100% customisable travel idea
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi Essential Thailand
Thailand - Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Krabi
The Thai trio
Your trip
A short flight takes you across Thailand from one side to the other, making it the perfect way to explore the country. On site, private transfers are provided in air-conditioned cars with a driver; tours are conducted with private guides. Your accommodations are ideally located. Everywhere, there is an intimate atmosphere, immense comfort, and attentive service whether in the heart of cities or by the beach. The visits scheduled in your itinerary bring you into contact with key aspects of Thai life: Buddhism and pagodas, royalty and popular devotions, and gastronomy. Coastal pleasures also await with swimming, boating and snorkelling. Around all this, you'll find plenty of time to wander on your own or savour the charm of tropical idleness. If, along the way, an unexpected whim or setback arises, you have the contact details of our on-site Conciergeto assist you. Working with your travel specialist, they can also adjust your trip to suit your preferences as it unfolds.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Night spent on the plane, arrival the next day.
Early arrival, fast-track through airport formalities, then a private transfer to your hotel. Three-night stay in the lively centre of Bangkok. Your room is immediately available. Paradoxically, the calm of the property is surprising. It is located along a canal, where boats transport passengers to the main sights of the city. The house dates from the 1940s. It's quite a rarity in the city. In the tropical garden, you can unwind in the pool The interior decoration reflects the period when the building was constructed, updated appropriately to ensure modern comfort. Your room is a good size, charming and well equipped. It looks onto the garden and has a private balcony. The restaurant serves mainly vegetarian cuisine, blending Thai and Western flavours.
A bustling metropolis, Bangkok is the nerve centre of the kingdom. Its vibrant energy can be felt almost everywhere: in the aisles of flower markets and floating markets, along the wide, buzzing avenues, or on the Chao Phraya - the magical river where long-tail boats are constantly coming and going. But the city also offers a few pockets of peace and serenity: in the lively scrap dealers’ district of Talat Noi, in Chinatown, along the khlongs - beautiful canals lined with stilt houses in the Thonburi area - in temples and pagodas, or in Bang Krachao park.
Scheduled: a wellness break and an introduction to Buddhism. To help you get in tune (with both the journey and Thai culture), you have an appointment with a traditional healer who creates a customised prescription for a gentle herbal massage, given on site. Next, your guide will take you to meet a Thai monk. He provides insights into the principles of Theravada Buddhism and offers guidance in meditation.
A day to explore independently the treasures of this dual-faceted city: traditional and ancient on one side, modern, vibrant, and cosmopolitan on the other..
Things to do and see - Start with Wat Pho, the largest and oldest temple in Thailand, where you can admire the Reclining Buddha, 46 metres long and 15 metres high, entirely covered in gold leaf. Continue with the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaeo, a sacred sanctuary that houses a jade Buddha statue, the religious emblem of the Chakri dynasty. On the eastern banks of the Chao Phraya River stands the majestic Grand Palace; a little further on, the amulet market, where vendors —sometimes seated right on the ground — mingle with locals and curious visitors in search of a rare find. Finally, Wat Saket, a Buddhist temple built on an artificial hill, offers a beautiful view of the rooftops of Bangkok. And why not visit the Jim Thompson House, the former home of this art and Thai silk enthusiast, whose beautifully decorated residence showcases traditional Thai elegance?
Private transfer to the airport, then flight to Chiang Mai. Private transfer and three-night stay in the heart of the historic district. Your charming Lanna-style property was built on the site of an ancient monastery, set within a pleasant garden, home to a centuries-old tamarind tree. The buildings and gardens feature typical Thai architecture. Your room blends local touches with an understated, contemporary style. On site, there is also a restaurant that blends Thai influences with flavours from around the world. The pleasant outdoor pool and spa invite you to unwind. Amid ancient temples and bustling shopping streets, this is the ideal base for exploring Chiang Mai.
Already planned - Chiang Mai by night. Discover the vibrant local life, the rich heritage of the former capital, and a variety of culinary specialities and influences by electric tuk-tuk. The evening begins by the riverside at sunset, with a tasting of northern specialities, then continues at a street food market where you can sample local dishes such as khanom jeen nam ngiao or the famous khao soi. A little further on, the Nimmanhaemin district, known for its trendy bars and restaurants, is the perfect spot for a final stop to enjoy Burmese flavours.
Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North,” still reflects the grandeur of its past as the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, while also radiating charm and serenity. It has nearly three hundred temples, including Wat Chiang Man, the oldest (13th century), and, the most famous, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, about 15 km (9 miles) out in the countryside (14th century). Take time to stroll through the old town or the colonial district, browse local handicrafts, and sample the city’s vibrant street food scene. Tucked away around the corners of the narrow streets, you’ll discover a wealth of antique shops, boutiques by young designers, restaurants and bars. And spas, perfect for unwinding after your walk.
Optional - Cooking class at Bakanaz.
