panorama destination

Pick up from your hotel in Bangkok at 07.00 AM, followed by a drive to Kanchanaburi Province. En-route stop at Mae Klong Railways Market an amazing country market that has sprouted alongside the railway tracks. Here, you will witness the dexterity and speed of the vendors as they quickly pack their stalls before 09:00 am when the train approaches; bringing shopping to a brief halt as it passes, then promptly reassembling the market again. It is a standard practice and stallholders have learnt the art of packing and unpacking their wares at a moment's notice!

Continue to Kanchanaburi and head towards Tham Krasae, the local train station. From here, take a trip along the famous Death Railway, passing the breathtaking views of Kwai Noi gorge. Lunch is served at Local restaurant and head to Hell Fire Pass, take a short trek through the historical site of a railway cutting which was built with forced labour during the Second World War.

Depart from Kanchanaburi and drive to the town of Nakhon Pathom to visit Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in the world at a height of 127 metres (417 ft). Continue to Wat Bang Phra (the ancient Tattoo temple). This temple is a site of pilgrimage for Thai people who anticipate strength, luck and protection from a holy magic tattoo given by the monks that live there. You may have a chance to chat with the tattoo master.

Next visit is Lampaya floating market (replaced with Don Wai market on weekdays). This market is a centre of trade in fruits and vegetables as well as agricultural products including rattan ware, woven cotton, dyed cotton, and inexpensive food. Local food like noodles with beef, Thai desserts, and steamed curried fish patty, are sold by local vendors who do their trade direct from their boats. In front of the temple is another haven for the various species of fish including big catfish-like fresh water fish, black ear, and giant gourami. Cruise along Nakhon Chai Sri River for about an hour in the afternoon and enjoy lunch onboard the boat (purchased at the market). Drive to Ayutthaya for overnight.

In the morning, you will be picked up by a "Kermit" Tuk-Tuk (a special type of motorized Tuk-Tuk available only in Ayutthaya and Trang province in the South) to discover the magnificent ruins and ancient temples in Ayutthaya historical park. Briefly stop near the Muslim quarter and sample one of the most famous delights of Ayutthaya - candy floss roti.

Continue further north to Phitsanulok with an en-route stop at the small monkey town of Lopburi where you will visit the highlight of the town at Phra Prang Sam Yod, an ancient temple ruled by the Monkeys. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Next, drive to Phitsanulok Province and upon arrival, visit Wat Mahathat, featuring Thailand's most beautiful Buddha image - Phra Puttachinnarat.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and then depart Phitsanulok for Sukhothai. Upon arrival in Sukhothai, visit Sukhothai Historical Park, which was once a walled city surrounded by a moat; the park contains almost 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition. See the main sites of the Historical Park. Discover the area by bike - a nice and easy way to stroll around the ruins.

Continue up to Lampang, a large trading centre during the 19th Century. Visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, the famous Buddhist Lanna temple in Lampang. Then drive to Thailand Elephant Conservation Center and visit FAE Elephant Hospital, the world's first hospital where you will learn how injured elephants are rehabilitated and cared for.

Breakfast at hotel then check out for driving to Chiang Mai. Arrival Chiang Mai put on your walking shoes and head out to explore the highlights of this charismatic city on foot. What better place to start our day of discovery than the banks of the Mae Ping River from here, we join the bustle of Waroros market; a favourite for Chiang Mai locals due to its exotic species, colourful fruits, an endless variety of rice and bizarre new culinary delights. From here, we continue by rickshaw to Thapae Gate and continue to explore ancient Chiang Mai on foot. Thapae Gate is Chiang Mai's main entrance to the old walled city. In days gone by, it was the gate through which traders, diplomats and visiting monks passed when they had business in the city proper. From here, we continue our walk to Three Kings Monument and the city's most beautiful temples, Wat Chedi Luang, where the famous Emerald Buddha was once enshrined, and Wat Phra Singh, home to an ancient and sacred Buddha image. Lunch is served at local restaurant. Late afternoon will be driving to the mountain temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai situated 1,676 metres above the city. Climb up the staircase adorned with imposing looking Nagas-the mythical Thai water spirits - to visit the exquisite golden pagoda. The sound of temple bells fills the air and the view overlooking the city makes an irresistible photo opportunity.

Breakfast at Hotel, this morning we invite you to join expertly presented cooking lessons at Chiang Mai Orchid Cookery School. You will start the day with a visit to the local market to learn about fresh local Thai ingredients with your professional instructor. Various dishes will be prepared and today's lunch will be composed of your own cooking. This all day, in-depth cooking class will have you cook like a pro after your journey to Thailand is over. You also eat what you cook for lunch.