Thailand Travel Program Thai Culture tour 8 nights and 9 days
9 DaysOverview
Join us on an unforgettable 8-night, 9-day Thai Culture Tour that takes you deep into the
heart of Thailand’s rich traditions and vibrant lifestyle. Begin your journey in the bustling
capital, Bangkok, where you’ll visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and explore the famous
floating markets. Savor authentic Thai cuisine and witness traditional dance
performances. Travel to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the
ancient ruins of Thailand’s former capital. Continue north to Chiang Mai, where you’ll
participate in hands-on experiences like Thai cooking classes, local handicraft
workshops, and visit elephant sanctuaries that promote ethical tourism. Enjoy a tranquil
evening with a traditional Khantoke dinner, experiencing true northern Thai hospitality.
The tour is designed to offer a perfect blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration,
and authentic local interactions. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler,
this program offers deep insight into the soul of Thailand.
Highlights
- The English speaking guide as guided time
- Accommodation based on double/twin sharing with daily breakfast
- Private long tail boat cruise on Chao Phraya river
- Private motor boat cruise in floating market
- Train from Wang Pho 30 minutes
- Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
- All transfers with the air-conditioned private car
- All entrance fees
- Mineral water
- Government taxes & service charge
Itinerary
Warmly welcome you on arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Pick up by guide and driver then transfer to the hotel for check-in (check-in time is at 14h00, the surcharge for early check-in is not included). Then take your time to have a rest after a long flight and lunch time.
Overnight at the hotel in Bangkok.
After breakfast, we visit the Grand Royal Palace dedicated to the ceremony of the royal family of Thailand. In the same compound is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew which is known for the Statue of the Emerald Buddha.
After visiting this complex, we continue to visit Wat Pho, a giant house of the lying Buddha. Then, we visit the Wat Traimit which is well known as the Golden Buddha.
Afternoon, boarding on a long tail boat for an excursion along the Chao Phraya River and many bustling interior canals that offer fantastic views of local life close by. Along the way, we stop at Wat Arun, the temple of the Aube.
Return to the hotel and free time for relaxation.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Early in the morning, we drive to the southwest of Bangkok, visitting the Maeklong railway market, taking photo, and enjoying the local snack in the market before driving to Damnoen Saduak - a rural floating market. Stop for a motor boat trip along the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen Saduak.
Afterwards we continue the road to the city of Kanchanaburi. Upon arrival, visit the World War II memorial including the Jeath War Museum, Cemetery.
We continue to boarding a train for riding along the beautiful river for around 30 minutes and transfer then city to visit Kwai bridge.
Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Morning breakfast and depart for Erawan Waterfall - a beautiful seven-tiered waterfall. Located in Erawan National Park, Walking up to see each of the picturesque falls, it is best to bring good walking shoes. Also, guests should remember to bring their swimming suit if they wish to swim in the fall’s natural pools.
In the afternoon, we continue the road to Ayutthaya. The ancient city of Ayutthaya is known as the 'Venice of the East’ because it is found along the Chao Phraya, the tributaries that surround the province of Ayutthaya River. Many monuments and remains of the period can be visited in this city founded in 1350 by King Uthong when the Thai had to migrate to the South under pressure from their neighbours to the North. Overnight in Ayutthaya.
Morning after breakfast we will catch Kermit tuk tuk. These ‘cute’ tuk tuks are found in only two of Thailand’s provinces:
Ayutthaya, and Trang. Along the ride, explore the temple highlights of the city from Wat Yai Chaimongkol, Wat Mahathat (with a Buddha face emerging from a tree), and strolling through a local market en route to Wat Phra Srisanphet. And after that we visit will be the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, built during the Ayutthaya era. The palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles. It’s the favorite summer palace of the King.
And transfer to the station to embark on the night train to Chiang Mai. Overnight onboard.
Breakfast served at local restaurant. The morning will be mainly devoted to the walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, Wat Phan Tao temple, Wat Chedi Luang temple.
Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour.
After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot. In the afternoon you will visit the Doi Suthep hill.
Then visit craft villages: lacquer factories, silk weaving, manufacture of umbrellas, wood carvings and goldsmith work.
Then transfer back to the hotel. To brighten up your evening, browse the Night Market for yourself. Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.
08:00 – 08:30 : Pick up from your hotel or accommodation
08:30 : Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas.
10:30 : Arrive at the Sanctuary. Meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Jungle to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing. Enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.
11:00 : Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.
12:00 : Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit.
13:00 : Learn how to make herbal medicine balls, feed the Elephants and then walk with the elephants to the river. Bathe and brush the elephants.
14:00 : Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Swim in the river and take photos with the elephants.
15:00 : Change clothes and say good bye to the elephants
15:30 : Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai.
17:00-17:30 : Drop off at your hotel or accommodation.
Your guide will meet you at the hotel. It’s a beautiful drive to Mae Orn. We will stop at the San Kampaeng market to buy the ingredients for our lunch and fruit of the season. We will continue to Mae Kam Pong.
Upon arrival in Mae Kam Pong we will be met by some of the villagers and our local community guide. You will learn about the history of this remarkable village and make a beautiful trek around the village. Most villagers are engaged in growing bai miang, a kind of plant that can be processed into tea. Apart from bai miang, they also grow coffee and aromatic mushrooms. Other villagers are making handicrafts such as decorated pillows filled with tealeaves, rattan baskets and bamboo furniture.
Various walks are possible around Mae Kam Pong. Our program is flexible and will be adjusted according to your wishes. Lunch will be either in a homestay in the village or a picnick lunch along the way, depending on the program. A traditional massage is available. Late in the afternoon we return to Chiang Mai
You depart with driver to the Chiang Mai airport taking an international flight to your next destination. End of our services.
Include
- English-speaking guide during the visit time of your trip.
- All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Accommodation in the hotels mentioned or similar.
- All the excursions and visits mentioned.
- Entrance tickets/boat/bamboo raft.
- Meals mentioned. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
- Taxes and service charges.
Exclude
- International/domestic flights.
- Early check-in/ late check-out.
- Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, beverages other than
- those included with meals.
- Telephone call charges.
- Laundry.
- Travel insurance (compulsory).
- Personal purchases such as souvenirs, cigarettes, etc.
- Tips for guides, drivers, porters.
- Visa.
- Surcharge for festivals (Loy Krathong, Sonkran…), X-Mas &
- New Year Eve.
- Compulsory Gala Diner on 24 & 31 Dec 2025 (if any).
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
