Thailand In-Style

Upon arrival at the airport, our VIP Fast Track Welcome Services begin soon after you step off the plane. With our experienced staff on hand, you’ll be personally assisted through immigration formalities, baggage claim and customs. Then step into your waiting chauffeured vehicle and transfer to our luxury hotel on the banks of the fabled Chao Phraya River. The balance of this day is yours to relax or explore as you wish.

Your morning begins with a guided visit to the dazzling Grand Palace, where you’ll explore its glittering halls and pavilions, including the Coronation Hall and the Royal Guest House. At Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha, you’ll discover one of Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temples. Continue to Wat Pho, one of Bangkok’s largest and oldest temple complexes. In addition to its striking murals and intricate architecture, Wat Pho is home to a monumental 150-foot-long gilded image of a reclining Buddha. Next, stop to smell the roses—literally—at Bangkok’s vibrant flower market. This photogenic spot bursts with color and fragrance, showcasing an astounding variety of blooms.

After lunch, your tour continues with a scenic excursion along the city’s famed klongs. Traveling by traditional long-tail boat offers a vivid glimpse into daily life along Bangkok’s bustling canals. Along one of these waterways, you’ll visit the Khlong Bang Luang Artist Village, a charming enclave of traditional wooden homes now transformed into studios, galleries, cafés, and shops. From there, cruise onto the Chao Phraya River to visit the majestic Temple of Dawn before returning to your hotel. Meals B+L

From ancient temple ruins to bustling markets and timeless traditions, Bangkok and its environs offer a wealth of sights to see and experience. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to tailor your sightseeing to your own personal interests and style. Just choose one of these included excursions. Meals B

Privately Guided Half-Day Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour: Experience a slice of traditional Thai life on this privately guided tour to Damnoen Saduak, one of the country’s most iconic floating markets. Set about 70 miles west of Bangkok, this lively market evokes generations-old traditions, with vendors paddling along the narrow canals to sell fresh produce and other goods from their boats. Glimpse traditional Thai homes and see how waterways still serve as vital transport routes. This tour also includes the famous Mae Klong Railway Market, where vendors set up their stalls along the railway track. Every time the signals sound, there’s a chaotic scramble as vendors swiftly pull back their stalls and produce to avoid the oncoming train.

Privately Guided Half-Day Tour to Jim Thompson’s House: Tucked down a quiet lane in central Bangkok, the Jim Thompson House offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of the American entrepreneur who helped revive Thailand’s silk industry. On this privately guided tour, explore the traditional Thai-style home, which remains much as it was when Thompson mysteriously disappeared in the Malaysian Highlands in 1967. Once a hub for Bangkok’s social elite, the house now showcases an exceptional collection of Southeast Asian art and antiques, making it one of the city’s most captivating cultural landmarks.

Privately Guided Full-Day Tour to Ayutthaya: Step back in time on this privately guided excursion to Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam—and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located about 60 miles north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya was once a thriving cosmopolitan city, and its atmospheric ruins—temples, palaces, and statues—offer a powerful glimpse into its storied past. Visit some of the city’s most important landmarks, including the impressive bronze Buddha at Wat Mongkol Bophit, the historic Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and the towering chedi of Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon. You'll also enjoy a scenic boat ride to the former Royal Summer Residence at Bang Pa-In, where Thai and European architectural styles blend beautifully. A delicious Thai lunch at a local restaurant is included.

Culinary Class at Baipai Thai Cooking School: Discover the secrets of Thai cuisine in a fun, hands-on cooking class at the renowned Baipai Thai Cooking School. Set in an inviting Thai-style house surrounded by herbs and gardens, rather than a commercial kitchen, this join-in group experience offers a relaxed, authentic setting to learn from expert Thai chefs. You’ll work step-by-step through traditional recipes using fresh ingredients and time-honored techniques—and enjoy the delicious results of your efforts. More than just a cooking class, it’s a flavorful glimpse into Thai culture and culinary tradition.

This morning, you’ll be chauffeured to the airport for your included flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, journey to the riverside town of Chiang Saen, one of northern Thailand’s oldest settlements. Once a thriving kingdom, Chiang Saen is rich in history, with remnants of ancient temples, city walls, and a surrounding moat. Visit the Chiang Saen Museum, where locally excavated artifacts—including a renowned bronze Buddha in the Chiang Saen style—offer insight into the region’s Lanna Thai heritage.

