15 Days Thailand Tour and Chiang Mai Lantern Festival

Destinations: Bangkok – Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai – Phuket – Bangkok

Highlights of this 15 Days Thailand Tour and Yi Peng Lantern Festival:

Swimming with Sea Gypsies in the Andaman Sea.
Explore Thai jungles with Elephants.
Visit the Golden Triangle Region where Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos meet.
Join the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai.
Learn the best-kept secrets of Northern Thai cuisine.
Discover the Ayutthaya Ruins.

Note: The Lantern Festival is a lunar holiday that starts on November 3 in 2017 and November 23 in 2018 and goes for 3 days. If your travel dates overlap, we can adjust the tour schedule to include the festival.

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15 Days

Includes internal flights, twin shared accommodation, English speaking guides, private cars, sightseeing and meals listed.
Excludes visa and travel documents, travel insurance, international flights, local tipping, etc.

This itinerary is to give you a flavor of what is possible. We can tailor this trip to suit your specific needs and expectations. Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered, from excursions to accommodation. Cost above is base on the selection of Deluxe accommodations during the low season period. They can be altered to suit the level of luxury you prefer.

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ITINERARY

Day 1: Bangkok | Arrive in Bangkok

International Flight:Excluded

Welcome to Thailand – The Land of Smiles! Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel in Bangkok for check in.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 2: Bangkok | Ayutthaya and the Summer Palace

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
Start early and transfer North to the Ancient Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Start by visiting Wat Phu Khao Thong – a temple outside of Ayutthaya started by the invading Burmese who built the base when they overtook Ayutthaya and was finished by Siam who later took back their city. Continue to Ayutthaya and start with the Royal Palace and Royal Temple – dating back to the 14th century. Continue to the nearby Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit where the largest bronze Buddha in Thailand is housed.

Enjoy a Thai lunch and some free time. Have a short visit to Wat Lokaya Sutha – the image of the reclining Buddha. Then continue to the Royal Palace at Bang Pa In, which is the Summer Palace of the Thai Royal Family. Return back to your hotel in Bangkok for leisure time.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 3: Bangkok – Chiang Rai | Best of Bangkok

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, the first destination is Wat Phra Kaew, the chapel of the Emerald Buddha, which houses the world’s most famous image of Buddha. The 75cm statue of jade sits atop an 11m golden pedestal surrounded by lavish murals and richly decorated pavilions. Next, you’ll visit The Grand Palace which encompasses several major buildings. The most prominent include The Throne Hall, The Reception Hall and The Coronation Hall.

Then, you’ll visit Wat Traimit, the temple of the golden Buddha. It weighs 5.5 tons of solid gold, and was sculptured in the Sukhothai style.
Return to the hotel for check out. Then transfer to the airport for a flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, our Chiang Rai guide will greet you and transfer you to the hotel.

Accommodation: Le Meridien Chiang Rai

Day 4: Chiang Rai | Elephant Safari and the Kok River

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

Depart by longtail boat up the Kok River to Karen Ruamid village and elephant camp. Mount an elephant through jungle surrounding to Baan Huay Mae Sai, a Yao hilltribe village Lunch box at the village is provided. Afterwards visit an Akha village nearby. Then return back to Chiang Rai.

Accommodation: Le Meridien Chiang Rai

Day 5: Chiang Rai | Mae Salong Mountain

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
In the morning, transfer to Mae Salong mountain, a scenic peak in the Shan Highlands. First stop at a tea plantation to try some fresh hot tea in the morning while taking in the splendid views. Learn about the Chinese military KMT village that resettled at Mae Salong and their interesting story. Have lunch at a Yunnanese restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Akha, Yaoand Lisu hill-tribe villages. Then return to the resort for leisure time.

Accommodation: Le Meridien Chiang Rai

Day 6: Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai | Mountain Road Trip to Chiang Mai | Lantern Festival

Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, transfer to Chiang Mai. On the way, you’ll stop at Wat Rong Khun(the White Temple). This unique and modern temple features Hindu and Buddhist architecture along with very contemporary and peculiar art and sculptures. Along the way, stop at a charity school which provides education to the children in the remote Shan hills. You’ll continue to Chiang Mai to your hotel for check in.

In the evening, you’ll join the Yi Peng and Loi Krathong Festivals. Krathong is what the floating boats set adrift are referred to. Each Thai imparts a different meaning or prayer depending on whether they are Buddhist or Hindu. Regardless of religion, it is believed to be casting away the negative elements of oneself. The Loi Krathong festival happens all throughout Thailand. At the same time, in Chiang Mai, the Yi Peng Festival occurs where they set off countless Lanna-style sky lanterns for good luck. Tonight, you’ll get to see both festivals being practiced.

Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Day 7: Chiang Mai | Lantern Festival

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

In the morning join a Thai cooking class. Try a new experience in an old Thai style house classroom that allows you to taste the real ambiance of traditional Thai, while you cook. The program starts with a tour at the local fresh market. You’ll be taught the techniques of how to choose the perfect ingredients for your Thai cooking lesson. Be guided by the chef through the preparation of several dishes. Finish by eating your creation for lunch!
In the afternoon, go with the guide to get materials to create your own Krathong. Prepare your Krathong and release it in the evening while taking part in the continued festivities.

Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Day 8: Chiang Mai – Phuket | Chiang Mai Highlights | Flight to Phuket

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, visit the most prominent temples in Chiang Mai. Start with Wat Phra Singh which houses the famous Phra Singh Buddha image. It features Lanna art throughout and illustrates many famous Buddhist stories. Continue on to Wat Chedi Luang, which once contained the Emerald Buddha. The temple is partially in ruins due to an earthquake in the 1500s.

Then stop at Wat Chiang Man which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and also houses one of Thailand’s greatest treasures: the Crystal Buddha(usually only able to be seen on Sundays and certain festival dates).Then continue to Wat Suan Dok, which houses many of the remains of generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. Finally, visit Wat Jet Yot – this peaceful temple is surrounded by green and was built in the Mahabodhi style from India to house the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1453.

Return to the hotel by noon to check out, then transfer with our guide to the airport for your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, our Phuket guide will meet you and escort you to your resort for check in. The rest of the day/evening is at your leisure.