Get an early start today and make your way to the Klong Toei wet market, the largest and most local in Bangkok. If you would like to see what a real market looks like, then put on a pair of closed-toe shoes and head to Klong Toei where everything and anything is sold, including live ducks, insects and snakes! Walk through the market tasting exotic fruits as your guide explains the local products that you see. If you’re brave enough, you can sample some of them! Along the way, pick up food for the cooking class after the market visit. Thereafter, head to your cooking school to master the art of Thai cooking. This is an activity that you can feel good about as some of the proceeds go to the Klong Toei slums, the largest in Bangkok. If you want to experience a market that few farangs (Thai for foreigners) get to see, then Klong Toei is it!

After the cooking class, return to the hotel for some R&R. Later that evening, go for a drink on a rooftop bar that offers a 360-degree, panoramic view of Bangkok at sunset. Then, head to Cabbages and Condoms for dinner. This restaurant promotes family planning and generates income for various projects advocating family planning. Inside the restaurant, almost everything is made of condoms!

Included:

• Activities: Klong Toei wet market; Cooking class; Free time; Rooftop bar
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel

Begin your day with a trip to Railay Beach, situated about an hour and a half by plane south of Bangkok followed by another 1.5 hours journey by van and boat.

Arrive at Railay in time for the most awe-inspiring sunset you have ever seen! 

Watching the sun paint the sky with nearly all the colors of the rainbow accompanied by a fresh coconut water, smoothie or cocktail makes for the perfect end to a day.

Stunning Scenery: Straight out of a fairytale!

When you set foot on the golden beaches of Railay surrounded by limestone rocks under brilliant blue skies, you will be transported to the pages of a fairytale book.

Without the noise and chaos of cars and motorbikes in town will be a welcome relief after the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. The town is fully accessible on foot so you can easily explore without getting lost. Railay is special because it is surrounded by large limestone cliffs which make it accessible only by boat. Railay is well-known for its rock climbing, but if rock climbing’s not for you, there are plenty of other activities from which to choose!

Included:

• Transfer: Bangkok - Railay Beach by plane, van and boat (approx. 4 hours)
• Activities: Free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel

Do what interests you!

Today everything you'd like to do is completely up to you! We’ll provide you with a list of activities in Railay the day before and can make arrangements for any activities you'd like to do so you can pick what interests you most. Most activities can be arranged at little to no notice. You may opt to go kayaking, caving, snorkeling, island hopping, scuba diving or just lounge around on the beach and get massages. It's your vacation so you can do what you'd like!

Thailand’s most exquisite beach all to yourself!

Later in the evening, head to Phra Nang Beach which is less than a 10-minute walk away. This is the best time to visit this beach since all the day-trippers from Phuket will have left and we'll have the entire beach to ourselves!

Phra Nang Beach is among the most photographed beaches in Thailand thanks to its breathtaking views. On the beach, head over to the "penis temple” where Thai women leave penis statues with the hope of being blessed with good fertility. Then, sit back and watch the sunset on the vast stretch of beach in peace without the crowds! If you’re interested, drop in on the fire show and Muay Thai fight that takes place at night on the way back.

Included:

• Activities: Free time; Phra Nang Beach visit; Fire show
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel

This afternoon, hop on an old Thai sailboat for a cruise around massive intricate rock formations protruding from the ocean depths. Dinner is included on the cruise which starts around 2:00 PM you can enjoy a breathtaking sunset on board the boat. You'll return to Railay around 8:00 PM.

This cruise is recommended over the traditional speedboat tours where guests are packed onto boats like sardines. On this sailboat, you will have plenty of space to relax as you take in the scenery.

Experience magic unlike you’ve ever seen before!

As you cruise, there'll be stops for snorkeling. You can also just chill on the boat and enjoy the views with a drink in hand. Innertubes and paddleboards will also be available for your use if you prefer.

Even after the sun goes down, the party rocks on! After night falls, you'll have the option of snorkeling to see the bioluminescent plankton light up around you.

Included:

• Activities: Free time; Sunset cruise
• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel

Wonders of the ancient rainforest

Khao Sok National Park's rainforest is the second oldest rainforest in the world, estimated to have thrived for over 160 million years. Be sure to keep your food close and your valuables even closer because the monkeys there will take advantage of any open room windows or doors and snatch anything they please!

Welcome to the jungle!

Upon arrival at the jungle resort, you’ll be served lunch after which you will have free time to get a massage, explore the town nearby or take a swim in the river. If you are up for it... Go for a nighttime safari as you discover the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Included:

• Transfer: Railay Beach - Khao Sok by boat & van (approx. 2.5 hours)
• Activities: Free time
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Jungle bungalow hotel

There's no feeling more serene than lazily floating on an innnertube down a river. Don't forget to look up and around you to an incredible mountain towering above and the lush green jungle decorating the banks of the river.

You'll float right to the doorstep of the hotel so you can just drop off your innertube at the lobby and head straight for a massage or have drinks and a tasty snack at the hotel restaurant!

It's your vacation; do what you enjoy!

The inner tube is optional and highly recommended, but if you don't feel it's for you, there is no lack of other activities for you to choose from. You could take a dip in the hot springs, participate in a local handicraft 'jungle' workshop, go canoeing or explore the caves in the area. If none of those interest you, you're welcome to relax on the hotel property and enjoy its lush jungle or nearby nature trails.