Take a break from sightseeing as you enjoy lunch in a local restaurant known for its fine presentation of the regional cuisine. Then continue to the Golden Triangle, the legendary meeting point of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. Here, you’ll explore the House of Opium Museum, home to a fascinating collection of antique tools used in the opium trade. Items such as harvesting knives, scales, pipes, and pillows reflect the customs and craftsmanship of the Burmese, Shan, Chinese, and local hill tribes—while also revealing the complex history of the region. End the afternoon with a relaxing boat ride along the Mekong River: it’s a delightful way to take in the serene vistas of northern Thailand and timeless scenes of life that unfold along the riverbank. Then check in to your 5-star resort where you’ll have time to refresh before dinner. Meals B+L+D
 

As part of their stay at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp + Resort in northern Thailand, our guests have the opportunity to choose two complimentary experiences from the resort’s unique activity offerings. Meals B+L+D

Walking with Giants—Elephant Experience (Recommended): Join the resort’s elephants and their attentive mahouts (caretakers) on a peaceful walk through the jungle, observing these gentle giants in their natural environment. Watch as they splash in the river, play in the mud, forage for snacks, and interact with others in their herd—an unforgettable opportunity to witness the daily rhythms of elephant life up close, with minimal intrusion and maximum wonder.

Elephant Guardian Program: Gain deeper insight into the unique bond between mahouts and their elephants in this hands-on, culturally rich experience. Learn about the traditions, daily practices, and time-honored knowledge passed down through generations. You’ll also help prepare medicinal food for the resort’s older rescued elephants—a meaningful way to contribute to their care and well-being.

Elephant Learning Experience: Spend time with the rescued elephants and staff of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, delving into the world of elephant care and conservation. It’s a fun, engaging and informative experience designed to teach you about elephant behavior, anatomy and nutrition.

Spice Spoons Cooking Class: Immerse yourself in the flavors of northern Thailand with a hands-on cooking class led by the resort’s expert chef. Begin your culinary journey with a guided visit to a lively local market, where you’ll learn how to select the freshest produce and most fragrant spices. Back at the resort, step into the professional chef’s kitchen and prepare a selection of traditional dishes—curry, soup, appetizer, and dessert—while uncovering the techniques and cultural stories behind each recipe.

60-Minute Exclusive Spa Treatment: Unwind with a rejuvenating 60-minute treatment at the award-winning Anantara Spa, where ancient Thai healing traditions meet serene jungle surroundings. Choose from a curated menu of massages and therapies designed to restore balance, ease tension, and nourish body and mind—all delivered in a tranquil setting overlooking the verdant vistas of the Golden Triangle.

60-Minute Private Yoga or Pilates Class: Refresh your body and recharge your mind with a personalized yoga or Pilates session guided by a skilled instructor. Set in a peaceful open-air pavilion with sweeping views of the surrounding hills, this 60-minute class is tailored to your experience level and goals—whether you're looking to improve flexibility, build strength, or simply reconnect through mindful movement.

After breakfast and check out, set out with your private car and driver for the southward journey south to Chiang Mai, with several fascinating stops along the way. Your first visit is to Wat Rong Khun, famously known as the White Temple. Designed by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, this contemporary Buddhist temple is unlike any other in Thailand. Its all-white façade, adorned with shimmering glass mosaics, symbolizes purity, while its surreal and often provocative sculptures reflect a blend of Buddhist teachings and modern themes. Visually stunning and thought-provoking, it is as much a work of art and architecture as it is a temple.

