Culinary Journey

Welcome! Please be prepared to meet in the lobby at 5:30 P.M. to depart for your welcome dinner. The dinner reservation time will be finalized closer to your trip date. If you plan on arriving today, we recommend flying into BKK.

You'll start off the day with a private transfer to Mae Klong Railway Market for a unique experience of vendors swiftly clearing their tracks for the passing train—an extraordinary display of local life and commerce. After soaking in the vibrant market atmosphere, continue for a short ride to a local Sugar Palm farm for a brief insight into sugar production. The journey finally takes you to the bustling Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you can explore boats laden with an array of goods and experience traditional market interactions. Opt for a paddle boat ride for a closer view of the market activities. On your way back from the market, you'll enjoy a local lunch featuring dishes like stir-fried razor clams and salted Thai mackerel before taking a private transfer back to the hotel. Cap the evening with the Bangkok Street Eats tour by EV Tuk-Tuk, sampling street food favorites and visiting iconic sites, making for a full and memorable day. For today's activities, you'll want to bring extra cash with you to buy any additional food or beverages at the markets.

• Mae Klong Railway Market

  Begin your half-day tour with a scenic drive in a private transfer towards southwest Bangkok, to the charming Ratchaburi Province. On the way to Damnoern Saduak Floating Market, take a fascinating detour to the Mae Klong Railway Market - also affectionately known as Talad Rom Hoop - which translates to "closing an umbrella or awning." This unique name reflects the market's extraordinary setup, where vendors swiftly close their awnings to make way for the passing trains right on the tracks. Experience the thrilling spectacle of the train maneuvering through the tightly-packed stalls, a perfect blend of daily commerce and local life. You'll spend around 40 minutes at the market, giving you ample time to explore the stalls, soak up the vibrant atmosphere, and watch the train glide through, making for an unforgettable experience.

  08:30· 40 min· Samut Songkhram
• Damnoern Saduak Floating Market

  From the bustling Mae Klong Railway Market, continue with a quick 15-minute drive to a local Sugar Palm farm situated conveniently along your route. This visit offers an insightful look into the production of sugar, demonstrating how the sap from sugar palms is turned into crystalline sugar, a vital ingredient in local cuisine. You'll then arrive at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. This celebrated market is a vibrant display of local culture and history, reminiscent of a time when rivers and canals were the main transport routes. Explore a variety of boats filled with fresh fruits, flowers, colorful clothing, and assorted souvenirs floating along the waterways. Then, make your way to the historic Lao Tuk Luk Market, also known as the old Damnoen Saduak Market. Operating for over a century, this market maintains its traditional appeal with wooden houses and offers insights into the age-old methods of trading food, snacks, and other items. To fully appreciate this market's atmosphere, consider renting a paddle boat at your own expense. This allows you to weave through the vendor boats and experience the vibrant market scene from the water, providing a unique perspective on this lively trading hub. It is advised to bring cash with you to purchase food and beverages at your own expense.

  09:20· 150 min· Ratchaburi
• Bangkok Street Eats by EV Tuk-Tuk

  In the late afternoon, embark from the meeting point on an exciting tuk-tuk ride through Bangkok’s vibrant streets. Along the way, get a glimpse of important Bangkokian landmarks. Stretch your legs with a walk through one of Bangkok’s most character-filled old trading streets, where vintage shophouses, street art, and creative new energy sit side by side. Along the way, sample traditional steamed buns, a classic snack reflecting the area’s Chinese heritage — soft, fluffy, and long associated with prosperity and good fortune. Hop back on a tuk tuk and zip through the neon buzz of Chinatown, stopping briefly at the Giant Swing for photos under the city lights. Dinner follows at a beloved local eatery serving Pad See Ew for over 40 years — a comforting noodle classic that showcases how Chinese cooking evolved into Thai street-food culture. The night winds down with a scenic tuk ride past the illuminated Grand Palace and City Pillar, before arriving at the riverside opposite Wat Arun, glowing beautifully across the Chao Phraya River. The evening continues with a relaxed stop at a riverside rooftop bar, where a drink or cocktail is included as you take in the view. Fast-paced, full of flavor, and rich in atmosphere — this is Bangkok at its most alive after dark. Afterwards, you'll take a 40-minute transfer back to the hotel after a fun evening out.

