The journey
Fourteen days across Thailand's cultural heartland and its two most iconic luxury resorts, from an elephant program at Four Seasons Tented Camp to five nights in a private pool villa at Six Senses Yao Noi.
Thailand: Four Seasons to Six Senses pairs deep cultural touring with two of the world's most celebrated resorts. Explore Bangkok's grand temples and the ruined former capital of Ayutthaya, then fly north to Four Seasons Tented Camp in the Golden Triangle for a private mahout elephant program in the jungle. Continue to Chiang Mai for a home-hosted cooking day, before flying south to spend five nights in a private pool villa at Six Senses Yao Noi, an island retreat reachable only by boat or helicopter.
Highlights
- Explore Bangkok's Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, and dine at Nahm, ranked among the World's 50 Best Restaurants
- Take a day trip to Ayutthaya, the ruined former Siamese capital, and its Arts of the Kingdom museum of Royal Thai craftsmanship
- Train with professional mahouts and lead your own elephant on a jungle trek at Four Seasons Tented Camp, complete with an elephant shower
- Join the daily almsgiving ceremony at Doi Suthep and receive a private blessing at the forest temple of Wat Umong
- Spend a home-hosted day with Mr. Prapat's family in Hang Dong, cooking Northern Thai dishes together
- Settle into a private pool villa for five nights at Six Senses Yao Noi, reached by private speedboat or helicopter
Included
Accommodation
13 nights across Bangkok, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Mai and Six Senses Yao Noi
Activities
Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha & Wat Pho reclining Buddha, monks' morning chanting · Wat Saket (the Golden Mount) & Soi Ban Batra alms bowl community · Ayutthaya day trip: Wat Yai Chaimongkol, Wat Mahathat & Arts of the Kingdom museum, optional Khon Museum · Domestic flight, Bangkok to Chiang Rai · Four Seasons Tented Camp mahout elephant-training program, jungle trek & elephant shower · Golden Triangle sundowners · Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) · Alms-giving ceremony & Wat Phra That Doi Suthep · Wat Umong private blessing ceremony & Wat Suan Dok · Home-hosted cooking day with Mr. Prapat's family in Hang Dong · Waroros Market · Domestic flight, Chiang Mai to Phuket · Private speedboat transfer to Six Senses Yao Noi · Suggested island activities: tuk-tuk tour, cycling trail to Haad Yao Beach & batik painting
Also included
Fast-track arrival service at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport · Dinner at Nahm & at 137 Pillars House · Private guide & vehicle throughout · Farewell gift · Breakfast daily from Day 2, plus 5 lunches and 6 dinners · Entrance fees
The route
Fourteen days across Thailand
4 stops · Bangkok to Koh Yao Noi
Bangkok
Golden Triangle
Chiang Mai
Koh Yao Noi
Stop 1 of 4
Journey's end
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Stop 1 of 4
Day by day
The route in detail
Day 1
Arrival in Bangkok
Arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, where a representative will assist with fast-track immigration before introducing your EXO Travel guide. Transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel, with insights into Bangkok's history and Thai culture shared along the way. Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 2
The Grand Palace, Wat Saket and Nahm
Start the day by electric tuk-tuk to Bangkok's old town, witnessing the monks' morning chanting ritual before exploring the temple grounds and its 45-metre reclining Buddha. Continue to the Grand Palace, Thailand's most important landmark, to marvel at its throne halls and the revered Emerald Buddha. (Note: depending on crowds, your guide may substitute Wat Saket or Wat Suthat.) Lunch is at The Eatery, Sala Rattanakosin, overlooking the Chao Phraya River. In the afternoon, continue by e-tuk-tuk to Wat Saket, climbing the Golden Mount for panoramic views of Rattanakosin Island, then visit Soi Ban Batra, a handicraft community known for the art of monk's alms bowl making. This evening, dine at Nahm, ranked among the World's 50 Best Restaurants, where Thai cuisine is showcased using the finest market-fresh ingredients and rare regional produce. Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 3
Ayutthaya Day Trip
Drive to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed former capital, through Bangkok's suburbs and the surrounding countryside. Explore the temple-studded ruins of Wat Yai Chaimongkol and Wat Mahathat, home to the iconic Buddha head entwined in tree roots, learning the city's history from its 14th-century founding to its fall to Burmese invaders in the 1700s. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with deep ties to the Ayutthaya era, then finish at the Arts of the Kingdom museum, home to handcrafted golden thrones and handwoven artworks celebrating Royal Thai craftsmanship, with the option to also visit the Khon Museum, dedicated to one of Thailand's oldest narrative dance forms. Return to Bangkok. Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 4
Onward to Four Seasons Tented Camp
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. On arrival, transfer to the Four Seasons camp pier and continue by traditional longtail boat to your Bamboo Tent at the luxury Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle. (Note: an optional private helicopter transfer from Chiang Mai Airport to Chiang Rai is available on request.) In the evening, join 'Sundowners,' a camp tradition of a casual drink while watching the sky turn golden. Dinner is served at Nong Yao Restaurant, an open-air, thatched-roof pavilion by the riverbank serving Thai, Laotian, Burmese and Western cuisine. Overnight at Four Seasons Tented Camp, Golden Triangle.
