Luxury Thailand Trip from North to South

Begin your journey through Thailand in Bangkok, where your VIP escort will whisk you through priority customs and immigration. Your personal guide and driver will welcome you to the city and bring you to Capella Bangkok, where you’ll spend your first three nights. Decompress and then get your first taste of Thailand’s famous curries at one of our favorite restaurants, Charmgang.   

Spend a morning discovering Bangkok’s most revered and sacred sites, including the country’s largest reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. After a delicious family-style Thai lunch, board a longtail boat for a cruise down the city’s ancient canals, gliding past floating wooden shopfronts, weathered teak homes, and Buddhist temples. Stop at the Artist’s House (Baan Silapin), a beautifully restored centuries-old teak house turned art gallery.  

Set out on foot to explore Bangkok’s hidden enclaves through the eyes of a local artist. As he guides you through the city, learn about his art and travels as well as what it’s like to live in this bustling metropolis. Later, take a tuk-tuk tour of Bangkok’s 200-year-old Chinatown. You’ll kick things off with a cocktail at a bar on the edge of the Chao Phraya River before hopping into a tuk-tuk to scoot through narrow lanes and vibrant allies where vendors sling street food specialities and local delicacies.  

From Bangkok, a short flight will bring you to Sukhothai. The town served as the political and administrative capital from the 13th to 15th centuries and is home to the vestiges of early Thai architecture. A bit harder to reach than the historical city of Ayutthaya, you’ll escape the crowds here while exploring even more impressive ruins. Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa, an idyllic countryside retreat overlooking rice fields, is your home-away-from home here.  

Discover Sukhothai's ancient temples and ruins, including Wat Chang Lom, Wat Si Chum, and Wat Mahatha, on a private cycling tour. To arrive at Sukhothai Historical Park, you’ll travel down scenic dirt backroads, weaving past rice paddies and small villages, and stopping at local handicraft workshops.  

Embark on a scenic overland journey from Sukhothai to Chiang Mai, pausing for lunch in Lampang, a charming town of preserved Lanna architecture. After lunch, continue to Wat Chaloem Phra Kiat, where gleaming white pagodas perch dramatically atop rocky cliffs. Arrive in Chiang Mai by late afternoon and settle into the elegant 137 Pillars House. 

Begin your exploration of this mountainous, forested region with a hike along the Monk’s Trail, following in the footsteps of monks to reach Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Thailand’s most revered Theravada Buddhism temple complexes. This evening, join a passionate local foodie on a street food tour through Chiang Mai’s colorful maze of markets. Try northern Thai classics, including Kha Moo (braised pork leg), Sukiyaki, Pad Thai, and Khao Soi (coconut curry noodle soup), amid the din of shouting vendors and sizzling pans.  

Today you’ll take a cycling tour through southern Chiang Mai along quiet backroads, beginning at the ancient ruins Wiang Kum Kam (founded in 1286 as the first capital of the Lanna Empire). Visit McKean Rehabilitation Center (once a leper colony and now a sanctuary) then continue to a local elementary school serving hill tribe children. A traditional Thai meal featuring a comforting bowl of Khao Soy Kai rounds out this immersive, memorable cultural adventure. 

Head north of Chiang Mai for a day of trekking in Chiang Dao, home to the Akha, Lisu, Lahu, Palong, and Karen hill tribes. You’ll begin the day at a local market, tasting regional herbs and vegetables, and then float down the river on a bamboo raft before beginning your hike up into the mountains. Visit four different villages, learning about the communities’ traditional handicrafts and attire, spiritual traditions, and grassroots nature conservation.  

Trade the mountains for the beach, arriving at the secluded island of Koh Yao Noi. Just an hour by private speedboat transfer off the coast from Phuket, the island feels far away from the hustle of busier spots on the Andaman Coast. Luxuriate in the serenity of your private pool villa at the heavenly Six Senses Yao Noi, listening for the calls of hornbills in the jungle.  

Venture away from the resorts on Koh Yao Noi to savor the flavors of the coast for a day on an intimate, private culinary experience. You’ll be welcomed into the home of a warm and spirited local chef and Thai matriarch who works with ingredients plucked straight from her backyard garden and the local market. Learn to make a fresh curry or spicy papaya salad overlooking rice paddies where water buffalo roam, listening to stories about local life while sharing your freshly prepared meal. 

Spend a day island hopping between surrounding islands on a private longtail boat. Snorkel the clear waters around Hong Island before enjoying a picnic lunch on the beach. In the afternoon, head for Lading Island (also known as Paradise Island) for more snorkeling and swimming. Continue with visits to Pakbia Island and Nok Island before ending the day back at your resort.  

Today is at your leisure, so you can pick your own pace. Kayak through mangroves, try your hand at Muay Thai, take a leisurely bike ride, or simply relax and enjoy your villa’s private pool.  

On your last day, a private driver will fetch you from the hotel for your departing flight (or the next leg of your Southeast Asia travel adventure). We’ve arranged a fast-track service for a smooth and hassle-free departure.