Thailand: The Treasures of Thailand

3^rd  In the morning your local guide will meet you and take you on a walking tour of Pak Klong Market, not far from your hotel. First cross the river by ferry and then walk to the market. Explore the market and then head by tuk tuk to the famous Wat Pho, where your guide will give you the history of the temple.

After lunch the afternoon will be at leisure, options may include returning to the Wat for an optional massage, relax at the hotel having time to work on your images, or linger amidst the many shops and vendors around the hotel, photographing with Tom & Cree. There will be a welcome dinner, with traditional Thai cuisine. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

4^th   The next day begins with an early morning long tail boat ride through the khlongs (canals) of Bangkok, seeing local life pass by, on this lively waterfront. Stop at Wat Arun – the “Temple of the Dawn” – before continuing a walk through the beautiful flower market. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Continue your photography at Wat Arun where we have arranged for a Thai model in traditional clothing for your private group.

In the afternoon visit Talat Noi, one of Bangkok’s oldest neighborhoods. It is a vibrant area known for its rich history, charming narrow streets, and eclectic mix of cultures. You can find a lot of street art there to take beautiful pictures.

This evening your guide will take you to Song Wat Road where you can walk around before going to the famous China Town. After wandering around the bustling streets of China Town, we finish the day at Asiatique – a nice place alongside the Chao Phraya River. Here you can visit the local market or eat a dinner at own cost at one of the many riverside restaurants. After your driver and guide will return you to the hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch)

5^th   In the morning depart, heading to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market . On the way we will stop at Mae Klong Railway Market. Take your time to wander around and look for the best photo spots with your guide(s). We will have a local lunch before heading back to Bangkok. In the afternoon visit the highest tower in Bangkok (and Thailand) – Mahanakhon Tower. We will visit the highest floor where you have a glass skywalk and a 360 overview over the City. (Breakfast, Lunch)

6^th   Your last day in Bangkok, venture outside the city where you will be transported to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, situated at the confluence of three rivers. The Ayutthaya period is looked on by many as the time when much of what is now thought of as “Thai style” was developed. In temples, this is when you see a marked transition from the Khmer style “prangs” to the bell shaped “chedi.” Ayutthaya is a relatively low-key site. You can spend a leisurely day here, all with relatively low pressure compared to many other sites. Visit the historical city center to explore the stunning temples: Wat Phra Mahathat, Wat Ratburana, and then join your guide for lunch on a boat cruising along the Pasak & Chao Phraya River. Enjoy the scenery along the river as you learn about the region from your guide. In the afternoon continue exploring Wat Phra Si Sanphet,  Wat Yai Chai Mongkol and Wihaan Mongkhon Bophit. Enjoy sunset in the temples before returning to Bangkok. Overnights Bangkok (Breakfast, Lunch)

7^th   Board your group flight this morning to Chiang Mai from Don Mueang Airport. Welcome to Chiang Mai! When you disembark from your flight, make your way through immigration and collect any luggage from the carousel. You guide will be travelling with you and lead your way to the waiting driver and vehicle and onwards to your accommodation.

After lunch, this afternoon, visit some of the more famous Wats, within the city walls of Chiang Mai. Your guide will discuss Buddhism and the role it plays in everyday life as well as showing you the many details of each temple. (Breakfast, Lunch)

8^th   Wake early the next day, and head to Kruba Sri Vichai Monument to see the monk’s collecting alms before they return to their monastery for their morning meal. Your guide will explain why and how to give alms, so that you may respectfully take part in this daily ritual. Afterwards photograph the Doi Suthep, the most important Wat in Chiang Mai. Perched high above the city, it offers wonderful views of the city and countryside below. Afterwards photograph the bustling market, learning about the local foods and enjoying breakfast.

After breakfast pay a visit to Wat Umong. In the afternoon meet with Tom and Cree at the hotel for photo discussion/critique/and prepare you for tomorrow at the nature park. (Breakfast)

9^th   Enjoy the next morning photographing amidst the beautiful gardens of the hotel and unique architecture. After, go to Mae Kampong Village for a visit and photography. We will have a local lunch on a scenic spot there.

Later in the afternoon visit the Elephant Nature Park, a wonderful organization dedicated to conserving and promoting elephants. Spend the day learning to bath, feed and command these amazing beasts of burden. Please bring a swimsuit as you will get wet giving the elephants their daily bath! Elephant Nature Park is a sanctuary for more than a hundred rescued elephants and many other animals, enabling them to live out their lives in their own social groups, roaming the pasture freely.

In the evening your guide will take you to the famous Walking Street of Chiang Mai. This amazing street comes to life with stalls displaying local crafts and unusual finds. Though the Chiang Mai night market is great, Walking Street is where the locals go for the real treasures. Your guide will drop you off and you are free to explore, shop, and enjoy dinner on your own before returning to your hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch)

10^th   Another day is devoted to trekking the hill tribes of this region. Start early and drive two hours to Chiang Dao where you will start your walk. At the end of the road from Ban Pang Tong there is a lovely village belonging to the Lao Ho people. Leaving the village you will climb a steep hill for some amazing views of bamboo and rice fields and a village from above. Continue on until you enter a bamboo forest, where you will see farmers collecting wood, and cutting bamboo. You will emerge into a valley with huge limestone cliffs towering around you and fields of rice and corn. Follow the path into a Karen village and meet some of the locals in their homes. Explore a nearby temple and garden before meeting your vehicle and return to Chiang Mai. (Breakfast, Lunch)

11^th   The last day in Northern Thailand begins with an early morning drive to Doi Inthanon National Parkwhere you will reach the summit of the highest mountain in Thailand, at eighty-five hundred feet. You will have lunch on the mountain, stopping at a picturesque waterfall.

On the way back pay a visit to Pha Chor (Maewang National Park) to take some stunning pictures. Tonight there will be a farewell dinner hosted by the staff at your hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Hotel check out time is noon. Everyone will be transferred to the Chiang Mai airport, in time for your flight departure. Your international flight from home will be booked multi-city: Home to Bangkok (BKK) and return Chiang Mai (CNX) to Home. You will likely connect in BKK. Please note flights back to the U.S. may be overnight flights, landing February 13, or if early morning flight home you will need to overnight Bangkok airport hotel. (Breakfast)