Taste of Thailand
About This Trip
November 9 - 23, 2025 | 15 Days
Treat yourself in the vibrant tastes, sights and sounds of Thailand on this exciting 15-day journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai then Phuket. Take a twilight cruise along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, then explore the city and its sacred temples. A culinary odyssey awaits at the Blue Elephant Restaurant and Cooking School, followed by an evening tuk-tuk exploration through Chinatown. Soak up the energy of Chiang Mai’s many famous markets, then visit the Elephant Nature Park to get up close with these gentle giants. Phuket beckons with picturesque landscapes and panoramic views plus an exhilarating cruise to Phang Nga Bay by speedboat. Leave with a heart full of cherished moments from The Land of Smiles.
Member Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- Plaza Premium Lounge Pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Private Thai Cooking Class with Professional Chef
Immerse yourself in the culture and cuisine of Thailand with a private cooking class at the Blue Elephant Restaurant and Cooking School. Guided by a Thai chef, you’ll learn to make several traditional Thai dishes during your half-day class. After the class, you’ll receive a culinary certificate, and then sit down with your fellow chefs to savour your masterpieces in the beautifully appointed Blue Elephant restaurant.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Bangkok
- Domestic airfare in Thailand
- 4 + 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Bangkok
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Chiang Mai
- 4-night stay in first-class accommodation in Phuket
- 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners
- Sightseeing and entrance as per itinerary
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- English speaking tour director throughout
- Destinations transfers
Taste of Thailand
Activity Level: Moderate. Treat yourself to the vibrant sights, sounds and tastes of Thailand on this energetic 15-day journey including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg for your two-day flight to Bangkok.
Day 2
En route to Bangkok.
Day 3
Bangkok – Visit the Asiatique Riverfront market, then take a Chao Phraya River cruise including a buffet dinner. (D)
Day 4
Bangkok – City tour of Bangkok including visit to Grand Royal Palace. Group lunch with remainder of day at leisure. (B/L)
Day 5
Bangkok – Private cooking class and lunch at the Blue Elephant Cooking School. Tonight, visit Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road for street food. (B/L)
Day 6
Bangkok – Shop the Maeklong Railway Market and the floating market of Damnoen Saduak, then visit a coconut plantation. Evening at leisure. (B/L)
Day 7
Chiang Mai – This morning fly to Chiang Mai. Explore the city and Chiang Mai’s night markets. Evening at leisure. (B)
Day 8
Chiang Mai – Explore more markets and temples, then out Chiang Mai’s street food scene. (B/L/D)
Day 9
Chiang Mai – Visit Elephant Nature Park to feed, interact and play with elephants. Enjoy a group lunch then return to Chiang Mai. Balance of the day at leisure. (B/L)
Day 10
Phuket – This morning is your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, remainder of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 11
Phuket – Take a speedboat to Phang Nga Bay, Panak Island and Panyee Island. Enjoy a Thai lunch, then canoeing and snorkelling. Balance of evening at leisure. (B/L)
Day 12
Phuket –This afternoon see Karon Viewpoint, the Great White Buddha, Wat Chalong and Old Phuket Town. Enjoy a group dinner. (B/D)
Day 13
Phuket – Full day at leisure. (B)
Day 14
Bangkok – Check out and head to the airport for your flight back to Bangkok. Explore on your own before your farewell dinner. (B/D)
Day 15
Head to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on double occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge Pass is 1 per person.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2025. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance. Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1 - 2
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg for your two-day flight to Bangkok.
Day 3
Bangkok
On arrival, meet your local guide and enjoy early hotel check-in. This afternoon you’ll head to the Asiatique Riverfront market to board the Viva Alangka cruise. Savour a buffet dinner while you travel the Chao Phraya River and admire incredible temple views. (D)
Day 4
Bangkok
After breakfast, depart on an exciting city tour. Visit Wat Triamit with its 5.5-ton solid gold Buddha statue, Wat Po, the Grand Palace, and Wat Phra Keo, considered the most important temple in Thailand. Enjoy a group lunch before returning to the hotel with the rest of the day at leisure. (B/L)
Day 5
Bangkok
This morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and time to explore on your own.
