Choose from either a shared group or private guided experience to see 2 iconic markets on a day trip from Bangkok. See a market located on the railway tracks, the Maeklong Railway Market, and a market that floats on the canals at the Damnoen Saduak Market. After pickup, arrive at the Maeklong Railway Market, also known as Talad Rom Hup (“Umbrella Pulldown Market”). Maeklong is one of the largest fresh seafood markets in Thailand and hugs the track of the Maeklong Railway. Gain fascinating insights into how the market is run and what products are sold here from your local guide. Marvel at how market stalls and awnings are pulled back from the tracks every time a train approaches to let the train pass through. Next, head to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, one of the most famous floating markets in Thailand. To reach the market, take a short ride in a paddleboat. Enjoy plenty of time to meander around the colorful market, where friendly vendors sell directly from their boats. Take in the sights and sounds, and try local specialties like mango sticky rice. Your guide will give you advice on what not to miss. Return to Bangkok in time for the early afternoon.

Embark on a one-of-a-kind experience and visit an ethical rescued elephant facility in the jungle outside Chiang Mai. Cool off in a waterfall, savor a traditional Thai lunch, and become a caretaker for the day as you interact, feed, and observe the gentle giants in their natural environment.  Begin with a pickup from your hotel or accommodation in downtown Chiang Mai. Take a scenic drive southwest of Chiang Mai and see local farms, hill tribe villages, and rice fields along the way.  Journey to the Mae Wang Waterfalls, where you'll relax and take a dip in the water. Arrive at the Pon Elephant Thailand located deep in the jungle. You'll be welcomed to the sanctuary by a guide who will lead you through the experience. Get dressed into Karen hill tribe clothing like the ones elephant caretakers wear. Next, get a briefing on Asian elephants and the background of the sanctuary. Come and meet the friendly rescued elephants and feed them bananas. Walk up the hill with elephants through the forest and watch the elephants forage for food in the wilderness. Observe elephants interacting between families in their natural environment. Head down to the river and enjoy bathing with the elephants. Walk with the elephants back to the sanatorium and embrace the memories and have time to say goodbye to these marvelous creatures. Finish off with a scenic bamboo rafting trip along the Mae Wang River before you get dropped off at your hotel in Chiang Mai.

Depart from Phuket and cruise in a speedboat across the ocean to the Phi Phi Islands. Enter the picturesque Loh Sama Bay and walk across the sands to relax on Maya Bay. Spot local wildlife at Monkey Beach and indulge in a beach-side restaurant buffet before snorkeling on Bamboo Island. Get picked up from your hotel in Phuket and travel to the pier to meet your friendly crew and group for the day. Be welcomed onto the boat with a soft drink and seasonal fruits as you're briefed about the tour. Arrive at Loh Sama Bay, a famous site of Koh Phi Phi Leh. See the small islet in the center and the tiny beach. Next, head to Maya Bay, where they filmed the movie The Beach. Relax on the white sand beach and explore Maya Bay on your own. As you stroll, appreciate the restoration work around the bay, before heading to Pileh Lagoon, an uninhabited national park. Marvel at this enclosed lagoon's bright emerald waters encircled by towering limestone cliffs. Head down to the cliffs and relax on the hidden beach by the lagoon before continuing to Viking Cave. Discover the historic industry devoted to the harvesting of swiftlet bird nests and learn their importance to Chinese culture. Next, visit Monkey Beach. Stop at an idyllic spot, surrounded by nature and steep rock formations, and relax in paradise, surrounded by limestone cliffs. Look around to see the wild monkeys climbing the cliffs, relaxing on the beach, or swimming. Enjoy a delicious international buffet lunch at a beach-side restaurant on Phi Phi Don. After lunch, travel to Nui Bay, a dive site on the northwest coast of Koh Phi Phi Don. Go for a swim in the clear water, if you wish. Finish your tour with some free time on heart-shaped Bamboo Island, where you will be able to swim, relax, or sunbathe for 1.5 hours. After relaxing, return to your speedboat and enjoy a comfortable transfer back to your hotel.

