Appealing grand tour to Thailand

Arrive Bangkok

• Activities:

  Arrive in Bangkok, relax

• Meal:

  N/A

• Included:

  Airport pickup with guide, hotel in Bangkok

You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Bangkok

• Activities:

  Visit Wat Traimit, Wat Pho, Wat Benjabophit, take a trip to Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, guide, ground transportation, entrance fees, hotel in Bangkok

Discover three of Bangkok's finest temples: Wat Traimit houses a striking 3-metre tall Golden Buddha image - a gleaming, 5-ton figure of solid gold. Wat Pho houses the highly revered giant Reclining Buddha and traditional massage school, while Wat Benjabophit is famous for its elegant, white marble facade and Buddha images lining the cloister walls behind the main chapel. Alternatively, combine a tour to the three temples above with a visit to the Grand Palace. Inside its 61-acre complex, you'll encounter what is undoubtedly one of the wonders of the world, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Overnight in Bangkok

Bangkok - Kanchanaburi

• Activities:

  Travel to Samut Songkhram, visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, drive to Kanchanaburi

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide, ground transportation, boat trip, hotel in Kanchanaburi

Early this morning, drive south from Bangkok to the garden province of Samut Songhkhram (80 kms) in the Mae Klong River delta area. Visit a unique country market along the railway tracks where a variety of goods are sold and the train travels through bringing people to the market. Afterwards continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market where you can stroll around the colourful floating marketplace bustling with boats and vendors selling tropical fruits and other delights. Then drive further to Kanchanaburi where you will find the famous bridge on the River Kwai, built by Allied prisoners of war during World War II and train ride and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The restaurant is situated near the famous bridge on the River Kwai. Continue to board the long tail boat to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi

• Activities:

  Go to Erawan Waterfall, stop over a local temple

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, guide, ground transportation, entrance fees, hotel in Kanchanaburi

Breakfast at your hotel, depart for Erawan Waterfall,a beautiful 7-tiered waterfall. Located in Erawan National Park. To walk up to see each of the picturesque falls, it is recommended to bring good walking shoes. Also do remember to bring your swimming suit if you wish to swim in the fall’s natural pools. On the way back stop at a local a temple for private blessing and special merit. Dinner and night in Kanchanaburi. Overnight in Kanchanaburi

Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya

• Activities:

  Depart for Ayutthaya, take a boat trip to Lopburi River, stop at Elephant Village and Elephant Kraal Pavilion, travel along Pasak River and stop at Ban Srijampa

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, dinner, guide, ground transportation, bicycle, cruise, entrance fees, hotel in Ayutthaya

After breakfast, we drive leave the beautiful nature of Kanchanaburi behind and head to historic Ayutthaya. Visit some important ruined temples in the historical park. Afternoon board the Thanatharee rice barge at Ayutthaya pier (Wat Prasat) and cruise up river to Lopburi River, a small branch of the Chao Phraya. Stop and take a bicycle ride to explore the small villages along the river and learn about the cottage industries that the local people are engaged in. Stop at the Elephant Village where many of Ayutthaya’s elephants live with their mahouts and also the Elephant Kraal Pavilion which was formerly used for the Royal Elephant Round-Up. Rejoin the barge and cruise along Pasak River. Moor at the village of Ban Srijampa on Maenam Pasak and enjoy dinner on board. Overnight on Ayutthaya.

Ayutthaya - Lopburi - Sukothai

• Activities:

  Attend alms offering, visit Aranyik village, meet local children, enjoy Thai homemade snack, tour around Prasat Nakorn Luang, travel to Sukhothai

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, guide, ground transportation, cruise, bicycle, entrance fees, hotel in Sukhothai

In the morning offer food to the monks on their morning alms round and after breakfast head to Aranyik by bike, a village renowned for its hand-crafted knives and all kinds of cutting utensils. Continue by bike through this rich agricultural landscape, pass paddy fields and plantations to visit a school to meet the local children. Afterwards make a short stop at a house making home-made Thai snack freshly made from peanuts and coconut. Visit Prasat Nakorn Luang, a summer retreat for the royal family in the late-Ayutthaya period and built in a unique blend of architectural styles resembling a Khmer shrine. Rejoin the Thanatharee and cruise back to the Chao Phraya River. Lunch and depart from Ayutthaya to Sukhothai. Sukhothai means “dawn of happiness”. The city was founded in the 13th century and became the kingdom’s first capital, known as the golden age of Thai history. We will visit Sukhothai Historical Park which was once a walled city surrounded by a moat by bike. Overnight in Sukothai

Sukothai - Lampang - Chiang Mai

• Activities:

  Arrive in Lampang, stop at some villages, visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Wat Pong Sanook, depart for Chiang Mai

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, guide, ground transportation, horse cart, entrance fees, hotel in Chiang Mai

