Thailand’s Ancient Capitals & Cities

Arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, where a representative will assist with fast-track immigration and your luggage before introducing your EXO Travel guide. Transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel, with time to settle in before the evening. This evening, enjoy a Thai set dinner aboard the Saffron Cruise by Banyan Tree, a dining cruise along the Chao Phraya River blending modern and traditional influences, with award-winning cuisine and entertainment celebrating Thailand's culture and gastronomy. Take in the sights from the glass-windowed dining area, or head up to the moon deck to watch the city pass by. Overnight in Bangkok.

Enjoy breakfast and a morning at leisure. In the afternoon, visit the Grand Palace, seat of Thailand's Royal Family for more than two centuries, exploring its temples, throne halls and the revered Emerald Buddha, with a particular focus on the Queen Sirikit Museum. For a more exclusive experience, a curator from the museum can lead a personal tour through its exhibits of royal fashion and state history. Break for coffee at an authentic cafe en route to Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's most enchanting temples, home to a 45-metre reclining Buddha and an intricate collection of religious treasures. Round out the afternoon with the monks' chanting ritual, a deeply spiritual close to the day's temple visits. This evening, dine at Chakrabongse Villa, an Italian-style riverside estate built by Prince Chakrabongse as a retreat from palace life and now run by his granddaughter, Narisa. Enjoy a welcome cocktail in the villa's gardens before a Royal Thai dinner prepared from original family recipes from the palace kitchen, with views of Wat Arun across the river. Overnight in Bangkok.

Board a private wooden barge from the banks of the Chao Phraya River for an architectural tour by boat, cruising to Chee Chin Khor Temple, Bangkok's finest example of traditional Chinese pagoda design, then on to Wat Prayun Wongsawat for a study of classic Thai temple architecture, its 80-metre chedi surrounded by 18 smaller towers. Visit Turtle Mountain, also known as Wat Prayoon, and its spirit houses, then continue to Wat Arun, admiring its recently restored ceramic inlays from the water. Cruise the Bangkok Noi Canal, once a major trading route lined with the homes of aristocrats, before a final stop at the Royal Barge Museum to see the barges used by the King on state occasions. Overnight in Bangkok.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for a flight to Chiang Rai. On arrival, transfer to your accommodation in the Golden Triangle, then explore the region's history with a visit to the Hall of Opium (closed Mondays). Dinner is served at the hotel. Overnight in the Golden Triangle.

This morning, observe the behaviour and playful interactions of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation's rescued elephants, and learn from Think Elephants International scientists about elephant behaviour and intelligence. Begin with a presentation and discussion with the education team, then head to the elephant camp for an up-close encounter, including some water play with the elephants. A portion of every booking is donated to support the foundations' work. The afternoon is free at leisure at the hotel. Lunch and dinner are both served at the hotel. Overnight in the Golden Triangle.

After breakfast, check out and transfer for the 'Art Scene of Chiang Rai' sightseeing program, exploring the contrast between heaven and hell through two celebrated works: Baan Dam, or the Black House, opened to the public by National Artist Thawan Duchanee, and Wat Rong Khun, the White Temple, created by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Lunch is at Chivit Thammada, a charming vintage-style riverside restaurant serving natural, homemade food. After lunch, drive around ninety minutes to Phayao Province, passing vast rice fields en route to your accommodation near the small town of Chiang Kham. Overnight in Chiang Kham.

After breakfast in the resort's serene surroundings, hop on a bike and follow your guide through rice fields along the backroads, cycling off the beaten path to Wat Phra Khaew, an over 400-year-old temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha, and Wat Phra Nang Din, known for its sitting Buddha image. Stop at one of the largest Bo trees in Chiang Kham before continuing to the Huai Sa Reservoir. Resume the ride through rubber plantations, rice and vegetable fields until lunch back at the resort. After lunch, transfer to Chiang Mai. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, spend a day far removed from Chiang Mai's tourist areas, fully immersed in local culture. Dress in 'fisherman's pants,' the comfortable cotton trousers worn in northern villages, then travel to the local district of Hang Dong to meet Mr. Prapat and his family for a warm welcome into their home. Explore the property to observe local architectural styles and traditional ways of life, with the chance to witness basket weaving, a handmade process unchanged for centuries. Browse Mr. Prapat's gardens for fresh ingredients, then join an interactive cooking session, learning the family's recipes and techniques for northern Thai dishes before sitting down together to enjoy the meal you've prepared. The afternoon is free to explore the neighbourhood before returning to Chiang Mai. This evening, dine at Woo Café, known for its artwork-adorned dishes. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Depart from the iconic Tha Phae Gate, leaving the city behind on stylish Vespa sidecars for a ride along mountain roads through the forested highlands surrounding Chiang Mai. Stop to sample local fruits and visit a traditional Thai farmhouse to learn age-old farming techniques. Deep in the forest, visit the Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park, a strong supporter of the World Wildlife Fund, and learn how the local community transforms elephant dung into sustainable materials. Enjoy a local lunch amid the tropical flower gardens of The Royal Project, which supports Thai ethnic minorities, before continuing along the road to an idyllic hilltop temple with panoramic views over the city and surrounding mountains. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Lampang to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, the city's most revered temple. In the afternoon, continue to Sukhothai with a stop at Baan Na Thon Chan Community in Si Satchanalai District, a rarely visited spot offering a genuine look at daily life for a grassroots Thai family. Arrive in Sukhothai in the evening. Overnight in Sukhothai.

Rise early for alms giving, then return for breakfast. Later in the morning, visit Baan Phra Phim for a local workshop on making Buddha amulets and their cultural significance in Thailand. For lunch, visit a local house to learn Sukhothai noodles, mixing and matching ingredients before sitting down to enjoy the meal, followed by a coffee break at a café overlooking the rice fields. In the late afternoon, visit Sukhothai Historical Park, once a walled city surrounded by a moat and now home to almost 200 ruined chedis, including Wat Mahathat, Wat Sri Chum, Wat Sri Sawai, Wat Sra Sri and Wat Trapang Ngoen. Explore the park by electric tuk tuk and take in the sunset over this historic site. Overnight in Sukhothai.

After breakfast, continue driving south with a stop in Phitsanulok to visit Wat Mahathat, home to Thailand's most revered Buddha image, Phra Puttha Chinnarat. Lunch is served at a local restaurant en route. Arrive in Ayutthaya this evening and dine at Artisan Ayutthaya, an authentic Thai restaurant with a cultural heritage passed down through generations. Overnight in Ayutthaya.

After breakfast, begin a morning sightseeing tour of Ayutthaya, visiting the majestic Wat Yai Chaimongkol, the impressive Wat Phra Srisanphet and Wat Mahathat, where a Buddha face has grown naturally into a tree's roots. Learn the history of Ayutthaya, once the largest city in the world, and how it eventually fell to invading forces from Myanmar. Transfer to the river for a boat trip to Bangkok, boarding an air-conditioned riverboat for the roughly three-hour cruise down the Chao Phraya, commonly known as 'The River of Kings,' taking in riverside life along the way. Arrive in Bangkok in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel, where a high tea set awaits. Overnight in Bangkok.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and transferring to the airport in a private, air-conditioned vehicle for your onward flight.