Thailand Highlights - 10 Days

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• Day 1: Welcome To Bangkok Arrival Day

  

  Your trip begins with your arrival in Thailand, where your private driver and guide will meet and greet you at the airport before escorting you to your hotel by private transportation. After checking in, you can rest and recover from your flight, or head out to soak up the historic charm, striking architecture and bustling street life that give Bangkok its unmistakable energy. When you're ready, return to the hotel for a relaxing first night in the city.

  Accommodation: 4★ — Centre Point Silom, Bangkok

  Meals included: None

  Activities included: Private airport meet-and-greet on arrival Private transfer to your hotel

  Optional activities: Explore the streets of Bangkok at your own pace

  Accommodation: Hotel De Bangkok or similar

• Day 2: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

  

  After being picked up from your hotel, you'll travel to Ratchaburi province to visit the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a must-see for visitors from around the world. On the way, you'll stop at a sugar palm factory to see how sugar is made from palm trees. Arriving at the pier, you'll board a long-tail boat and glide along the small canals, watching local life unfold along the water. At the market itself, vendors sell fruits, vegetables, flowers and more directly from their boats. Sample local coconut and fresh fruit juices and pick up souvenirs for friends and family before returning to Bangkok for the night.

  Accommodation: 4★ — Centre Point Silom, Bangkok

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Activities included: Guided tour of Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Stop at a sugar palm factory Long-tail boat ride through the canals

  Accommodation: Centre Point Silom or similar

• Day 3: Bangkok Temples and Flight to Chiang Mai

  

  This morning you'll be collected from your hotel to visit the Royal Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew, admiring the intricate Chedi architecture (photography may not be permitted inside some buildings). You'll then continue to Wat Pho, home to the enormous reclining Buddha and one of the oldest and largest temples in the city, dating back over 200 years.

  Next, visit Wat Benchamabophit, the Marble Temple, a beautiful union of Italian marble and classical Thai design. After the tour, you'll take a flight north to Chiang Mai for the next stage of your journey.

  Accommodation: 4★ — Empress Chiang Mai Hotel, Chiang Mai

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Activities included: Visit to the Royal Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) Visit to Wat Pho and the reclining Buddha Visit to Wat Benchamabophit (the Marble Temple) Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

  Accommodation: Empress Hotel Chiang Mai or similarMeals: Breakfast

• Day 4: Half-Day Elephant Sanctuary with Lunch

  

  Set off early for a rewarding morning at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, a group tour running from around 06:30 to 12:30. After a scenic drive of roughly 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest and local farmland, you'll arrive at the sanctuary and change into traditional Karen clothing before preparing medicine for the elephants. You'll then meet the elephants and spend time feeding, caring for and interacting with them in a natural environment, learning about their behaviour and history and taking photos along the way. The morning includes a mud spa with the elephants and a walk down to the river to bathe them, followed by a traditional meal before you say your goodbyes and drive approximately 1.5 hours back to Chiang Mai.

  Accommodation: 4★ — Empress Chiang Mai Hotel, Chiang Mai

  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

  Activities included: Group tour to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Feeding, caring for and bathing the elephants Mud spa experience with the elephants Traditional lunch at the sanctuary

  Accommodation: Empress Hotel Chiang Mai or similarMeals: Breakfast, Lunch

• Day 5: Day Trip to Chiang Rai

  Today you'll be collected from your hotel for a day trip to Chiang Rai, driving roughly 3 to 4 hours via Wiang Pa Pao with a short stop at a local hot spring along the way. Your first highlight is Wat Rong Khun, the celebrated White Temple, where you can admire its carved statues, dazzling stained glass, mosaic tiles and striking chapel paintings. You'll then head through Chiang Rai's residential streets and market to visit Wat Phra Kaew, which once housed the Emerald Buddha in the 13th century before it was moved to Bangkok, as well as Wat Phra Sing with its classic Lanna architecture. Afterwards, you'll be driven back to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

  Accommodation: 4★ — Empress Chiang Mai Hotel, Chiang Mai

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Activities included: Full-day guided trip to Chiang Rai Stop at a local hot spring Visit to Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) Visits to Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Phra Sing

  Accommodation: Empress Hotel Chiang Mai or similarMeals: Breakfast

• Day 6: Chiang Mai at Leisure

  

  With its tranquil atmosphere and beautiful natural surroundings, Chiang Mai is a wonderful place to explore at your own pace. Spend a free day wandering its cosy streets to soak up the authentic rhythm of local life. You might visit San Kamphaeng Road, the 18-kilometre Handicraft Highway lined with local crafts, or browse the lively Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road for interesting goods and snacks. If time allows, a one-to-two-hour drive brings you to Bua Tong, where you can hike through the jungle and climb the famous limestone Sticky Waterfalls, whose grippy surface lets you walk up and down with ease for a truly magical experience.

  Accommodation: 4★ — Empress Chiang Mai Hotel, Chiang Mai

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Optional activities: Stroll the San Kamphaeng Handicraft Highway Browse the Night Bazaar on Chang Klan Road Hike to the Sticky Waterfalls at Bua Tong

  Accommodation: Empress Hotel Chiang Mai or similarMeals: Breakfast

• Day 7: Chiang Mai to Phuket

  

  Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel and a free morning at leisure, with no activities planned. When it's time to go, you'll be transferred privately, with an English-speaking guide, to Chiang Mai Domestic Airport for your flight south. On arrival at Phuket Domestic Airport, your guide will meet and greet you before a private, air-conditioned transfer to your hotel. Check in and settle in to island life on the Andaman coast.

  Accommodation: 4★ — The Charm Phuket Resort, Phuket

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Activities included: Private transfer to Chiang Mai Domestic Airport Flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket Private airport meet-and-greet and transfer to your hotel

  Accommodation: The Charm Resort Phuket or similarMeals: Breakfast

• Day 8: Phuket at Leisure

  

  Set on the Andaman coast, Phuket is renowned for its beaches, nightlife and beautiful resorts, with landscapes ranging from tropical rainforest to palm-fringed sands and craggy limestone cliffs. Today is yours to explore, whether you're in the mood for relaxation or adventure.

  You might unwind on the beach with a cold drink, take a swim or try snorkelling, or visit the aquarium at Cape Panwa to see Phuket from an underwater angle. For something more active, head to Hanuman World Phuket to soar through the jungle on its ziplines. In the evening, enjoy fresh seafood, browse a night market, or head to the lively Bangla Road for a drink.

  Accommodation: 4★ — The Charm Phuket Resort, Phuket

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Optional activities: Relax, swim or snorkel at the beach Visit the aquarium at Cape Panwa Ziplining at Hanuman World Phuket Explore the night markets and Bangla Road

  Accommodation: The Charm Resort Phuket or similarMeals: Breakfast

• Day 9: Phuket Beach Day

  

  Enjoy another relaxing day on the beaches of Phuket, with time to make the most of the sun, sea and sand at your own pace before your journey home.

  Accommodation: 4★ — The Charm Phuket Resort, Phuket

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Optional activities: Relax on the beaches of Phuket

  Accommodation: The Charm Resort Phuket or similarMeals: Breakfast

• Day 10: Time to Say Goodbye – Phuket Departure

  

  Savour a final breakfast before completing your hotel check-out. With any remaining time, you might visit the local markets to pick up last souvenirs, before making your way to the airport for your departure flight home.

  Accommodation: —

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Activities included: Hotel check-out and onward transfer for departure Optional activities: Last-minute souvenir shopping at the local markets

  Meals: Breakfast

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