Cultural Adventures to Trat Region & Unspoiled Beaches

It's no secret that Thailand features some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. However, not all of these pristine pieces of paradises have been discovered...until now. This trip begins with the classic highlights of Bangkok, which you simply cannot miss. Explore the temples, cycle through the backstreets and taste the local foods, before a short domestic flight whisks you away to the Trat Province. Following a quick night in Chanthaburi and a unique cultural experience with a local village, you can bask in the luxurious tropical surroundings of Koh Kood. The untouched islands of Trat are one of Thailand's best kept hidden secrets. So, escape from the crowds and admire these treasured beaches, while you still can!

Daily Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival

Bangkok Arrival
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Accommodation: Riva Surya Bangkok

Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, you will clear Immigration, collect your luggage, and exit Customs. A friendly local representative will be waiting to greet you in the arrivals area, holding a sign with your name on it. For a smooth and comfortable start to your adventure, you will be driven directly to your hotel, where a lovely evening in this urban wonderland awaits. (This service is on a private basis.)

Bangkok

With a population of over eleven million, the capital city of Bangkok is Thailand’s largest city. The wide variety of attractions, excursions, and sights make Bangkok a vibrant and eclectic destination to explore, with something to keep any traveler entertained. This cosmopolitan city combines some of Asia’s oldest and most elaborately adorned temples, with modern shopping malls, impressive skyscrapers, and bustling markets. Be sure to take a ride on a tuk tuk one evening, to feel the cool tropical breeze and marvel at the bright neon lights.

Day 2: Bangkok

Bangkok
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Best of Bangkok
  • Accommodation: Riva Surya Bangkok
  • Meals: B, L

Best of Bangkok

Discover the many faces of Bangkok as you weave your way through the city’s most iconic landmarks. Get spiritual in Buddhist temples, stroll through vibrant markets, admire striking royal architecture and encounter communities, descendants of the Portuguese.

Witness the monks early morning chanting during your visit to Wat Pho, one of the city’s oldest temples with the largest reclining Buddha (45 meters / 150 foot) in the country. Hear stories, legends and traditions at the City Pillar Shrine. Be swept up by the grandeur, treasures and architecture of the Grand Palace, the former royal residence and step inside Wat Pra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) the spiritual core of Thai Buddhism and its most revered shrine in the Kingdom.

After a break for a Thai lunch at a local restaurant served family style, ride the ferry across the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) one of the city’s most iconic sights. Admire the mosaic decorated prangs (towers). Spend time in the Kudi Jeen neighborhood and discover a rich culture, explore the old Roman Catholic Santa Cruz Church at the heart of the community. Seek out the local sweet baked treat a specialty of the area before awakening your senses to an explosion of color and fragrance at Bangkok's energetic flower market. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 3: Bangkok

Bangkok
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Backroads Cycling
  • Tour: Chinatown Foodie Walk
  • Accommodation: Riva Surya Bangkok
  • Meals: B, L, D

Backroads Cycling

Today, you will be taken on a guided bike ride to discover the historic side of Bangkok. Staying off the main roads, you will wind your way through small lane ways, past ancient temples, and beside canals, to truly see the heart and soul of the city. Rather than visiting the most famous attractions, this tour will lead you off the beaten path for a more authentic and cultural experience. It is all about appreciating the city away from the tourists and popular roads, to see the real Bangkok, where people live, work, and play.

This bicycle tour begins near the always colorful and exciting Chinatown. After an hour of exploration, we cross the river and continue through a lively low-class area. This is the real Bangkok. About half an hour later, we take a break on a longtail boat ride, which last about 20 minutes. The bicycles are transported on the back of the boat, which makes the tour more adaptable, comfortable, and above all: relaxing. You will immediately understand why Bangkok is called the "Venice of the East".

This boat ride takes you to the "forgotten" green areas of rural Bangkok. A warm smile here; a handshake there; people are really warm and friendly! We cycle at a leisurely pace with stops along the way, but some fitness is required. (This service is on a group basis.)

Chinatown Foodie Walk

Enjoy a mouth-watering exploration of Bangkok's 200-year-old Chinatown, soak in sunset from a roof top bar and feast on a selection of mouthwatering dishes from a range of food stalls.

