Experience the early morning chanting ritual of monks at Wat Po, tour the grand palace, take a longtail boat ride through the klongs of Bangkok and explore the colorful streets of Chinatown after walking through the vibrant flower market. We can now offer great savings on this tour that includes 3 nights staying at the exclusive Banyan Tree hotel in central Bangkok. Guests are treated to a Club Room with unlimited access to the Club Lounge where complimentary snacks are served, buffet breakfast at the Romsai restaurant or Club Lounge. A complimentary 10-minute neck and shoulder massage and 1 x FREE afternoon tea set for two.

To view the full program click here

For booking or more information, please contact thailand@exotissimo.com

The Mae Hong Son Hilltribe Trek And Stay is a new 3 Day/2 Night trek that starts in the town of Mae Hong Son with the Baan Ja Jo community. Enjoy a jungle lunch in the bamboo forest, learning how they use local natural materials not only to make crafts with be also cook and clean with. We then visit the Mae La Na Community and embark on an afternoon trek from here. Stay overnight in the village and watch a traditional Shan dance performed by local students.

The Mae Hong Son Hilltribe Exchange offers a much shorter option for those still wanting to experience an encounter with a traditional Hilltribe, but only have one day spare. Departing Mae Hong Son town in the morning, you then continue south to Mae La Nae, a stunning picturesque valley where it’s possible to meet two communities, Baan Ja Bo and Baan Mae La Nae. Enjoy lunch prepared by the villagers and explore the rugged surroundings of this rural area.

For booking or more information, please contact thailand@exotissimo.com

The floods are slowly creeping into Bangkok and have now reached the northern fringes of the city including the area around Don Muang domestic airport (Bangkok old International airport). It’s still not certain if central Bangkok will flood as there are conflicting reports but Bangkok residents have been advised to brace for flooding from the advancing runoff of water in the north.

Bangkok Administration is doing what it can to prevent the city from flooding with barriers and sand bags surrounding the city to divert the mass of water. The Chao Phraya River is set to reach its highest level this weekend as sea tides are expected to be unusually high. The flood level will depend on how well the government can manage the water flow but the highest risk will be areas along the Chao Phraya River and the floodwalls along its banks.

All airports in Thailand with the exception of Don Muang are operating as usual. Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport is unaffected by the floods and has been heavily fortified. The Thai government has repeatedly promised to take all the necessary steps to protect the country’s main airport from floods.

Major tourist destinations such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Ratchburi, Pattaya, Ko Chang, Rayong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Ko Samui are all experiencing normal weather conditions. The exception is the ancient city Ayutthaya, which has been badly hit by the floods. All tourist attractions there have been temporarily closed.

Given the uncertainty in Bangkok, Exotissimo is advising clients to avoid staying in the city from today until Monday 31 October. All clients currently scheduled to stay in Bangkok during this period have been contacted and alternative plans made.

Exotissimo recommend clients do not cancel their trip if scheduled to visit Thailand in the next 7 days, clients should avoid staying in Bangkok but we suggest them to transit through Bangkok onto alternative locations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket or any of the other safe areas.

The government has announced public holiday for government offices and schools on Thursday, Friday and Monday, however this does not affect the private sector, all financial institutions including banks will remain open over these days. Exotissimo office will remain open also.

Our staff are working hard on rerouting and rebooking existing files ahead of processing new requests. We endeavour to respond to all enquiries with priority but you may experience some delay during this time.

Exotissimo team continue to monitor the situation closely and will update you as necessary. Our 24 hour emergency number in Thailand is: +66 818672806

Currently there is heavy flooding in the Central Plains north of Bangkok with Ayutthaya being one of the worse affected areas. Overall the situation in Bangkok remains stable, there is minor flooding around the riverside but the rest of the city is not affected and operating as normal.

At this stage all Exotissimo tours in Bangkok are operating normally but we are monitoring the situation very closely and ready to make changes or adjustments to any tour as necessary. Safety is the number one priority and we are taking every precaution to ensure clients are looked after. If required, and where possible, we will make alternatives plans so the clients can continue to enjoy their trip.