Day 5
Elephant Camp at Four Seasons Tented Camp
After breakfast at Nong Yao Restaurant, meet the professional mahouts for training on how to care for and lead an elephant, then guide your own elephant on a full jungle trek through the camp's on-site bamboo jungle, complete with a one-of-a-kind elephant shower experience. Enjoy a late morning at leisure. Lunch is at Nong Yao Restaurant, followed by leisure time, with the pool a popular choice. This evening, enjoy sundowners in the jungle or at the Burma Bar before dinner at Nong Yao Restaurant. Optional: a special dinner by the campfire can be arranged at the elephant camp, with regional Thai, Laotian and Burmese cuisine served safari-style, followed by stargazing (additional fee applies). Overnight at Four Seasons Tented Camp, Golden Triangle.
Day 6
Onward to Chiang Mai
After breakfast, bid farewell to the camp and drive to Chiang Mai, stopping at Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, and for a coffee break at Chivit Thamma Da, set in an English-style garden by the Mae Ping River. Arrive in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon. This evening, dine at Oxygen Dining Room, a Michelin-starred restaurant at X2 Riverside using only the freshest ingredients. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 7
Doi Suthep and 137 Pillars House
Depart early for the foothills of Doi Suthep Mountain to join the daily almsgiving ceremony, a serene Buddhist procession of monks collecting offerings on foot. Continue up the mountain to Wat Doi Suthep, climbing the 309 steps of the Golden Naga staircase to its golden pagodas. Visit Wat Umong, a 14th-century forested temple, for a private blessing ceremony after walking its mysterious tunnels, then continue to Wat Suan Dok, known for its whitewashed Lanna stupas. Conclude the morning with a bowl of Khao Soi, a Northern Thai specialty. Spend the afternoon at leisure. This evening, ride by electric tuk-tuk through Chiang Mai's old town for dinner at the beautiful 137 Pillars House, then drive to the lively Waroros Market to browse fresh flowers, street food stalls and local sweets. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 8
A Home-Hosted Day in Hang Dong
Dress in local fisherman's pants and join Mr. Prapat for a visit to his home in Hang Dong, discovering traditional local architecture and artisan skills unchanged for centuries. Select fresh ingredients and, under his family's guidance, learn to cook traditional Northern Thai dishes, then sit down to enjoy the meal together. Spend the afternoon strolling the neighbourhood and observing local cottage industries. This evening, dine in the Courtyard Garden at Rachamankha Restaurant to close out your time in Chiang Mai. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 9
Onward to Six Senses Yao Noi
Transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your flight to Phuket. On arrival, transfer by private vehicle to Ao Po Grand Marina Pier, then board the resort's private speedboat to Six Senses Yao Noi, checking in to your Hideaway Pool Villa. (Optional: an exclusive helicopter transfer direct from Phuket Airport is available, approximately 15 minutes, maximum 6 passengers.) Overnight at Six Senses Yao Noi. Days 10-13: Six Senses Yao Noi Spend four days at leisure at Six Senses Yao Noi, a private-villa island retreat. Suggested activities include a tuk-tuk tour of Koh Yao Noi's fish traps, coconut farms and rubber plantations; a guided bike trail across the island's back roads to the secluded Haad Yao Beach; and a batik painting workshop inspired by the island's limestone karsts and marine life. Overnight at Six Senses Yao Noi each night.
Day 14
Departure
After breakfast, check out and board the resort's private speedboat back to Ao Po Grand Marina Pier, then transfer by private vehicle to Phuket Airport for your onward flight.
Moments
Along the way
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