Thailand's Great Loop

Accompanied by your guide, you join the quays and board a public river bus. As you travel along the water, you head towards the historic center, on the right bank, to the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat. Stroll through the fragrant aisles and get your first taste of authentic, traditional Asia.

You will discover the architectural jewels of Bangkok. Marvel at the splendor of the Grand Palace of Bangkok, built in 1782: a sumptuous complex of buildings and inner courtyards, including the Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). You will discover the famous Emerald Buddha, a precious statue dating from the 14th century, at the heart of one of the most venerated sanctuaries in the country.

Then, on foot, you reach Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's oldest temples, renowned for its peaceful atmosphere and elegant pavilions. You discover the impressive Reclining Buddha, an emblematic figure of the site, as well as the inner courtyards dotted with stupas and refined decorative details.

Next, you cross the river by small boat to reach Wat Arun, the famous "Temple of Dawn", standing on the right bank. Upon arrival, you admire its spectacular central prang, finely decorated with porcelain mosaics and floral motifs that sparkle in the light.

Ride aboard a private traditional "long-tail" boat-taxi on the Chao Praya river, one of the country's most important waterways and the lifeblood of Bangkok. As you travel along the water, you discover the "Venice of the Orient," amid peaceful klongs, stilt houses and small temples nestled along the banks.

Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide

Set out on a bike tour in the capital's lung in the extraordinary neighborhood of Bang Kachao District - a true 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 neighborhood.

Next to Chinatown, you'll find the amazing Talat Noi neighborhood, one of the oldest in Bangkok. Steeped in Chinese culture, this place is full of curiosities of all kinds, from street art to atypical houses and ancient 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, wandering through the alleys that overflow with shops of all kinds. Early in the evening, the night market sets up on Yaowarat Road and its illuminated side alleys that give new life to the district. You will find all kinds of Thai and Chinese specialties there for dinner.

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

We then continue our adventure with an exploration of the great Maha Sawat canal, once used to supply the markets of Bangkok. On board 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 the plantations of gac fruit and discover the creation of various products made from this unique fruit.

We will end this morning with a visit to a lake where magnificent lotus flowers bloom, offering a peaceful landscape to contemplate.

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

After lunch, stop at a Thai family home to learn how to make small objects from palm leaves, in particular the small fish ''pla tapian'' whose mobiles are one of the specialties of the Ayutthaya and Amphawa region. Day accompanied by an English-speaking guide.

In the evening, let yourself be tempted by a Thai massage. (Optional activity to discuss with the guide, on site).

Night at Baan Amphawa Resort.

Then, excursion to a local palm sugar industry.

In early afternoon, we visit the gardens of King Rama II's residence, where we find superb teak wood buildings (tropical tree).

Visit to the temple Wat Bang Khae Noi located not far from the city. We appreciate its architecture, for which the building was entirely constructed in teak wood. Its walls are entirely carved and represent episodes from the previous lives of Buddha.

Continuation with the visit of the Wat Bang Kung (Kai Bang Kung), commonly called the Banyan Tree Temple, since its chapel was covered by the roots and branches of a banyan tree. In its gardens, we can notably observe life-size representations of wrestlers, commemorating the Battle of Ayutthaya between Thailand and Burma at the end of the 13th century.

This evening, we head to the quays to taste the local flavors of the Floating Market, which takes place on weekend evenings. Along the canals, many locals have come to dine. Like them, we order our small dishes directly from each boat: stir-fried noodle dish, some shrimp or squid skewers, or why not pre-cut mangoes.

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

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

Then, we head off to discover life in the mangroves. By boat, we set out to 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.

Arrival in Kanchanaburi, where we will take time to visit the great temple of Wat Tham Suea, accessible by a climb with a small cable-car (local standards!!).

Departure around 10:40 on 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 westward to the Sai Yok 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 massive rock 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 the associated museum and take an emotional walk along the memorial trail. Plan to spend at least 1 to 2 hours at this site.

Return to Kanchanaburi in the late afternoon.

