Discovering the Kingdom of Siam

Accompanied by your guide, you make your way to the docks and then board a public boat-bus. As you travel along the water, you head upstream towards the historic center, on the right bank, as far as the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat. Stroll through the fragrant aisles and experience your first immersion in an authentic and traditional Asia.

Nous partons à la rencontre des joyaux architecturaux de Bangkok. Émerveillons-nous devant la splendeur du Grand Palais de Bangkok, édifié en 1782 : un ensemble somptueux de bâtiments et de cours intérieures, dont le Wat Phra Kaeo (temple du Bouddha d’émeraude). Nous y découvrons le célèbre Bouddha d’émeraude, précieuse statue datant du XIVe siècle, au cœur de l’un des sanctuaires les plus vénérés du pays.

Then, on foot, we reach Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's oldest temples, renowned for its peaceful atmosphere and elegant pavilions. We discover the impressive Reclining Buddha, an iconic figure of the place, as well as the interior courtyards dotted with stupas and refined decorative details.

Next, we cross the river on board a small boat to reach Wat Arun, the famous "Temple of Dawn", standing on the right bank. Upon arrival, we can admire its spectacular central prang, finely decorated with porcelain mosaics and floral patterns that shimmer in the light.

A ride aboard a private traditional "long-tail" boat-taxi on the Chao Praya river, one of the country's most important waterways and a vital artery of Bangkok. As we glide along the water, we discover the "Venice of the East", between peaceful klongs, stilt houses and small temples hidden along the banks.

Set off on a bike tour in the capital's green lung in the extraordinary Bang Kachao District - a real jungle in the heart of the city. At the entrance, you can rent bikes to explore the park.

You can also visit an incense stick manufacturing workshop and several small temples and see old houses in the district.

Next to Chinatown, lies the amazing neighborhood of Talat Noi, one of the oldest in Bangkok. Steeped in Chinese culture, this place is brimming with curiosities of all kinds, from street art to atypical houses and timeless temples. A true discovery of authentic Bangkok.

Visit to Wat Traimit or the Temple of the Golden Buddha, and the small but very interesting Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Museum, which traces the history of Chinese immigration to Bangkok.

Suggestion: In the evening, you can stroll freely through the Chinese quarter, walk through the alleyways that overflow with shops of all kinds. Early in the evening, the night market sets up on Yaowarat Road and its illuminated side streets that give new life to the neighborhood. You will find all kinds of Thai and Chinese specialties for dinner.

This morning, we begin the day with a visit to the Baan Saladin agrotourism village, where you will discover the manufacturing process of the famous puffed rice cakes, before being able to enjoy a tasting.

We then continue our adventure with an exploration of the grand Maha Sawat canal, once used to supply Bangkok's markets. Aboard a boat, we will enjoy a peaceful ride through its waters, while observing local wildlife and feeding the fish.

Back on dry land, we will visit a fruit garden, where you can admire gac fruit plantations and discover the making of various products based on this unique fruit.

We will end this morning with a stop at a lake where magnificent lotuses bloom, offering a peaceful landscape to contemplate.

We then head towards Nakhon Pathom, which is home to the Wat Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in Thailand.

As night falls, a boat trip on the canal. Our boatman picks us up from the docks, and we set off on a mini-excursion hunting for fireflies that light up the waters.

This morning, we set off for the small floating market of Tah kah, rich in colors and scents. A true immersion in local Thai life.

We continue with a quick stop at the Mae Klong railway market, where 4 times a day, fruit and vegetable stalls hastily fold up as the train passes through the market.

Next, we set off to discover life in the mangroves. By boat, we explore this fragile ecosystem. During our excursion, we discover the lifestyle of fishermen (here, cockle fishing is done from a surfboard) and visit a shellfish farm.

Lunch of local specialties (included).

Departure for the station and boarding around 10:40 in the famous "Death Railway" made famous by the story of the film "The Bridge on the River Kwai", for approximately 1 hour of train travel towards the West and the SaiYok region, located 70 km to the west at the end of the railway line.

After lunch, we stop at HellFire Pass, a long trench of the Death Railway cut into a huge rocky mass to allow the train to pass through. The work carried out by prisoners of Japanese soldiers is said to have cost the lives of more than 100,000 forced laborers and other prisoners of war. Visit of the associated museum and moving walk along the commemorative trail. Plan to spend at least 1 to 2 hours on site.

Return in late afternoon to Kanchanaburi. Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide

A day dedicated to visiting Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam. We set out to discover the historic center of the city, including the Wat Mahathat temple, dating from the late 14th century. We continue to the Wat Phra Sri Sanphet temple, which once served as a royal temple and is therefore the largest in the city; Finally, the Wat Chai Watthanaram, from where we can enjoy the sunset over its ruins.

