Discovering Thailand

Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, we are greeted and transferred to the hotel. You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the beautiful Thai capital. Bangkok, "the city of angels", is the country's most populous city and is full of cultural attractions, tempting food stalls, and countless shopping temptations.

Meeting after breakfast for a city tour of Bangkok which includes the three most popular Buddhist temples in Bangkok. We start with a visit to the Grand Palace, an architectural masterpiece that includes several buildings and a magical interior, used as the royal residence from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. This palace is undoubtedly a national landmark and is perhaps the most visited royal monument in Thailand, truly a must-see. The building houses Wat Pho, the oldest temple in Bangkok, where the famous Reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf is located. This tour also includes the Wat Trimit temple with its 5.5-ton golden Buddha. Free evening at leisure.

We visit the country's most famous floating market: Damnoen Saduak. Along the way, visit a farm that produces coconut sugar. We take a tour of the farm and observe how coconut sugar is processed. We will also have the opportunity to taste some freshly prepared specialties. We head to the floating market on a long-tail boat, admiring the surroundings of the canal. We watch the merchants as they row along the congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruits and vegetables to sell to buyers on the riverbank. On the way to the next stop, we pass through the Mangrove Conservation Center and you might see some wild monkeys. Upon arrival at Don Hoi Lot, we can have lunch at the Seafood restaurant. We continue towards the Maeklong Railway Market ('Talad Rom Hoop' in Thai). Upon arrival, the guide will tell us about the history of the area. Return to Bangkok.

Departing from our hotel towards Bang Pa-In where we will visit the magnificent Summer Palace of Rama V. We continue towards the ancient capital of Ayutthaya and admire the ancient temples of Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Wat Mahathat, and Wat Phanan Choeng in the Historical Park of Ayutthaya. We'll have lunch at a restaurant in Chai Nat and then proceed to Phitsanulok for a brief orientation tour of the city before checking into the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat to join the local people in morning prayers and offerings at this historic temple, which houses one of the most revered Buddha statues in Thailand. We depart for Sukhothai to explore this ancient city full of historical landmarks: the most impressive is the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We admire the ruined temples and palaces and Buddha statues of all sizes. Lunch along the way at a local restaurant. Not far away is the Si Satchanalai Historical Park, which boasts the evocative ruins of half a dozen temples containing countless Buddha and elephant statues, among them the notable Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, which is accessed by crossing a wooden suspension bridge. This usually quiet site offers a special spiritual interlude before arriving in Lampang for the evening.

After breakfast, we explore the wonderful Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a short distance from Lampang, and admire the elaborate decorations and the beautiful Buddha statues. We continue northward, with a short stop at Phayao Lake for a coffee break. We carry on towards the southern outskirts of Chiang Rai where we can visit Wat Rong Khun, a dazzling temple built in the '90s. Its decorated and completely white exterior, with pieces of mirror embedded, gives it a shining appearance, making it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. We proceed towards Chiang Rai for lunch. Afterwards, we head to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. This wild natural area gained unwanted notoriety in the '60s due to the abundant cultivation of opium. Enjoy a boat trip in the Golden Triangle with a stop at Don Sao Island, which is part of Laos (the boat trip lasts about 45 minutes). Subsequently, we visit the 212 House of Opium museum and stroll around its rare collection of opium-related accessories such as weights, scales, and pipes.

Our journey in Thailand continues with a visit to the fragrant and vibrant morning market of Chiang Rai, followed by a short stop at the Wat Phra Kaew temple. Next, we delve deeper into the local culture at the Hilltribe Museum and Cultural Center, where we will learn about the lifestyles of the mountain people in the area and their challenges for survival. We move on to Tha Ton for a tasty lunch before heading to the ancient city of Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, we can visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the country's most revered temples. This sacred site is located on top of a mountain from which you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the city. To reach the temple, you must climb a staircase of 309 steps. Alternatively, you can reach the temple by cable car (included).

Our tour in Thailand continues with a visit to the Elephant Poopoopaper Park, an eco-friendly open-air museum park built in a natural way that introduces and explains the unique steps involved in making our much-discussed elephant dung paper products! The interpretive walking tour through our lush gardens takes visitors through eight different pavilions explaining each stage of our fascinating process from poop collection to rinsing to the final product assembly. Visitors are encouraged to pull up a stool, roll up their sleeves, and join our talented artisans and guides to participate in our breakthrough process! In addition to rich graphics and signage, visitors will also be introduced to the long and rich history of Chiang Mai's traditional papermaking and craftsmanship. We continue the visit with a stop at the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden in Mae Rim, opened in 1992. The purpose of the facility is to conduct and promote botanical research, conserve Thailand's biodiversity and natural resources. The path called Banana Avenue will allow us to see the extraordinary collection of over 200 different varieties of bananas, mainly from Southeast Asia. We visit the 'tropical rainforest house', the largest glass greenhouse in the complex. With an area of 1,000 square meters and a height of 33 meters, it houses a vast collection of tropical species, such as palms, bananas, and ginger plants. We then stroll through the majestic Orchid House. The visit is followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, we proceed to the Baan Tipmanee woodworking shop. Here we will discover how these craftsmen produce the most famous carved wood products of Chiang Mai. In the evening, you can participate in a khantoke dinner (optional).

Free time available in Chiang Mai to explore the city at your own pace. Here ends our journey discovering the beautiful Thailand. See you on the next tour!