Chiang Mai is an excellent gateway to Doi Inthanon National Park and the archaeological site of Wiang Kum Kam. The first is renowned for its impressive diversity: the country's highest peak (2,565 metres), lush tropical rainforests and spectacular waterfalls attract a wide variety of wildlife, including many birds. The second contains the remains of a fortified city from the 13th century, which was once the capital of the kingdom.
Optional - Cycle to the village of Baan Ta Louk.
Private transfer to the airport, then flight to Krabi. Private transfer and four-night stay at a charming hotel, secluded on one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches, set against Hang Nak mountain and overlooking the Andaman Sea, dotted with karst formations. Apart from a few nearby resorts, there’s nothing but sand and palm trees, as far as the eye can see. The design reflects contemporary Thai style, inspired by local fishing boats, with the resort’s curved roofs rising from the lush vegetation like upturned hulls. Your elegant and refined room has teak flooring and an open-air bathroom open, with a wall of exposed stone. And when it comes to the culinary experience, you can choose between the Thai restaurant and the Italian trattoria.
The name Krabi conjures up spectacular images of limestone formations, stunning national parks and dreamlike beaches. In fact, Krabi is a bit like Phuket before Phuket became what it is today. Scheduled: relaxation and lounging on the sand, and swimming in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea. But also foot massages, delicious sliced mangoes, iced Thai milk tea… Everyone can indulge their desires, all set within a cinematic décor. For a burst of adventure, take a boat trip in Phang Nga Bay (where you’ll find Koh Tapu, known as James Bond Island from The Man with the Golden Gun), go snorkelling, hiking or rock climbing. You can also dive in the Phi Phi archipelago, where visitors now share the waters with the Urak Lawoi, the “sea nomads” renowned for their tightrope walking and swallow nest gathering.
Scheduled - The Garos peninsula by boat and kayak. Located along the north-east coast of the bay, the Garos peninsula deserves a full day of exploration. Its promontory forms a long corridor bordered on one side by high cliffs, and on the other by dense mangroves. The corridor widens, splits in two, then into four, and dissolves into a maze of canals. After a first swim stop on a deserted islet, you head to the channel of the Garos peninsula for lunch on the water. Then you change boats to continue exploring the caves and lagoons by kayak. Glide over the water taking a few stops to swim in the cool waters beneath the shade of the cliffs.
Optional - Krabi Province: mangroves, ponds and jungle, in private.
At the end of the day, private transfer to the airport, then return flight via Bangkok. Night spent on the plane, arrival the next day.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
From Bangkok to Don Wai along the Maha Sawat canal, in private
This long-tail boat ride on the Maha Sawat canal, in a peaceful suburb of Bangkok, takes you back to nature to observe the traditional rural life of local residents. Several stops are planned, from lotus ponds to an orchid farm, passing through rice fields, with a sweet break to enjoy some traditional Thai treats before continuing to Don Wai market. Located on the riverbank, this market is one of the oldest in Thailand and has kept its features from that era. Unique dishes are prepared there, more vibrant and colourful than the one before.Private cooking class at Bakanaz
Thai cuisine is based on a balanced combination of five flavours: salty, sweet, sour, bitter and spicy. Its complexity comes from the diversity of the country’s produce. Taking a cooking class is a fun way to experience Thai culture and add some spice to future dinner parties with friends. Scheduled: shopping at the market, a chef’s demonstration, learning the basics of Thai cooking, preparing four authentic dishes with local ingredients, and tasting them in the lush garden of this beautiful teak house.By bike to Baan Ta Louk village
With a private guide, you first visit Wat Phadarapirom temple, with its murals and brass Buddha. Next, you head to the village of Maerim, the departure point for a lovely 30 km (19 miles) bike ride through countryside, rice fields and mushroom farms, all the way to the village of Baan Ta Louk. The trip includes visits to orchards and lunch at Baan Suan Maerim. A cruise on the Mae Ping River, all the way to Wat Chaimongkol temple, completes the afternoon.Mangroves, ponds and Krabi jungle, in private
A beautiful day exploring the various facets of Krabi province, with its abundant flora and fauna. Tha Pom is a rare place where three types of mangroves meet - freshwater, brackish, and true mangroves. Here you may encounter macaques, spectacled gibbons, snakes and fiddler crabs there. At Sra Kaew, cliffs dotted with caves and the milky waters of the ponds captivate the eye. Next, head for the monks’ jungle, set within the grounds of Tiger Cave Temple - an enclosed area reached by a staircase of around 1,200 steps. Some trees, sheltered by the dramatic limestone cliffs, have grown to astonishing heights and girths. You will walk along a trail that circles the area, staying alert for the subtle sounds of wildlife such as squirrels, monkeys, turtles and even snakes that live in the forest. This place is a retreat where the many caves have been simply converted into meditation cells. The largest serves as a temple.
Why visit Thailand with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Thailand
- Globally unique concierge service
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- Gourmet Voyageurs
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