Set off with your passionate foodie for a walk through a labyrinth of lanes to a rooftop bar. Drink in the views over the Chao Phraya River with a cocktail in hand and plan your street food journey. Meander past the myriad of food stalls, be introduced to all kinds of local dishes from steamed rice cakes, stuffed seafood dumplings, and bowls of noodles with tantalizing sauces. Leave room for sweets, maybe a shaved ice dessert topped with water chestnuts, lotus roots, and sweetened yam. Finish with a cocktail at an open-air bar with memories of an unforgettable foodie adventure. (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 4: Bangkok - Trat - Chanthaburi

Bangkok - Trat - Chanthaburi
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfers
  • Transportation (Air): Domestic Flight
  • Tour: Journey to Chanthaburi
  • Accommodation: Baan Luang Rajamaitri Historic Inn
  • Meals: B, L
Domestic Flight
Bangkok - Trat
Flight #: TBD
Departs: TBD
Arrives: TBD

(Domestic Flights not Included)

After an early morning breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel in Bangkok and transferred to the Suvarnabhumi Airport in good time to board your domestic flight to Trat. (This service is on a private basis.)

Journey to Chanthaburi

Upon arrival in Trat, you will be picked up from the airport and taken on a journey to Chantaburi. Your exploration begins with a visit to the stunning Namtok Phlio National Park, which boasts one of Thailand’s most famous waterfalls. Take a leisurely walk along a nature trail to truly experience the pristine natural beauty here. The trail itself is clearly indicated with signs and clear paths, but still adventurous enough to make it challenging at certain points. Unfortunately, the route offers only glimpses of the waterfall, which can only be fully seen at the end. This majestic sight is worth the work to get there, though! Just in front of the waterfall’s pool, sits a remarkable chedi, originally built during King Rama V’s reign as a memorial to his wife. The chedi is completely overgrown by moss and the result is absolutely gorgeous. A miniature pyramid, seemingly out of place, is actually a shrine containing the ashes of the King’s wife. After some time to relax and enjoy a snack, your journey continues to the charming city of Chanthaburi.

To get a better understanding of the local history, you will be taken to the fascinating Chanthaburi Maritime Museum. Next to the museum are the remains of the Noen Wong Fortress. Head out for a little walk up the wall here, to admire the many old cannons. Chantaburi is a city of great importance to modern Thai history and the perfect example of a Thai melting pot. It is one of the few Thai towns that have been ‘colonized’, in this case by the French, for about 11 years from 1893 to 1904. This left a significant Catholic Vietnamese impression, which consequently made Chanthaburi the town with the largest church in Thailand, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Visit this magnificent church before heading out on a stroll along the riverside community of Chantaboon. This is an award winning community thanks to the efforts of the local people to preserve the traditional wooden buildings and local way of life. You will be taken to your hotel in this lovely community, where you can enjoy the rest of the day as you wish. (This service is on a private basis.)

Chanthaburi

Located in Eastern Thailand, the lesser known town of Chanthaburi lies on the banks of the Chanthaburi River. A nature lover's paradise, Chanthaburi features beautiful waterfalls and coastal landscapes, where beaches separate lush forest greenery from the rich blue waters. The town offers a little something for everyone, and is known for its abundant tropical fruit and seafood, as well as the area's rich history and cultural diversity. The restored waterfront buildings exemplify architectural influence from the the Chinese, French, and Vietnamese.

Day 5: Chanthaburi - Koh Kood

Chanthaburi - Koh Kood
Daily Summary
  • Tour: Baan Laem Makham Village Visit
  • Transportation: Island Transfer
  • Accommodation: Shantaa Koh Kood
  • Meals: B, L

Baan Laem Makham Village Visit

After a lovely night's stay in Chanthaburi, you will be picked up by your driver and transferred to the Baan Laem Makham in Trat. This community warmly welcomes visitors into their village for you to experience local life with them. The village is set near the coast and surrounded by many rubber plantations, which is the main income for most villagers. Baan Laem Makham is a Buddhist village, but there are several Muslims villages in the same area. Both religions have been living together peacefully for decades.

This morning, the villagers will take you on a tour of their community, riding on a motorbike with sidecar, which is the most used mode of transportation in many of these rural Thai areas. You will visit a local agricultural museum, meet a family that makes traditional thatched hats, and explore the local temple, which features strong Muslim influences. Take a walk along the bamboo monkey bridge before you enjoy a nice boat trip through the scenic mangroves to the mouth of the river. Back in the village, a traditional Thai lunch will be served at the local community center. (This service is on a private basis.)

