Culinary Treasures of Thailand

Discover bustling Bangkok at night! Begin your Bangkok tour with a ride to the heart of the city, and then take a short walk to the Bar at the Sofitel So Bangkok hotel. Witness a beautiful sunset from the bar, while you sip on a delicious Mai Tai. After sunset, hop into a tuk tuk or taxi to get to the famous food street at Silom, where mouth-watering sights and smells await at local eateries. After drinking and eating, (optional) step into the Patpong Museum, an attraction documenting the history of the rise of SE Asia’s most famous red-light district and get a blow-by-blow account of how a small strip of arable land and an old klong (canal), grew into a business district before maturing into the thriving and risque entertainment centre it is today. Afterwards, board the BTS skytrain to reach Chao Phraya River, where you can take a boat to get to ‘Asiatique’ – the most popular night market in town. Spend the rest of your evening shopping your heart out and shooting the breeze by the riverside. (Duration: 5 hrs, Time: 17:00; Evening; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Moderate as it includes walking; dinner can be arranged at Somtum instead of street food restaurants upon prior notice; please note that tank tops, sleeveless garments, athletic clothing, spaghettis and tube tops, flip flops or Birkenstocks are not allowed at the Bar)

Discover the ‘authentic taste’ of Bangkok on this morning trip to Bangrak (‘village of love’), a bucolic neighborhood of the city. Get to know the lifestyle and culture of the local residents in an area renowned for its culinary delights and food stalls. Take a leisurely morning stroll along the by-lanes, in the company of your expert local guide. Spend time at a corner stall in the company of friendly residents and good conversation. Learn about the area’s local history, including the significance behind many of the heritage structures in the neighborhood. Stop by some of the best family-run food stalls and street food carts that turn out scrumptious dishes. Sample some of their delicious signature snacks while conversing with the chefs and stall owners, learning about their daily lives. Return to your hotel, armed with a bit of insight into traditional Thai cuisine. (Half Day; Time of Day: Morning 10:00 am; Duration: 4 hrs; Shared Activity; Meeting point at BTS Taksin; Please bring comfortable walking shoes; Note: No excursions on Sundays).

Savor the traditional flavors of Chiang Mai’s delicious street food and experience its busy night market on this exciting city trip. Stroll among the food carts and food stalls lining the old city, in the company of your local guide. Relish the tantalising tastes and aromas from the traditional food trucks, sampling delectable platters. Try out deep fried pancakes, noodle soup bowls, rice noodles with curry (kanom jeen), Thai coconut pudding (kanom krok), and the heavenly sweet mango with sticky rice. If you feel adventurous enough, you could also try the local rice whisky. Visit the nearby night market after a satisfying food walk. Revel in the attractive variety, textures and colors on offer at the local bazaar. Walk through the bustling bylanes, admiring the traditional textiles and local artefacts on display. After an enjoyable evening of retail therapy, drive back to your hotel. (Time of Day: Evening; Duration: 4 hrs, 1830 – 2130 hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Meal included: Local street food; Fitness Level: Easy; Note: Inform your local guide of food allergies, if any, in advance; Please bring comfortable walking shoes).

Experience the charms of northern Thailand on this multi-day getaway at The Bush Camp Chiang Mai. You will be picked up in a shared vehicle and driven to the camp located on the banks of the Ping River. Perfectly placed for viewing and interacting with free roaming elephants, this property gives you a camping experience without compromising on luxuries. On arrival, relish a Thai lunch and settle into your accommodation before you head out to explore. Visit the elephant park where the gentle giants roam free. You will get the opportunity to feed and interact with the pachyderms in their natural habitat. Get a glimpse into the daily lives of the mahouts who care for the elephants and meet their families. You could try your hand at pounding rice, sample local food, and watch clothes being hand woven. Later, at a mountaintop viewpoint, enjoy a refreshing drink and barbecued specialties as you take in the sunset. After a buffet dinner, retire to your tent for a good night’s rest. The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, learn to make paper from elephant dung. As you watch the elephants get their morning bath, sample kafee boran, a traditional coffee, and kanom krok, a type of coconut pancake. In the afternoon, cool off with a dip in the swimming pool or rest in your tent. Wind up your second day at the camp with sundowners and dinner. On the last day of your sojourn, find out about the veterinary care of elephants and the animal husbandry initiatives here. Feed the animals one last time before you check out and journey onwards. (Duration: 3 days/2 nights; Shared activity & transfers; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance)

Spend an evening with a chef and discover the world of Thai cuisine. Your venue is a delightful garden adjoining a B&B, on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Get introduced to Chef Gee, your host for the evening. Watch the preparation of traditional Thai dishes, using fresh produce grown by the local farmers’ community. Your chef will give you insights into the intricacies of Thai cuisine, and its influence on global food culture. Once the food is prepared, sit down for a delicious and relaxed meal in the beautiful setting. After dinner, head back to Chiang Mai. (Duration: 3.5 hours; Private Activity with Transfer; Timing: 1830-2200 hours; Included: Local guide & dinner; Please inform us of food allergies in advance; Fitness Level: Easy)

Immerse yourself in the culinary arts of Thailand at the renowned Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant, housed in a historic 105-year-old Sino-Portuguese-style mansion. Learn to prepare classic dishes once served to the country’s royalty. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local instructor, visit the morning market. Learn to select and buy aromatic herbs and spices, fresh vegetables and fruits that are frequently used in Thai cuisine. Back at the cooking class, the chef introduces you to the Blue Elephant culinary philosophy and discusses the four-course meal you will prepare. Watch a step-by-step demonstration of each dish being made. Then, don an apron and take your place in the modern well-equipped kitchen. Set about preparing the meal while getting hands-on guidance and learn the techniques of cooking Thai food. Later, savor the delicious lunch that you have prepared, in the elegant dining room. (Duration: 5.5 hrs; Not available 1st & 2nd Jan; Time: 0800 hrs; Shared activity; Private transfers; Meal included: lunch; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Best time to travel: Nov-Mar.)