The Experience

Discover the historical and natural wonders of Thailand with this eight-day tour from Bangkok in the centre to Chiang Mai in the north. Visit the country’s main heritage sites such as the Ayutthaya and Phitsanulok, meet the real king of the jungle at an elephant camp in Chiang Mai and explore the infamous Golden Triangle, one of the world’s leading opium-producing areas.

• Day 1: Arrive at the Bangkok International Airport, meet and greet and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps indulge yourself with a traditional Thai massage, delight your taste buds with the amazing local flavours and cap off the day by enjoying the sunset at any of the stylish rooftop bars which have blossomed in the city’s skyscrapers in recent years - the options are limitless. Overnight in hotel in Bangkok.
• Day 2: BANGKOK Full day at leisure to discover Bangkok on your own or to take an optional excursion. We recommend a ride in a characteristic long-tail boats to experience the daily life along the river or a visit to the largest, most beautiful and most important temple complexes in Thailand, The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Gaew. For those who want to shop, visit Bangkok’s main shopping district of Siam Square where bargains are available everywhere. If you can‘t find it here, it probably doesn’t exist! Overnight in hotel in Bangkok. Breakfast included.
• Day 3: BANGKOK – AYUTTHAYA – PHITSANULOK (405km – 6hrs) Palaces, ancient ruins, temples, and monkeys are on the menu as this epic tour from the capital to northern Thailand kicks off in style. After pickup from your hotel, head to Bang Pa-In to visit the sumptuous Summer Palace of Rama V. Continue to the former capital of Ayutthaya and contemplate the ancient temples of Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Wat Mahathat and Wat Phanan Choeng in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Chai Nat then continue to Phitsanulok for a brief orientation tour of the city before checking in at the hotel. Overnight in Phitsanulok. Breakfast and Lunch included.
• Day 4: PHITSANULOK – SUKHOTHAI – LAMPANG (410km – 5.5hrs) After breakfast at the hotel, head to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat to join the locals in their morning prayers and offerings in this historic temple, which houses one of Thailand’s most revered Buddha statues. Depart for Sukhothai to explore this ancient city packed with historical landmarks, the most impressive being the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the ruined temples and palaces as well as the Buddha statues of all sizes. Lunch en route at a local restaurant. A short drive away is Si Satchanalai, which boasts the evocative ruins of half a dozen temples, including Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat – which is reached by crossing a wooden suspension bridge – as well as countless statues of Buddha and elephants. This usually quiet location offers a special spiritual interlude to the tour before arriving in Lampang for the evening. Overnight in Lampang. Breakfast and lunch included.
• Day 5: LAMPANG – PHAYAO – GOLDEN TRIANGLE – CHIANG RAI (470km – 5.5hrs) Explore the wonderful Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, just a brief drive from Lampang, and marvel at the elaborate decorations and beautiful Buddha statues. Continue north, stopping briefly at Phayao Lake for a coffee break, continuing to the southern outskirts of Chiang Rai to 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 Chiang Rai for lunch. Afterwards, head to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. This natural wilderness gained an unwanted notoriety in the Sixties because of the abundant opium cultivation in the area. Visit the 212 House of Opium and stroll around its rare collection of opium paraphernalia such as weights, scales and pipes. Learn the history of this drug and about the devastating effect its trade had on local communities. Overnight in Chiang Rai. Breakfast and lunch included.
• Day 6: CHIANG RAI – CHIANG MAI (220km – 8.5hrs) 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. The journey out of town is on a long-tail boat with a scenic Mae Kok River cruise of about three-and-a-half hours to Pha Tai, where there’s a visit to hill tribe village. Continue by road to Tha Ton and enjoy a tasty lunch before heading to the ancient city of Chiang Mai. On arrival, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most revered temples in the country. This sacred location is at the top of a mountain from where you can appreciate stunning panoramic views over the city. To reach the temple requires a climb up a 309-step naga staircase. Alternatively, a cable car (included) takes you to the temple. Overnight in Chiang Mai. Breakfast and lunch included.
• Day 7: CHIANG MAI After all that culture and history, it is time for a day of wildlife and nature in the jungles near Chiang Mai. Get up close and personal with the animal kingdom at the Thai Elephant Care Center, that was set up to provide care for elderly elephants retired from logging and camps. Appreciate these gentle giants, learn more about their nature, their individual traits, their lifestyles, their talents and their charms. If the time is right watch the bath-time. Pause for a tasty lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit of the day is to the Colour Factory, where can admire a selection of full size Elephant Parade statues from cities around the world and choose your favourite from a collection of replicas. You can also learn about Asian elephants and the work the Asian Elephant Foundation is doing to save these magnificent but endangered animals. Visit also the Lanna handicraft centre on San Kamphaeng Road. Learn how they make Chiang Mai’s most famous products such as colourful parasols, silk, silverware and teakwood carvings. An optional khantoke dinner is available in the evening. Overnight in Chiang Mai. Breakfast and lunch included.
• Day 8: CHIANG MAI Relax over breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy the freedom of Chiang Mai. Explore the city at your own pace and leisure and catch the sights and attractions of this city teeming with green spaces and popularly known as the ‘Rose of the North’. The day is yours to do as you wish. Departure transfer to Chiang Mai Airport included (if required). Breakfast included.

Accommodation Details

Hotels included:

• Bangkok - Hotel Royal Bangkok or similar
• Phitsanulok - Amarin Lagoon or similar
• Lampang - Wienglakor or similar
• Chiang Rai - La Luna or similar
• Chiang Mai - Holiday Inn Chiang Mai or similar