Fascinating Japan and Thailand

breakfast

Go to Shinjuku station to activate your Hakone Free Pass and board a train to Hakone Yumoto (1.5 hours journey). The train will gradually leave the Japanese megalopolis behind and head deeper into the valleys of the Mount Fuji region.

Your home here is a classic ryokan (inn) where you will have a chance to soak in the open-air bath and hot spring.

Check in to your accommodation and either head to a hot spring to relax for the rest of the day.

Hakone

breakfast

A day at leisure for further explore Hakone by using your pass. The Hakone Free Pass allows you to get on and off freely within a specified area, as well as providing discount admission to various attractions in the area. It covers eight forms of transport including trains, buses, cable cars, cableway and boat.

Recommended Activities:

Board the world's second longest cable car above the wooded slopes, sulfurous fumes and hot springs for inspiring views of Mount Fuji.

A visiting for cruise on Lake Ashinoko, admire the superb view of Mt. Fuji from aboard a ship. And The Gora Park, a western-style landscape park located on the steep slope above Gora Station. It is a relaxing place for unwinding and enjoying the scenery and views of Hakone.

Hakone cable car

Cruise on Lake Ashinoko

breakfast and lunch

In the morning, you'll take a brief bullet train to Kyoto, another former capital of Japan and the center of Japanese culture for centuries. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel with a private car and driver.

We'll visit one of Kyoto's highlights - the historic and scenic district of Arashiyama, renowned for its cherry blossom trees which bloom in the springtime and its beautiful landscapes that change dramatically from season to season. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the towering Bamboo groves and see its iconic Togetsukyo Bridge.

The rest of the day is free for your leisure.

Bamboo groves in Arashiyama

Togetsukyo Bridge

breakfast and lunch

Your day begins with a visit to stunning Kinkakuji Temple, which is covered in shimmering gold leaf and surrounded by green gardens and ponds. It's now one of Kyoto's most famous temples.

Nijo Castle is an ornamental castle built by the founder of the Edo Shogunate (1603-C1868) as his Kyoto residence. It is surrounded by stunning gardens and is famous for its architecture, decorated sliding doors and 'chirping' nightingale floors.

Take a walk down Nishiki Market for some free time. It is a traditional food market known by locals as “Kyoto’s Pantry” which is a great place for seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties.

Embark on a leisurely walk uphill to Kiyomizu-dera Temple for stunning views of Kyoto city from the 13-meter-high veranda of the Main Hall.

Kinkakuji Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

breakfast and lunch

Immerse yourself in the enchanting Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates winding their way up Mount Inari. Stroll along the seemingly endless path, surrounded by the vibrant red gates, and experience the spiritual serenity that has drawn pilgrims for centuries.

Step into the tranquil embrace of Nara Park, home to a majestic herd of sika deer that roam freely amid ancient woodlands and serene temples. Witness the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, and capture the iconic image of the deer bowing to visitors.

Ascend the verdant slopes of Mount Wakakusa, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Nara Park and the surrounding city. Admire the lush greenery and the vibrant autumn foliage, and experience the tranquility that has captivated visitors for generations.

Afterwards we continue on to Osaka, a city renowned for its delectable cuisine, captivating entertainment, and historical landmarks.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Nara Park

breakfast and lunch

Start today's tour from the tranquil ambiance of Osaka Castle Park, a historical bastion amid the modern cityscape, strategically looming over the surrounding park and moat.

Connect with the city's past at Osaka Museum of History where you can perceive Osaka's journey from ancient times through well-curated exhibits.

Then, absorb the artistry of Japanese woodblock prints known as Ukiyo-e at Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum. Embark on a hands-on ukiyo-e printing experience, where you would learn the traditional techniques of creating these iconic woodblock prints. Under the guidance of a skilled artisan, create your own ukiyo-e masterpiece, taking with you a tangible piece of Japanese artistic tradition.

Dive into the energetic atmosphere of Dotonbori, known for its bright neon lights, culinary delights, and lively entertainment.

Set your sights on stunning city vistas from the Umeda Sky Building. The open-air observation platform offers panoramic views of the city that simply take your breath away.

Osaka Castle

Kamigata Ukiyo-e Museum

breakfast

Transfer to Kansei International Airport in Osaka and fly to Bangkok.