We begin our visit to Uthai Thani with Wat Chantaram, also known as Wat Tha Sung, a remarkable Buddhist temple and renowned tourist site for its unique architecture. This temple is one of the most impressive in Thailand, often called the "Glass Temple" because of its interior adorned with glass.

We continue with a visit to Khao Sakae Krang, a hill located in Uthai Thani Province. This hill is famous for the Buddhist temple "Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri" which is situated at the summit, offering spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding region.

We then embark on a boat cruise on the Sakae Krang River to observe the traditional lifestyle and floating houses of the inhabitants along the banks. This preserved destination is a remnant of Thailand from several decades ago with its slow pace and picturesque landscape.

Today we begin a cycling excursion along small canals winding between the small rural communities of the region and the rice fields. We thus discover rural life, and the importance of canals in their daily lives (agriculture, bathing, laundry, fishing for dinner…).

We finally reach the city of Sukhothai, the capital of the first Thai kingdom, and the renowned historical park, listed as a Unesco World Heritage site that we visit. Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide

We begin our discovery of Lampang with a visit to the Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, an ancient temple dating from the Phra Nang Cham Thewi era with ancient architecture.

In mid-afternoon, we enjoy a pleasant walk through the old Kad Kong Ta street where you can see beautiful teak houses and notably the Moung Ngwe Zin house.

Then, we head to the magnificent Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao temple, the former guardian of the Emerald Buddha. the Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao is, beyond its religious purpose, a historic and architectural icon of the 15th century in the city of Lampang.

Arriving in Chiang Rai, we visit the extraordinary Le Wat Rong Khun "white temple", a contemporary creation by one of Thailand's most renowned artists: Chalermchai Kositpipat.

In reality, while the site mimics the appearance of a religious complex, its purpose is quite different: the nine buildings house extraordinary works of art, ranging from meditating Buddha statues to pop culture idols like Michael Jackson, along with murals that celebrate the doctrines of Theravada Buddhism. Its immaculate white color gives the building a unique and surprising character.

Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide

From the small local port, we board a water taxi for a navigation of approximately one hour on the waters of the Mekong, offering beautiful panoramic views of the villages and landscapes bordering the river.

We then continue our journey along the banks to a viewpoint overlooking the Mekong and the impressive casino complex with Sino-Roman style installed on the Laotian bank.

Visit the remarkable Hall of Opium, a modern museum built on a hillside overlooking the Mekong Valley. Through immersive and documented exhibitions, the site traces the history of the opium trade in Asia, the influence of the Golden Triangle and the economic and social consequences linked to this cultivation. A fascinating visit that allows you to better understand the complex history of this border region.

On the way back, we make stops in several small villages of the Yao and Akha communities, settled in the mountains of northern Thailand.

If you wish, we can also stop in a Padaung community, a branch of the Karenni people originating from neighboring Myanmar, some of whose women wear the famous spiral golden neck rings that give the impression of elongating the neck.

This visit remains however very particular and sometimes raises questions among travelers. Some see it as a form of intrusive tourism, while others consider that these visits also make it possible to generate essential income for refugee communities often living in modest conditions. We therefore prefer to leave everyone free to choose, in full conscience, whether or not they wish to discover this village.

Early departure for Chiang Mai, the "beauty of the North," former capital of the Lan Na kingdom. The city captivates with its art of living, its hundreds of temples, its refined gastronomy, its warm smiles and its living traditions.

On the way, stop at the Suan Lahu organic farm. Upon your arrival, you enjoy a superb view of the surrounding hills, while sipping a cup of organic coffee grown on site. Your hosts introduce you to the organic farm project developed here, before taking you through the different stages of production and processing of coffee, tea and fruits. Depending on the season, you can also attend the harvest.

We then continue towards a rural community in the highlands, where we benefit from an authentic insight into Lahu indigenous culture, between ancestral traditions and daily life.

Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you head to the outskirts of the city to discover the magnificent Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, located in the mountains at 1200m altitude.

This superb Buddhist temple invites you to pious meditation in an atmosphere steeped in silence and mysticism, where each stone, each statue, each step reveals an aspect of Buddhism. Along the way, a stop at the Wat Pha Lat temple.

Visit of Wat Umong, a Buddhist temple founded in the 13th century and nestled at the foot of the Doi Suthep mountains. Surrounded by forest, this monastery offers a particularly peaceful atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

You discover the history of the place by walking through its ancient underground tunnels, dug for meditation. It is also an opportunity to exchange, when possible, with the resident monks and learn more about monastic life.

