Thailand Master Cooking Tour

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Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok

Arrive in Bangkok where you are transferred to the comfortable and centrally located Royal Benja Hotel. A pre-trip briefing is held in the evening, to meet the other members of your group and discuss the trip itinerary. Please check for a Welcome Notice on the hotel noticeboard located near the hotel lifts which will provide your tour leader's name and the exact time and location of your Welcome Meeting. Until this meeting we encourage you to get out and discover the delights that Bangkok has to offer, including trying some of Thailand’s famous cuisine. After the group meeting in the evening we may adjourn to a nearby restaurant and enjoy a meal together (this is optional and at your own expense). The rest of the evening is free - perhaps a quiet drink or a visit to the bustling night markets of Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Prepare yourself for a busy day in Bangkok today! The morning begins with some sightseeing at the Grand Palace and and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), a must for first-time travellers to Bangkok. We also visit Wat Po, home of the famous Reclining Buddha. (When visiting temples and palaces in Thailand, please dress conservatively in order to respect the local culture). By the afternoon it’s straight into the first cooking class and your first step into becoming a Thai cooking masterchef! This afternoon’s class is held in an ideal home-style learning environment and will focus on learning the essential skills and techniques for Thai cuisine that you will be able to apply to your everyday cooking. This class is a completely ‘hands-on’ experience, preparing the dishes yourself at your own cooking station. Then the best past of the class; dining on the delicious Thai meals you prepared!

Day 3: Bangkok - Ayuthaya

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

It’s an early start this morning as we head over to the floating market where we will experience the old style and traditional way of buying and selling fruits and vegetables from small boats. You will be amazed at the resourcefulness of the food hawkers and the ingenuity of these mobile kitchens. Here the Thai vendors manage to braise, brew, grill and deep fry in shallow longtail boats. It was the influx of Chinese migrants who brought a range of new dishes to the Thai market stalls, most snacks and street food is of Chinese origin here, although you will still find a few special Thai delights such as green papaya salad. But whatever you do, make sure you don’t miss out on trying the fried bananas! We then travel to Ayuthaya (approximately 4-5 hours). Situated 90 kilometres north of Bangkok, Ayuthaya was the capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767 AD. In its prime it was one of the largest and most glamorous cities in the world and the capital city of the then huge Siamese empire that included large parts of Laos, Cambodia and Burma. Following a siege of nearly two years, the city suffered total destruction at the hands of the Burmese. Here we spend the night in a traditional Thai teak house. The accommodation is basic; however it enables you to experience a slice of the life-style of our gracious Thai hosts.

Day 4: Ayuthaya

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

This morning is our second cooking class, this time we start outside in the vegetable and herb gardens to harvest our own fresh produce. The cooking will be done with the local villagers in a traditional Thai environment. Afterwards we catch a long-tail boat down to the Chao Prao River to transfer onto a rice barge. Here you will sit back and watch life go by while enjoying a long lazy lunch, passing the local people in their homes, along with historic buildings, as well as the lush green paddy fields contrasting with the growing industrial areas. Later that afternoon if you are feeling energetic, try one of the optional cycling tours to the temples, or a night cycling tour.

Day 5: Ayuthaya - Sukhothai

Meals included: 1 breakfast

In Thailand, in the early hours of the morning, you will always see monks wander on the streets on their daily almsround to collect food for their day. In Buddhism, alms or almsgiving is a sign of respect given by lay Buddhists to Buddhist monks. Thai people prepare the alms food that would include rice and other recipes for the monks. It is a special honour this morning that we have the chance to experience this, making it a spiritual start to our day before setting off for Sukothai. Although we have a long day of driving (approx 6 hours) today we have the opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the views of the countryside while discussing your favourite recipes and cooking tips so far or maybe catch up on some sleep after an early start. Tonight’s accommodation is in a unique traditional style, but comfortable hotel in Sukothai.

Day 6: Sukhothai

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

This morning allows time for a sleep in for those who want a lazy morning of catching up on rest. Alternatively there are some optional activities available for those of you who want to get our and explore Sukothai. Try cycling to the Historical Park to explore the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats and the water dyke control system of ancient Sukhothai. After lunch it’s time to start putting those Thai masterchef cooking skills to use! This afternoon it’s back in the kitchen for another cooking lesson.

Day 7: Chiang Mai

Meals included: 1 breakfast

A six-hour drive takes us to the fabled north. Chiang Mai is a moated city with the impressive backdrop of Doi Suthep (a 1,676-metre peak that offers impressive views of the surrounding countryside). Near the summit is a famous temple – Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. The evening presents you with a fantastic opportunity to explore the famous Night Bazaar, a shopper’s paradise! The combination of the local Lanna handicrafts and the traditional wares of the hilltribe people on offer ensure that you won’t go away empty handed. And also let’s not forget the food!

Day 8-9: Chiang Mai

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Today’s all day cooking class starts with an early morning visit to the local market. After buying all our ingredients, including fresh fruit and vegetables, we travel to our cooking school, situated on the outskirts of town. Here we learn the intricacies of cooking Thai cuisine, with a special emphasis on the northern Lanna style. This final cooking class is a master class is designed for people who are passionate about Thai food and want to learn more than what is usually offered in a Thai cooking course. The menus have been specially designed to cater to professional chefs whilst still being accessible to food lovers who already have some knowledge of Thai cooking. After enjoying yet another one of your own cooked delights, remember to say “Lum tair tair”, the word for ‘delicious’ in the northern Thai dialect. After today you will be able to look back over the past few days and realize that not only have you learnt how to cook Thai food, but rather you have discovered an insight into both modern and traditional Thai lifestyles, cooking customs, learning how to grow vegetables and herbs, experiencing local markets and of course sampling and eating all the wonderful foods Thailand has to offer. The final day is free for you to explore the sights of Chaing Mai. Catch a songthaew to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep or drop into the Hilltribe museum for a preview of the cultures and customs of the Hilltribe people of northern Thailand.

Day 10: Chiang Mai

Meals included: 1 breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast in Chiang Mai. A transfer to the airport is not included; however, your tour leader will be on hand to advise you as to the available options.

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Your Trip

What's Included

• The services of Peregrine's expert English-speaking local tour leader throughout the tour, and local guides at some sites.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where relevant): Bangkok - Grand Palace and Wat Po; Cy cling aroung Sukhothai Ancient City.

• Cooking demonstration in Ayuthaya; Cooking classes in Sukhothai and Chiang Mai.

• Overnight stay in a traditional Teak house in Ayuthaya.

• Two-hour lunch cruise on a private rice barge around the ancient capital of Ayuthaya.

• Arrival transfer.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

• Bicycle
• Boat
• Bus
• Minibus

Accommodation

• 8 nights Comfortable hotel
• 1 night Teak house

Meals

• 9 breakfasts
• 2 lunches
• 3 dinners

Not Included

International flights, airport departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals, any optional tours and activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.

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About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version.  If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

3 November 2011

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