Private Tour Highlights
- Be guided through glamorous streets and temples
- Embark on a sunset cruise on an authentic sailing junk
- Indulge in the finest Thai food the country has to offer
- Head over to Wat Pho to experience the monks' morning chanting ritual
- visit the Grand Palace, the most important and spectacular royal palace in Thailand
- proceed with a visit to Vimanmek Mansion, the largest teakwood mansion in the world
- The vibrant Damnoen Saduak Floating Market featuring small boats laden with colorful produce
- Enjoy a delicious Thai dinner and watch the scenery to reveal fantastic treasures
- Thai cultural performances, including the colorful Buddhist ordination procession
- Enjoy an (optional) trek through jungle to go on an exciting white water rafting ride
- Visit James Bond Island where "007 The Man with the Golden Gun" was filmed
Tour Overview
Explore Thailand’s Top Three: Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket with this Yampu tour.
Bangkok, “the City of Angels” and the capital of Thailand, was established over 200 years ago and has proved irresistibly intriguing to traders and travelers ever since. Some of the finest examples of traditional Thai architecture can be found here; in the magnificent complex of the Grand Palace, and its main artery, the Chao Phraya River (River of Kings), which supports a waterway lifestyle that has remained unchanged for decades. Besides, Bangkok offers superb cuisine and an exciting deluge of shopping and entertainment options.
Popularly known as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is blessed with stunning natural beauty and unique indigenous cultural identity. While here, you will find yourself exploring old temples, colorful markets and mountain top temples, such as the elegant Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. As you will see for yourself on an exhilarating trek, the area is situated in a scenic valley, surrounded by orchards, green mountains and jungles, which remain verdant with plentiful flora and fauna.
Referred to as the “Pearl of the Andaman Sea”, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and wealthiest province. Also Thailand’s most popular island; Phuket’s stunning coastal vistas, remote tropical rain forests, miles and miles of sandy beaches and turquoise waters have made this one of the world’s most renowned dream destinations. Boasting an array of water sports, exquisite restaurants and high end resorts, safaris and adventure activities, Phuket is an ideal destination for luxury travelers, families and honeymooners alike.
Inclusions
Domestic airfare from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai to Phuket and Phuket to Bangkok, Accommodations with daily breakfast, All private transfers and activities by air-conditioned car, An English speaking guide to escort all transfers and tours, All entrance fees and activities as mentioned, Meals where specified (food only), Government tax and services charge
Phuket Excursions:
*Full Day Phi Phi Island & Bamboo Island Speedboat Tou
Transfer to Boat Lagoon Marina for a cruise to one of the most popular natural attractions in Thailand: the Phi Phi Islands. Start with a visit to Bamboo Island, a pristine white sand beach set along the emerald color water, and then snorkel near Yoong Island. Enjoy swimming with colorful fish all around you and then cruise to Monkey Beach, an island full of wild monkeys! Continue on to Phi Phi Don for a simple local buffet lunch and then take a dip in Viking Cave. Afterwards, discover first-hand the magical landscape of Maya Bay, where parts of the movie "The Beach" were filmed. Enjoy a swim in this famous bay or simply relax on the white sand beach before returning to your hotel in Phuket.
*Half Day Phuket Island tour
Drive along the Phuket coastline via Karon Beach and Kata Beach, to the view point where you can see Phuket's three most beautiful beaches from the highlands. Continue on to Promthep Cape for a beautiful photo opportunity, and then visit Rawai Beach and see Wat Chalong, Phuket's revered monastery. Learn about the history of the temple's abbot and proceed to see a cashew nut factory and Wang Thalang Souvenir Shop, a local shop that offers a variety of handmade products. Afterwards, admire the Chino-Portuguese houses at Thalang and Debuk Road.
*Full Day Sea Turtle Conservation, Elephant Sanctuary & Bamboo Rafting
Discover the beautiful unspoiled nature in the rainforest reserve of Khao Lak National Park. Visit the sea turtle conservation project before going to Elephant Sanctuary, where you will walk an elephant on a short trekking adventure in the jungle. Afterwards, enjoy a tasty Thai set lunch at a local restaurant and then go bamboo rafting down a jungle river with some swimming opportunities along the way. After the tour, return to your hotel.
*Full Day Market Visit and Cooking Class
The Phuket Thai Cookery School class offers a choice of 7 different courses consisting of an introduction to Thai ingredients, a visit to a local market, and then cooking a wide selection of mouth-watering Thai dishes. Each course has been designed as a one day course, and you are able to select one or all of the courses you are particularly interested in. The lessons have a warm and easy-going atmosphere of Thai hospitality, breathtaking scenery of the mountains, and miles of sandy beach on Sirey Island.
