A Taste of Thailand

from USD 1579 for 11 days

Visiting: Thailand

Be prepared for a sensory overload, with fish steaming, vegetables exploding in to flames and Bangkok’s colourful street life right outside. We start to hone our culinary skills as we visit a local market with a chef from the world-renowned Blue Elephant restaurant. In Chiang Mai we taste the traditional Northern cuisine and enjoy a full day cooking class. We tour the Grand Palace and temples of Bangkok, stay in a local village, ride an elephant, and even find time for a little relaxation.

Detailed Description Show brief

Day 1 - BANGKOK

Arrive and check in to our hotel. Tonight will be our first taste of Thai cuisine and we visit one of the many local restaurants nearby to explore the taste sensations of Bangkok. Maybe we can witness Mornign GLory exploding into flames from a wok or the spicy and sour taste of Tom Yum Kung. (D)

Day 2 - BANGKOK

In the morning we take a guided tour of Bangkok's magnificent Grand Palace and
Wat Phra Keow. This is followed after lunch by an exciting longtail boat ride along the city’s canals or ‘klongs’. (BL)

Bangkok
A city of contrasts, Bangkok is both a modern urban sprawl and a series of small side streets known as sois. It’s a hugely cosmopolitan city, with Arab, Indian and Chinese areas where you can be fitted for a linen suit by an Indian tailor, hear the call to prayer from a mosque or dine out in restaurants serving every conceivable kind of cuisine. The public ferryboats that cruise up and down the Chao Phraya River offer a good way to get around the city, and smaller longtail boats travel along the city’s many klongs, or canals. For a view across the city, the Golden Mount is a temple on top of a hill which looks out across Bangkok. The spectacular Grand Palace is a must-see, as is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha nearby. Head into the markets to pick up some bargains, dine out in the countless cafes and restaurants in every neighbourhood and just lose yourself in this remarkable city.

Day 3 - BANGKOK

Situated in a 19th century mansion, the atmosphere of the Blue Elephant Thai cookery school complements the magnificent dishes created inside. We begin by visiting a local market and buying what we need under the direction of our chef. This gives us the opportunity to build a menu from the raw ingredients, and then savour our dishes at lunchtime. The rest of the day is free to relax. (BL)

Blue Elephant Thai Cookery School
The Blue Elephant in Bangkok offers a spectacular setting to learn the skills required to create exquisite Thai cuisine. The beautiful building is a century old and the kitchen has all the equipment you will need to concoct a stunning meal; with the menu spanning forgotten classics to modern interpretations of traditional Thai dishes. As part of your culinary experience you will take the Sky Train to a local market and, under the guidance of an instructor, select an abundance of local produce to take back with you to the kitchen and create culinary wonders. Your experience at the Blue Elephant will culminate in the restaurant, where you will get to sample your own creations, as well as some additional tantalising Thai dishes.

Day 4 - BANGKOK

Today we have a free day to explore this vibrant city before transferring to the train station to board our overnight train to Chiang Mai. (B)

Day 5 - CHIANG MAI

In the morning we arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to our hotel. Later, we make an excursion to the beautiful hilltop temple of Doi Suthep. This evening you could try an authentic Thai massage. (B)

Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, home of the Lanna kingdom, is often referred to as the 'Rose of the North', and you’ll see why after just a few hours in this charming city. It's a great place to while away hours just strolling from wat to café to craft shop to massage centre in the old walled city. If you have time you should visit the famed night markets. Imagine streets lined with stall after stall of the most fabulous mix of tribal wares. Women from the Akha hilltribe wearing ornate headdresses wander through the bustling crowds with trays of silver jewellery, using small wooden frogs to make a croaking sound to attract attention to their wares. The Lisu tribe compete with hand-crafted bags and embroidery. The streets throng with people selling everything from silk sarongs to CDs. As you walk along you might be tempted to stop and indulge in a traditional Thai massage, or eat at one of the local restaurants. The night markets of Chiang Mai are definitely the place to pick up some original bargains and practice your bartering skills.

Doi Suthep
Perched on top of a forested hill, the temple of Doi Suthep has amazing views over the city of Chiang Mai. It is said that every person visiting the city should first of all visit this stunning temple, as it will bring them luck in their life. The golden Chedi in the centre is said to contain relics of the original Buddha and the entire area shines with its intricate gold decorations, even more beautiful when seen with a perfect sky-blue background. An occasional monk might wander by, amidst the people who are praying, clutching their lotus flower offerings and scented incense. Inside is a largely decorated room which holds around one hundred Buddha images. Many people have their fortune told by throwing lucky sticks at the feet of a Buddha image; the first stick to be picked determines their future. From the edge of the temple walls you can see the most magnificent views of the city, surrounded by the rolling green hills of northern Thailand.

Day 6 - CHIANG MAI

A full day cooking class with Chiang Mai’s famous chef ‘The Master’. From the early
morning you will be chopping, frying and steaming, then eating the results. (BLD)

Day 7 - CHIANG MAI - VILLAGE HOMESTAY

We journey by pick-up truck through the cultural heartland of the north, home of the colourful hilltribe people. On the way we stop to visit a local market and buy several vital ingredients for tonight’s dinner. Continuing on foot through the mountainous terrain, we arrive at a Palong village where we spend the night in a traditional house. We share the chores with our hosts as we prepare food for this evening’s dinner. (BLD)

Day 8 - CHIANG MAI

After breakfast we ride elephants through the jungle to a small river. Later we drive to the orphanage for hilltribe children supported by Imaginative Traveller. We may stay for dinner with them, help them with their homework or enjoy a game of football. On the way back to our hotel we can stop off at Chiang Mai’s famous night markets. (BLD)

Chiang Mai orphanage
Chiang Mai orphanage is an official Imaginative Traveller responsible travel project. You can visit the orphanage and use your free time to make the children smile by playing with them. By donating to the orphanage we can help them to initiate their own projects such as growing their own food and have a pig breeding programme (P.I.G.). Other donations such as washing products, toys and other equipment are always welcome and are a big help.

Day 9 - CHIANG MAI

Today is free to explore the town or relax by the swimming pool. Tonight we take
the overnight train to Bangkok. (B)

Day 10 - BANGKOK

We arrive back in Bangkok and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free to
relax, do some last minute shopping, or explore some of the other ethnic areas of this diverse city. If you fancy a break from Thai food then why not try one of the great restaurants in Little India or the Arab Quarter. Tonight we enjoy our final dinner together. (BD)