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. You may alter any aspect of the itinerary from excursions to accommodation.
International Flight: Excluded Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Bangkok, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Then you are at 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 | Relax | Welcome Dinner Cruise
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner Morning and afternoon are at your leisure to relax after the international flight. You may want to have own exploration in the city or simply relax at the hotel.
In the evening, our guide will greet you and escort you to the pier. Embark on a renovated rice barge for a cruise dinner. The dinner features a live Apsara performance while you enjoy Thai delicacies and take in the night lights of the Chao Phraya River.
Chao Praya River Cruise
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental
Day 3: Bangkok | Bangkok Royal Palace by 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 4: Bangkok | Ayutthaya Kingdom Discovery
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.
Ayutthaya Ancient Temple
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental
Day 5: Bangkok – Chiang Mai | Leisure | Flight to Chiang Mai
Internal Flight:Included Meals: Breakfast Enjoy some leisure time in the morning.
In the afternoon, take a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.
The old city walls still stand verdantly against the course of time, inviting pilgrims to come rest, and explore the lost treasures of the Lanna Kingdom. Established as the capital in 1296AD of the vast “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields”, Chiang Mai carries a heritage lurking around every quiet cobble-stone alley and corridor. These days, cafes, boutiques, pubs and spas are auspiciously peppered throughout, while colorful Meo and Akha hill tribes make their daily ritual visit to the valley to offer their handmade tapestries and handicrafts to curious adventurers. The Ping River weaves through the valley to the East of the Old City while a peaceful moat surrounds the time-worn walls.
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 6: Chiang Mai | Temples of the Lanna Kingdom | Cultural Show with Thai Dinner
Meals:Breakfast, Dinner 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 the hotel for some leisure in the afternoon.
In the evening, we will transfer to an outdoor courtyard theater. Take a place in traditional Thai seating as Thai dishes are brought to you. Enjoy colorful performances in traditional Lanna Thai apparel with live music. Then return to the hotel after the show.
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 7: 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.
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.
Hill Tribes and Tea Plantation
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 8: 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. Each of you will have your own elephant for a day. 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: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 9: Chiang Mai | Leisure Day
Meals: Breakfast Enjoy some leisure time in the morning.
Chiang Mai is known for its legendary “Siam Lanna” massage techniques dating back to the Lanna Kingdom. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a royal relaxation treatment at the top-rated spa in Chiang Mai. Transfer to Zira Spa – an award-winning spa inside a beautiful Lanna-style refurbished mansion. You’ll enjoy your choice of either an aromatherapy massage(oil) or a traditional massage(non-oil) for 1 hour. Continue to the night markets to explore the interesting curios, trinkets, silks, and jewelry created by the hill tribes in the surrounding highlands. Return back to the hotel for leisure and overnight.
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 10: Chiang Mai | Leisure | Lantern Festivals
Meals: Breakfast Morning and afternoon are at your leisure to relax or explore the rest in Chiang Mai on your own.
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. You’ll join in an exclusive gala dinner at one of the best locations in Chiang Mai with all of the lanterns from the two main bridges flying overhead. Be prepared for a magical evening!
Sky Lanterns Release – 13 Days Bangkok City Highlight Tour Chiang Mai Lantern Festival
Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai
Day 11: Chiang Mai – Bangkok | Flight to Bangkok | Leisure | Bangkok by Night
Internal Flight:Included Meals:Breakfast, Dinner Board a morning flight back to Bangkok. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.
In the evening, explore the bustling Chinatown a popular tourist attraction and a food haven. Upon this 1-km strip packed with market stalls, street-side restaurants and a dense concentration of gold shops. Continue the journey to Pakklong Talaad, the biggest wholesale and retail fresh flower market in Bangkok. Drive to Wat Suthat and The Giant Swing. From here, we continue on foot passing Bangkok Metropolitan Office to Democracy Monument. You’ll enjoy dinner at Hotel D’ Moc’s restaurant, then travelling by tram around Ratanakosin area with the fantastic views of “The Must-See” attractions in Bangkok, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, The Golden Mount, Wat Ratchanaddaram, The Democracy Monument, The City Pillar Shrine, The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, National Theatre and Santi Chaiprakarn Park. End up the night by exploring the Khao San Road for its famously described as “the center of the backpacking universe”. After tour completed, you’ll transfer back to the hotel. Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental
Day 12: Bangkok | Leisure Day
Meals: Breakfast
Spend this full day at your own leisure. You go around the city and discover the local daily life, find out some interesting souvenir items, shopping, or drop by at a bar to relax and have a drink or two. Alternatively, simply indulge yourself with the comfort and amenities which your hotel offers.
Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental
Day 13: Bangkok | Farewell
Meals: Breakfast Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your onward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!
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One of our Travel Experts will reach out to you and assist you with an itinerary and quote. Also, feel free to leave your phone number and we will give you a quick call just to say hello and clarify any questions we have about your inquiry.
Bangkok City Highlights - Ayutthaya Kingdom - Golden Triangle - Hill Tribes - The White Temple - Temples of Lanna Kingdom - Inthanon National Park - Elephant Sanctuary
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One of our Travel Experts will reach out to you and assist you with an itinerary and quote. Also, feel free to leave your phone number and we will give you a quick call just to say hello and clarify any questions we have about your inquiry.
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