Notes:
* For Day 3, it is recommended that for religious reasons, ladies have their shoulders covered and do not wear shorts or very short skirts. No sleeveless top and the sleeve have to be part of the top. Gentlemen should wear trousers and short sleeved shirts. Shoes must be removed before entering the Emerald Buddha Temple. Full length trousers and pants are required.
* Additional supplements may apply between 19 December – 7 January with a set minimum of consecutive nights required for bookings between 23 – 5 January. Special conditions apply between 30 December – 2 January.
* Additional supplements may apply during the weeks immediately preceding and following the Lunar (Chinese) New Year. The dates vary each year, but fall sometime between January 21st and February 20th:
2016 – Monday, February 8th
2017 – Saturday, January 28th
2018 – Friday, February 16th
* Guests staying over the night of 31 December are subject to a compulsory Gala Danner at an additional cost.
* The Burmese Junk dinner cruise in Phuket only operates between the months of November – April.
Package Price: From £$ 4885
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
International Flight to Bangkok
Overnight international flight to Bangkok
Overnight international flight to Bangkok
Arrival in Bangkok
Upon arrival in Bangkok, airport reception and transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Upon arrival in Bangkok, airport reception and transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Temple Tour – Wat Pho
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After breakfast, drive to Wat Pho in time to experience the monks' morning chanting ritual. One of the oldest and most extensive temples in Bangkok, Wat Pho is home to the famous 45m Reclining Buddha. It is also the original school of traditional Thai massage. Next, visit the Grand Palace, the most important and spectacular royal palace in Thailand. The palace is an architectural wonder of golden stupas, walls and pillars encrusted in shining and colorful mosaics. Previously the residence of the Kings of Thailand, there are multiple palaces within the complex which were used for different occasions; including the beautiful Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the most revered Buddha image in Thailand: The Emerald Buddha. Continue with a walk to the public ferry pier for a short boat ride to Wat Arun, once the grand royal temple to King Rama II. After exploring, eat lunch (not included).
Then proceed with a visit to Vimanmek Mansion, the largest teakwood mansion in the world. Also referred to as Teakwood Palace, it was built in 1900 by King Rama V as part of the Dusit Palace Complex. In 1982, Queen Sirikit was granted permission from King Rama IX to renovate the building for use as a museum. Today, the museum holds an impressive collection of photographs, personal art, and handicrafts that were all personally collected by King Rama V.
Continue with a visit to the Thai-style house of Jim Thompson, the legendary American businessman who came to Thailand at the end of World War II and rediscovered the Thai silk industry. His house is now a museum filled with fascinating Asian antiques and historical memorabilia. The house consists of six separate Thai teakwood houses from the Ayutthaya period put together as one. Jim Thompson's mysterious disappearance in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia remains a mystery to this day. After the tour, return to the hotel for the evening.
Note: Wat Arun Temple in under renovation so guests will be able to walk around the temple, but guests will not be able to climb up the stupa. Ladies should wear a short-sleeved shirt with pants or a knee-length skirt and gentlemen should wear pants and a short-sleeved shirt for religious reasons. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed. If the trip starts on a Saturday, the Vimanmek Mansion part of the tour will be replaced with a tour of Suan Pakkad Palace Museum.
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Journey to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
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Depart early morning for the two-hour drive to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This vibrant market features numerous small boats laden with colorful fruits and vegetables, paddled by Thai women wearing bamboo hats. Almost always crowded with hundreds of vendors, purchasers and tourists, the best way to experience the atmosphere of the market is to board a rowing boat and travel through the small canals to buy fresh produce from the vendors. This is the only place to see the traditional way of selling and buying goods in Thailand.
Afterwards, visit the Nakorn Pathom; the site of the highest Chedi in Thailand called "Phra Pathom Chedi", which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia. Enjoy an excellent buffet lunch at the picturesque Samphran Riverside. After lunch, there will be Thai cultural performances, including the colorful Buddhist ordination procession, an elegant fingernail dance, a Thai boxing demonstration, Hill Tribe dance performances, sword fighting, elephants, charming folk dances, a traditional Thai wedding ceremony and more.
