10 Days Bangkok Capital City and the Thai Alps Exploration Tour

ITINERARY

Day 1: Bangkok | Arrive in Bangkok

International Flight: Excluded
Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Bangkok, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Then you are leisure to explore the Chao Phraya riverfront, go shopping, or visit a Muay Thai boxing gym on your own.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 2: Bangkok | Bangkok by a Traditional Long Tail Boat

Meals: Breakfast
In the early morning, take a traditional longtail boat to Wat Arun – the Temple of the Dawn to enjoy a stunning view and explore the gem of Bangkok.

Continue to one of the must-see sights, the spectacular Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark. Built-in 1782- and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government – the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people.

Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains the small, very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. The robes on the Buddha are changed with the seasons by HM The King of Thailand and forms an important ritual in the Buddhist calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the twentieth century, but the palace complex is still used to mark all kinds of other ceremonial and auspicious happenings. Then return to the hotel for some leisure time in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 3: Bangkok | Ayutthaya Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Ayutthaya used to be the flourishing and prosperous capital of Siam. During its 417-year reign, there arose a great deal of construction. Among them were numerous palaces and temples. As more than 30 monarchies ruled over Ayutthaya, innumerable events occurred, some of which were recorded in history, while others became exciting legends. Time-worn and tattered in war, the ruined temples and palaces are no doubt ancient relics reflecting a golden and glorious past.

The full-day tour will commence in the morning. After being greeted at your hotel’s lobby you’ll be escorted to Ayutthaya – the Ancient City, Wat Maha That – the heart and soul of the Ayutthaya people, Wat Na Phra Mane – still in perfect condition, as it was used as the Burmese headquarters, and Wat Lokayasutharam – a mysterious past, whereby its origins are unknown. You will then commence the Grand Pearl Cruise.

At embarkment, you’ll enjoy a full menu of Thai and European cuisines, desserts, seasonal fruits, coffee and tea for a buffet lunch on the Chao Phraya River. While taking your lunch on-board the cruise, you may enjoy the exotic flora and sites along the banks. Both air-conditioned and open aired seating is available, depending on your preference. Either view, you will get an amazing view of the daily life of the inhabitants that dwell along the river. Arriving at the city, you will pass the Grand Pearl, followed by Wat Arun – (the Temple of Dawn) the temple was the former palace when the Thai capital of Ayutthaya was replaced by Thonburi.

As the sun is setting, you’ll arrive at the River City Complex, Si Phraya. Then return to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 4: Bangkok – Chiang Rai | Flight to Chiang Rai | Golden Triangle and Chiang Saen Ancient City

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Board a morning flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, visit the Golden Triangle, where the Ruak River and the Mekong river meet forming the borders of three countries – Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos – the area is known for its stunning views. Visit the Hall of Opium museum to learn about the history of the Opium War. Continue on to the ancient city of Chiang Sean at Wat Chedi Luang – a stone city and the first capital of the Lanna Kingdom. Then return to town for some leisure in the evening.

Accommodation: Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort

Day 5: Chiang Rai | Mae Salong Mountain: Tea Plantations & Hill Tribes

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, Yao and Lisu hill-tribe villages. Then return to the resort for leisure time.

Northern Thai Hill Tribes

Accommodation: Le Meridien Chiang Rai Resort

Day 6: Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai | The White Temple | Road Trip to Chiang Mai and a Charity School

Meals: Breakfast
Transfer in the morning 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. You’ll continue to Chiang Mai to your hotel for check-in. Then you’re at your leisure to relax.

In the evening, feel free to explore the night markets and bazaars for some interesting souvenirs made by the hill tribes in the surrounding mountains.

Accommodation: The Rachamankha

Day 7: Chiang Mai – Pai | Transfer to Pai | Pai Exploration

Meals: Breakfast
Start the morning with a road trip up in the mountains to the small mountain town of Pai. Winding roads with farmhouses and Buddhist temples take you up into the Thai Alpes. On the way, stop for some coffee or tea at the “Witch’s House” cafe – a local attraction of sorts with good coffee and views. Continue to Pai. On arrival, check in at the resort. In the afternoon, stretch out your legs with our guide. You’ll go to visit Namhoo Temple – built in memory of a 16th Siamese princess who, according to legend, brought the kingdoms of Burma and Siam together through her marriage, but which also later resulted in a gruesome death while she was 8 months pregnant with the Burmese King’s child. Continue to Mo Pang Waterfall for some swimming, if you like. Then end the day with a stunning sunset view from Yun Lai Viewpoint. On the way back to the hotel, stop at “Walking Street” where vendors set up shop to sell art, silks, handicrafts and street food.

Mae Aw or Rak Thai Village

Accommodation: Reverie Siam Resort

Day 8: Pai | Hill Tribe Villages and Thai Alpes Discovery

Meals: Breakfast
Early morning, visit Wat Si Donchai – a 12th-century temple – to see how locals make merit and engage in Buddhist rituals. The detailed carvings at this temple are surreal. Continue out of town to visit some minority villages, a Lisu tribe, and an Akha tribe. Return to Pai in the later afternoon to visit the hot springs for a time to relax and unwind.

Akha Ethnic People

Accommodation: Reverie Siam Resort

Day 9: Chiang Mai | Befriending the Gentle Giants of Asia

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you will visit an elephant sanctuary in the jungles near Chiang Mai. First, you’ll learn about the project and hear the amazing stories of each rescued and orphaned elephant. You will each be paired with your own elephant. Learn how they became free from abuse and misuse. You’ll be shown how to approach your elephant, what spoken commands they respond to, how to read their body language, and how to check their health. Then have an opportunity to feed them. The mahout will also show you how to ride on their neck(no heavy howdah seats are used) or you can walk alongside your elephant if you prefer. Continue to the nearby river. Here you will have the opportunity to observe or participate in bathing the elephants with the sanctuary staff. The sanctuary has a photographer who will capture these moments in high quality for you throughout the day and provide you with a CD of the experience. Next, enjoy a picnic spread.

After you have said your farewells, return back to the hotel for some leisure time.

Accommodation: The Rachamankha

Day 10: Chiang Mai | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your homeward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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