Arrival

On arrival at Bangkok International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a 4-night stay.  The balance of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast travel by boat through Bangkok’s bustling, narrow Klongs (canals) passing homes and temples before stopping at the beautiful Temple of Dawn.  Then continue up the Chao Praya River to the Grand Palace complex.  Here you will visit many exotic Buddhist temples, the Royal Funeral Hall, the Royal Coronation Hall, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha housing a fabulous statue, carved from a single piece of Jade and considered the holiest religious object in Thailand.  Following lunch at local restaurant, the tour continues with a visit to Wat Po, the temple of the Reclining Buddha.  The evening is at leisure.

This morning get a glimpse of everyday life in Thailand with a visit to the Damnern Saduak floating market.  After a short drive out of the city, hop into a long-tailed boat and travel past stilt houses to this unique market.  Local farmers sell their produce from boats that are laden with tropical fruits and vegetables.  Return to the city by lunchtime.  The afternoon is at leisure or you may take an optional tour (at additional cost) to see Jim Thompson’s House and the Vimarnmek Palace.  Jim Thompson is famous for having revived the Thai silk industry after WW II and his home now houses his unique collection of Asian art and artifacts.  Next, stop at the Vimarnmek Palace former home of King Rama V, built entirely of golden teak wood, the palace contains many priceless antiques.

Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Ayuthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand.  Located just to the north of Bangkok, travel by car through the busy countryside. The morning is spent touring this ancient site, a ruined city that flourished from the 14th to 18th centuries, recalling the splendor of the kingdom of Siam.  After the tour, board a riverboat that will take you back to Bangkok in leisurely fashion.  Lunch will be served on board.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Chiangmai in Northern Thailand.  On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel for a 3-night stay.  The balance of the day is at leisure.  Your hotel is located within walking distance of Chiangmai’s famous night market which you are free to explore on your own this evening.

Today enjoy a tour of this delightful northern city. Start out visiting 600 year old Doi Suthep temple complex that sits 11,600 meters above the city with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and countryside.  After lunch, spend the afternoon touring Chiangmai’s local handicraft area where Thailand’s most skilled artisans are found.  You will see silk weaving, visit a parasol-making village, and then watch how lacquer ware and teak furniture are produced. Shops abound with silverware, silk, cotton, ceramics and jewelry. 

Early this morning, drive 60kms through lovely countryside to visit the Diang Dao Elephant Camp. Watch these massive Asian pachyderms enjoy their morning bath in the Ping River before seeing how they are trained to work in the teak forests.  Then climb onto the back of an elephant and trek through the jungle to visit a Lisu hill tribe village.  Return by elephant to the camp for lunch and in the afternoon float down the Ping River on bamboo rafts, passing hilltribe villages on the way.  Next, stop at an Orchid Farm and the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens before returning to Chiangmai.
*Note:River Rafting is only conducted when weather & river conditions permit.

After breakfast, you will be transferred by road to Chiangrai for your 2-night stay.  This afternoon, tour the main market area and many of the town’s temples and monuments.  Particularly fascinating is the shimmering ‘White Temple’ with its murals and paintings of the Buddha image and painted enamel ceramic floor.  The evening is at leisure.

Today’s excursion takes you in the heart of tribal where you will meet the Yao and Akha hilltribe people and see how they live.  Next visit Mae Sai the northernmost point on the Thai/Burma border, and where there will be a stop for lunch.  Afterwords, drive through the infamous Golden Triangle where Thailand, Burma and Laos convene along the Mekong River.  The tour ends with a stop to see the magnificent ruins and temples near Chiang Saen before returning to your hotel in Chiangrai.

Today, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Bangkok.  On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a final night in Thailand.  The balance of the day and evening is at leisure.

A transfer is provided from the hotel to Bangkok’s international airport in time for your homeward flight to North America arriving in the evening.