Welcome to colorful, serene, Thailand! Damesly offers you the chance to explore this very special place in our unique 11-day adventure, inclusive of all domestic flights and most meals.
We can’t even tell you how much we love Thailand – so we’ll just have to show you!
Our boutique tour brings you to some of our favorite corners of the country, including Bangkok, the River Kwai, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Phuket. We’ll swim in waterfalls, visit the Elephant Nature Park, take a cooking class, and experience authentic Thai cuisine and culture. You don’t want to miss this!
PS: Please note, trip leader will change in 2024. All gratuities included for 2024 and beyond.
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Upon your arrival in Bangkok, deplane and follow signs to Immigration, located one level above baggage claim. Descend the elevator to collect baggage.
After clearing customs, proceed to the arrival lobby and look for your sign.
Our friendly representative will assist you with your luggage and help with your transfer to your comfortable hotel for check-in. Overnight in Bangkok.
Meals: —
Hotel: Chatrium Riverside
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll visit Wat Phra Kaew, before moving on to the Grand Palace. Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located right next to the Grand Palace, and together they form the greatest spectacle for visitors in Bangkok. A visit to the Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark and most praised royal monument in Thailand is a must. The palace, which is the former royal residence of the Chakri Kings, is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Built in 1782 by King Rama I, it was the centre of power for more than 150 years.
*** Please note that photography is permitted in the Royal Palace Grounds and in the compounds of the Emerald Buddha Temple, but not inside the buildings. ***
After, we’ll travel along the picturesque Chao Phraya River and canals, or Klongs, to observe the serene family homes and temples along the waterways.
You will pass the famous Royal Barges, excellent samples of Thai craftsmanship and stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. Then visit Wat Pho, one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok.
In the evening, we’ll visit China Town at night where the best street food in the world exists. We’ll taste a variety of things, and have dinner at one of the most famous restaurants there. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Chatrium Riverside
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
Early this morning, you’ll experience the thrill of Maeklong train market folding up and the stalls being packed away in front of your eyes. Explore the market like a local and see the stalls stacked with fruits, vegetables, and seafood.
Then we’ll continue to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you’re free at leisure to take photos. Local lunch will be served at the restaurant (food only).
This afternoon, we’ll learn more about Thailand’s involvement in World War II, and we’ll walk over the internationally famous bridge over the River Kwai, the black iron bridge from Java by the Japanese Army linking Thailand to Myanmar.
Later, we’ll transfer to our comfortable hotel for overnight. Dinner is included at a nearby restaurant.
Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Royal River Kwai Resort
After breakfast, we’ll check out of the hotel and drive to the Erawan Waterfall. The major attraction of the park is Erawan Falls, a waterfall named after the Erawan, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology. The seven-tiered falls are said to resemble the Erawan. There are four caves in the park: Mi, Rua, Wang Bahdan and Phrathat.
Local lunch will be served near the waterfall (food only).
From here, we’ll drive to Ayutthaya (approximately 3 hours). After arriving and check-in at the hotel, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
Tonight, we’ll take a lovely cruise to see Ayutthaya’s highlights by water. Board our converted traditional teak rice barge and drift slowly along the majestic Chao Phraya River, the ‘River of Kings’, and her tributaries, and while the sights of the former capital Ayutthaya pass you by. On board, we’ll enjoy traditional Thai cuisine, prepared just for you.
The art of Thai cuisine is balancing the delicate flavors that make up our four different taste sensations: sour, salty, sweet, and, of course, spicy and hot. Thai food is very versatile and can be adapted to suit almost any palate.
Return to the hotel for overnight.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Classic Kameo Hotel
After breakfast, we’ll check out and set off to explore more of Ayutthaya.
Wat Phra Sri Sanphet is an important landmark in Ayutthaya where you will visit an ancient ruin of the Grand Palace and its temples, including monk chat and make merit. At Wat Mahathat, you’ll see a Buddha head enshrined in a tree. These temples also contain Buddhist teachings from the past 600 years.
We have the opportunity today to take you somewhere tourists do not usually go — to an old ruin of a temple (Wat Kudidao), where locals will share stories about Ayutthaya that you could not find on Google or any travel book.
After, we’ll experience how the local people make roti. We will let you learn how they make it and will also let you try it. We’ll have lunch before heading to the airport for our flight to Chiang Rai.
After arriving in Chiang Rai, we’ll check into our hotel and have some downtime. Tonight, we’ll visit the Chiang Rai Night Bazaar where you can shop for local souvenirs and handicrafts.
Dinner at a restaurant nearby. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: The Heritage Chiangrai
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll check out and set off to cruise through the Mae Kok River, visiting the Hot Spring Baan Pong Nam Ron and the Lahu village, one of the Tibeto-Burmese hill tribes.
