As one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, Thailand will irrevocably draw you in with its mouthwatering cuisine, white sand beaches, lush mountains, and its people’s warm hospitality. Guided by a local expert, this 10-day Premium Itinerary is designed to introduce you to the country’s local way of life, uncover its spiritual roots, witness conservation efforts to protect the majestic Asian Elephant, and discover breathtaking natural wonders while cruising the waters of the Andaman Sea.
To ensure a relaxed experience, we have included several leisure days so that you can explore various places at your own pace. Be it Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Phuket, each destination has its distinct historical, cultural and natural attractions. You’ll come away from this experience in wonder at the sheer diversity a single country can offer.
ITINERARY ROUTE MAP
Highlights
Explore Bangkok’s vibrant nightlife on a local tuk-tuk. Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai that cares for Asian elephants. Witness the breathtaking natural wonder of Bioluminescence in Phang Nga Bay. Enjoy the flexibility to choose add-on tours to make your trip even more exciting!
DAY 1
Arrival in Bangkok and Evening Street Eats Tour by Tuk-Tuk
Receive a warm welcome from our representative at the aerobridge, then be promptly escorted to the fast-track immigration counter to complete arrival formalities. Once immigration processes are complete, our staff will transfer your luggage and usher you to our vehicle.
Sit back and enjoy a comfortable journey from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to your booked accommodation in downtown Bangkok by airconditioned vehicle. Located 32 kilometres west of the airport, the transfer will take approximately 45 minutes to reach your hotel in central Bangkok.
Spend the day at leisure until sunset, when Bangkok lights up, and the streets turn into one giant open-air kitchen. Hop on a tuk-tuk and dive into the city’s tastiest corners, from sizzling stalls to popular riverside spots.
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel to reach the starting point, where we get on the Tuk Tuk to explore the backstreets of Bangkok’s old quarter, where food is bold, unapologetically local, and deeply rooted in tradition. First stop: the legendary Tom Yum Wonton, a tasty bowl
Inclusions:
that perfectly balances spice, tang, and comfort. Next, savour pork satay, juicy skewers grilled over charcoal flames and dipped in creamy peanut sauce.
Stretch your legs with a walk through one of Bangkok’s old trading streets, where vintage shophouses, street art, and new creative energy sit side by side. Along the way, sample traditional steamed buns, a classic snack reflecting the area’s Chinese heritage. These soft, fluffy delicacies have long been associated with prosperity and good fortune.
Hop back on a tuk tuk and zip through the neon buzz of Chinatown, stopping briefly at the Giant Swing for photos under the city lights. Dinner follows at a beloved local eatery that has served Pad See Ew for over 40 years. This is a comforting noodle classic that showcases how Chinese cooking evolved into Thai street-food culture.
Finish with a breezy tuk-tuk ride past the Grand Palace and City Pillar, ending the night at the rooftop bar where you can take in the splendid views of the majestic Wat Arun temple while sipping on a cool drink.
- Overnight accommodation in Bangkok. - Dinner.
Grand Palace and Wat Pho Visit, Afternoon Canal Tour with Wat Arun
Explore Bangkok’s finest attractions and journey around the city’s fascinating canal network.
After being picked up from your hotel, journey to the magnificent Grand Palace to take in the beauty of this sprawling temple complex, boasting some of the finest Thai-Buddhist architecture in the entire country. Explore the vast grounds and numerous dazzling buildings, including the highly revered Wat Phra Kaew, home to the prized Emerald Buddha statue dating back to the 14th Century.
Afterwards, head across the road to Wat Pho, one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok, which has more than 1,000 Buddha images.
The temple is considered the first public university in the Kingdom and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, housing one of the country’s oldest massage schools.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before setting off on an afternoon journey on a traditional longtail boat to navigate the serene canals, providing a glimpse into the quieter side of Bangkok life.
Complete the experience with a visit to the iconic Wat Arun, towering 79 meters over the Chao Phraya River, offering panoramic views of Bangkok from Thonburi. Conclude the day with a transfer back to your hotel.
Inclusions:
- Overnight accommodation in Bangkok. - Breakfast and lunch.
DAY 3
Free Day at Leisure in Bangkok
Bangkok is a dynamic city, pulsating with life and activity at all times of the day. From historic temples to swanky malls, street-side vendors to Michelin Star restaurants, tuk-tuk rides to an efficient public transport system, there is much to see in this city and varied ways of getting around town.
This free day allows you to enjoy sightseeing in Bangkok at your own pace, or feel free to join our Buddhist Traditions & Silk Legacy by EV tuk-tuk tour (at an additional cost) to immerse yourself in Bangkok’s ancient spiritual and cultural traditions.
Inclusions:
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Overnight accommodation in Bangkok.
DAY 4
Bangkok – Chiang Mai
After having breakfast and checking out of your Bangkok accommodation, transfer to Bangkok’s domestic terminal for a short flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, our representative will transfer you to your accommodation, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Inclusions: ITINERARY
- Breakfast at the hotel. - Transfers to/from airports.
