Thailand
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!
$3,999.00
November 02-12, 2024
Per person based on double occupancy. Solo Rooms available.
Book NowCall Us 888-505-DAME
Picture Yourself
- Tasting Thailand's famous street foods
- Visiting Elephant Nature Park, the world's premiere sanctuary
- Snorkeling in the emerald waters of Phi Phi Island
- Experiencing vibrant Bangkok and stunning Ayutthaya
- Relaxing on the beaches of Phuket
Day by Day
Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok
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
Day 2: Grand Palace – Wat Pho – Klong (Canal Tour) – Wat Arun – China Town
After breakfast, our journey begins with a visit to Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, a dazzling spectacle in Bangkok.
Marvel at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the majestic former royal residence, steeped in centuries of history. Next, we'll cruise along the Chao Phraya River and canals, admiring serene homes and temples.
Pass by the iconic Royal Barges and stop at Wat Arun and Wat Pho, ancient treasures of Bangkok. Tonight, we'll head out for a Chinatown food tour!
*** 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. ***
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Chatrium Riverside
Day 3: Railway Market – Floating Market – Kanchanaburi
This morning is off to an early start, but for good reason. We’re off to explore an early morning market, and experience a slice of life here.
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll experience the thrill of the 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.
From here, 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.
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. Dinner is included at a nearby restaurant. Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Royal River Kwai Resort
Day 4: River Kwai – Erawan Falls – Ayutthaya River Cruise
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
Day 5: Ayutthaya + Fly to Chiang Rai
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
Day 6: White Temple and Blue Temple + Chiang Mai Street Eats Tour by Tuk-Tuk
After breakfast at the hotel, we will check-out and head to Chiang Rai to visit two beautiful temples!
Designed and built by famous Thai artist Achan Chalermchai Kositpipat, the distinguishing feature of the temple is that the ubosot is decorated with a pattern of silver mirrors that shine in tiered tiers. After, we'll visit Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple), a temple that is unusually beautiful with its unique applied arts by using a shade of blue and architectural beauty from a stucco artist.
From here, we will drive 3 hours to Chiang Mai.
After checking into the hotel this evening we'll have a fun street food tour! 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: De Chai The Deco
Day 7: Elephant Nature Park + Thai Cooking Class
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll depart at 8:30 a.m. to 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 on, experience 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: De Chai The Deco
Day 8: Chiang Mai + Fly to Phuket
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).
We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the airport for 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 a local restaurant.
Overnight in Phuket.
Meals: B, L, D
Hotel: Diamond Cliff Resort + Spa
Day 9: Snorkeling at Phi Phi Island
After an early breakfast at the hotel, we'll depart today at 7:30 a.m. to enjoy the gorgeous waters of Phi Phi Island, Maya Bay, and Bamboo Island!
We’ll depart from the Lagoon Marina by speedboat to Bamboo Island. Enjoy a swim in the clear water and snorkel among the coral reefs, followed by sightseeing at Monkey Beach. Lunch will be served buffet-style at Phi Phi Don restaurant.
From here, we'll head to Viking Cave for some photos, and have another swim + snorkel in the emerald water at Pileh Cove. We’ll pass by Loh Samah Bay before heading back to the Lagoon Marina. 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: Diamond Cliff Resort + Spa
Day 10: Free Day in Phuket
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: Diamond Cliff Resort + Spa
Day 11: Departures
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll check out and catch our flight back to Bangkok from Phuket.
We will arrive to Bangkok before noon, so please aim to book your international flight home after 2 p.m. to allow for time to check-in and transfer. If you prefer, you can choose to fly directly home from Phuket.
We are sad to conclude this tour, but we know you're leaving with memories that last a lifetime!
Meals: B
Hotel: --
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Trip Length
11 days/ 10 nights
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Perfect For
Foodies + Spiritual Travel
Thailand
Thailand
Low stock: 1 left
2 spots remaining
Spaces on tours are sold per person. Deposits are non-refundable. Ensure your payment option is as desired before checkout. If paying deposit only, remaining payments can be made via client portal until 60 days before departure. See our cancellation policy for details.
Love this tour but can’t make the dates? Click here to make this tour private.