  17:00· 240 min· Bangkok
• Transfer · Bangkok → Mae Klong Railway Market

  Take a private transfer from the hotel to Mae Kong Railway Market as your first stop en route to Damnoern Saduak Floating Market.

  private · 80 min
• Transfer · Samut Songkram / Amphawa → Bangkok

  After lunch, take a private transfer back to the hotel.

  private · 80 min

This morning, you will take a transfer out to Kok Na Sai Farm for a traditional rice farm visit. Afterwards, you'll head to a community kitchen for a hands-on cooking class to prepare a delicious lunch with locally sourced ingredients. After lunch, you'll transfer back to the hotel to relax and freshen up before transferring to dinner.

• Kok Na Sai Farm Visit and Cooking Class

  Welcome to a local Thai rice farm! Today you will visit and learn about the local community and their work on the rice farm. They'll demonstrate the traditional method of rice production, and then you will get the chance to make a Thai rice pancake. From there, you will begin a cooking class, where you will be taught how to prepare 3-4 Thai dishes using locally sourced ingredients. You'll also have the chance to learn Thai cooking methods on a charcoal stove. Enjoy your lunch before heading back to Bangkok!

  10:00· 180 min· Saraburi
• Transfer · Bangkok → Saraburi

  Take a private transfer from the hotel in Bangkok to Kok Na Sai Farm.

  private · 110 min
• Transfer · Saraburi → Bangkok

  Take a private transfer from Kok Na Sai Farm back to the hotel in Bangkok.

  private · 110 min

Today, you'll transfer to the Ayutthaya ruins. The Ayutthaya ruins feature impressive temple complexes, statues, and historical structures that offer a glimpse into the city's rich history and cultural significance. Afterwards, you will take a quick transfer to the nearby food market to explore and try out some local snacks. You will have time to explore the area before transferring to the train station to board your overnight train to Chiang Mai. When visiting the ruins and temples today, you'll need to wear conservative clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, shoes that cover the toes. Please note that you will want to pack up all your belongings with you, as you will be checking out of the hotel in the morning, as well as pack a separate small bag to have accessible to you on the train (your other luggage will be stored elsewhere).

• Ayutthaya Ruins Tour

  Discover the historical highlights of Ayutthaya by transfer and boat today. The Ayutthaya ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand, showcase the remnants of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, featuring impressive temple complexes, statues, and historical structures that offer a glimpse into the city's rich history and cultural significance. You'll be visiting Bang-Pa-In Palace, Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, the ancient temple ruins and crumbling pagodas that used to form Thailand's largest and most important settlement. When visiting the ruins and temples today, you'll need to wear conservative clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, shoes that cover the toes. You'll be walking for about 3 miles on flat terrain.

  09:30· 120 min· Ayutthaya
• Ayutthaya Food Market Tour

  Head to U-thong Road, famous for Roti Saimai, the sweet treat of Ayutthaya. This Thai-style candy floss or cotton candy is rolled in a paper-thin roti sheet. Be sure to bring additional cash to purchase food, drinks, and souvenirs at your own expense.

  17:00· 60 min· Ayutthaya
• Transfer · Bangkok → Ayutthaya

  Take a private transfer from the hotel to the Ayutthaya Ruins.

  private · 90 min

Good morning from Chiang Mai! Upon arrival in Chiang Mai via the overnight train, you'll take a short transfer to your hotel to check in, then you are free to spend the rest of your day at leisure to settle in. You can even choose to sign up for an optional Thai massage for extra relaxation! Then in the early evening, you'll be picked up for a short transfer to the market for a night market street eats tour, where you'll get to try out some northern Thai dishes. Finally, transfer back to your hotel. You'll want to wear comfortable walking shoes for tonight's street eats tour.

• Night Market Street Eats Tour

  Meet your tour Guide at the Three Kings Monument for a safety briefing before your walking and local taxi tour. Start walking to the Chiang Mai Gate local market (south gate) and taste some local food and snacks sold by street vendors. Continue walking through the old city and stop for your first main dish of northern cuisine called “Khao Soi” at local restaurant Heun Phen -- this restaurant is actually famous for their Khao Soi noodle curry! Lunch and dinner times can be busy with the restaurant serving variety of northern Thai cuisines. Heun Phen converts to a canteen-style eatery during the day, then transforms into a romantic restaurant by night! Afterwards, walk to visit Wat Chedi Luang. Continue walking to Chang Peuk Gate local market (north gate), and enjoy your choice of fruit shake or Thai dessert. Take a local songtaew (red taxi) to the flower market -- walk around to explore local foods, fruits, flowers, and walk across Ping River to see Wat Gate Garam by night. End your trip at local bar by the Ping River (choice of 1 beer or 1 soft drink). Take a local songtaew back to hotel (in town only), or feel free to continue the adventure at local bar (and later, coordinate your own transportation back to hotel). Please note that specific dishes you are trying for this tour may vary and are subject to change. You'll want to wear comfortable shoes, as well as bring extra cash to purchase additional food, beverages, and souvenirs at your own expense. You'll be walking on mostly flat terrain for about 1-1.5 hours.

