12 Days Thailand Discovery Tour with Romantic Beach Getaway

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 next to the stunning Chao Phraya river for check-in. Then you are leisure to explore the riverfront, go shopping, or visit a Muay Thai boxing gym on your own.

Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Day 2: Bangkok | Bangkok by Boat | At Leisure

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.

Bangkok Royal Palace

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.

Old Temple Wat Chaiwatthanaram of Ayutthaya

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 Mai | At Leisure | Flight to Chiang Mai

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Morning is at your leisure to relax or explore the city or shopping on your own.

In the afternoon, board a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

After getting settled in your room, feel free to explore the night markets and bazaars for some interesting souvenirs made by the hill tribes in the surrounding mountains.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 5: 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: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 6: Chiang Mai | Alms Giving | Tea Plantations & Hmong Hill Tribe

Meals: Breakfast
Rise early morning to join locals in visiting a Buddhist monastery. You can watch or participate in offering alms to Buddhist monks at Wat Srisodain. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Northen Thai Tea Plantation

Then take a trip up in the hills and visit a tea plantation. Take a seat above the terraces flowing with arched rows of green tea shrubs while you sip on a fresh cup of hot Oolong. Explore the tea plantation to learn a little about the process of cultivating and harvesting tea. Then continue to a Meo hill tribe village. Have the opportunity to see their unique apparel and simple way of living. Meo families take a great deal of pride in their herbal gardens. After seeing their home and making a new friend, return back to Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 7: Chiang Mai | Chiang Mai Temples

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.

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. You’ll return to your hotel and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 8: Chiang Mai – Phuket | Flight to Phuket | Relax on the Beach

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
This morning, take a flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. After getting settled in your rooms, you can explore the beaches on your own.

Accommodation: Sri Panwa Phuket Villas

Day 9: Phuket | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to explore the beaches of Phuket.

Accommodation: Sri Panwa Phuket Villas

Day 10: Phuket | Sea Caves by Starlight

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
World famous kayaking inside marine limestone karst islands with macaques, water monitors, kingfishers, and Sea Eagles. Meet at the hotel around 11 AM to transfer to the pier. Then continue by boat with a light lunch served onboard. Self-paddle with your own sea cave guide through tunnels and lagoons. When darkness falls, stars shine overhead in the circle of black night, fireflies flash in the cliffside jungle and, most of all, the sea glows with phosphorescence. Enjoy a spiritual ceremony with your own made “Krathong”. Have a magnificent dinner onboard. Then return to land. A truly magical and out of this world experience (Listed among National Geographic’s “World’s Top 50 Adventures”).

Accommodation: Sri Panwa Phuket Villas

Day 11: Phuket | Relax on the Beach | Private Seaside Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is at your leisure to explore the beaches of Phuket.

As dusk approaches, you’ll enjoy a private seaside dinner with candles, personal butler, and the sound of the sea. Dinner will feature a 4-course traditional Thai menu.

Accommodation: Sri Panwa Phuket Villas

Day 12: Phuket | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast
Today our representative 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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