Continue to Singha Park, a vast and beautifully maintained estate featuring lush tea plantations, verdant gardens and beautiful natural landscapes. Enjoy time to explore the grounds—on foot, by bicycle, or aboard the park’s electric tram, which stops at key points of interest. After lunch at Singha Park, visit Wat Rong Suea Ten—also known as the Blue Temple. With its vivid cobalt blue exterior and richly detailed interior, this temple is a fascinating fusion of traditional Buddhist values and classic Thai architecture blended with contemporary design. Among its most impressive statuary elements are two giant Naga serpents that flank the main entrance. Arrive in Chiang Mai and check in to your 5-star hotel where you’ll have time to refresh before dinner. Meals B+L+D

After breakfast, join your engaging private guide to discover Chiang Mai from two different perspectives. First up is a tranquil 45-minute boat ride along the Mae Ping River, where you'll pass a changing landscape of pastoral riverine landscapes, carefully tended gardens and traditional teakwood houses—punctuated by glimpses of daily life along the water. Back on land, hop aboard a samlor—a three-wheeled trishaw common throughout Thailand—for a captivating ride through the bustling streets to Warorot Market. This bustling local market is a treasure trove of northern Thai life, filled with everything from fresh produce and street snacks to household goods, textiles, and souvenirs.

After lunch at a local restaurant, ascend to the mountaintop temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of northern Thailand’s most sacred sites. Perched 3,200 feet above sea level and reached by a winding mountain road, the temple offers sweeping views of Chiang Mai. Admire its golden chedi and finely detailed murals, and take part in a casual, insightful conversation with a resident monk about Buddhist traditions and beliefs. Next, you’ll visit the serene Wat Pha Lat, a lesser-known gem tucked into the forest beside a gentle waterfall—an oasis of peace beneath the jungle canopy. End the afternoon at the Buddhist University at Wat Suan Dok , where you'll have another opportunity to engage with a monk and learn more about Buddhist beliefs, philosophy and meditation practices. Back at your hotel, the evening is free to enjoy and dine as you wish. Meals B+L

From verdant mountains to centuries-old temples and hands-on cultural experiences, Chiang Mai offers a variety of ways to experience its cultural heritage. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to personalize your exploration with the included excursion or activity that best suits your interests and travel style. This evening, we’ll take you to one of our favorite restaurants along the Ping River for a delightful farewell dinner. Meals B+D

Half-Day Textile Experience at Studio Naenna: Nestled at the foot of Doi Suthep, Studio Naenna offers a peaceful setting to explore the traditional weaving techniques of the Karen ethnic group. Learn about natural dyes and eco-friendly fabrics during a fascinating interactive demonstration, followed by an introduction to the artistry of Lao-Tai textiles and the diverse community styles and histories behind them. After a demonstration of Karen back-strap loom weaving, you’ll have time to browse the studio’s galleries featuring silk and cotton garments for purchase—plus a private collection of fine textiles and antiques.

Full-Day Discovery of Ancient Lanna History: Step back in time with a privately guided visit to Wat Ton Kwen, one of the finest surviving examples of classic Lanna architecture in northern Thailand. Then continue to Chiang Mai’s Hang Dong district for a culinary experience with the Ruankaew-Yanon family. Welcomed into their home, you’ll take part in preparing traditional, home-style dishes that reflect authentic northern Thai flavors—distinct from those taught in typical cooking schools. Share a delicious meal with your hosts and gain insight into daily life in a real Thai neighborhood.

Half-Day Thai Cooking Class: Set in a peaceful village outside of central Chiang Mai, our cooking school offers a warm, farm-style setting for learning authentic Thai recipes. Begin with a visit to a local market to select fresh ingredients, and then source herbs, vegetables, and free-range eggs from a nearby organic farm. Under the guidance of skilled and friendly instructors, you’ll prepare classic Thai dishes like sticky rice, flavorful curries, soup, stir-fry and dessert in a traditional open-air pavilion. It’s a fun, flavorful way to connect with Thai culture—and bring new culinary skills home to share with family and friends.

Full-Day Privately Guided Excursion to Doi Inthanon: Escape to the cool, misty heights of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s tallest mountain and a haven for nature lovers. Home to nearly 400 bird species, this biodiverse national park also features lush forests, dramatic waterfalls, and vibrant rhododendron blooms. Visit the striking twin pagodas built in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit, who reigned from 1946 to 2016, and enjoy panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. Continue to a nearby Karen village for a glimpse of hilltribe life and sit down to a traditional Northern Thai meal at a local restaurant. A short walk to the impressive cascades of Wachirathan Waterfall is the perfect after-lunch activity. Time permitting, you’ll also stop at an historic temple in Chom Thong to see a revered Buddhist relic.

We’ll take you to the airport this morning for your onward flight, or continue with us on a privately-arranged extension. Meals B