13 Days Thailand Romantic Getaway with Lantern Festival

ITINERARY

Day 1: Chiang Mai | Arrive in Chiang Mai

International Flight: Excluded
Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, 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: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 2: 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.

Northern Thai Hill Tribes

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 3: Chiang Mai | Temples of the Lanna Kingdom | Lantern Festivals

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 evening is at your leisure.

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!

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

Day 4: 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 5: Chiang Mai – Krabi | Flight to Krabi | Relax on the Beach

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast
Board a morning flight to Krabi. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your resort next to the beach for check-in.

Long-tail boats and salty seas; limestone cliffs and vibrant jungle canopies; clear blue waters with a spectrum of fish varieties just below – Krabi is a step back to nature and scenery. Sandy beaches and moving sunsets draw the weary traveler for a place of respite and refocusing.

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 6: Krabi | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to relax. Feel free to explore the beaches of Krabi or indulge your self with the resort’s spa and other facilities.

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 7: Krabi | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to relax. Feel free to explore the beaches of Krabi or indulge your self with the resort’s spa and other facilities.

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 8: Krabi | Phi Phi Island and Maya Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Discover the spectacular limestone rock formations of Phi Phi Island. Enjoy snorkeling and swimming in the crystal clear water of the bay. Last stop on a lovely island with great white sandy beaches. A great spot to lay down and relax at the beach. Or go snorkeling in the beautiful reef around the island.

Phi Phi Island – 13 Days Thailand Romantic Getaway Thai Lantern Festival

Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Day 9: Krabi – Phuket | Road Trip to Phuket | Leisure

Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll take a scenic road transfer to Phuket. The transfer is around 3 hours with pleasant views en route. Upon arrival, get checked in and the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the beaches of Phuket.

Enjoy the beaches of Phuket. North of the resort is two stunning beaches facing the Andaman Sea, Karon Beach, and Kata Beach. Perched above Kata Noi beach – a quiet stretch of white sand meets blue waves with forested mountains.

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 10: Phuket | Khao Sok Ancient Rainforest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, join a trip to Khao Sok National Park. Trekking through the ancient rainforest with the unique plant, flowers, butterfly, birds, squirrels surrounding. The local guide will tell you about the native plants the habitants here they’ve ever used in the past and why they use it.

Around noon, have a lunch at a restaurant with a stunning view of the lush jungles. Then continue with a canoeing down the river through the scenic limestone cliffs. This also will be a chance to spot the flora and fauna in the wild. After the adventure, enjoy a Rommanee Hot Spring before heading back to your resort.

Khao Sok National Park -13 Days Thailand Romantic Getaway Thai Lantern Festival

Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 11: 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: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 12: Phuket | Relax on the Beach | Private Seaside Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is at your leisure to explore the beautiful 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: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

Day 13: 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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