Includes
- Airport pickup and dropoff
- Accommodation (shared, in luxury hotels)
- All entrance fees to attractions + activities
- Elephant Nature Park
- Snorkeling tour in Phi Phi Island
- Cooking class + street food tour
- English-speaking local guide
- Private driver + van
- All transportation
- Most meals
- Domestic flights in Thailand
- Gratuity for Damesly leader
Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals & alcohol not listed
- Gratuities for local guide
Meet Your Trip Leader
Heidi Zsa Zsa Benedikt
Heidi’s sea-going career ended with assisting in the NYC evacuation on Sept 11, 2001. Reevaluating her life, it seemed the perfect time to retire her Captain’s license and combine her passion for travel with a new career in tourism. How strange to now have the greatest job in the...
Read MoreAdditional Information
Flights: Fly into Bangkok airport (BKK) and arrive anytime on Day 1. On departure day, we'll fly from Phuket to Bangkok in the morning, so choose to either depart from Bangkok after 2pm, or alternatively from Phuket at any time.
Want us to advise on flights? Email us at info@damesly.com
Weather: Expect lovely weather in Thailand in November + December with cooler and drier temps than in other months. Daytime highs will be around 90F and nightly lows around 75F with little humidity or rainfall. Note it will be cooler in the mountains.
Packing: Sun protection (hat/ sunscreen/ sunglasses), comfortable walking shoes, and loose clothing are a must for this trip. Additionally you’ll want a scarf and/or long clothing (maxi skirts or dresses, long-sleeved tops, etc.) for modest dressing when visiting temples.
For entry into Thailand, you'll need:
- Passport (valid for 6+ months)
- Travel Insurance*
*Note: We require proof of travel insurance for all international departures.
At Damesly, our goal is to connect women through beautifully curated travel experiences.
Our trips feature a high level of customer support and a focus on cultural interaction and experiences. We’re dames who work hard, and travel often. So when you use your coveted PTO days, we want you to have the best trip possible! To do this, we hand-select boutique hotels based on location and service. We look for unique properties that we think of as hidden gems, which may or may not be 5-stars. Our itineraries offer a mix of adventure and relaxation. We’re not afraid to get a little dirty to have the most fun experiences, but if there’s an infinity pool or a great spa afterwards — we’ll meet you there!
Traveling the world comes with rewards and challenges. Our traveler is someone who is easy-going and open minded to new experiences and cultures, ready to get out of their comfort zone and understands that travel leads to personal growth, even on its toughest days. Join us if you’re adventurous, kind, open-minded and ready for the trip of a lifetime.
On this tour to Thailand, you can expect to eat well! This tour was made for the dame who wants to maximize time in Thailand and see and experience many things. Through a series of local flights (included), you'll see the diversity of many different Thai cities, from the Northern hill tribes to the beaches of the south islands. Your days are busy but not overwhelming, with some afternoons to relax. You'll also get to see and support the incredible work done at Elephant Nature Park, feeding and loving on the elephants, but never riding them.
Will you match me?
Of course! If you choose a space in a shared room but you're traveling solo, we will do our best to pair you with a roommate. Roommates are matched based on arrival time and perceived compatibility. Sharing a room is a great way to save costs, and make a new friend! However, we ask you to approach the situation with an open mind, some grace, and maybe a little humor.
While 99% our travelers are amazing, we can't guarantee that you'll hit it off with your roommate, or that your sleeping styles will be compatible.
Is sharing right for you?
If you are a light sleeper, get easily irritated or just know that you need your own space, sharing a room might not be for you. Likewise, if you know that you snore, sleep with a CPAP machine or have other health conditions, sharing a room might not be the best fit.
What if I don't get along with my roommate?
If you've tried but you absolutely can't get along with your roommate and need to separate, your trip leader will either swap things around, or, attempt to get you your own room. If the latter, additional charges will incur.
What if I book a double room, and you can't match me?
We book a certain amount of hotel rooms before any tour, and are bound by their rules. In the event that we cannot find a roommate for you before the tour, and your room converts to a single room, there may be additional charges.
Small group trips require at least 4 people to run. We will confirm as soon as possible when the trip has met its minimum; up to 60 days before departure. For this reason, we recommend waiting until after a trip has been confirmed to purchase airfare. Any tour can be converted to a private departure when a trip does not meet its minimum. Additional costs may incur. Alternatively, apply your credit to any small-group tour departing within 12 months.
When you book a tour with us, our team will create a customer portal for you, where you can make payments towards this tour at your leisure.
If you’d prefer, we can create a payment schedule for you, just let our accounting team know (accounting@damesly.com) Tours must be paid in full 60 days before departure.
This tour to Thailand must be paid in full by September 3, 2024. See our cancellation policy here.
Still have questions? See our FAQ or Contact Us.
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