Start your trip nice and early with pickup from your accommodation before heading to Thong Krut Pier. From there, board a boat and make your way to Koh Madsum, also known as Pig Island, for a stroll and selfie with the wild island pigs. From Koh Matsum, travel to Koh Tean. In Koh Tean, spend your time swimming, relaxing, snorkeling, kayaking, or exploring the area before enjoying lunch. Afterward, take some free time to enjoy the pristine beach, kayak in the crystal clear waters ,and savour the inhabited landscape. After a full afternoon, make your way back to Thong Krut Pier and be transferred from there back to your accommodation. Want to make your experience even more special? You can choose the Luxury Long-tail Boat option which ensures you island hop in style and in elevated comfort. Besides having more space, the luxury boat also comes with snacks, cold towels, soft drinks, and mineral water.

Explore some of Thailand's most iconic and stunning islands on a longtail boat cruise from Khao Lak. Cruise over turquoise waters, past lush mangroves, and see the famous James Bond Island up close. Feel the salty breeze in your hair and relax under the warm tropical sun en route. After a pickup from your hotel in Khao Lak, board a traditional longtail boat and experience the mangrove forests and karst formations from a different perspective. Get up close to the limestone rocks on a short canoe trip before heading to Khao Phing Kan. Marvel at rock formations such as Tapu Island and James Bond Island, used as a film location in the movie "The Man With the Golden Gun." Continue to the floating Muslim village of Koh Panyi, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch. Next, go to Suwan Khuha Cave Temple to see the statue of the reclining Golden Buddha. Get some time to feed the resident monkeys before the return trip to Khao Lak.

Join a guided tour of Koh Samui Elephant Home to see rescued Thai elephants in a safe and ethical environment. Help to contribute to the program's conservation efforts and walk, feed, and play with the elephants. Hotel pickup and drop-off and lunch are included. Start your day with a pickup from your hotel or villa around the island arriving at Koh Samui Elephant Home. Meet with your guide who will offer a warm welcome and receive a welcome drink. Listen as your guide explains to you the plight of the center, and how you can help. After your introduction, take part in the harvesting of organic food for the elephants and even get to feed them up close. Make sure to bring your camera along for some truly remarkable holiday memories.  Afterwards, watch them as they play in the mud spa as they cool themselves down. During your tour, you'll also get to walk with the elephants into the jungle over 10 acres of land. See their real habitat and enjoy a relaxing stroll in nature.  Continue on your journey to visit the first elephant nursery on Koh Samui. Have fun whilst you feed them, rub their skin and take photos with them before you set them free to enjoy nature by themselves.  To complete your fabulous outing, enjoy some vegetarian food and seasonal fruits whilst you watch a surprise video before being transferred back to your hotel.

Discover some of the notable historical sites of Ayutthaya on a day trip from Bangkok. Visit ancient temples and palaces as well as the Ayothaya Floating Market with an expert guide. After meeting in Bangkok in the morning, start the 2-hour drive to Ayutthaya. The ancient city of Ayutthaya was founded around 1350 and became the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai. On this full-day trip, you will explore the ruins of the old city, in the UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya Historical Park. The park is an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and statues. Visit the Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, originally built in 1632 by King Prasat Thong. At this spot, you can find a number of impressive buildings built in different architectural styles from Thai, Chinese and European design. Continue your tour with a visit to the Ayothaya Floating Market and enjoy some free time for lunch at your own expense. After lunch, you will visit 2 more historical sites, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Mahathat, to discover the ruins of the great temple sites. You will return to Bangkok in the early evening, where you will be dropped off at a location close to the original meeting point.