Morning departure for the national park and Erawan waterfalls (63 km drive). This national park is home to a superb waterfall spanning 7 levels, forming natural pools with emerald blue water teeming with Mahseer Barbs. If you wish, you can stay around the 3 first levels, the easiest to access, and swim there, but a climb to the 7th level, while not difficult, is rewarding: La Phu Pha Erawan, the final waterfall being the most majestic spot in the area.

After lunch, we set off to discover the historic center of Ayutthaya. We explore in particular the Wat Mahathat, a major temple dating from the late 14th century, famous for the head of Buddha entwined in the roots of a tree, which has become one of the symbols of the site.

The visit continues towards the Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, a former royal temple and the largest in the ancient capital, recognizable by its elegant aligned chedis which bear witness to the past grandeur of the kingdom.

Finally, we discover the Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, renowned for its impressive reclining Buddha and its peaceful atmosphere, offering a beautiful conclusion to this immersion in the heart of Siam's history.

In the company of your guide, you make a detour to the great Warorot market, where you can find all kinds of specialties from northern Thailand, such as Sai Ua (northern sausage), Moo Yo (traditional Vietnamese pork sausage), Nam Phrik Num (northern green chili paste) and dried fruits, among other delights. In addition to local food, the market also offers clothing, ceramics, fabrics, embroidery tools, flowers, and much more.

Let's then head towards the Doi Suthep temple, perched on the slopes of the mountain at approximately 1,200 meters altitude. A true symbol of Chiang Mai, this magnificent Buddhist temple offers an atmosphere filled with serenity and spirituality, where statues, sanctuaries and bells accompany the faithful and visitors in a moment of contemplation. According to legend, its location was chosen by a white elephant carrying a sacred relic of Buddha: after climbing the mountain, the animal is said to have stopped at the summit, trumpeted three times and then lay down, thus indicating the place where the temple should be built. Today, its terraces offer a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding valley.

On the way, a stop at Wat Pha lat, a more discreet temple nestled in the forest, appreciated for its peaceful setting and its almost confidential atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Finally, we will end our day with a visit to the 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, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

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

This morning, we set off by bicycle to discover Chiang Mai, nicknamed the "Rose of the North". From the famous Tha Phae gate, and with the mountains of Doi Suthep as a backdrop, we quickly leave the main roads to slip into the small streets and traditional alleyways of the city. Along the route, we cross historic neighborhoods dotted with ancient temples, we encounter monks in their daily lives, and along the way we stop near bustling markets. The itinerary also takes us beyond the city walls, where the pace becomes more relaxed, to meet a more local Chiang Mai: scenes of daily life, small workshops, craftsmanship and busy residents who observe you passing with curiosity. Small group activity, accompanied by an English-speaking local guide. 3 hours - Approximately 13 Km

In the late afternoon, we head to a Thai cooking class taught in English in the countryside, outside the city, in an old Lanna style house.

Note: Vegetarian or vegan dishes available.

On the menu:

- Tom Kha Gai (coconut and lemon chicken soup)

- Pad Thaï (stir-fried Thai rice noodles)

- Panang Moo (Panang pork curry)

- Poh Pia tod (fried spring rolls)

For dessert, we serve Khao Niao Mamuang (sticky rice with coconut milk and mango).

Upon arrival, we begin a guided hike along the Mae Wang trails. We first walk along a mountain stream, before climbing 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 cool off.

In the afternoon, the hike continues through cultivated areas 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.

Tonight we are welcomed for dinner and the night by a Karen family, in a breathtaking setting on the edge of the jungle, surrounded by 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 focused 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 fruit that will be used to feed them. You go for a walk with them in the jungle, where they move freely while feeding on the vegetation. Our guide helps us better understand their behavior and the attention given 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 along 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.

Discover Khao Sok National Park on a half-day hiking adventure through one of the world's oldest tropical rainforests.
Accompanied by a local guide, trek along trails through lush vegetation, observe local wildlife and flora, cross small streams and discover the natural treasures of this exceptional park.

An ideal experience for nature lovers and travelers seeking immersion in a pristine environment.

In the late afternoon, take advantage of a final boat excursion to observe the sunset. Return to the floating complex for dinner. Night in a magical setting in the stilt bungalows of Panvaree