We will meet early in the evening to review our trip itinerary and answer last minute questions before adjourning for dinner, our first meal on the trip. Overnight Bangkok (5 nights). D

Our first full day in Bangkok will start out easy, giving you the morning to eat breakfast before taking our private transport to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (~1.25 hour drive). There we will have a private boat tour of the market and food tasting along the way. Our day continues as we head to Wat Bang Kung (ancient temple) in the nearby province of Samut Songkram. The temple was built during the Ayutthaya period and the site of the Battle of Bang Kung, between the Konbaung dynasty and the Thonburi Kingdom. We will then round out our day at the Amphawa Floating Market, to include traditional family-style Thai dinner and a boat ride to see fireflies. Overnight Bangkok. B,L,D

After breakfast at our hotel, we head out for daytime sightseeing of Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace, and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). We’ll make sure you get to enjoy plenty of food along the way between the sights and spend the evening testing our culinary skills with a Thai Cooking Class. Overnight Bangkok. B,L,D 

Today we will head to the historic capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya. Founded in 1350, it was the second ever capital of the Siamese Kingdom (~1.5 hour drive from Bangkok). Our day will include a walking tour of the grounds of Bang Pa In, the Summer Palace complex formerly used by Thai Kings, as well as various ancient temples. We will then have the opportunity to enjoy more local cuisine for dinner before heading back to Bangkok. Overnight Bangkok. B,L,D

After breakfast we’ll hop on our private transport towards the coastal city of Pattaya. On the way we will spend half the day at Muang Boran, the ancient city museum (~45 minute drive from Bangkok). Here you will go back in time and see replicas of historical monuments, temples, palaces,and ancient city ruins positioned geographically accurate to their original locations offering a unique opportunity to see previously destroyed buildings in their former glory. We will then head to Pattaya (~1 hour 50 min drive) and spend the remainder of the day exploring various temples to include Wat Phra Yai Temple and Sanctuary of Truth. Constructed in the 1940s, Wat Phra Yai Temple is one of Pattaya’s older temples that features stunning views of Pattaya Bay alongside the 18-meter tall seated Buddha statue. At the Sanctuary of Truth we will have the opportunity to take in this awe-inspiring castle-like structure constructed entirely from wood.  Overnight Bangkok. B,L,D

Today we bid Bangkok goodbye (sawadee) and head to the airport for a 1 hour 20 minute flight to the southern province of Krabi, famous for its breathtaking beaches, stunning islands, and majestic caves. Once we arrive in Ao Nang, the main town of Krabi, we will take a boat taxi to our Railay beach hotel (~30 minute boat ride). The rest of the day will be spent relaxing at our new home away from home. Overnight Krabi (3 nights) B,L,D    

Today’s adventures will be an all day private boat charter from Krabi to the famous Four Islands of Railay: Koh Poda, Koh Gai (Chicken Island), Koh Tub and Koh Mor (Pot Island). These islands are part of the popular Poda Archipelago and is known for its beauty and the sandbar that connects it to Koh Tub and Koh Gai at low tide. Koh Gai is named for the unique rock formation that resembles a chicken while Koh Mor refers to the island's shape as it resembles a pot or a rounded hill rising from the sea. Our private boat tour will also include a visit to Diamond Cave where stalactites and stalagmites sparkle when light hits them, resembling diamonds as well as an optional night snorkel with bioluminescent plankton. Overnight Krabi. B,L,D

With our last full day in Krabi we travel via land (~1.5 hours) and visit Wat Bang Riang Temple, one of the most interesting and lesser known Buddhist temples located between Phang Nga Bay and Krabi region. For lunch we will eat delicious Thai seafood in a local restaurant located next to the river that crosses the provinces of Krabi and Phang Nga. To round out our day we will take a private long tail boat through the mangrove lake in Ban Bor Thor to visit a prehistoric cave full of stalactites! Before heading back to our accommodations, we will spend time in Ao Nang, the main town of Krabi Province, and enjoy trying different foods at the night market. Overnight Krabi. B,L,D 

After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai (~5-6 hours with 1 connection) and have the afternoon to relax. Later in the day we’ll head to Chiang Mai Old Town for some shopping to stock up on any souvenirs or local artisan crafts, and of course sampling the local cuisine.  Overnight Chiang Mai (3 nights). B,L,D 

Our day in Chiang Mai Province will be spent at Doi Suthep-Pui National Park which is named after the two mountains within the park, located about a 40 minute drive from the city. Here we will spend the day visiting the main attractions of the park which includes the temple Wat Phra That Doi Suthep as well as many waterfalls and viewpoints. A trip to this part of Thailand would not be complete without a visit to the Karen Long Neck Village. Here we will get to meet the Karen people, one of Thailand’s largest ethnic minority groups. Their ancestors are believed to have migrated from Tibet and Myanmar several centuries ago and settled in the mountainous areas of Chiang Mai. Later in the day we will head to the CAD (Chiang Mai Arts & Design) Cultural Center for the Yi Peng Lantern Festival and Dinner. The Yi Peng Lantern Festival is an annual event that takes place on the full moon night of the 2nd month of the Thai Lanna Calendar. It symbolizes the beauty of the full moon and locals gather at temples to listen to the monks’ prayers and offer lanterns as a form of devotion. Overnight Chiang Mai. B,L,D

Another full day awaits us as we drive to Doi Inthanon National Park (~1.5-2 hour drive from Chiang Mai). Many photo opportunities await us to include the Two Chedis, which was built to honor the 60th birthdays of His Royal Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Royal Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, as well as exploring along the Angkha Nature Trail, tasting organic coffee from a local coffee plantation. If time allows, we will take a short hike to Wachirathan Waterfalls (~0.8 mile) before returning to the hotel for a rest.  We will spend our last night in Chiang Mai walking the streets to enjoy the Loy Krathong Festival and Parade, and eat dinner at a local restaurant. Loy Krathong, also known as the Water Lantern Festival, where the entire country participates by releasing decorated floating water lanterns along rivers. The Thai people believe these lanterns can drive away bad luck. Overnight Chiang Mai, B,L,D   

Our trip ends after breakfast. As you head home or onto your next destination, we hope the memories you’ve made stay with you forever. Until the next adventure, safe travels. B