Thailand off the Beaten Path

Discover the lifestyle and traditions of the Thai people on this full-day guided trip of Bangkok, using public transport. Start early with a ride on the air-conditioned elevated Sky Train (BTS). Disembark at BTS National Stadium Station and take a short walk to Jim Thompson House. Explore the idyllic gardens and traditional buildings, showcasing the life of this famous, mysterious American silk merchant. Next, board a ‘bus boat’ that takes you along the city’s canals, giving you an insight into the lives of locals. On arrival at the terminal station, hop on one of Thailand’s famous three-wheeled ‘tuk tuks.’ Whiz through quieter city streets to Soi Ban Batra to visit the family-run workshop that produces monks’ alms bowls. Watch the artisans at work as you learn about the daily lives of Buddhist monks. Finally, visit the outstanding temple of Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, before heading back to the hotel.

(Duration: Full Day; Time: 0800 hrs; Private Activity; Included: Use of Public Transport; Meal not included; Fitness Level: Moderate; Please dress appropriately for visits to palaces and temples. Wear comfortable walking shoes; Important Note: Shorts, mini-skirts, tight fitting trousers, sleeveless shirts or vests, and sandals are not allowed)

Discover some of Bangkok’s best eateries and zip around the city in an iconic three wheeled tuk tuk during this food adventure. Meet your guide at your hotel in the evening and climb into your tuk tuk. Then, set out to some of the best eateries located within the city’s famous street food zone. All the food joints on your itinerary have received the Michelin ‘Bib Gourmand’ award. Taste dishes such as Guay Tiew Gai (Thai noodles with chicken), Pad Thai, and Sukiyaki with seafood. Enjoy a few Thai desserts along the way as well. Between food tastings, visit Wat Suthat temple to see its illuminated chedis. Learn about the history of the temple and take in the night view of the Giant Swing. Round off the evening at a secret bar. Sip a chilled Thai beer accompanied by flavorful appetizers while enjoying night views of the Giant Swing and the glittering temple. After, return to your hotel in your tuk tuk.

(Duration: half day; Time: 1700 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: food tastings; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Please dress appropriately to visit the temple; Shorts, miniskirts, tight fitting trousers, vests and sandals are not allowed)

Experience rural Thailand when you drive from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. Stop at the Maeklong Railway Market, and walk through this unusual bazaar along a railway track. Locals set up shop just outside the station and a train rolls through the marketplace eight times a day. A warning bell sounds when the train is two minutes away, and within seconds the shopkeepers recede the awnings to reveal the passage. Once the train passes, the vendors extend the canopies back in place and continue their business. Next, head to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market where hawkers sell their wares from longtail boats. On weekends, venture further inland to the Tha Kha Floating Market, set amid sugar plantations. Here, you will come across several boat vendors selling a variety of ready-to-eat foods. Then, take a paddle boat ride to visit a family-run palm sugar factory and see how palm sap is harvested, refined and molded. Finally, stop at the iconic Bridge on the River Kwai, before heading to your hotel in Kanchanaburi. (En route; Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; Meals included: no; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: easy)

Discover Erawan National Park and its seven tiers of cascading waterfalls, near the Myanmar border. Reach this beautiful park and trek along a dense forest trail, while taking in a series of smaller cascades along the way. Pass the first level, Lai Kheun Rung and follow your guide to Wang Mat Cha. Continue hiking to arrive at Oke Nang Phee Suae and Bur Mai Long falls. From here, the route leading toward Dong Pruk Sa gets slightly steeper. Traverse footbridges and ascend steps carved on the mountain face, to arrive at the crest of Erawan Falls. Spend time at the top cataract, which resembles the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology. While returning to base, you could take a dip in one of the pools, before heading to the River Kwai station. Take a short ride on the historic Death Railway. Travel across the Kwai Noi Gorge, pass through Tham Krasae Bridge and disembark at Wang Pho Viaduct. Stroll along the original wooden trestles of this iconic landmark, before returning to your hotel in Kanchanaburi.

(Duration: full day; Seasonal: Oct-April; Time: 0830 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meal included: no; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance)

Post breakfast at your hotel, heads towards the Kui Buri community village. Choose to walk around or hop onto a local farmer’s truck to learn about the local way of life, and observe their sustainable craft making processes. Try your hand at making paper from pineapple! Learn how rubber gets tapped from the tree and how fertilizers are made. Meet wood craftsmen and get a chance to watch their meticulous process of making handcrafted goods. Relish a local lunch at the village before you head back to your hotel or continue with your afternoon activities. (Half Day; Times: 0800 hrs; Private Activity and Transfer; Lunch included; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Set out in your private vehicle for one of the best places in Thailand to spot elephants – the Kui Buri National Park. At the park gates, an open safari jeep will be waiting to take you deep into the forest, which is one of the few places in all of Thailand to spot elephants in their natural habitat. Accompanied by a local expert, you may spot some gaur, cheetahs and sambar deer as well! Drive on the main dirt road north to the grassland areas where the animals are known to congregate. Keep your eyes peeled for any wildlife sightings, along the route as well as in your designated stops. Learn about the habitat, wildlife and history of the park courtesy your informative guide. (Half Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Time: 1430 hrs; Duration: 3.5 hrs; Fitness Level: Easy; Please bring rain gear, insect repellent, sunblock, and a hat).

Explore the stunning natural diversity of Sam Roi Yot National Park, Thailand’s first coastal national park, on this day tour. Upon entering the park, stop at a pineapple plantation and learn about the cultivation process. Head on to Bang-Pu, a pretty fishing village on the coast, where you can get a glimpse into the lives of fisherfolk. Take a motorboat out to sea and capture panoramic views of the ocean. When the boat drops you off at a beautiful beach, walk to the Phraya Nakhon Cave, a unique natural cavern formed by two sinkholes, where the sun’s rays illuminate the interiors in dramatic fashion. Proceed further into the cave, discovering striking rock formations until you reach the center. This is the site of a royal pavilion built in the 19th century to mark the occasion of a kingly visit. On your return to the beach, enjoy a sumptuous lunch. Spend the next few hours lazing on the silky sands or taking a dip in the sea and then head back to Hua Hin.

(Duration: Full Day; Activity with Transfers; Timing: 0830-1530 hours; Includes: Local guide, entrance fees & activities, lunch; Please inform us about food allergies in advance; Fitness Level: Easy; Please note that you have to walk some distance; Please bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses & hats; Don’t forget your camera.)