Our second day will be consumed with visits to some of the most impressive temples and palaces anywhere in Southeast Asia. We start with the Grand Palace, which is the ceremonial and traditional location for the Thai Royal family. This is a very large complex, with centuries of history to take in. As Bangkok’s most important attraction, the crowds are large, but then the complex is massive in size too. With the Emerald Buddha on the grounds of the Palace temple, it’s also the most sacred spot in the country. 

Nearby is Wat Po, which holds the incredibly large golden reclining Buddha, among other relics. For first-time visitors, they are taken away with how impressive the reclining statue is, and remain in awe as they walk around it. As the day winds down, we’ll finish at Wat Arun, known as the Temple of Dawn, situated along the mighty Chao Phraya river. (B)

Our final full day in Bangkok will introduce us to some of the local tradesmen who are still pounding out metal alms bowls for monks, as they have for centuries.The last of their kind, their crafts are slowly being replaced by cheaper machined versions, but they hang on to their way of life while they still can. 

We’ll also climb to the top of The Golden Mount, which is the tallest temple in Bangkok, covered in gold, and highest natural land in the city. 

At night, when the heat is reduced, we’ll visit one (or two) of the famous rooftop lounges that Bangkok is famous for, that provide views for miles. (B)

We will depart Bangkok this morning and drive north one hour to the ancient city of Ayutthaya – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was once the ancient capital of Thailand. Much of the temples and relics that made up this royal city are in ruins today, but still maintain the grandeur and beauty that was part of that era. The morning and early afternoon will be spent visiting what remains of the temples and compounds.

In the late afternoon, we take a short flight north to the ancient city of Chiang Rai — Thailand’s northern-most big city. This town, not far from the borders of Myanmar and Laos, is famous for a number of things. Of particular note are the White Temple, the Black House, and the Blue Temple. 

In the evening, we can review our work so far, and share our best, while learning new editing skills. (B)

This morning, we will venture out to Chiang Rai’s most beautiful temple — the White Temple. Wat Rong Khun, as it is officially known, is easily one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. It’s been open for just over 20 years, and is privately owned. The very intricate details of the carvings and sculptures is what sets this temple apart from any other temple in the country.

After lunch, we will spend time visiting with local hill tribes that occupy small villages outside the city. We’ll get to meet and photography a wide variety of hill tribes such as the Akha, Hmong, Karen, and Yao people. Each of them have their own unique identity, which they are struggling to maintain as modern Thailand changes rapidly around them.  (B)

Before we leave Chiang Rai, we’ll visit the Blue Temple. This is a relatively new temple, designed in blue and gold, and is visually stunning. Called “Wat Rong Suea Ten” or the ‘House of the Dancing Tiger’, was thus named for the abundant wildlife that used to roam in the area.

Afterwards, we’ll begin a drive across northern Thailand, aiming for Chiang Mai. As the second largest city in the country, Chiang Mai was once the capital of the Kingdom of Lanna, before it became part of what is Thailand today. Remnants of the ancient city walls that once surrounded the city centuries ago are still very evident. 

In the afternoon we will visit the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple on the mountains outside the city. An easy climb up 309 steps (or take the funicular) will bring us into this temple built in the 1300’s, where a golden chedi will shine brightly in the background while the saffron cloaked monks study and worship in silence.

In the evening, we will step out to enjoy Chiang Mai’s famous night market, full of bargains and photographic opportunities. (B)

Today will highlight several of northern Thailand’s unique characteristics. We begin our day exploring one of the many elephant sanctuaries, to experience how elephants are cared for after they’ve been rescued from labour farms. There are no elephant rides or tricks in these sanctuaries – just care and attention to these magnificent creatures.

In the afternoon, we’ll spend time visiting a small village where many residents of local hill tribes come together and share their crafts. In the evening, we take in the famous night market that’s always exciting and great to photograph. (B)

Today is when the big festival takes place, and it will run from the afternoon until late at night. So we will have a relaxed morning, with the freedom to explore the city around us as it wakes up. 

After lunch, we will prepare for the evening’s highlight — the Yi Peng Festival (Floating Lanterns). This event will occupy the balance of the day and evening. We will join a few thousand other revellers and experience one of the most incredibly moving events that most people would see in their lifetime. The indisputable highlight of Yi Peng is the spellbinding show that happens when thousands of people converge to release khom loi (lit lanterns) into the night sky.

Prior to the big spectacle, the setting is joyful and serene as monks perform chants during an on-stage ceremony. During the other key ritual of this beautiful Thai festival of lights, participants let go of krathong—small floating vessels made from banana stalks and decorated with incense, offerings, flowers and candles—into rivers, ponds, lakes and other bodies of water, creating an ethereal sight that’s rarely duplicated elsewhere in the world. Surrounding events include bright parades, musical performances, beauty pageants, traditional dances, lantern-making contests, fireworks, and lots and lots of food. Additional cost for premium seats. (B)

We’ll begin our day with a visit to a large wet market, where locals do most of their produce and meat shopping. Markets in SE Asia are something you can’t really explain until you’ve seen one. If you want to buy anything, you’ll find it here.

After lunch, we’ll visit the small town of Bo Sang, not too far from Chiang Mai, which is a village famous for its umbrella arts. We have the chance to spend time with the local artisans who create the wide variety of umbrellas by hand. 

In the evening, we’ll have our “Farewell Dinner” in one of Chiang Mai’s best restaurants. (B) (D)

During breakfast, we say farewell to our guests and use the opportunity to exchange contact information and share some of the photographs we’ve experienced over the past 10 days.

We say goodbye to Chiang Mai this morning, and head back to Bangkok for connecting flights. You’d be encouraged to stay a few days extra in Bangkok, or experience another of the popular destinations in Thailand.

For those of you staying on for the 4-day Tropical Thailand extension, we will embark on a flight south to Phuket in the early afternoon. (B)

After breakfast, we’ll head to a marina where we meet our private speedboat for a day of island hopping. We will visit 3 or 4 different islands in the Andaman Sea, depending on the tides and the weather. Each location will have its own special appeal, with loads of time to explore and photograph the beauty that beaches in Thailand are famous for. Dinner back at the hotel or nearby. (B)

We’ll have a light morning, with opportunities to enjoy the resort or nearby beaches. After lunch, we head to the south end of the Island to explore Phuket Old Town. You’ll really see the Portuguese influence in the architecture, from when this part of Thailand was settled by explorers looking for tin and other treasures.

Old Town is filled with beautiful old buildings full of character and color. Every street has dozens of shophouses, each one more interesting than the next. Some are cool cafes, suitable for a small respite from the southern Thai sunshine.

After exploring the town, we’ll have our Farewell Dinner at one of the best, and most famous restaurants in Phuket, housed in what was once the Governor’s mansion. (B) (D)

During breakfast, we say farewell to our guests and use the opportunity to exchange contact information and share some of the photographs we’ve experienced over the past 13 days.

We say goodbye to Phuket this morning, and prepare to head back home. You can return to Bangkok for connecting flights, or you can fly internationally from Phuket.

You’d be encouraged to stay a few days extra and experience another of the popular destinations in Thailand. (B)