Your Extraordinary Experience this afternoon is a private class at the Blue Elephant Cooking School, where you’ll prepare several recipes and learn to cook like a true Thai chef. After class, receive your culinary certificate and then savour your masterpieces in the stunning Blue Elephant Restaurant. This evening, take a tuk-tuk and tour the city’s beautiful architecture and vibrant neighbourhoods, stopping for some delicious street food along Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road. (B/L)
Day 6
Bangkok
After breakfast, your first stop is the surreal Maeklong Railway Market, where six times a day shopping is interrupted by the train passing through. If your timing is right, you can watch as the vendors dismantle their stalls in record time to let the old train pass, then put everything back and continue selling. Next, head to the floating market of Damnoen Saduak, the most famous floating market in Thailand. Ride a small boat through its canals filled with souvenir, fruit and Thai food vendors, then head to a local restaurant for lunch. After that, visit a coconut plantation to see how Thai farmers produce coconut nectar and palm sugar loaf. Watch a demonstration of how to turn a coconut flower into a drinkable nectar. Return to Bangkok with your evening at leisure. (B/L)
Day 7
Chiang Mai
Check out after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Relax at the hotel before your evening visit to Chiang Mai’s vibrant night markets. Your guide will escort you through the labyrinth of stalls selling everything from local crafts to fun imitation goods. Choose from an astonishing variety of souvenirs, sample the smoothness of the colourful silk on sale everywhere, have a suit measured and ready for your collection the following evening and browse exquisite Asian silver jewelry and beads. A great way to practice your bargaining skills! Remainder of evening at leisure in Chiang Mai. (B)
Day 8
Chiang Mai
This morning experience Chiang Mai by tuk-tuk. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and transported to the riverfront Worarot Market. Nearby stands Ton Lamyai, the largest fresh flower market in Chiang Mai. Continue past Tha Phae Gate, one of the four original city gates, and then stop at Three Kings Monument. Next visit Wat Chedi Luang, a perfect example of the Lanna Thai temple architecture. Continue to the famous mountain temple Wat Doi Suthep, situated 1050 m high on a hill. On clear days you can enjoy a fantastic view over the town and the province. After lunch at local restaurant return to the hotel for your afternoon at leisure.
This evening, check out Chiang Mai's street food scene around the Three Kings Monument near the centre of town. Sample various delicacies including Northern Thai-style noodle soups, stir-fries, fresh fruits and desserts. (B/L/D)
Day 9
Chiang Mai
Enjoy breakfast before you leave on your day tour heading north of Chiang Mai through beautiful countryside, forests and local farms. Arrive at Elephant Nature Park where you’ll change into traditional clothing and meet, feed, interact and play with the elephants in a natural setting as you learn about their behavior and history. You’ll also cook herbal medicine and have an opportunity to take photos with the elephants before enjoying a group lunch. Return to Chiang Mai with the remainder the day at leisure. (B/L)
Day 10
Phuket
After breakfast, this morning you will check out of your Chiang Mai hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket. On arrival transfer to your hotel with the remainder of your day at leisure in Phuket. (B)
Day 11
Phuket
Today you’ll be picked up early at the hotel and transfer to the pier where you’ll board a speedboat for a cruise to Phang Nga Bay. Marvel at the wondrous formations of Panak Island and the serenity of Panyee Island, where a scrumptious Thai lunch awaits. Indulge your adventurous side by canoeing amidst the mangroves of Hong Island and snorkelling near Khai Island. As the day winds down, relax on the beach as you let any stress slip away. Return to your hotel with the evening at leisure. (B/L)
Day 12
Phuket
This morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel and some leisure time before your afternoon Phuket city tour. Visit Karon Viewpoint, one of the most famous viewpoints in Phuket where you can see three beaches (Kata Noi, Kata and Karon) at once. Next, pay homage to the Great White Buddha on top of Naked Mountain with a panoramic view of Phuket Island. Observe the beauty of the Buddhist temple at Wat Chalong, then walk through Old Phuket Town through the Sino-Portuguese style buildings along Thalang Road. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Day 13
Phuket
Enjoy a full day at leisure. (B)
Day 14
Bangkok
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and head to the airport for your flight back to Bangkok. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a final day to explore on your own in Bangkok. Celebrate new friendships as you enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers. (B/D)
Day 15
Enjoy breakfast before heading to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner