Insiders Asia

7-Day Thailand Bangkok Culinary Tour & Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary Extension

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1 Bangkok

Arrive Bangkok airport, meet our staff and transfer straight to your hotel. Evening free at your leisure. Dinner on your own.
Overnight: Raweekanlaya Wellness Cuisine Resort, Riva Arun, Ariyasomvilla Hotel, Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, or similar.

DAY 2 Bangkok Culinary Street Food & Culture Tour, Gourmet Rooftop Restaurant

Awarded Thailand’s Best Day Tour in 2013, explore the amazing tastes and sights of Bangkok, the “Village of Love”, a famous 100 year-old culinary neighborhood in Bangkok. Bangkok is famous for its diverse flavors, and here you can find Thai delicacies from every region and ethnicity. Sample generations-old artisanal recipes and visit fascinating local culinary attractions hidden away from the well-worn tourist routes. Includes 5 authentic tasting locations and 12+ delicious food and drink samples (enough for a big lunch). Walk it off visiting cultural sites around Bangkok including the famous Bangkok Flower Market, and the spectacular Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). This evening enjoy dinner at an iconic gourmet rooftop restaurant with a magnificent 360° scenic view of Bangkok and the Chao Preya River.

DAY 3 Bangkok / Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary - By Special Permission!

Wild Planet Adventures Exclusive

Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary is the elite, hidden gem amongst Thailand’s wildlife national parks. It requires special governmental permission to access and is not otherwise open to the general public. Thailand’s revered Queen was so enamored with Phu Khiao, she built a modest royal home and rare orchid garden overlooking its wildlife-rich grasslands. No other US-based nor international tour operator offers this exceptional wildlife experience, complete with our expert local, bilingual naturalist wildlife guides!

Known as one of the best parks to see wildlife in all of Thailand, Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary’s pristine habitat includes 1,560 sq. km. of forests, grasslands, lakes, plateaus and sandstone mountains surrounded by limestone outcrops. There are an incredible 111 species of mammals, 419 species of birds, 45 species of amphibians, 110 species of reptiles and 76 species of fish recorded in the sanctuary.

Phu Khiao is one of best places in Thailand to see bigger mammals, with regular sightings of highly coveted animals including wild elephant, dhole (Asian wild dog), golden jackal, Assamese macaque, Phayre's langur, white-handed gibbon, hog deer and leopard cat. Less common, but with real chances to spot, are its black leopards, clouded leopard, tigers, marbled cat, and Asian black bear. The park also features healthy populations of long-tailed macaques, rhesus macaque, Asian black bear, Indochienese serow, sambar deer, red muntjac, guar, giant porcupine, giant black squirrel and colorful giant variable squirrels. The very rare Assam macaque is often sighted and is one of the park’s many wildlife research projects. Over 400 bird species include sarus crane, Austen's brown hornbill, great hornbill, white-rumped falcon, mountain scops owl, Oriental bay owl, and the globally endangered white-winged duck. There have been sightings of rare green peacock, but not for a while.

Wildlife safari from park entrance to the headquarters. Lodging at the park’s house which is very simple accommodations with electricity only between 6:00-9:00pm. After dinner enjoy a night safari by 4WD to spot nocturnal animals.

DAY 4 Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary – Thung Kamang Grasslands, Mon Lake

Early morning wildlife and bird watching at the big grasslands. Endangered Hog deer, sambar deer and red muntjac are common sightings, and with luck, their predators. Golden jackals typically roam the grasslands during late afternoons, and wild elephant, wild boar and other smaller mammals frequent water holes and mud baths.

This afternoon hike 4-5km to Mon Lake, a flat easy hike with sounds of gibbons echoing throughout the forest. We’ll search for gaur, dhole (Asian wild dog), and wild elephant. This area is often frequented by the park’s many species of large cat including Tiger and Clouded Leopard. In the evening return for dinner followed by a night safari by foot or 4WD truck for nocturnal animals.

DAY 5 Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary – 4WD Safari, Bird Blind

Early morning safari by 4WD to see Assam macaque, White-handed Gibbon, Phayre’s Langur, Jungle fowl, Monitor Lizard and more. Afternoon visit a small wooden bird blind overlooking an amazing tiny pool of mineral water, to watch small colorful birds come and bathe, drink, play and defend their territory. This sometimes draws larger animals such as lizards, giant squirrels and white handed gibbons who are curious about all of the activity. After dinner, enjoy another nocturnal wildlife safari by foot or 4WD.

DAY 6 Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary – Bangkok

Enjoy a final wildlife viewing activity before breakfast, then 4WD safari to spotting wildlife as we exit the park. Return to Bangkok and overnight.

DAY 7 Bangkok

Transfer to the airport for your onward flights.