  17:30· 240 min· Chiang Mai

Begin your day with a songthaew pick-up, visiting key sites such as Huay Kaew Waterfall, Wat Pha Lat, and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Afterwards, enjoy a unique lunch experience at Chuan Chom, where your meal will be prepared and served by female inmates who are taking part in a program designed to provide opportunities that will help them reintegrate back into society after their release. After lunch, you will return to your hotel. In the late afternoon, journey to the Hang Dong district for a Lanna Family Experience, engaging in a cooking class at the family compound. You'll then enjoy the fruits of your labor for dinner before transferring back to the hotel for the evening. For today's activities, you'll want to wear comfortable shoes.

• Chiang Mai Exploration by Songthaew Trio Express

  Your exploration today begins with being picked up from the hotel by a songthaew. A songthaew is a widely used mode of transportation, particularly in Thailand, consisting of a modified pickup truck or van with bench seating, often brightly decorated, and serving as both shared taxis and bus-like service. First, you'll take a short 20-minute ride to Huay Kaew Waterfall (swimming not permitted), a peaceful retreat just minutes from the city. Surrounded by lush greenery, this cascading gem is easily accessible via a 5-minute walk on a paved road. Next, continue 10 minutes to the revered Wat Pha Lat, also known as the ‘Monastery at the Sloping Rock.’ Nestled deep within the forest, this hidden gem boasts stunning Lanna-style architecture, intricate carvings, and vibrant murals. You can explore the tranquil temple grounds, discover meditation caves and gentle waterfalls along the way. Finally, you'll ascend the winding road up Suthep Mountain for 15 minutes, where your final destination slowly reveals itself with each turn. Perched at 1,056 meters, the 14th-century Wat Phra That Doi Suthep houses a sacred relic of the Lord Buddha and offers breathtaking panoramic views of Chiang Mai and beyond. From there, descend 30 minutes back down to Chiang Mai.

  08:00· 270 min· Chiang Mai
• Chuan Chom Experience

  Enjoy a unique dining experience at the Chuan Chom Women's Correctional Institution. (Yes, you read that correctly!) Your snacks will be prepared and served by female inmates who are taking part in a program designed to provide opportunities that will help them reintegrate back into society after their release.

  12:00· 60 min· Chiang Mai
• Lanna Family Experience & Cooking Class

  In the late afternoon, take a 30-minute private transfer and venture to the Hang Dong district of Chiang Mai. Here you'll discover the enchanting village of Bandoo, home to a splendid 150-year-old teak house owned by the Ruankaew-Yanon family—a significant influence in shaping the local Lanna community. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the house and its surroundings, gaining insight into a lifestyle that closely mirrors that of their ancestors. Alongside exploring the grounds, actively participate in a cooking session with your host family, providing a hands-on opportunity to acquire Northern Thai culinary skills to take back home with you. The group will take part in cooking five dishes, including examples such as Obb Kai, Nam Prik Ong, Phad Ma Khaue Yao, Tom Som Kai, and Klauy Boud Chee (subject to change based on seasonal ingredients). Enjoy a delightful dinner on the second-floor terrace, offering panoramic views of the picturesque Lanna village, before taking a 30-minute transfer back to the hotel after dinner.

  15:00· 270 min· Chiang Mai

This last day in Thailand is yours to spend however you'd like, whether it's indulging in last-minute shopping, revisiting favorite food spots, sightseeing, or opting for an additional tour into the scenic mountains of Mae Kampong. Later, gather at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner, marking the end of an extraordinary week filled with shared moments and memories.

All good things must come to an end, but only until your next adventure! Enjoy a final breakfast and then make your own way onward. If departing directly from the hotel, we recommend flying out of CNX.