Laos).

End of our services
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To end this trip smoothly, we suggest you to relax on a quiet beach at one of our seaside hotels on Koh Chang, Phuket, Krabi or around Samui (Spa Koh Chang, Le Passe-Temps, Koh Jum Beach Villas, Paresa Resort, Aava Resort, The Andamani, Baba Eco Lodge).
Ask Secret Retreats concierge for advice.