Discover the historical and natural wonders of Thailand with this spectacular nine-day tour from Bangkok, located in the centre of the country, to Chiang Mai, in the north. Visit the country’s main heritage sites such as the Ayutthaya and Phitsanulok and explore the infamous Golden Triangle, one of the world’s leading opium-producing areas. Join this memorable tour and have a complete Thai experience!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Ayutthaya: Ancient capital of Siam and the location of a haunting UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sukhothai: A historic former capital with well-preserved ruins of temples and palaces.
Golden Triangle: See three countries from one spot in Sop Ruak at the confluence of the Ruak and the Mekong rivers.
Day 1: ARRIVAL BANGKOK
Arrival at Bangkok airport where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 2: BANGKOK
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide at the lobby and begin your half-day tour. This morning's city tour will include Bangkok’s famous temples: Wat Traimit, known for its housing of the 5.5 ton Golden Buddha image, Wat Po, famous for the 45 meters long Reclining Buddha image and Wat Benachamabophit, known as the Marble Temple. Return to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 3: BANGKOK
After breakfast at the hotel free day at leisure to explore the city.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 4: BANGKOK – KANCHANABURI (160kms – 3hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Kanchanaburi where we visit the War Museum and the cemetery, as well as the infamous River Kwai Bridge built by prisoners of World War II. Check in to your hotel in Kanchanaburi where at the end of the day you will enjoy your dinner.
Overnight in Kanchanaburi.
Day 5: KANCHANABURI – AYUTTHAYA – PHITSANULOK (405kms – 5.5hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Ayuthaya to visit the ancient temples of Wat Na Phra Mene, Wat Phra Ram and Phra Sri Sanphet. Continue to Saraburi to visit the Phra Phuttha Bat footprint of the Lord Buddha before proceeding to Phitsanulok. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Phitsanulok.
Day 6: PHITSANULOK – SUKHOTHAI – CHIANG RAI (415kms – 6hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit of the Wat Prasri Rattana Mahathat with the Phra Phuttha Chinaraj image. Continue to Sukhothai for a walking visit of the Historical Park, and to the ruined temples in the Sri Satchanalai Historical Park. Onwards via Lampang where we visit Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang before arriving in the late afternoon in Chiang Rai. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 7: CHIANG RAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Wat Rong Khun, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its ornate all-white exterior, with embedded pieces of mirror, gives it a resplendent appearance, which makes it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Continue to visit the ruined capital of Chiang Saen and make a boat trip on the Mekhong River in the Golden Triangle. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 8: CHIANG RAI – CHIANG MAI (240kms – 4hrs)
Enjoy a lively start to the day’s activities at the fragrant and vibrant Chiang Rai morning market and then a brief stop at Wat Phra Kaew temple. After, delve deeper into the local culture at the Hill tribe Museum and Education Centre, where the lifestyles of the area’s mountain peoples are explained along with the challenges to their survival. Continue by road to the ancient city of Chiang Mai. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 9: CHIANG MAI
Breakfast at the hotel. Before heading to Elephant POOPOOPAPER Park. It is an eco-friendly, naturally built; outdoor museum park that introduces and explains the unique steps involved in making our much talked about paper products from elephant poop fibres! The interpretive walking tour through our lush gardens brings visitors through eight different pavilions explaining each stage of our fascinating process from poo collection to rinsing to final product assembly. Visitors are encouraged to pull up a stool, roll up their sleeves and join our talented artisans and guides and participate in our head-turning process! Complemented by the presence of rich graphics and signage, visitors will also be introduced to Chiang Mai’s long and rich history of traditional papermaking and handicraft production. In the evening enjoy a typical Northern-style Kantoke dinner with dance performances at the hotel.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 10: CHIANG MAI – DEPARURE
Breakfast at the hotel. In the afternoon collective transfer to Chiang Mai Airport.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Thailand. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.