Wonders of Northern Thailand
DAY 1: Arrive in Bangkok
At Bangkok airport, meet our transfer staff in the arrivals hall and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight Bangkok.
DAY 2: Bangkok
Breakfast at your hotel. Pick up in the hotel lobby tour of Bangkok, visiting the floating markets in Thonburi, Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), the palladium of the Kingdom. Visit Wat Aroon (Temple of the Dawn) which was built by King Taksin before Bangkok was founded. From its upper terraces you can get a nice view of the river traffic and the Bangkok skyline.
Overnight Bangkok.
DAY 3: Bangkok – Floating Market - Kanchanaburi
It will be an early start today. Visit a unique country market along the railway tracks. See the train arrive bringing the people to the market. Continue to the fascinating floating market at Damnern Saduak in Ratchaburi province. On arrival visit a local sugar palm factory before boarding a long-tail boat along the Damnern canals to mingle with the vendor and buyer boats at this floating market. Transfer to Kanchanaburi where you take a boat ride on the Kwai River to your jungle lodge by the river.
Overnight on the Kwai River, Kanchanaburi.
DAY 4: Kanchanaburi
Today you will spend a full day at Kanchanaburi famed for its river rafting, jungle experience and Bridge over the River Kwai – and recently the Tiger Temple where tigers and their cubs are reared by resident monks. Tread on the Bridge Over the River Kwai. Take a train ride on “Death Railway” hugging a sheer precipice as it chugs its way to Nam Tok station.
Overnight Kanchanaburi.
DAY 5: Kanchanaburi - Free Day
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the area.
Overnight Kanchanaburi.
DAY 6: Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya
Morning departure from Kanchanaburi via Suphanburi, to the ancient city of Ayutthaya. After lunch, visit some of the outstanding historical sites, such as Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Phra Ram, Wat Na Phra Men and Wat Phra Mahathat. Dinner with rice barge cruise around ancient city of Ayutthaya. Board a converted traditional teak rice barge and drift slowly along the Chao Phraya, the ‘River of Kings’, and its tributaries, and explore the island city of Ayutthaya, enjoying a beautiful selection of Thai food.
Overnight Ayutthaya.
DAY 7: Ayutthaya
Breakfast at the hotel. Free at leisure to explore more of Ayutthaya.
Overnight Ayutthaya.
DAY 8: Ayutthaya - Chiang Mai
After breakfast you will be transferred to Bangkok airport for your flight to Chiang Mai.
Take in dinner with a northern Thai cultural show. Afterwards, perhaps a stroll in the interesting Night Bazaar and Anusarn Market.
Overnight Chiang Mai.
DAY 9: Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep
Drive up Doi Suthep mountain to the monastery of the Golden Chedi that the legend of the White Elephant built. Go up by funicular railway to walk around the golden chedi. On a clear day you can see Chiang Mai spread out below. There is a temple museum at the back housing Lanna-style votive tablets, amulets and Buddha statues. After lunch a tour , visiting the old city and new Chiang Mai. King Mengrai of Chiang Rai built this city in the late 13th century. You can see the ancient moat and walls including the old bastions at the four corners of the old city. Return to hotel.
Overnight Chiang Mai.
DAY 10: Chiang Mai - Elephants, Monkeys
After breakfast at your hotel you will visit the Mae Taman elephant camp for a morning's interaction with a herd of elephants there. See them take their essential morning bath in the river and put on a show. Take a ride on one of them with a mahout for a romp into the jungle. Then cruise down river on a bamboo raft to where your car waits to take you back to Chiang Mai.
Overnight Chiang Mai.
DAY 11: Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
Morning departure from your hotel for a trip to Chiang Rai province. Visit Mae Sai on the Thai-Myanmar border. Proceed to the Golden Triangle and visit the huge golden Buddha gazing serenely down the Mekong River towards Laos. Visit the Opium Museum and learn about the opium trade that was prevalent in this area about 60 years ago. See the ancient capital of the Lanna kingdom in Chiang Saen.
Overnight Chiang Saen.
DAY 12: Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive back to Chiang Mai and along the way visit the beautiful avant-garde temple of Wat Rong Khun. Enjoy the mountain scenery you are driving through. Upon arrival back in Chiang Mai, check into your hotel and be at leisure.
Overnight Chiang Mai.
DAY 13: Chiang Mai - Departure
Transfer to Chiang Mai airport for your departure flight.