Depart Khao Lak and enjoy a day tour of river rafting, elephant interaction, and rainforest exploration. Visit an ethical elephant conservation center, sail along a quiet river through the rainforest, and hear about sea turtle conservation. After pickup from your hotel in Khao Lak, relax on the comfortable ride to the elephant camp. Spend some time with bathing and feeding these gentle giants in a relaxed and respectful environment. Continue the tour with a visit to Sai Rung Waterfall. Enjoy some refreshments as you watch the water plunge 20 meters from a ledge into a lagoon encircled by jungle. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the area around the falls also hosts an abundance of local wildlife. Hop on a bamboo raft with a local boatman and float along the river for a calm and tranquil ride through the rainforest. Head to the Sea Turtle Conservation Center to learn about projects aimed helping these endangered creatures. Finally, return to your hotel in Khao Lak.

Enjoy a small-group tour of the magnificent temple ruins of Ayutthaya, the capital during the golden age of Siam. All entrance fees, an expert guide, and lunch at a local restaurant are included. Travel from Bangkok in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle or choose to join the tour at your first stop in Ayutthaya, Wat Lokayasutha. This temple is known for its giant reclining Buddha image, one of the few structures remaining intact here. Your next stop is Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, being part of the royal palace complex this is where royalty performed rituals. It is considered the most important temple of Ayutthaya. Then, visit Wat Mahathat Ayutthaya. One of the oldest and most significant temples in the history of Ayutthaya, it once housed the Buddha's holy relic. Admire the famous Buddha head entwined within the roots of a Bodhi tree. After, tuck into a hearty lunch at a local Thai restaurant, where your guide will be available to advise on local culinary specialties. Last but not least, finish your trip at the grand, riverside Wat Chaiwattanaram. Marvel at its compelling architectural style, influenced by the Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia, as you wander around the monumental grounds.

What is a TripGuru Signature Experience? Unique itineraries crafted alongside famous travel bloggers and local guides Small groups only: no buses, no crowds, 8 travelers maximum Solo travelers don’t pay more – flat rates per person Quirky, charming, and creative are the words used to describe Chiang Rai by travelers and locals alike. The sights to be found here are by no means anything like the ones you’ll see in Chiang Mai, the city’s more popular sister. Before we begin temple sightseeing, we’ll break up the long three-hour drive at the Mae Khachan Hot Spring to relax, dip our feet in the steaming mineral water, maybe eat a snack, or walk around the surrounding gardens. We’ll then move on to the main attraction: the White Temple. If you’re looking for ancient ruins, you might be surprised to find a modern architectural masterpiece designed and built by local artist Chaloemchai Khositphiphat. He was rumored to have spent over THB 40 million of his own money to create this unconventional art exhibit to gain immortal life! After exploring this local wonder, we’ll have a quick lunch before heading to our next stop... The Blue Temple or Wat Rong Seua Ten literally translates to ‘temple of the dancing tiger.’ It was built on a site where tigers were said to have jumped over the river. If the White Temple was meant to be a stairway to heaven, the Black House has been called a “dark, mysterious, and almost sadistic” representation of hell, complete with preserved animals and a collection of bones. Built by Thailand national artist Thawan Duchanee (who incidentally was the mentor of Chaloemchai, the White Temple guy), the Baan Dam Museum (Black House) is a cluster of nearly 40 small shadowy structures exhibiting art dating back to the Ayutthaya period. This is truly something the likes of which we’ll never see anywhere else! Looking to make your road trip to Chiang Rai even more comfortable? You can choose to upgrade your transportation to a premium and more spacious Alphard. This ensures bigger and more comfortable seats, less people in one van (maximum of 6 people), and free snacks, cool towels, and soft drinks. You can opt for a private tour option to visit the White Temple and Golden Triangle (instead of the Blue Temple and Black House). The Golden Triangle is a triangular piece of land in which the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar all meet. The nickname was coined by the CIA in reference to this region, whose trading posts’ top product was opium. Dive deep into the wild history of this area and learn how it became one of the most notorious narcotrafficking spots in the world. This itinerary option also includes a cruise down the Mekong River.