Classic Thailand

Itinerary Highlights

Thanks to its idyllic beaches, iconic food scene and captivating culture and history, Thailand has long been one of Southeast Asia's most popular destinations. Classic Thailand is the ideal itinerary for any traveler looking to explore this exceptionally diverse and fascinating country with uniquely designed experiences far from the tourist traps and luxury hotels that effortlessly capture the beauty and hospitality of the country.

Hotels and lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.

Detailed Itinerary

Welcome to Bangkok! Upon landing, VIP services will be included and you will be met at the end of your flight’s jet bridge by an airport assistant, who will escort you through fast-track immigration. After immigration procedures are complete, your airport assistant will help you with claiming your baggage and escort you through customs to the arrivals hall, where your guide will be awaiting you and along with your driver will transport you to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure.

Overnight at Peninsula Bangkok (no meals included)

Start your full day in Bangkok at the stunning Grand Palace, the residence of the noteworthy Emerald Buddha. Next, you'll head over to Wat Pho for a glimpse of a giant reclining Buddha. The wonderfully fragrant and brightly-hued Flower Market is next, where garlands and bundles of fresh flowers are trucked in from the north. Get on a boat and cross the stroll the quaint Kudajeen neighborhood, a community of mixed religions and cultures. After that, it's onto bustling Chinatown to sample some of the city's best Chinese seafood and street food staples. If you wish, we can arrange for transportation
during your food tour to be by tuk tuk.

Overnight at Peninsula Bangkok (Breakfast & Food Tour)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. At the scheduled time, your guide will escort you to the airport for your short flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival to the city you’ll meet your new local guide and head toward the hotel where you’ll check in and enjoy the rest of your late afternoon at leisure.

Overnight at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort (Breakfast)

After breakfast, meet with the guide and head out to the pier for a boat ride along Mae Kok River to our destination at Karen Hill Tribe village for a short visit before lunch at a local restaurants. Afterwards, you will visit the infamous Golden Triangle where, from a hill top viewpoint, you can view the splendor of the mighty Mekong joining with the Ruak River and forming the actual “Triangle” with Laos, Burma and Thailand. Get ready for a short boat ride across the Mekong to Laos (Don Sao) for market visit.

Return to the hotel and relax, or consider an optional exploration of the Mae Salong Village. Set high amid magnificent mountain landscape, the village of Mae Salong was founded by Kuomintang soldiers who fled China after the revolution in 1949. The combination of pack horses, hill tribes (Akha, Lisu, Mien, and Hmong) and southern Chinese style houses conjures up images of a small town or village in the Chinese Yunnan Province.

Overnight at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort (Breakfast & Lunch)

This morning, you will visit Wat Rong Khun before a drive through beautiful mountainous scenery to Chiang Mai. Stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants. After lunch, continue driving up the mountain’s winding road of Doi Suthep Mountain and climb 290 steps to visit the hilltop temple of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. On a clear day, there are incomparable views over the city of Chiang Mai from the temple grounds. The less energetic will be pleased to know that there is a cable car up to the hill.

Overnight at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai (Breakfast & Lunch)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Your guide will bring you to the pergola market to buy your own tree for reforestation. On the way from Chiang Mai to the camp, enjoy the views of villages, temples, beautiful scenic of mountain and farms around Chiang Mai countryside.

Drive about 45 minutes and stop at Maewang local market for getting some vegetables, bananas, sticky rice and herbs for the elephants. Don’t forget your picnic lunch box form the villagers at the market! Walk around the market for a few minutes and continue to the camp on the Maewang mountain.

Visit a beautiful waterfall before take a short walk into the forest near the Karen village and witness the simple life of the local hill tribe people. After that continue driving to the camp. Arrive to Maewang Elephant Conservation camp with warm hospitality from the local Karen staff. Here you’ll chat with the staff about the elephants, including background information, general instructions and questions. Make your own herbal feed for elephants in the camp. Enjoy a picnic lunch on site.

After lunch you will be introduced to the camp’s elephants and mahouts. Feed your assigned elephant and learn the basics of how to be a mahout course with easy commands. When you’re ready, walk the beautiful trail in the forest with your elephant for about 45 minutes. Take them to find the grasses and sugarcanes around the forest which is their favorite food.

Next, enjoy bamboo rafting along Mae Wang River (about 40 minutes) and return to Chiang Mai.

Meet again with the driver at the hotel lobby for your private transfer to Khan Toke Dinner with Show. The “Khan Toke” dinner is traditionally specific to the people of the northern region. Dinner is served in small bowls, known in Thai as Khan. Guests are seated on cushions at a low table, known as Toke in Thai. The cuisine served is northern Thai and it is prepared with the western palate in mind as traditional Thai food can be very spicy. During dinner, entertainers will perform the intricate Forn Leb finger dance; the Forn Thien candle dance; the Ramwong circle dance; and the Ram Dab sword dance.

Overnight at 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

After a late breakfast, check out of the hotel and meet with the guide in the hotel lobby for your private transfer to Chiang Mai airport where you will catch your afternoon flight to Phuket.Upon arrival at Phuket airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will escort you to the nearby jetty where you’ll board a quick speedboat headed for the secluded island of Koh Yao Noi. You’ll then be met by a car that will whisk you away to Six Senses Yao Noi.

Six Senses Yao Noi is set on an island beyond Phuket in awesome Phang Nga Bay. 55 Pool Villas present glorious vistas over the bay or face a classic plantation of rubber trees and tropical forest. Natural materials and excellent personal service support the philosophy of creating exceptional experiences.Several restaurants and bars present world cuisine, with an emphasis on Thai, plus a pizza oven. The Six Senses Spa offers treatments designed to create memorable spa journeys. Guests also enjoy excursions, activities and events as the island takes guests under its spell with its sheer untouched beauty.

After check in, unwind in your luxurious room or head to the pristine beaches just steps away.

Overnight at Six Senes Yao Noi (Breakfast)

Enjoy the pristine environment of Koh Yao Noi. Various experiences can be arranged, including private boat tours to surrounding islands, cycling excursions, painting lessons, Muy Thai classes, yoga, cooking classes, fishing and various watersports, just to name a few.

Overnight at Six Senes Yao Noi (Breakfast)

At the scheduled time, you’ll begin the 45-minute trip back to Phuket via boat and private car transfer and check in at the airport for your departing flight home.

(Breakfast)

• 11 nights accommodation based on double/twin occupancy

• Daily breakfast

• Additional meals as specified in itinerary

• Excursions and touring as specified in itinerary, all on private basis

• All airport and ground transportation on private basis

• All entrance fees as specified

• Traveller Made ® Member Agency benefits at participating hotels:

  • Complimentary upgrade (subject to availability)

  • Early check-in and late check out (subject to availability)

  • Bespoke welcome room amenities upon arrival

  • $100 property credit

  • **benefits vary by property; member properties in this itinerary are: Peninsula Bangkok, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort & 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international or internal flights, meals and drinks not described below, items of a personal nature

Pricing here reflects Six Senses Ya Noi’s entry level Hideaway Pool Villa category which has jungle views. An Ocean Deluxe Pool Villa (as well as other higher categories) can be quoted as well. Depending on the season, islands off Thailand’s west coast may provide better weather conditions as compared to Phuket. Discuss your preferred travel dates with your planner and we will advise accordingly. There are many wonderful beach properties throughout Thailand and even within the Phuket region depending on taste and budget. Six Senses is ideal for couples and honeymooners, as is Amanpuri for those willing to spend a bit more. COMO Point Yamu is excellent for those looking for excitement and Rosewood Phuket is ideal for families.