This evening, trasnfer to Manohra Pier (or Saphan Taksin Pier), where guests will board a boat for an evening cruise. Learn more about Bangkok and the Chao Phrya River, a truly magnificent waterway and one of the great rivers in Asia. The river has been a principal factor in the development of Thai heritage, culture, and economy, and is considered the nation's life and soul.
While cruising down the Chao Phrya River, enjoy a delicious Thai dinner and watch the panorama change to reveal fantastic treasures from the country's rich past, as well as fascinating modern architectural creations. The Manohra Luxury Cruise will take guests to the King Rama VIII Bridge, where the boat will turn around and head back to the pier. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.
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Bangkok – Chiang Mai
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Transfer to the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, airport reception and transfer to the hotel. This evening, enjoy a Khantoke dinner. The first Khantoke dinner was held in 1953, when local politician Kraisi Nimanhemin invited honored guests to sit with him and enjoy this special dinner. Dinner is served in small bowls("Khan") and guests are seated on cushions at a low table ("Thoke"). Northern Thai cuisine is served and during dinner, entertainment is provided by beautiful dancers who perform the Forn Leb, known as the finger dance; Forn Thien, known as the candle dance; Ramwong, referred to as the circle dance; and the Ram Dab, known as the sword dance. After finishing dinner, there will be an option to see an additional hill tribe show from various members of Yao, Lahu, Meo, Lisu, and Karen tribes. ...read less
Visiting Wat Suan Dok
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Start this morning with a visit to a food and flower market and then continue to Wat Suan Dok, where the ashes of former kings of Chiang Mai and the Royal Family are kept. From there, proceed with a visit to Wat Phrathat on Doi Suthep Mountain, which was founded in 1383 AD. In 1935, a road was built to the top, but today people climb the 309 steps from the car park to the top or take a tram for a small surcharge. From the top, enjoy a superb panoramic view of the city. After exploring, return to the car park for a transfer back to Chiang Mai, to take a 20-minute rickshaw ride through the quiet streets of the old town.
Enjoy lunch (not included), and then visit the historic, laidback town of Lamphun, an important site for arts in Thailand. Continue to Wieng Kum Kam, an ancient city that was built by King Mengrai in the 14th century and rediscovered by archaeologists in 1984. The ancient capital was frequently flooded and eventually abandoned and forgotten. Explore the royal temple of Wat Kanthom (Wat Changkam), the shrine of King Mengrai, and Wat Hao Nong, a temple which is still home to the remains of the old-style temple entrance. Then head to Wat Pu Pia and Wat E-Kang, which were also recently discovered during archaeological excavations. Finally, visit Wat Chedee Liam, an important landmark in the architectural heritage of Chiang Mai.
Note: Ladies should wear a short-sleeved shirt with pants or a knee-length skirt and gentlemen should wear pants and a short-sleeved shirt for religious reasons. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed.
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Chiang Mai – Lisu Lodge
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This morning, transfer to Lisu Lodge and cycle 13 kilometers (8 miles) to the Elephant Sanctuary. Enjoy an hour of trekking through the mountainous jungle scenery down to the river. After a healthy picnic lunch on the bank of the river, go on an exciting white water rafting ride for about 45 minutes to a traditional Thai country village. From there, return to Lisu Lodge by bike or local truck, depending on preferences. On the way back, stop at a traditional Akha village for a chat with the shaman (spirit doctor). Arrive at Lisu Lodge in the late afternoon, transfer to the hotel, and enjoy the evening at leisure. ...read less
Doi Suthep & Dinner Cruise
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Rise very early and drive to Doi Suthep to see dozens of monks head down the mountain to the city of Chiang Mai to receive alms from the locals. This is their daily routine, and guests will be able to participate. Stop at a local market to purchase goods, and offer them when the monks pass by. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for a flight to Phuket.
Reception at airport and transfer to the hotel. In the evening, transfer to Chalong Bay to enjoy a sunset dinner cruise upon a Burmese Junk. Head out into the calm waters of the bay and cruise among the flotilla of boats. Pass by Lone Island with its quiet beaches and tropical rainforest clad hills and Coral Island. This area is renowned for lovely sunsets. Enjoy a drink from the bar, a sumptuous Thai buffet dinner and take in a tropical sunset.
Note: The sunset cruise operates between November and April only.
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Phang Nga Bay National Park by speedboat
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Enjoy a journey by speedboat to Phang Nga Bay National Marine Park. Cruise through hundreds of fascinating islands rising above the sea, and when the tide is low, paddle in an inflatable canoe with an expert guide to discover underwater caves. Explore the Dark Cave, Hong Island, Mangrove Cave and Diamond Cave.