This morning, you depart on a bike ride to discover Chiang Mai, nicknamed the "Rose of the North". From the famous Tha Phae gate, and with the Doi Suthep mountains as a backdrop, you quickly leave the main roads to slip into the small streets and traditional alleyways of the city. Along the way, you cross historic quarters dotted with ancient temples, encounter monks in their daily life, and stop by lively markets. The route also takes you outside the city walls, where the pace becomes more leisurely, to experience a more local Chiang Mai: daily life scenes, small workshops, craftsmanship and inhabitants who watch you pass with curiosity. Small group activity, accompanied by an English-speaking local guide. 3 hours - Approximately 13 Km

In the late afternoon, you head out for an English-speaking traditional cooking class, organized in the countryside, outside Chiang Mai, in an old Lanna style house. In a friendly atmosphere, you discover the basics of Thai cuisine and learn to balance the iconic flavors: spicy, sweet, salty and tangy.

Throughout the session, you prepare several must-try recipes, before tasting your creations on site.

Vegetarian or vegan options available. (Please let us know in advance)

Menu (indicative):

• Tom Kha Gai (coconut and lemongrass soup)

• Pad Thaï (stir-fried rice noodles)

• Nam Prik Ong (Northern specialty with tomatoes and chili)

• Khao Soi Gai (curry noodle soup, Northern specialty)

• Dessert: Khao Niao Mamuang (sticky rice with coconut milk and mango)

Upon arrival, we begin a guided hike on the Mae Wang trails. We first walk along a mountain stream, before heading to higher elevations and crossing the terraced rice fields that shape the region's landscape. We take a lunch break near a waterfall, with the opportunity to refresh ourselves.

In the afternoon, the hike continues through crops and mountain paths. We reach a Karen village for a stop, then continue to the rice fields where your guesthouse is located, for a peaceful end of day close to local life.

Day accompanied by an English-speaking hiking guide. Total duration: approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, including 3 hours 30 minutes of actual walking.

This evening we are welcomed for dinner and the night by a Karen family, in a breathtaking setting on the edge of the jungle, amid rice fields.

After breakfast at our hosts' place, we can enjoy a short morning walk in the surrounding area before driving to Chi's camp, a young Karen who shares his daily life with his elephants.

Here, the approach is respectful and centered on animal welfare: no riding, no shows, and limited interactions, always supervised, to give the elephants the space and pace they need.

Upon arrival, we prepare the fruits that will be used to feed them. You go for a walk with them in the jungle, where they roam freely while feeding on the vegetation. Our guide helps us better understand their behavior and the attention paid to their balance, for an authentic, gentle and ethical encounter.

In the afternoon, to cool off, you enjoy a peaceful descent of the Mae Wang River aboard a traditional bamboo raft. Guided by a local boatman, the raft glides gently with the water, offering a calm and contemplative way to discover the surrounding landscapes.

At the leisurely pace of the current, you travel through lush nature between forests, rice fields and wild banks. A simple and relaxing activity, ideal for ending the day gently.

Day in a "speed boat" around the mythical islands of Phi Phi to share in a small group (Max. 15/17 people on a boat with 35 seats).

Our experience allows us to adapt the itinerary at any time to make this day as exclusive as possible, which means away from mass tourism!

We will visit Bamboo Islands, Monkey beach, the lagoon, Viking Cave and Maya Bay but also and especially we will enjoy the lesser-known beaches.

What's on the agenda? Fantastic landscapes, many beaches and swimming sessions, at least two incredible snorkeling dives in the transparent waters of Koh Phi Phi where you may have the chance to observe sharks and turtles, lunch on a quiet beach. Return around 3pm.

Transfer to the sumptuous nature of the Phang Nga Bay, with its breathtaking landscapes and unique caves hidden among the immense limestone cliffs.

We begin our journey on the water in the most traditional way possible – our longtail boat takes us along the lush mangrove forests, which are, among other things, the habitat of monitor lizards, snakes, long-tailed macaques and various species of birds.

We will reach the islands of Koh Hong, an archipelago renowned for its shallow coral reefs and beaches like Koh Ladin and Pak Bier. On the island, the white sand of rare fineness and the emerald green sea make the surroundings magical. You will discover the interior of the island during a beautiful walk that will take you to the arranged viewpoint where you will enjoy a grandiose 360° view of all the surrounding islands!

You will also discover its incredible lagoon, circled by immense verdant peaks and lined with mangroves.

Return transfer to your hotel.

Privatized cruise

We board our return flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival at the airport, you can enjoy a leisurely dinner while waiting for your return international flight.