- Economy class air ticket between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. - Overnight accommodation in Chiang Mai.
Doi Suthep Mountain and Hidden Temple
Take the scenic road heading out of Chiang Mai to visit Doi Suthep mountain, which has been a spiritual site since 1383 when the first pagoda was built.
Today, it remains an important pilgrimage spot for locals and foreigners alike, where visitors can take a cable car to reach the stupa on the hilltop and admire the superb panoramic scenery from the temple’s terrace.
Explore the architecture, statues, murals and shrines, all of which are nothing short of breathtaking. Continue to Wat Pha Lat, amid the sounds of chirping birds and the rustling of leaves.
Built in the 14th century on the slopes of Doi Suthep, you can spend some relaxing time here before participating in a monk blessing to seek inner peace and mindfulness.
After this half-day tour, transfer back to your hotel in Chiang Mai to spend the afternoon at leisure.
Inclusions:
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Overnight accommodation in Chiang Mai.
6
Elephant Nature Park Half-Day Tour
After breakfast at your hotel, visit the Elephant Nature Park, a rescue and rehabilitation centre for elephants, as well as many other rescued animals.
Your visit starts with a picturesque drive through the rural countryside to the Elephant Nature Park. On the way, you will learn about the rescued and orphaned elephants and their individual stories.
At the park, you will have the opportunity to spend time with the various herds. Many of these elephants have left behind a traumatic past and, for the first time, are able to form relationships with other elephants. There is no riding or bathing the elephants at ENP, but you’ll get a chance to feed elephants later.
Enjoy a delicious lunch, then head to the river to observe the beautiful animals from a viewing platform as they happily enjoy an afternoon splash. Transfer back to Chiang Mai to spend the afternoon at leisure.
In the evening, you can opt for a Vespa Adventure to enjoy Chiang Mai’s vibrant nightlife and cuisine through the eyes of a local. Additional costs will apply.
Inclusions:
- Breakfast and lunch.
- Overnight accommodation in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai – Phuket
After breakfast and checking out of your Chiang Mai accommodation, transfer to Chiang Mai airport for a two-hour flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, our representative will transfer you to your accommodation to enjoy the remaining day at leisure in Phuket.
Inclusions:
- Breakfast at the hotel. - Transfers to/from airports.
- Economy class air ticket between Chiang Mai and Phuket. - Overnight accommodation in Phuket.
Bioluminescence & Sea Canoes in Phang Nga Bay
After getting picked up from your hotel, transfer to the pier and spend a spectacular afternoon and early evening out around Phang Nga Bay, where you can witness the incredible natural wonder of bioluminescence and enjoy sea canoeing activities.
What is bioluminescence you might ask!
Well, some sea creatures can emit light and can be found in various forms in the Phang Nga Bay area. One of the most noteworthy examples is the bioluminescent plankton, a tiny organism that emits bright blue-green light due to changes in water temperature, nutrient availability, the presence of predators or other environmental stressors.
After departing from the pier, go for a sea canoe exploration at Phanak Island to see rock formations and hidden lagoons.
Next, visit James Bond Island, whose famous limestone karst featured in the James Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun, and remains one of the most iconic landmarks in Phang Nga Bay, offering stunning photo opportunities and scenic views.
Then enjoy the sunset and dinner on Panyee Island, the floating Muslim village on stilts in Phang Nga Bay, before heading to observe the enchanting and memorable bioluminescence that accentuates the beauty of the Bay’s waters even further.
Inclusions: - Breakfast and dinner. - Overnight accommodation in Phuket.
DAY 9
Free Day at Leisure in Phuket
Enjoy a day of sightseeing or relaxing on your own in Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, which is singularly identifiable due to the turquoise, clear water of its beaches and its hilly and rainforested terrain, which makes way for the most stunning views of Phuket Town and nearby islands.
Alternatively, feel free to join our Phuket Cultural & Local Phothong Ride Experience at an additional cost to explore Phuket’s Peranakan culture and Sino-Portuguese architecture.
Inclusions: - Breakfast at the hotel. - Overnight accommodation in Phuket.
Departure from Phuket
Private transfer from your accommodation to Phuket’s International Airport by air-conditioned vehicle, accompanied by your Discova Phuket Guide. Located approximately 32 kilometres north of the capital of the Phuket province, the transfer will take one hour to reach the departure hall for your flight.
Inclusions:
- Breakfast included at the hotel.
HOTELS & DESTINATIONS
Deluxe Room with Breakfast
Melia Room with Breakfast
Deluxe Room with Breakfast
* Overnight addresses are subject to change based on availability on the booking date. We reserve the right to offer/book suitable alternative accommodation if the mentioned overnight address is unavailable. Alternative accomodation will be sourced at the same or a higher standard at Discova’s expense.
Inclusions:
Airport transfers and domestic flight tickets are included. Sightseeing and day tours as specified in the itinerary.
Overnight stay based on twin share in stated accommodation or similar. Meals as indicated in the itinerary. Service charges and any government taxes.