After, we’ll start our drive to Chiang Mai (approximately 3 hours). Along the way, we’ll visit the famous White Temple of Chiang Rai, then proceed to Chiang Mai where lunch will be provided.
After lunch, we’ll visit a handicraft village. Chiang Mai is world famous for its handicraft villages, so prepare to shop! You will visit the villages of the umbrella makers, woodcarvers, silver smiths, silk weavers, and jewelry makers.
This evening in Chiang Mai we’ll have a fun street food tour by Tuk Tuk. Depart from the hotel by local transport “Tuk-Tuk” to the Chiang Mai gate for some seriously delicious street food.
Try the stewed pork leg from a vendor with a cowboy hat who’s had visits from the likes of Anthony Bourdain. Taste Bua Loi, or floating lotus, is a warm fresh coconut milk broth with teeny pandan-laced glutinous rice flour balls swimming around. You won’t want to miss this!
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll visit one of our favorite places in the world: the Elephant Nature Park.
This is a natural sanctuary for elephants, buffalo, dogs, cats, birds, and many other rescued animals, started by a woman we admire so much, Lek Chailert.
On our short park visit, you’ll observe elephants bathing, (note: you will not go into the river). You may also have the chance to feed an elephant.
A vegetarian lunch is included.
Later tonight, we’ll enjoy a cooking class, where we’ll visit a local garden to learn about ingredients in Thai food cooking. In our cooking class, you’ll learn how to cook 3-4 dishes, including an appetizer, main course, and dessert.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Siripanna Villa Resort & Spa
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll visit Doi Suthep, an iconic landmark of Chiang Mai with a panoramic view of the city.
From here, we’ll visit a temple inside the wall of Chiang Mai (Wat Phra Singh). Lunch is at a local restaurant.
We’ll return to the hotel to check out and then venture to the airport to catch our flight to Phuket. All domestic flights are included in this tour.
Upon your arrival in Phuket, we’ll head to our hotel for free time. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Overnight in Phuket.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Cape Panwa
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head out to take a day trip to gorgeous Phi Phi Island and stunning Maya Bay – which has just reopened after being closed for several years!
Today we’ll get the chance to swim, snorkel, and absorb the beauty of Maya Bay. Our lunch is served buffet-style at Phi Phi Don restaurant.
From here we’ll head to Viking Cave to swim in this emerald water, returning by boat as we pass Loh Samah Bay and Pileh Cove. After a full day of water fun, we’ll return to our hotel.
Dinner is included at a local restaurant.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Cape Panwa
We’ve done and seen so much, so today is yours to enjoy! We’re happy to make some suggestions on things to do, or, just enjoy the hotel facilities.
Meals: B
Hotel: Cape Panwa
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll check out and catch our flight back to Bangkok.
Our tour officially concludes at BKK airport. We will arrive on flight TG2290 at 11:20 am to Bangkok so please aim to fly home on your international flight home after 2 p.m. to allow for time to check-in and transfer.
We are sad to conclude this tour, but we know you’re leaving with memories that last a lifetime!
Meals: B
Hotel: —
We will stay in a variety of 4-star hotels throughout Thailand.
This tour is priced for shared accommodation, meaning you’ll be sharing a room with one other gal.
If you’d prefer your own space, choose the “solo room” option at checkout.
Mostly everything is included (yay!), but you’ll need to cover your own alcohol, shopping, meals not listed, and gratuities. We estimate $300 should cover it, but that’s totally your call!
Most larger places will accept credit cards, but it’s great to have some local currency on hand for the smaller markets and gratuities. ATMs are widely available throughout the country. Just remember to let your bank(s) know where/when you’ll be traveling!
You’ll fly into Bangkok airport (BKK). Arrive anytime on the arrival day, and depart in the afternoon or evening on the departure day.
Want us to advise on flights? Email us at info@damesly.com
-Passport
-Travel Insurance
-Visa
Damesly Pro Tip: Use the sherpa website to easily determine which requirements apply to you.
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 (and max of 12) participants.
A $500 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking, or you can opt to pay for the trip in full.
Once we receive your deposit, our accounting team will set you up with a personal account so you can pay the balance of your trip at your leisure.
Payments are due in full 60 days prior to departure.
Yes. Damesly requires all guests to have travel insurance, and often the countries we visit do as well. We highly recommend opting for the “cancel-for-any-reason” insurance option, but note that this typically needs to be acquired within 21 days of initial booking (i.e. when you submit your deposit).
Every meal except for your first day and your free day in Phuket are included in the price of this tour. Alcohol and desserts are not included.
Expect lovely weather in Thailand in December with cooler and drier temps than in other months – daily highs around 90F and nightly lows around 75F with little humidity or rainfall. Note it will be cooler in the mountains.
This tour involves several walking tours through temples and palaces. As such, you need to be in reasonable health with the ability to walk on uneven ground for three hours or more.
Want your own room? We've got you! Request to upgrade to solo or make this tour private.
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