Depart up north to Lampang with a stop on the way at a village in Sri Satchanalai, Baan Na Ton Chan, and walk through the charming small village. Experience the heartbeat of Thailand on this experiential tour that seeks to bring travelers and locals together while exposing a side of the country that is rarely seen by visitors. On the visit you will pick fruit alongside locals, see what it is like to work in a rice paddy field and generally get an idea of how communities in this region are adopting sustainable living practices. Observe the innate craftsmanship of the country when you visit the home of a wooden toy manufacturer and a local silk weaver. Stop on the way at Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, one of the most spectacular temples in Thailand dating back to 1486. You will have the opportunity to take a horse cart ride through the town. Also visit Wat Pong Sanook, a temple awarded by UNESCO for Culture Heritage Conservation provides an inspirational model of community-led conservation in saving a unique Lanna temple. Continue the drive to the northern capital, Chiang Mai. Overnight in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai - Lisu Lodge

• Activities:

  Go to Doi Suthep mountain, visit sacred temples Wat Umong and Viham, enjoy Thai specialties, tour around Lisu Lodge

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, guide, ground transportation, entrance fees, accommodation at Lisu Lodge

Depart your hotel at 06.00 AM and arrive at the foot hill of Doi Suthep mountain, in time to buy offerings and join the locals during the daily alms giving ceremony, climb up to Wat Doi Suthep. Then proceed to Wat Umong, built in the 14th century, a heavily forested temple covered by moss and small plants offering a unique yet charming sense of natural decay. After a walk through its mysterious tunnels you reach the Viharn of the temple to experience your own private blessing ceremony. After this you have the option to return to the hotel for a late breakfast, or enjoy this lovely day with a delicious bowl of Khao Soy. This famous Northern Thai dish is a combination of coconut cream, crispy noodles and plenty of spice that is sure to delight! Depart at Lisu Lodge. Later in the morning, our Lisu guide will take you for a walk through the village. You will start from the Ton Lung temple to view the herbal garden and visit some local families with a stop for a cup of tea and a spot of traditional medicine at the shaman's house. Return to Lisu Lodge for a tasty Thai Lunch. After the lunch visit the cultural center created by the villagers, where you will find a collection of typical household items and tools used by the Lisu and Akha mountain tribes. Overnight in Lisu Lodge

Lisu Lodge - Hmong Hilltribe Lodge

• Activities:

  Arrive in Mae Rim district, visit orchid nursery and hilltribe villages

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide, ground transportation, entrance fees, accommodation at Hmong hilltribe Lodge

Depart from Lisu Lodge to Mae Rim district, stop on the way for visit orchid nursery, where more than 50 types of beautiful orchids bloom year-round. Here you will also be able to see numerous colorful and rare butterflies. After lunch drive through the hilly road via some hilltribe village, where you can find a comfortable lodge which is surrounded by beautiful lush jungle and rice terraces. In the evening enjoy with barbecue dinner and cultural presentations. Overnight at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge

Hmong Lodge - Chiang Mai

• Activities:

  Arrive in Chiang Mai, check in, relax

• Meal:

  Breakfast

• Included:

  Breakfast, guide, ground transportation, hotel in Chiang Mai

Breakfast and depart for Chiang Mai. Check-in at the hotel in Chiang Mai and free time to relax at leisre. Overnight in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai - Phuket - Khao Sok

• Activities:

  Depart for Phuket, travel to Khao Sok, visit elephant camp, enjoy dinner in forest

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, dinner, airport transfers with guides, entrance fees, accommodation in Khao Sok

Depart to Chiang Mai airport for a direct flight to Phuket. Arrive at Phuket airport and meet with local guide for transfer to Khao Sok. En-route glimpses of tropical rural life here in southern Thailand can be seen along the way. Arrive at the elephant camp, here you can see, touch and learn about the life of Thai elephants and about the elephant project the company is running. Also the guide will explain about the mahout, the man who takes care of the elephant. In the evening, it’s time for dinner in this unique location beside the rainforest, the sounds and atmosphere will make this a memorable experience. Overnight in luxury safari tents with comfortable beds, reading lights, hot water and western style toilets. Overnight at Elephant Hills, Khao Sok

Khao Sok

• Activities:

  Explore a lake and jungle, back to Elephant Hills

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide, ground transportation, boat trip, entrance fees, accommodation in Khao Sok

The activity planned for today is to explore a lake in the jungle by local boat. The lake is surrounded by Limestone Mountains and cliffs covered in tropical rainforest that rise up from the shore of the lake and disappear into the far distance. The scenery has been compared to Qualin in China or Halong Bay in Vietnam. Few people know of the lake and even less has visited it. There are over one hundred islands in the lake and it is over 60 km from north to south. We will see some of the spectacular scenery from the boat and have time for a swim depending on the weather. Please bring swimsuit and a towel. A packed lunch will be provided. In the late afternoon return to Elephant Hills for dinner and overnight in your luxury tents where a good night’s sleep is assured after all your jungle exploring activities. Overnight at Elephant Hills, Khao Sok

Khao Sok - Phuket - Departure

• Activities:

  Relax at your leisure, enjoy lunch in forest, depart

• Meal:

  Breakfast, Lunch

• Included:

  Breakfast, lunch, airport transfer with guide

After breakfast spend time at your leisure. Weather permitting lunch will be served in the rainforest cooked in bamboo, a tradition of jungle explorers for centuries past. In the afternoon it’s time to return to Elephant Hills then onward transfer to your hotel or the airport in Phuket (or Krabi, or Khao Lak).