Highlights of Thailand

Day 1

Arrive Bangkok

Arrive Bangkok Airport and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day will be yours to unwind and relax.

Overnight at Siam Heritage Hotel.

Day 2

Bangkok (B/L)

Breakfast will be served at the hotel, thereafter transfer to explore Bangkok by boat. A cruise along the Chao Phraya reveals scenes at odds with the bustling, modern inner city. Visitors get a glimpse of the serene and simple lifestyle of riverbank dwellers. Enroute stop at the Royal Barges Museum and Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Almost opposite Wat Arun is the Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful samples of the ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Bangkok. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and Wat Phra Keo, the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. (Note: The Grand Palace is closed during special royal ceremonies and during visiting heads of state). Lunch will be served at local restaurant.

Overnight at Siam Heritage.

Day 3

Bangkok/Ayutthaya/Lopburi/Phitsanulok (B/L)

After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand. The principal sights are Wat Panancherng at the bank of Pha Sak River, the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch and the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Phra Mongkol Borpith. Proceed to Lopburi for lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Hin Song Kon village where the villagers produce white kaolin. Later visit Phra Prang Sam Yod (Sacred Three Spired Pagoda) and the Monkey Temple. Continue to Phitsanulok.

Overnight at Topland Hotel.

Day 4

Phitsanulok/Sukhothai/Lampang (B/L)

This morning you will visit a Buddha-statues foundry and Wat Phra Sri Rattana Maha Dhat, housing the revered Buddha statue, Phra Buddha Jinaraj. Continue to Sukhothai. On the way, visit a silo and rice-mill using traditional steam engine. Arrive in Sukhothai, visit the Sukhothai Historical Park. A tram will take you inside and around the park and occasionally stop for you to take a closer look and capture some pictures. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit the famous ruins of this first capital of Thailand (1257-1379). See Wat Maha Dhat, Wat Sra Sri and Wat Sri Sawai and Wat Sri Chum. Proceed to Lampang.

Accommodation at Lampang River Lodge.

Day 5

Lampang/Lampoon/Chiang Mai (B/L)

After breakfast at hotel, depart for Ko Kah to visit a local primary school and an old city with horse cart. Continue to Chiang Mai for lunch at local restaurant. After lunch visit Thai handicraft factories to see the spinning and weaving of Thai silk and thereafter to silverware factories. Also visit Wat Phra Dhat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains. Observe the regular practice and Buddhist monks chanting in this temple. Continue to the town of Chiang Mai and check-in at hotel.

Accommodation at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge.

Day 6

Chiang Mai (B/L)

This morning after breakfast venture out to discover Chiang Mai. Drive into the old part of Chiang Mai where you find more than 50 beautiful Wats (temples). Walk through the many lanes and stop to visit Wat Phra Sing – one of Chiang Mai’s most famous temples, Wat Chedi Luang, etc. From here drive down to the Ping River and walk through Chiang Mai busy wholesale market: Worarot. You will find an amazing choice of goods, flowers and plants, vegetables and fruits. Lunch will be provided at local restaurant. Afterwards drive out into the hills to visit Joy’s Farm and the School for Life. This place has become the care center for orphans from part of Chiang Mai and nearby. The children will guide you around as you visit their school rooms, their vegetable plantation and later enjoy their cooking experience. Depart Joy’s Farm in the late afternoon and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge.

Day 7

Chiang Mai/Mae Sa/Hmong Hill Tribe Lodge (B/D)

Depart Chiang Mai after breakfast to visit Sai Nam Pueng Orchid Farm and continue to the elephant camp. Watch the elephants taking timber in the forest; you will be amazed by their strength and clever team work. Proceed by 4WD truck to visit the Karen and Meo Hill-tribe Villages located on the way to the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge. B.B.Q. dinner and camp fire at the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge followed by presentation of Meo dances.

Accommodation at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge.

Day 8

Hmong Hill Tribe Lodge/Chiang Rai (B/L)

Breakfast will be served at hotel, thereafter depart early on a long journey to Thatorn through the picturesque landscape. On the way visit Houy Nam Rin Village to see how the villagers produce noodles. Arrival in Thatorn, a small village just a short distance away from the Burmese border. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Baan Pha Tai, a short stop en route at the Akha Hill-tribe Village of Houy Salah. At Baan Pha Tai, depart by typical motor boat for a three-hour journey along the Kok River passing a few rapids, tiny hilltribe villages, bamboo huts and jungle. Stop to visit a village on the riverbanks. In the afternoon arrive in Chiang Rai.

Accommodation at Wiang Inn Hotel.

Day 9

Chiang Rai/Golden Triangle/Bangkok (B)

Breakfast will be at a local restaurant. Transfer to the Golden Triangle area on the Mekong River bank where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Stop for a visit at an old-days’ opium house museum. Afterwards, take short boat trip on the Mekong River along the 3 countries’ border-area before returning to Chiang Rai. Transfer to Chiang Rai Airport for your flight to Bangkok.

Arrive at Bangkok domestic airport and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok.

Hmong Hilltribe Lodge
Chiang Mai

Siam Heritage Hotel
Bangkok

Topland Hotel
Phitsanulok

Lampang River Lodge
Lampang

Wiang Inn Hotel
Chiang Rai