Day 1: Arrive In Bangkok

Meet and greet upon arrival, check in and proceed to your room

Overnight in Bangkok

Day 2: Bangkok

Enjoy a half day tour visiting two of Bangkok’s most notable landmarks, the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, also referred to as the Temple of Dawn.  Start cruising to Wat Arun, continue by boat over the river until you reach Ta Chang Pier and walk to the Grand Palace- one of the most spectacular palaces in Southeast Asia.  The complex houses are not only the Royal residence and throne halls, but also government offices and the renowned Wat Phra Kaew, containing the Emerald Buddha, the symbol of the country. Enjoy an entertaining and informative guided visit.

Overnight in Bangkok

Day 3: Bangkok -DamnoenSaduakFloatingMarket

Depart in early morning for the two- hour drive to the Damnoen Saduak floating market. This vibrant market features numerous small boats laden with colourful fruits and vegetables, paddled by Thai women wearing bamboo hats. Almost always crowded with hundreds of vendors, purchasers and tourists, the best way to experience the atmosphere of the market is to board a rowing boat yourself and make your way through the small canals to buy fresh produce from the vendors. This is the only place to see the traditional way of selling and buying goods in Thailand.

Overnight in Bangkok

Day 4: Bangkok – Chiang Rai

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a domestic morning flight of about one hour to Chiang Rai. 

Begin your tour by visiting the ancient temple of Wat Phra Kae, original home of the Emerald Buddha which is now housed in Bangkok. Continue with a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Chom Thong with its large gold stupa. Visit Wat Rong Khun, which is different from any other temple in Thailand – in contrast to the ancient temples, this temple was built in 1997 and was designed using white glass. While travelling through the city, observe the influence of the city’s Chinese ethnic minorities.  Return to hotel after tour.

Overnight in Chiang Rai

Day 5  : Chiang Rai

Set high amid magnificent mountain scenery, the village of Mae Salong was founded by Kuomintan soldiers who fled China after Mao Tse Tung’s victory in 1949.  The combination of pack horses, hill tribes and southern Chinese-style houses conjures up images of a small town or village in Yunnan Province in China.  There are many fruit wines and liquors on sale at the market and the local illicit corn whisky is well worth sampling.  Wander around the village and take in the sights and sounds, and try some of the local brews if you think you can handle them!  Continue with a visit to Mae Sai, the northernmost point in Thailand situated on the border with Burma where the shops and street stalls are full of Chinese and Burmese handicrafts and antiques.  Observe the local lifestyle and engage in trade by hunting for the perfect souvenir.  After lunch, return to Chiang Rai late afternoon.

Overnight in Chiang Rai

Day 6: Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai

Start a 6-hour transfer to Chiang Mai over winding roads with incredible scenery.  On the way, make a stop to visit the Akha people, who have their origins in the Yunnan region in Southern China with their own religious beliefs and practices, based on animism and superstition. Next you will visit the Yao people, who distinguish themselves from the other tribes with their opulent attire and gold jewellery.  Last stop on the way are the Padong hill tribe people, also known as the Karen Long-neck people.  This tribe moved to Thailand from the Burmese border sometime in the 1950’s and are known for the brass rings worn around the women’s necks.

Arrive in Chiang Mai, have dinner at a traditional restaurant while you enjoy a colourful northern Thai Khan Toke dance show.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Day 7: Chiang Mai

Enjoy a day with elephants, Thailand’s most loved animal, visit Chiang Dao Elephant Training Camp,  watch a herd of elephants taking their morning bath in a mountain stream.  See elephant demonstration and enjoy a one-hour elephant ride through the jungle that surrounding the camp. After lunch enjoy a one-hour bamboo raft trip downstream.  Float down the river and take in the tranquillity and beauty of the area.  Set foot again on the mainland and transfer back to Chiang Mai.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to the airport for departure flight.

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