Later, return to the boat for a cruise to visit James Bond Island, the famous island where "007 The Man with the Golden Gun" was filmed. Proceed to the stilt village of Panyi and enjoy a tasty Thai set lunch at a local restaurant. Spend some time swimming at Lawa or Naka Island before returning to the hotel in Phuket.
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Beaches of Phuket
Enjoy the day at leisure on the beach or choose one of the following activities:
Full Day Phi Phi Island & Bamboo Island Speedboat Tour
Full Day Sea Turtle Conservation, Elephant sanctuary & Bamboo Rafting Tour
Full Day Market Visit and Cooking Class
Half Day Phuket Island Tour
Enjoy the day at leisure on the beach or choose one of the following activities:
Full Day Phi Phi Island & Bamboo Island Speedboat Tour
Full Day Sea Turtle Conservation, Elephant sanctuary & Bamboo Rafting Tour
Full Day Market Visit and Cooking Class
Half Day Phuket Island Tour
International flight home via Bangkok
Depending on departure time, enjoy the morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for a return flight to Bangkok or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.
Depending on departure time, enjoy the morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for a return flight to Bangkok or continue with an optional Yampu Tours add-on.
Bangkok Thailand
Chiang Mai Thailand
Phuket Thailand
Places You'll See
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Bangkok
Dubbed the “World’s Best City” by Travel + Leisure, Bangkok is home to a plethora of attractions, and activities. Enjoy a variety of shopping and dining experiences, or the city’s bustling night life. Or immerse yourself in the city’s rich culture by visiting the Grand Palace, any of the several Buddhist temples, or the Bangkok National Museum.
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Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, meaning “New City”, is overflowing with sites to see and activities to partake in. Visit the Chiang Mai Zoo, the oldest Zoo in Northern Thailand, or spend time shopping and haggling in the city’s night bazaar. For those feeling more ambitious, climb the 300 plus stairs up the slopes of Doi Suthep, to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Buddhist temple. There is also a cable car offered.
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Phuket
Enjoy some sun and sand on Thailand’s largest island, Phuket. Visit Old Phuket Town for its rich culture and history. Take a trip to the Phuket Butterfly Farm to view its wide collection of butterflies and other insects. Have a traditional southern Thai lunch at the Thai Village and Orchid Farm while watching their cultural shows including Thai dancing and boxing.
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Testimonials
Debbie
Traveled February, 2014
I will always remember this trip
We have had opportunities to review our photos and share stories with family and friends, I will always remember this trip! Bangkok hotel and tour guide was fabulous. As soon as we got to the hotel they upgraded all of us to unbelievably fantastic rooms! Our guide met us at the airport and between her and the driver all went so smoothly. Due to the protest and closed streets, our guide helped us around the city using public transportation (upon our request), so no sight was unseen. The guide treated us as friends, sharing the local market place food and making sure we were safe at all times. Chiang Mai was great. Our hotel was in a perfect location. The hotel staff, food, and our guide were excellent.In Siem Reap, the hotel and surprise birthday celebration was fantastic, great location and fantastic staff! The guide and driver were kind, knowledgeable, accommodating and very flexible! Magical is a good word for Koh Samui. The hotel was perfect and would highly recommend it. I saw a few children, but not a place I would suggest for family with young kids. I must say that our guide showed us incredible places on the island that were not on the planned itinerary and that was beautiful. This guide had such a love for Koh Samui, which was a big plus! This guide saw we loved nature and added some unique experiences for us, like climbing a fantastic waterfall. In most of the locations the included lunches were not very good and in some cases bad. Maybe people should be given a chance on tour packages to upgrade to more of a local experience not a place all the tour buses go to. The first meal in Cambodia was fine but it went downhill fast from that one.I am so grateful for the chance to get check one place off my bucket list, Angkor Wat. Seeing Angkor Wat at sunrise completed one of my dreams.
Traveled To
Pamela
Traveled March, 2014
The outstanding service that we received during our trip to Thailand is the reason I chose you
It is the professionalism and understanding of Yampu that keeps me coming to your company for all my Southeast Asia travel. The outstanding service that we received during our trip to Thailand is the reason I chose you and your company for my daughters’ memorable trip.
Traveled To
Nick and Stephanie C.
Traveled April, 2015
The guides were amazing and truly your biggest asset
We had a great Trip 🙂 Thailand is a beautiful country and so are it’s people. We will go back in the future and wish that it was closer. The guides were amazing and truly your biggest asset
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