Northern Thailand
11 days - Bangkok, River Kwai, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Phitsanuloke, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai.
11 days - Bangkok, River Kwai, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Phitsanuloke, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai.
Journey from central Thailand through the scenic north on this 11-day journey. Begin in Bangkok, Thailand's vibrant capital filled with world-class sights, bustling markets, chic boutiques, and culinary delights. See life along the banks as you ply the Chao Phraya, or "River of Kings", and visit the magnificent Grand Palace, former home to the Kings of Siam. A day excursion takes you to River Kwai to tour the landmark World War II sights. Leaving Bangkok travel to Ayutthaya, a former capital whose ruins of the old city are now a UNESCO World Heritage site, then proceed to Phitsanuloke, founded over 600 years ago it is one of Thailand's oldest cities. Visit nearby Sukhothai Historical Park, famous for it's temple ruins and ancient images of Buddha. In Chiang Rai visit the "Golden Triangle", where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma) meet. Hill tribe people, each with their own distinctive dress and customs, populate the area. Chiang Mai, nicknamed "Rose of the North", is Thailand's most culturally significant northern city, and former capital of the Lanna Kingdom. The city is famous for it's beautiful scenery, famous handicrafts, and delicious northern cuisine. Finish your journey with a return visit and overnight stay in Bangkok.
Private tour itinerary
Day 1: Bangkok. Arrive at Bangkok Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Bangkok.
Day 2: Bangkok. Full-day private tour of Bangkok. Ride a long tail boat on the Chao Phraya River through quiet klongs (canals) and stop at Wat Arun, the "Temple of Dawn." Visit the Royal Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. After lunch see the colorful Flower Market, and Wat Po's magnificent Reclining Buddha. End the day with a visit to Monk's Bowl village, where alms bowls used by monks are still crafted. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: River Kwai/Bangkok. Full-day River Kwai tour, including visits to JEATH museum and train ride over the Death Railway track. Afternoon visit to the remote forest temple Wat Pha Luangta Bua or "Tiger Temple." Home to various wildlife, including tigers, it is an extraordinary sight to see the dedicated Buddhist monks take the tigers for a walk on a leash. Return to Bangkok. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Ayutthaya/Lopburi/Phitsanuloke. Visit Bang-Pa-In, former summer residence of the kings of Ayutthaya, followed by Ayutthaya's most interesting temples. Proceed to Lopburi to visit the Khmer Temple of Phra Prang Sam Yot. Continue the journey to Phitsanuloke. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Sukhothai/Chiang Rai. Visit Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Temple in Phitsanuloke enroute to Sukhothai, one of Asia's most important historical sites under the supervision of UNESCO. See Wat Sra Sri and Wat Sri Chum Temples, and drive to the former sister town of Sukhothai, Sri Satchanlai for more interesting temples and ruins. After lunch drive further north to Chiang Rai. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Chiang Rai. Traverse the beautiful landscape and mountain roads to scenic Doi Mae Salong, founded by Chinese Kuomingtang soldiers who fled China after the takeover of Mao Tse Tung, and where traditional Chinese medicine is sold. Visit an Akha and Yao hilltribe village, and drive to Mae Sai, the most northern town of Thailand located on the Thai-Burmese border. Continue to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma) meet. Finish with a visit to the Opium House. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 7: Chiang Mai. Travel by road through the northern countryside to Chiang Mai, en route stopping at Mae Ka Chan hot springs. After arrival in Chiang Mai, visit Sankampaeng, famous for it's silk factories, traditional Thai umbrellas, and other local handicrafts. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 8: Chiang Mai. Early morning visit to Wat Srisoda to see the monks have their morning prayer, and where alms are given. See the morning market and take a rickshaw ride before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Later visit the mountain temple Doi Suthep, situated 1,000 meters above sea level, and Wat Suan Dok, another sacred temple where ashes of Chiang Mai's royal families are buried. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Chiang Mai. Drive to Chiang Dao for a visit to an elephant training camp. Ride an elephant (1.5 hours) to visit the Lisu hilltribe village. In the afternoon a picnic lunch while traveling by raft on the Ping River, and visit to Baan Tong Luang, a hilltribe cultural preservation village. Return to Chiang Mai. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 10: Bangkok. Fly to Bangkok and transfer by sedan to your hotel. (breakfast).