The whole city of Ayutthaya is flooded and inaccessible, it is likely that clients will be unable to access the city and historical sites until early November. Overnight cruises on the Chao Phraya River are cancelled. Highway number 1 northbound is inaccessible around Ayutthaya and central plains, currently no vehicles can pass through this area. Some vehicles are diverting via Suphan Buri but the route is slow and crowded. Northbound train line is flooded and all trains departing Bangkok northbound are cancelled until further notice.

The situation north of Uthai Thani is better and all tours can operate as normal. Sukhothai and Chiang Mai are OK with only minor flooding in some areas however this is not affecting any tours, the historical park in Sukhothai is open and operating as normal.

For overland tours travelling northbound from Bangkok we are suggesting to divert clients to spend a night in Kanchanaburi with visits in this area. Then one full day drive to Phitsanulok / Sukhothai using outer ring road via Supanburi, NakornSawan (avoiding Asian Highway through AYU) and north on highway 11. Please note that this route will take up to 9 hours to drive.

Alternatively we are suggesting that clients can fly from Bangkok to Phitsanulok with Nok Air or Sukhothai with Bangkok Airways and continue overland to the north, or fly Bangkok to Chiang Mai and include extra options in CNX and the north to fill in the itinerary – flying will be subject to the supplemental charge.

Currently the situation in Bangkok is ok and the city is operating as normal, however it is expected it may get worse towards the end of the week. We are currently operating all river tours including dinner cruises and Klong tours as normal with high caution. The guides are instructed to monitor the situation and water level carefully before boarding any boats and to change arrangements if there is any uncertainly over client’s safety.

Should the situation become worse towards the end of this week and flooding appears in the streets around the river and Bangkok, we will provide alternative tours to locations outside of the flooded areas.

Floating Markets and Kanchanaburi are operating as normal with minimal or no impact from the floods. The main riverside hotels including The Peninsula, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Millennium Hilton, Anantara Riverside, The Chatrium have informed us that the situation is all okay with no flooding yet, they have built the retaining walls and put up the sand bags to protect against the water which may rise in the coming days.

Please note that we are monitoring progress closely and are in regularly updating clients affected by the floods. All of the above actions will be reviewed if the situation changes.

Please contact marketing@exotissimo.com for more information.

Wat Pho will host celebrations for nine days and nights after the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), registered its epigraphic archives as Memory of the World documentary heritage. The decision was made at the tenth Meeting of the International Advisory Committee for the Memory of the World Programme held in Manchester, UK, from 22 to 25 May 2011.

The celebrations are to take place from 19 to 27 November 2011 and held in an ancient manner similar to those organized during the reign of King Rama I. The 1,440 stone inscriptions made during 1831-1841 feature a wide range of knowledge such as history, Buddhism, literature, tradition, proverbs and health.

Experience the morning chanting rituals at Wat Pho and marvel at the grandeur of its throne halls and mysterious Emerald Buddha in our, ‘Chanting at Wat Po & Grand Palace’ excursion.

Asia’s continual rise as a travel destination has once again been proven in a recent survey held by a leading travel magazine. These findings reflect the high demand Exotissimo Travel has experienced for tailored programs to Asia, the area they both live and work in. Results from the survey showed Bangkok retaining its position for the second year as the world’s number 1 city. An intoxicating fusion of textures and flavors, Bangkok has always been a strong attraction to travelers both within Asia and across the world.

Exo’s day trips within Bangkok are amongst the most regularly booked, compiled by experts within Bangkok, they provide an excellent insider’s view to the ‘City of Angels’. Programs such as ‘Culinary Delight of Bangkok’ and ‘Absolute Art – Bangkok’ provide a great introduction to Thailand and its fascinating culture.

Siem Reap in Cambodia, home to the eighth wonder of the world Angkor Wat, debuted at number 7. A long time favorite destination, Siem Reap is impossibly charming and adapted over recent years to meet the needs of international clientele. Exo’s soft adventure trekking modules within the area such as ‘Trekking Angkor – Siem Reap’ and ‘Trekking Kulen’, allow interaction with the stunning landscape and friendly locals.

Take part in an unforgettable gastronomic experience! We are offering the chance to partake in a gourmet dinner party where each course is prepared by legendary Chef Sompon at his very own house. Chef Sompon will personally cook the entire evening’s multi-course menu. The mouth-watering dinner is served poolside and consists of 6 Thai courses. Known internationally for his culinary talents, Chef Sompon has featured on many TV channels including, the BBC, The National Geographic, Thai Channel 3 and ITV.

