Depart this morning for Bangkok on Singapore Airlines on SQ706 0700hrs.  On arrival, meet and greet by our local English speaking guide for your transfer to Khao Yai by VIP coach via Ayuthaya.  We arrive at Ayuthaya for a lovely Thai cuisine lunch at popular restaurant popular for its large grilled river prawns.

We proceed to Khao Yai and arrive at a river view restaurant for dinner before we  check into our resort (3 nights).

Movenpick Resort Khao Yai  https://www.movenpickresortkhaoyai.com/ or similar

After a restful night, we gather with an option to enjoy a Sunrise Nordic Walk, a gentle workout organized by the resort or take a leisurely stroll of the resort’s Gazebo Garden that allows a chance to watch the sun rise over the peaks while breathing in the crisp morning air  surrounded by lush greenery providing a serene oasis or for those who just prefer to simply sit back and enjoy the tranquility.  Thereafter enjoy breakfast at the resort before having some time on own to explore more of this Tuscan-inspired resort. 

We board our coach for an Isan inspired lunch at a restaurant popular for its traditional recipes and distinctive antique boat décor before visiting Khao Yai National Park Visitor Centre that houses a museum showcasing the park's diverse wildlife through taxidermy and educational displays.  After a briefing by our guide, we commence on a beginner-friendly, 1.2 km nature walk from the Visitor Center that leads to Kong Kaew Waterfall and takes about an hour to complete, offering an enjoyable walk with a chance to hear natural sounds and potentially spot wildlife. It features various natural plants, a rope bridge at the entrance, and another wooden bridge leading to Kong Kaew Waterfall.  Back at the Visitor Centre to refresh, we travel to view the Haew Suwat Waterfall, famous for its appearance in the Hollywood movie “The Beach”.   We then leave for dinner before heading back to our resort to rest (long pants, cap and insect repellent)

After an early breakfast at resort, we depart for an hour’s ride to Khao Yai National Park to meet our nature guide for a hiking trail at Nong Phak Chi. This nature trail highlights a variety of different forest types – mature dry forest, secondary forest and grassland. The trail is shaded by tall trees throughout its length such as banyan and java plum. Their delicious fruits attract many birds and animals to make a “restaurant for wildlife”.  At the Nong Phak Chi Observation Tower, you can see many kinds of animals near the water sources and salt licks in the grass such as elephants, gaur, gibbons and hornbills (long pants, cap and insect repellent)

(Distance: 4.2 km one-way trail | Time taken: 2.5 - 3 hours | Gentle-Moderate Activity)

After a refreshing hike, we leave for our hotel to freshen up and relax with lunch enroute.   Later this afternoon, we depart for dinner and return to the Khao Yai National Park to board an open back truck for an exciting Night Safari (1 hr) to spot nocturnal animals in their foraging habits, such as sambar deer, Malayan porcupine, large Indian civet, Asian palm civet, wild elephant, owls and nightjars.   We then return to our resort to rest (light warm jacket required).

Breakfast at resort.   Later this morning, we check out and bid farewell to Khao Yai as we coach back to Bangkok.  Enroute we visit the Saraburi Sunflower field for photo stop with lunch by the Muek Lek river.  We then head on to Bangkok and arrive for some shopping at the popular MBK Center that has undergone a significant rebranding and renovation to evolve from a traditional market-style mall into a modern, multi-faceted destination focusing on experiences and community engagement. 

Enjoy a Thai dinner before we transfer for our hotel check in at Shanghai Mansion, in the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown that captures the stylish mood and theatrical roots of Shanghai in the 1930s.  Perhaps explore around our hotel as Chinatown prepares to welcome Spring Festival with decorations and the usual vibrant atmosphere.

Overnight:  Shanghai Mansion https://www.shanghaimansion.com/ or similar

Breakfast at hotel.  This morning, we take an easy stroll from our hotel to Songwat Road,  a historic and revitalized street in Bangkok's Chinatown, known for its blend of colonial-era architecture, vibrant street food, traditional shophouses, and trendy cafes and art spaces.  Perhaps we stop by a café for a cuppa before we explore on own the rest of Chinatown in preparation for the Lunar New Year of the Horse!

We check out and proceed for lunch at the popular Teochiu Restaurant before enjoying some last-minute shopping in this area.  We then depart for airport to check in our flight home by Singapore Airlines on SQ711 @1810hrs Arrive home this evening.