On arrival in Bangkok, your private guide will be ready to welcome you at the arrival hall. You will be transferred to your hotel and free at leisure.

breakfast and lunch

Depart your hotel at around 7:00am and drive for about 2 hours to the 100-year-old Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where usually packed with hundreds of sellers and buyers on their small rowing boats to sell, buy and exchange goods. Firstly, you will ride a traditional long-tail boat to get around the floating village then you will change to a small boat to entering the market and experience the daily life of the locals.

After lunch, you will return to Bangkok to visit the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Wat Pho was built about 200 years ago that is one of the oldest temple in Bangkok and it houses the huge, gold-plated Reclining Buddha image.

After visiting, you move to the Grand Palace, the most revered royal monument and nation's landmark. Although the Royal family does not live here anymore, many occasions are held here.

You will also visit famous Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew) located in the palace complex and the most sacred religious relic in Thailand - the jade Buddha image is preserved here. Then, you will be transferred back to the hotel.

Damnoen Saduak Market

Grand Palace

breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, you will be driven to the pier to board on a luxury cruise boat and head to the ancient capital - Ayutthaya which now is home to atmospheric ruins and ancient temples and has been UNESCO world heritage site since 1991. You will see the local’s daily life on both sides of the river and the scenery change from cosmopolitan to countryside and enjoy a wonderful international buffet lunch on board.

After disembarked, you guide will take you to explore the area by the infamous tuk-tuk. During the visit, you will have chance to savor the famous local Snack-Roti Sai Mai (Roti Sai Mai), also known as "Sweet Angel Hair".

Later, you will be driven to railway station in Bangkok for a Thai style overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai.

Ayutthaya

breakfast and lunch

The train arrives in Chiang Mai in the morning. Your guide will greet you at the exit and take you to have a featured local breakfast. After check-in your hotel, you will enjoy a Chiang Mai old town tour. 

You will visit Wat Pra Singh, the most visited temple in Chiang Mai with a fine example of Lanna temple architecture. And Wat Chedi Luang, was once the home of the Emerald Buddha and the temple was once the distinctive feature of the Chiang Mai skyline. It was originally 280 feet high and once partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545. Then transfer to the Warorot market, to see the real northern people's daily life.

After your lunch at a local restaurant, you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free at your leisure.

Wat Pra Singh

Wat Chedi Luang

breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, you will be taken to the place to join the other people and take a bus through the scenic agricultural area to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary to start your half-day elephant caring trip.  You will have a pleasant opportunity to spend a good time in this elephants' natural home, and learn more about the history and behavior of elephants, and create precious lifelong memories of these amazing creatures. You will put on the traditional Karen costumes during your work. You can touch, take photos and play with the elephants. You will feed them with bananas and sugar cane, and walk them through the sanctuary.

After your work in the sanctuary, you will head to Doi Suthep Mountain. Climb up to 309 steps (or for those with lower fitness levels, a tram is available for a small surcharge) to the top of the mountain, you will enjoy the stunning scenery all the way up. The most sacred temple – Wat Doi Suthep in northern Thailand is on the summit. Since it is the highest spot of Chiang Mai, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Chiang Mai city and the surrounding area.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

Doi Suthep Mountain

breakfast

Free at leisure until you will be transferred to the airport to fly to Phuket. Upon arrival, your private guide will accompany you to your hotel check-in. The rest of day is at leisure.

breakfast and lunch

After picking you up at your hotel in the morning, you will take an air-conditioned minibus to the cruise departure point at Ao Por Pier to join in your small group tour to James Bond Island. Before boarding the luxury boat to enter the Opang Nga National Park, you can enjoy free coffee, tea and dessert service, where you can snorkel and swim.

Afterwards, you will admire the craggy stalactite rock formations in Panak Island caves and enjoy canoeing in Bat Cave or Mangrove cave. Then depart from Panak Island to Hong Island. Your guide will take you to explore the surrounding hidden caves and lagoons.

After enjoying a sumptuous buffet lunch on the boat, you will continue to take pictures at Khao Phing Kan (also known as James Bond Island). The famous movie "Golden Gun" was shot here. Then, you can enjoy swimming and relaxation before returning to Ao Por Pier, and then transfer to your hotel.

James Bond Island

breakfast

Day at leisure. Relax at your hotel, or explore the surrounding area.

Phuket

breakfast

Your will be transferred to the local airport in time for your flight to Bangkok where you will catch your international flight home.