Amazing 1st Time to Thailand: Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Koh Samui – Bangkok

We used Asia Pioneer (known as Indochina Pioneer at that time, just before COVID changed travel February 2020) for a trip to Cambodia/Laos/Vietnam with outstanding results. I was curious as to how this company would adjust post-COVID.
This was our first time to visit Thailand, and they did not disappoint. Ms Elly, our travel coordinator, was extremely helpful and responsive with the overall structuring and planning, step-by-step, of our trip. Traveling with an elderly mother and recent high-school grad, she offered suggestions that would be of interest to all of us. Our guides (Pauline in Bangkok; Indy in Chiang Mai) were extremely informative and helpful, especially when it came to mobility/accessibility with my mother.

Bangkok area: we had a full day Temple Tour our first day, and then a trip to Damnoen Floating Market/Ayutthaya the next day. Pauline was wonderful answering our various questions regarding the history/culture/architecture of the area. We then visited Khao Yai National Park with a different guide (Peter). We hiked (yes, elderly mother was able to navigate the trails/stairs) to the waterfalls, seeing various wildlife, including monkeys, deer, lizards. This is an amazing area of Thailand – thank you Ms. Elly for suggesting this day trip!!

Chiang Mai area: food tour at night, and then full day Temple Tour the next day. Indy was amazing also, asking about our personal preferences so we could enjoy Northern Thai cuisine to its utmost. We then visited some villages of the Hill Tribes with a different guide (Paul). He was very conscious about my mother’s walking ability, as this included a hike (4km, almost no shade) between villages. We also visited Chiang Dao temple cave and ended with a visit to a butterfly/orchid farm.
Koh Samui: boat tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park with Blue Stars tours including kayaking/swimming/hiking (more like stair-climbing) – amazing – do NOT miss this!

Bangkok area: another food tour (you MUST have food tours in Thailand!), and then a trip to Amphawa floating market, ending with a firefly tour. It’s not really the season for fireflies in June, but we did see some, and it was magical.

As you know, it’s hot/humid in Thailand during June and is the beginning of rainy season. We went in June for the availability of the different fruits that are in season during that time. We were fortunate during our trip – we experienced rain only once (during Khao Yai National Park), and only for less than an hour. Our guides/drivers were excellent in monitoring our comfort and health, and provided water and (cold!!) wipes all throughout our visit (thank you for blasting the A/C when we needed it at times!) – I can’t say enough praise for both Pauline and Indy.

Asia Pioneer arranged for all transfers, to/from the airport, providing details as to where to meet, and our guides were extremely helpful with checking in at the airport.

Thank you again Ms. Elly for coordinating this amazing vacation!!