Included:

• Activities: Inner tube river excursion; Free time
• Meals: None
• Accommodation: Jungle bungalow hotel

Say goodbye to the jungle and get ready spend the night in a floating lake hotel inside the national park.

A unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience!

After a short transfer by van to the edge of the lake, there'll be a 30 - 45 minute boat ride to the accommodation. During the boat ride, you’ll get a chance to see the large limestone cliffs and dense jungles in their full glory.

Once at the floating lake hotel, you will be served lunch and then, head out for a jungle walk with a quick stop at a cave and continue the adventure with a ride on bamboo rafts. The jungle walk is easyfor most people as it has no incline and there'll be several stops for interacting with and learning about the local wildlife.

Head back to your floating lake house where you can take a dip in the lake or rest. Have dinner together then, you have the option to take a nighttime boat safari under a blanket of stars far away from the bright city lights.

Included:

• Transfer: Khao Sok Town - Khao Sok National Park (approx. 2 hours)
• Activities: Boat ride on lake; Jungle & cave walk; Nighttime boat safari
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Floating lake house hotel

This morning, head north toward the mountains of Chiang Mai to escape the heat.

Chiang Mai: A place of history and wonder

Once in Chiang Mai, there are many activities to participate in addition to exploring and discovering the beauty and grandeur of this historic city's temples.

Chiang Mai boasts a rich culture and ethnic diversity as well as a number of elephant sanctuaries, cooking and massage schools, various outdoor activities, handicraft workshops, exquisite cultural performances, and waterfalls galore!

The rest of the day is free to do what interests you. The hotel is situated in the heart of the city so there’s a lot to see and do nearby and you can easily venture out on your own.

Have dinner at the farang (foreigner) food market that is full of food trucks and stalls serving everything from pad thai to pizza! Then, onward to the night market which is right next to the hotel for some souvenir shopping. before we take you to the night market for some souvenir shopping.

Included:

• Transfer: Khao Sok National Park - Chiang Mai by boat, van & plane (approx. 3.5 hours)
• Activities: Free time; Food trucks/stands; Night market
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel

For those of you who pre-purchased the elephant sanctuary, take a 1-hour drive to the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Interacting with these majestic creatures will be a moment you will remember for the rest of your life. This is a half-day activity and you’ll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free.

After the sun goes down, go to a ladyboy show and see an amazing show with all the flash and pizzazz often associated with the ladyboys of Thailand!

*The elephant sanctuary is an optional activity and requires advanced booking. When putting down your deposit for the trip, you will be asked if you would like to participate. This activity is $100 USD and includes transport and lunch. 

Included:

• Activities: Elephant sanctuary (optional); Free time (Choice of activity at your own expense); Ladyboy show
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel

Today is the much anticipated Loy Krathong (Lantern Festival)!

To kick off the festivities, begin the day with a tuk-tuk tour around the city and stop at the Silver Temple (Wat Sri Suphan) and Wat Chedi Luang which dates back to the 14th century. As you visit the temples, you'll see the monks doing their mantras. If you'd like, you can sign up for a monk chat at one or both of these temples. A monk chat is a conversation between tourists and monks (usually novices) and you are encouraged to ask any questions you may have about Buddhism or Thailand. This also gives the novice monks a great opportunity to practice their English!

For lunch, we recommend the most iconic dish of the north, khao soi, at a local restaurant.

A moment for the bucket list!

After sundown, it's time to prepare for the main event of the Lantern Festival... The mass lantern release! With your own lantern in hand, you'll bear witness to thousands of lanterns floating in the air and lighting up every inch of the night sky which is a memory that will last a lifetime!

Included:

• Activities: Tuk-tuk tour; Mass lantern release event
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel

Today is entirely up to you in terms of what you'd like to do There’s an array of activities from which you can choose ranging from exploring the labyrinth of Chiang Mai’s side streets to zooming among the treetops as you zip line through the jungle.

If you’d prefer something more active, you can go for a short hike through Doi Inthanon National Park. One of our favorite activities is the sticky waterfalls. You'll just have to go to find out how it got its name! If you're a thrill seeker, try your hand at whitewater rafting. It's your choice!

At night, watch the many parades and festivities of Loy Krathong. You won't even need to leave the hotel because the parade route passes right in front of the hotel!

Included:

• Activities: Free time (Choice of activity at your own expense)
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel

Today is your final day in Chiang Mai as the festivities of the Lantern Festival come to an end. If there were any activities that you missed out on during other free days, now's your chance. Alternatively, you can just take a stroll around town for some last souvenirs and bowl of khao soi!

You’ll be given a list of activities in the area and you can choose whatever you'd like to do.

Included:

• Activities: Free time (Choice of activity at your own expense)
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel

Time to head back to Bangkok where you can enjoy your last massage, fruit smoothie, and pad thai on the famous-or should we say infamous - Khao San Road.

Khao San Road is primarily a tourist street filled to the brim with backpacker hostels, bars, massage parlors, street food, bars, souvenir stalls and everything else in between! Many backpackers touring across Southeast Asia start their journey here. There is no better place than Khao San Road to sit back and enjoy some people-watching as tourists from all walks of life pass by.

Included:

• Transfer: Chiang Mai - Bangkok by plane (approx. 1.5 hours)
• Activities: Khao San Road; Free time
• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel