Thailand, From Bangkok to Phuket

Bangkok, the Golden Triangle and relaxation in Phuket 4^*

After landing at Bangkok International Airport, you will be met by a representative who will assist you before you board your unescorted transfer to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free to start exploring this lively city at your leisure. Perhaps you'd like to treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage, surprise your taste buds with the incredible local flavours, and end the day admiring the sunset in one of the elegant rooftop bars that have sprung up in the city's skyscrapers in recent years...? The options are endless!

Overnight stay at your hotel in Bangkok.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today's tour takes you to three of Bangkok's most iconic temples: the majestic Wat Traimit, the peaceful Wat Pho and themust-see Grand Palace with its sacred treasure, the Wat Phra Kaew. You'll be immersed in the spellbinding atmosphere of Thai culture, at the heart of its most beautiful spiritual symbols.

Make your own lunch arrangements.

At the end of the day, a stop at a local factory invites you to discover Thailand's refined handicrafts, with the chance to take home some unique souvenirs. A fascinating journey through history, spirituality, and local tradition!

Make your own dinner arrangements.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Depart Bangkok after breakfast at the hotel and head for the Maeklong Railway Market, known as Talad Rom Hoop. On arrival, the guide will introduce you to the history of the region. Take your place a few minutes before the train passed through the market! The process happens so quickly that you'll be surprised by this unique moment.

Make your own lunch arrangements.

Then visit the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market, one of countless floating markets throughout the country. The colourfully-dressed traders at these bustling markets paddle along the crowded canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit and vegetables to sell to customers on the banks. It's an exciting and fun way to get to know the locals and hunt for bargains.

Transfer back to Bangkok.

Dinner and overnight stay in Bangkok.

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai (approx. 65-minute flight).

Arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to your hotel (unescorted transfer).

Make your own lunch arrangements.

Pick-up at 1:30 p.m. in the centre of Chiang Mai, followed by a guided tour of the Old Town and the city's main temples. Visit the historic Wat Suan Dok** and admire its Sri Lankan-style chedi, overlooking the royal cemetery. Continue to Wat Phra Sing** in the Old Town and enjoy the beauty of this large complex of more than 60 buildings before visiting the 14th-century Wat Chedi Luang** in the heart of the Old Town. This ancient temple has a more rustic appearance and has been restored after decades of disrepair. You can also visit the nearby Wat Chet Yot and Chiang Man temples. Because of its age, the Chet Yot temple shows some signs of ruin, while the Chiang Man temple is renowned for its numerous elephant sculptures.

Make your own arrangements for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for magnificent panoramic views of the city. If the views are breathtaking, the temple itself is even more so, with its many dazzling structures.

Make your own lunch arrangements.

Continue to the bustling Wararot Market, a historic site renowned for the variety and quality of its produce, before visiting the Fragrant Flower Market. In the evening, enjoy a khan toke dinner (included), a traditional northern Thai feast combined with a selection of traditional cultural performances inspired by the kingdom of Lanna, which dominated northern Thailand for almost five centuries.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Have breakfast at the hotel before heading off to the Elephant PooPooPaper Park, a naturally-built, eco-friendly open-air museum that showcases and explains the unique steps involved in making the world-famous paper products from elephant dung fibre. The guided tour of the lush gardens takes visitors through eight different pavilions, explaining each stage of the fascinating process, from collecting the faeces to rinsing and assembling the final product. Visitors are invited to try their hand at the creative process alongside the artisans. Visitors will also be introduced to Chiang Mai's long and rich history of traditional papermaking and craft production.

After lunch (included), continue by road via Doi Saket with a stop at Wat Rong Khun, nicknamed the "White Temple", a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its all-white exterior, adorned with inlaid fragments of mirror, gives it a resplendent appearance, making it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand.

Continue to Chiang Rai. Arrival in the afternoon and transfer to your accommodation.

Dinner and overnight stay in Chiang Rai.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and visit Chiang Sean to admire the panoramic view of the Golden Triangle where Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet and where the mighty Mekong flows. Climb aboard a boat and take a 30-minute tour of the Golden Triangle.

Lunch at a local restaurant (included) before transferring to Chiang Rai airport for your flight to Bangkok.

Departing Bangkok airport, take a flight to Phuket. On arrival at Phuket airport, transfer to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay in Phuket.

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

For example, you can visit the Old Town of Phuket. Stroll through the colourful streets of the Old Town, with its Portuguese colonial buildings, bustling markets, and local craft shops.

Make your own lunch and dinner arrangements.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast before a free day.

Visit the Temple of Chalong, Phuket's iconic Buddhist temple, a peaceful spiritual site with magnificent sculptures and breathtaking views over the island.

Make your own lunch and dinner arrangements.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast before a free day.

You can take a trip to Phang Nga Bay and explore its spectacular scenery, famous for its karst formations and James Bond Island. Canoe through hidden caves and lagoons.

Make your own lunch and dinner arrangements.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Start your final day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, transfer to Phuket airport to continue with your travel arrangements.

Distance from hotel - airport: approx. 18.5 miles (approx. 40 min. journey).

Visa / passport

Before travelling to Thailand, you must ensure the following, otherwise immigration police will systematically refuse entry into the country:

the validity of your passport, which must run for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Thailand;

the condition and legibility of your passport: in the event of any anomaly, the traveller may be refused entry to Thailand without any possible intervention by the respective embassy.

Since 15 July 2024, French nationals holding an ordinary passport can now stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, for tourism purposes only, compared with 30 days as was previously the case.

For more information, visit the website of the Thai Embassy in France: http://www.thaiembassy.fr/fr/visa-rdv/infos-generales/

WARNING: Any passport reported lost or stolen to the relevant authorities, whether in France, Thailand, or elsewhere, is automatically reported as invalid. Holders of any such passport will be refused entry or permission to exit Thailand by the Thai immigration police.

We also strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy covering the entire duration of your stay abroad before you travel.

Please note that the maximum group size during the tour is 8 people.

For those booking the "hotel only" option (without international flights), please inform us of your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form located in the "Help and Contact" section at the bottom of the page, so we can organise your transfers.

Health:

No vaccinations are compulsory, however, certain vaccinations are recommended: make sure you are up to date with your usual vaccinations, as well as those for the areas you will be visiting.

It is recommended that you are up to date with your diphtheria-tetanus-polio (DTP) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations. Vaccination against tuberculosis is also advisable.

Currency:

The official currency is the Thai baht (THB). Its symbol is ฿. As of 28 October 2024, EUR 1 = THB 36.5240.

Other (religion/culture):

• Dress code: When visiting temples or other religious monuments, women are required to wear modest clothing. Avoid exposing your shoulders and legs. It is also occasionally requested that one remove one's shoes in temples.
• Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory in Thailand, but it is a widespread practice and is much appreciated. We recommend that you bring some change to tip the guides/drivers.