The evening is finished by releasing Northern Thai lanterns into the night sky from the grounds of his boutique house in Chiang Mai. Click here to see the full itinerary.

Please contact Thailand@exotissimo.com for more information.

We have launched two superb tours that follow in the footsteps of the hit movie, ‘The Hangover Part 2′. If you just have a spare day, then opt for our one day ‘Follow in the Footsteps’ tour which visits all the major landmarks. However, should you have 4 days available in Bangkok then the ‘Exclusive Movie Mania’ tour includes everything in our one day tour plus visits to the Grand Palace, riverside evening meals, puppet shows, a private long tail boat journey and chance to see morning rituals performed by local monks.

Both tours see guests driven outside of Bangkok to the Ancient city in Samut Parkan on a visit to the self proclaimed ‘worlds largest museum’, and stunning architectural monument that was the backdrop for the Chiang Mai Chinese Temple scene in the movie. Other captivating landmarks from the film we visit include, Song Wad Road roundabout (scene of the drug dealing monkey), Yaoworat Road in Chinatown and Talad Kao market.

Follow in the Footsteps of the Movie: The Hangover Part 2

Re-live the day spent in Bangkok by the stars from the film! Take guests to all the major landmarks they’ve seen in the movie.

Exclusive Movie Mania: The Hangover Part 2 – 4 Days / 3 Nights

Visit the famed temples of Bangkok and learn about the intriguing Thai culture before following in the footsteps of the stars from the film.

Our new Chiang Mia Bike and Adventure programs make for the perfect addition to a Thailand tour. Traversing the diverse and scenic landscape of Chiang Mai alongside a local guide, travelers will be immersed in the unique cultures that inhabit the region while enjoying some soft adventures en-route.

Best of Chiang Mai by Bike - 3D2N

Cycle through the elating scenery of Chiang Mai on this 3-day soft adventure that goes in search of tumbling waterfalls, elephant camps and rustic village life. Ascend mountain roads and be rewarded with sensational panoramas. Gain authentic insights into life in the remote hinterlands of northern Thailand when you weave your way through villages admiring the flora and fauna en-route. On this Best of Chiang Mai by Bike Tour clients will cycle along the Ping River, visit ancient ruins and leave the experience with a better understanding of the misty mountains and colorful hill tribes that equate to charming Chiang Mai. To view this tour please, Click here

East of Chiang Mai by Bike - 2D1N

Beginning in Chiang Mai, travelers will embark on an adventure into the diverse sceneries of rural Thailand that include mountainous backdrops, lush forested plains, tranquil green rice paddies and everyday scenes of rustic living. Visit local markets, revered temples and natural mineral springs. Guests can look forward to comfortable accommodation and a beautiful riverside lunch. For more information on this tour, click here.

Sri Landa National Park Biking Adventure – 2D1N

Our 2-day Sri Lanna Biking Adventure explores the diverse terrain of northern Thailand by bike, kayak and an exhilarating long tail boat ride. Beginning at the tumbling Bua Thong Waterfall, the adventure continues past fruit orchards and emerald green rice paddies while soaking up the sprawling panoramas of the rich fertile valleys. Spend the evening on a floating raft . Awake to one more day of intrepid adventure as you leave Mae Taeng to continue back to Chiang Mai along the Ping River. To view a full itinerary please, click here.

Northern Family Adventure- 6D5N

This 6-day Chiang Mai Northern Family Adventure has been designed to enthrall both adults and children alike. Fusing an action-packed itinerary consisting of soft adventure, cultural immersion and architectural and scenic exploration offering an unmatched opportunity for families to experience the great outdoors together. To view a full itinerary please, click here .

Check out are special promotions for the Elephant Hills Jungle package and explorative introduction to southern Thailand. The perfect opportunity to escape the beach and head to the forested interior of Thailand’s south. Get up close and personal to these gentle giants; partake in a trek through the pristine rainforest, passing limestone Karsts and exotic wildlife. Alternatively, have the unique experience of caring for an elephant for a day – this includes feeding, bathing and learning the secrets of the mahout.