Explore the hypnotising north of Thailand and discover its main cultural attractions, during this magical seven-day tour from Bangkok to Chiang Rai. This fascinating region offers you a plethora of historic monuments, memorable landscapes, gastronomic delights, and wonderful wildlife. Enjoy a boat trip around the Golden Triangle and learn about Thailand’s culture and history visiting museums and ancient temples.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Chiang Mai: Visit a tribal village, cruise a river on a longtail boat, take in the views from the hilltop Wat Doi Suthep temple and much more.
Chiang Rai: Learn about local cultures at the Hilltribe Museum , explore remote tribal villages in the highlands, and discover the dazzling Wat Rong Khun temple.
Golden Triangle: The area where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers
Day 1: ARRIVAL BANGKOK
Arrive at the Bangkok International Airport, meet and greet and transfer to your hotel (transfer unescorted). Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps indulge yourself with a traditional Thai massage, delight your taste buds with the amazing local flavours and cap off the day by enjoying the sunset at any of the stylish rooftop bars which have blossomed in the city’s skyscrapers in recent years - the options are limitless.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 2: BANGKOK
Full day at leisure to discover Bangkok on your own or to take one of the many optional excursions available on the spot. For those who have never been to Bangkok we suggest a half day tour of the most popular Buddhist temple and Landmark in the city of angels (optional, not included). The Royal Grand Palace, a great architectural masterpiece of several buildings from the outside and a magical inside was used as a royal residence from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. It is without any doubt a national reference and possibly the most visited royal monument of Thailand, and it shouldn’t be missed. The building houses the "Wat Phra Kaew", Bangkok's most sacred temple, where the famous Emerald Buddha is located.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 3: BANGKOK – PHITSANULOK (400 km – 5hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel head to Bang Pa-In to visit the sumptuous Summer Palace of Rama V. Continue to the former capital of Ayutthaya and contemplate the ancient temples of Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Wat Mahathat and museum in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant. Then proceed to Phitsanulok for check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Phitsanulok.
Day 4: PHITSANULOK – CHIANG MAI (350 km – 5hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, head to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat which houses one of Thailand’s most revered Buddha statues. Depart for Sukhothai to explore this ancient city packed with historical landmarks, the most impressive being the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the ruined temples and palaces as well as the Buddha statues of all sizes. Lunch en route at a local restaurant. A short drive away is Si Satchanalai, which boasts the evocative ruins of half a dozen temples, including Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat – which is reached by crossing a wooden suspension bridge – as well as countless statues of Buddha and elephants. This usually quiet location offers a special spiritual interlude to the tour before arriving in Chiang Mai.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 5: CHIANG MAI
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to Elephant Poopoopaper Park, an eco-friendly, naturally built outdoor museum park that introduces and explains the unique steps involved in making our much talked about paper products from elephant poop fibres! The interpretive walking tour through our lush gardens brings visitors through eight different pavilions explaining each stage of our fascinating process from poo collection to rinsing to final product assembly. Visitors are encouraged to pull up a stool, roll up their sleeves and join with our talented artisans and guides and participate in our head-turning process! Complemented by the presence of rich graphics and signage, visitors will also be introduced to Chiang Mai's long and rich history of traditional papermaking and handicrafts production. After lunch continue to the bustling Wararot Market, a historical landmark renowned for the variety and quality of its produce, before visiting the fragrant flower market.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 6: CHIANG MAI – CHIANG RAI (200 km - 3hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city. The temple is reached by climbing a 309-step naga staircase or via cable car (included). If the views are stunning, the temple itself is even better and boasts a number of dazzling structures. Continue to visit the historic Wat Suan Dok and admire its 48-metre-high Sri Lankan-style chedi, which overlooks the Royal Cemetery. After lunch at a local restaurant continue by road with a stop at Wat Rong Khun, nicknamed the ‘White Temple’, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its ornate all-white exterior with embedded pieces of mirror gives it a resplendent appearance, which makes it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Continue to Chiang Rai for check-in.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.
Day 7: CHIANG RAI – GOLDEN TRIANGLE – DEPARTURE CHIANG RAI
After breakfast at hotel visit Wat Rong Seua Ten (Blue Temple). Its magnificent blue interior with a large white Buddha that marks the spirits “Seua Ten” literally means the dancing tiger, there were tigers who used to jump over the river. At the present temple location, there was a ruin of a temple abandoned 80 to 100 years ago. In 1996, the villagers decided to rebuild a temple. The construction started in October 2005; the White Buddha was completed in 2008 while the main hall was only completed on January 2016. Continue by road to the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. Enjoy a boat trip around the Golden Triangle with a stop at Don Sao Island, which forms part of Laos (boat trip lasts approx. 45 minutes). Lunch at the Imperial Golden Triangle hotel. Then proceed to Chiang Rai airport in the late afternoon (please book your flight accordingly).
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Thailand. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
