Tour of the splendid Thailand

Welcome to Thailand! Arriving at Chiang Rai airport, we are greeted and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You might want to explore the heart of the old city, dating back to the reign of King Mangrai in the 13th century, or stroll through the night bazaar for a taste of Chiang Rai.

Our tour of Thailand begins with a visit to the Hilltribe museum and cultural center, along the way we can admire the iconic monument of King Mangrai. We will discover the dozens of mountain tribes that have lived for centuries in the highlands around the city and learn how they have managed to survive the spread of globalization. We continue towards the Mae Chan district to explore the remote villages of the hill tribes of the Yao and Akha people and experience their lifestyle firsthand. We take the road to Mae Sai, a small border town with a bustling market, before heading into the heart of the infamous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. This wild natural area gained unwanted notoriety in the 1960s due to the abundant cultivation of opium. After lunch, we continue towards the Chiang Saen district where you can visit the Wat Phra That Chom Kitti temple, which is reached by climbing a 350-step staircase. Return to Chiang Rai with the rest of the day at your leisure.

We begin your adventure after breakfast at the hotel, heading towards Chiang Mai. On the southern outskirts of Chiang Rai, we stop at the magnificent Wat Rong Khun, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its decorated and completely white exterior, with pieces of mirror embedded, makes it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. We continue to Chiang Mai where, 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 splendid panoramic views of the city. To reach the temple, you must climb a 309-step Naga staircase. Alternatively, you can take a cable car to the temple. We head towards the riverbank and board a boat for a cruise along the picturesque Ping River. We stop at a farm to savor a delicious khao soi noodle curry while enjoying interesting dance performances. After a stroll through the flower and local fresh produce market, we return to the hotel. The cable car ride is included in the price.

Let's enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the Elephant Poopoopaper Park, an eco-friendly open-air museum park built naturally 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 collecting the dung to rinsing and assembling the final product. Visitors are encouraged to step up on a stool, roll up their sleeves, and join our talented artisans and guides to participate in our production process! In addition to rich graphics and signage, visitors will also be introduced to the long and rich history of Chiang Mai and its traditional papermaking and craftsmanship. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Chiang Mai for an afternoon exploring this ancient city. The historic center of Chiang Mai is still surrounded by remnants of the old defensive walls and a moat. We visit the historic Wat Suan Dok temple and admire its 48-meter-high Sri Lankan style chedi overlooking the Royal Cemetery. We proceed to the Wat Phra Sing temple in the historic center and appreciate the beauty of this large complex of over 60 buildings before visiting the 14th-century Wat Chedi Luang in the heart of the old city. In the evening, we may participate in a khantoke dinner (optional and not included).

Today we leave for Lamphun where we can visit the Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a complex of golden temples whose origins date back to the Mon Kingdom in the eighth century. We then visit the picturesque town of Lampang where we can admire the historic temple of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. After a delicious lunch, let's relax with a scenic tour at the Sukhothai Historical Park. We explore the park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which covers the ruins of ancient Sukhothai, the first capital of the kingdom of the same name.

We start our day in a spiritual way, joining the local people in offering food to the Buddhist monks during the morning alms. Let's head south for a delicious lunch in Chai Nat. The journey from Sukhothai to Ayutthaya, passing through Uthai Thani, reflects the southward expansion of Siam, following the historical development of the kingdom. We arrive at Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam, and visit the Ayutthaya Historical Park where the Wat Phra Si Sanphet temple and the adjacent Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit are located. We contemplate the golden Buddha and continue to the ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat, with its famous Buddha statue engulfed by tree roots. This collection of wonderful heritage has earned the park the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today we set off on a journey through pastoral landscapes virtually unchanged by time until we reach Kanchanaburi, a quiet town at the confluence of the Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai rivers. This town is renowned for the beauty of its natural surroundings and abundant wildlife, but it also holds an unwanted place in history as it is home to the infamous 'Death Railway Bridge' from World War II, immortalized in the Hollywood classic: "The Bridge on the River Kwai". We visit the war cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of soldiers, and the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre museum which will reveal the horrific conditions in which Allied prisoners of war and Thai slaves worked to build a military railway. After lunch, the rest of the day is free.

Departing from Kanchanaburi after breakfast at the hotel, taking the scenic route towards Nakhon Pathom where you can visit the local temple with the magnificent Phra Pathommachedi stupa, standing 127 meters tall, the tallest of its kind in the world. We will then continue to the district of Damnoen Saduak, famous for its lively and colorful floating markets. Breathe in the scents of the Orient as dozens of boats glide along the waterways, selling fresh fruits and vegetables and tasty local delicacies. The noise and bustle of the floating market are the quintessence of Thai experiences. We continue towards Bangkok until we reach your city hotel.

Enjoy a full day at your leisure, discovering Bangkok freely. For those who have never been to Bangkok, we suggest a half-day tour of the most popular Buddhist temples. The Grand Palace, an architectural masterpiece of several buildings, was used as the royal residence from the 18th century until the mid-20th century. It is undoubtedly a national landmark and perhaps the most visited royal monument in Thailand. The complex houses the "Wat Phra Kaew", Bangkok's most sacred temple, where the famous Emerald Buddha is located. In the evening, we suggest enjoying an optional Thai and international buffet dinner while cruising along the Chao Phraya River, also known as the River of Kings. Discover famous sites like Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and the Grand Palace. Onboard entertainment will give you the chance to listen to live music and watch an interesting show. The dinner cruise is not included.

Wake up with one last breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure until the transfer to Bangkok airport. Our journey in Thailand ends here. Until the next tour!