Day 11: Depart Thailand. Transfer to Bangkok Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (10), eight lunches.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $3,150.
Day 1: Bangkok. Arrive at Bangkok Airport and transfer by sedan to your hotel in Bangkok.
Day 2: Bangkok. Full-day private tour of Bangkok. Ride a long tail boat on the Chao Phraya River through quiet klongs (canals) and stop at Wat Arun, the "Temple of Dawn." Visit the Royal Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. After lunch see the colorful Flower Market, and Wat Po's magnificent Reclining Buddha. End the day with a visit to Monk's Bowl village, where alms bowls used by monks are still crafted. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 3: River Kwai/Bangkok. Full-day River Kwai tour, including visits to JEATH museum and train ride over the Death Railway track. Afternoon visit to the remote forest temple Wat Pha Luangta Bua or "Tiger Temple." Home to various wildlife, including tigers, it is an extraordinary sight to see the dedicated Buddhist monks take the tigers for a walk on a leash. Return to Bangkok. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 4: Ayutthaya/Lopburi/Phitsanuloke. Visit Bang-Pa-In, former summer residence of the kings of Ayutthaya, followed by Ayutthaya's most interesting temples. Proceed to Lopburi to visit the Khmer Temple of Phra Prang Sam Yot. Continue the journey to Phitsanuloke. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 5: Sukhothai/Chiang Rai. Visit Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat Temple in Phitsanuloke enroute to Sukhothai, one of Asia's most important historical sites under the supervision of UNESCO. See Wat Sra Sri and Wat Sri Chum Temples, and drive to the former sister town of Sukhothai, Sri Satchanlai for more interesting temples and ruins. After lunch drive further north to Chiang Rai. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 6: Chiang Rai. Traverse the beautiful landscape and mountain roads to scenic Doi Mae Salong, founded by Chinese Kuomingtang soldiers who fled China after the takeover of Mao Tse Tung, and where traditional Chinese medicine is sold. Visit an Akha and Yao hilltribe village, and drive to Mae Sai, the most northern town of Thailand located on the Thai-Burmese border. Continue to the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar (Burma) meet. Finish with a visit to the Opium House. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 7: Chiang Mai. Travel by road through the northern countryside to Chiang Mai, en route stopping at Mae Ka Chan hot springs. After arrival in Chiang Mai, visit Sankampaeng, famous for it's silk factories, traditional Thai umbrellas, and other local handicrafts. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 8: Chiang Mai. Early morning visit to Wat Srisoda to see the monks have their morning prayer, and where alms are given. See the morning market and take a rickshaw ride before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Later visit the mountain temple Doi Suthep, situated 1,000 meters above sea level, and Wat Suan Dok, another sacred temple where ashes of Chiang Mai's royal families are buried. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 9: Chiang Mai. Drive to Chiang Dao for a visit to an elephant training camp. Ride an elephant (1.5 hours) to visit the Lisu hilltribe village. In the afternoon a picnic lunch while traveling by raft on the Ping River, and visit to Baan Tong Luang, a hilltribe cultural preservation village. Return to Chiang Mai. (breakfast, lunch).
Day 10: Bangkok. Fly to Bangkok and transfer by sedan to your hotel. (breakfast).
Day 11: Depart Thailand. Transfer to Bangkok Airport. (breakfast).
Meals: breakfast daily (10), eight lunches.
Cost per person, double occupancy from $3,150.
Our deluxe Thailand tours are carefully designed to provide a unique experience in the destination, promote cultural understanding and exchange, flow smoothly from place to place, allow time for relaxation and exploration on your own, provide maximum value, and very importantly to be enjoyable. The itinerary can be modified to suit your tastes, time frame, budget, and special interests.