Following lunch, you will be driven to the pier to board a public ferry boat to Koh Kood. Upon arrival on Koh Kood, you will be met by a driver and transferred to your resort where you can get settled into your room and waste no time beginning to enjoy this island paradise.

Koh Kood

Koh Kood, also known as Ko Kut, is one of the most idyllic islands in all of Thailand. The soft sand feels like powder between your toes, the water lapping the bays is crystal clear, and the destination features more coconut palms than buildings. Whereas visitors flock to the nearby island of Koh Chang for nightlife and a larger, more bustling atmosphere, Koh Kood is where you come to truly do nothing. Lounge on the postcard worthy beaches, savor a silence that is only interrupted by the waves, and relish in luxury resort experiences.

Days 6 - 8: Koh Kood

Koh Kood
Daily Summary
  • Accommodation: Shantaa Koh Kood
  • Meals: B

Hang out, relax, and embrace the laid back island lifestyle with these few days to yourselves. Your resort offers the ideal tropical retreat to escape from the chaos of everyday life. So, let your troubles float away in the turquoise sea and have fun!

Day 9: Koh Kood - Bangkok Departure

Koh Kood - Bangkok Departure
Daily Summary
  • Transportation: Airport Transfer
  • Transportation (Air): Domestic Flight
  • Meals: B
Domestic Flight
Trat - Bangkok
Flight #: TBD
Departs: TBD
Arrives: TBD

(Domestic Flights not Included)

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Koh Kood, soaking up every last bit of this tropical paradise, until it is time your journey through Thailand comes to an end. You will be leaving with unforgettable memories and amazing experiences to cherish! Once you have checked out of your resort, you will board a shared speedboat to the Laem Sok Pier, back on mainland Trat. From there, you will be met by your driver and transferred to the Trat Airport in good time to board your domestic return flight to Bangkok.

Upon arrival in Bangkok, you will connect with your international departure flight home. We hope you had an incredible trip and we wish you safe and pleasant travels onward!

Accommodation

Riva Surya Bangkok

Riva Surya Bangkok

Situated along the enchanting Chao Phraya River, the Riva Surya Bangkok offers an idyllic urban getaway in the heart of this cosmopolitan capital city. This modern boutique hotel in Bangkok features 68 beautifully designed rooms, elegant dining options, a riverside swimming pool and leisure facilities that cater to the needs of all travelers. The property is the perfect base from which to explore the city's cultural treasures and lively entertainment districts, all within easy reach. The accommodating and friendly staff will ensure that all of your needs are met, from the moment you arrive, to the moment you depart.

Baan Luang Rajamaitri Historic Inn

Baan Luang Rajamaitri Historic Inn

This 150 year old building, once the heritage home of Luang Rajamaitri, has since been renovated into a lovely Boutique Hotel. The property is perfect for any traveler interested in learning more about the local culture. It is located within the Chantaboon Riverside Community, on the first street of Chanthaburi. Therefore, this charming Inn offers many historic traces to Luang Rajamaitri himself, the benefactor of Chantaboon. The antique architecture, authentic style and traditional designs can be appreciated in every part of the property. Go back in time, as you are invited on a journey to the past, that allows you to appreciate the present.

Shantaa Koh Kood

Shantaa Koh Kood

"Shantaa" is a Hindi word, which means "tranquility". The concept of this charming resort is to create a peaceful place where you can escape from the chaos of everyday life. In a secluded tropical setting, you are welcomed into a quiet and intimate world. Featuring almost 14 acres of pristine environment on property, there are only an exclusive number of seaside accommodations available. These private guest villas are quaint on the outside, but comfortable from within. Wake up in the mornings to the gentle breeze rustling through the coconut trees. The experienced and friendly staff at Shantaa Koh Kood will make this getaway as special and memorable as possible.

Pricing and Details

Starting from $ 2,240 per person

*Pricing is based on two persons traveling together, based on availability, subject to change.

Price Includes

  • Full support before, during & after your trip
  • Meals as mentioned
  • Accommodation as mentioned
  • Tours/activities as mentioned
  • Transport as mentioned

Price Excludes

  • International & domestic flights
  • Travel insurance (highly recommended)
  • Entrance visas when applicable
  • Other services not mentioned
  • Tips and gratuities to guides, drivers
  • Taxes and fees

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