| Suggested
Itinerary - ( 08 Days ) |
Day
1 |
Bangkok,
Thailand
Upon arrival in Bangkok, you are met and transferred
to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the balance of
the day at leisure. Bangkok can soothe or ruffle, and it often does
both. While contemplating the sunrise at a temple
or monks collecting alms, you'll marvel at what
peace can be found in the midst of such a chaotic
metropolis. A cultural hub in Southeast Asia,
the city is a collage of urban squalor, gleaming
affluence, abject poverty, exotic consumerism
and astounding pollution. Most certainly, Bangkok
will assault your senses. It's fascinating and
indulgent, but it requires time and patience.
|
Day
2 |
Bangkok
Breakfast at hotel. This morning travel by long-tail
speed boat on the picturesque Chao Phraya River
and klongs (canals) to see the serene family
houses and temples along the waterways that
give this city the name “Venice of the
East.” Visit the elegant Temple of Dawn,
whose 79-m spire silhouette has become so identified
with Bangkok. We’ll stop at a neighborhood
monastery to learn about Thai Buddhism and
at an old wooden schoolhouse where kids delight
in visitors (school is closed on Saturday and
Sunday).
After lunch at the Supatra River House, visit
the Grand Palace, a lavish, awe-inspiring monument
of tapering gilded spires, majestic pavilions,
dazzling murals, and brilliant colors. A glorious
example of Thai architecture through the ages,
the Grand Palace is a feast for the senses. Housed
in its own temple, the Emerald Buddha is the most
sacred image of the Buddha in Thailand and is believed
to guarantee the independence and prosperity of
the nation.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the
Royal Funeral Hall and the Royal Coronation Hall.
Passing through Chinatown, stop at Wat Po (Temple
of the Reclining Buddha), which is the largest
and oldest temple in Bangkok. Return to your hotel
and enjoy the evening at leisure.
|
Day
3 |
Bangkok
- Chiang Mai
Transfer to the Bangkok airport for your flight
to Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest
city combines the relaxed, slow motion world of
a Thai village with the facilities and sights
of a
big city. The city has a rich and colorful history,
still evident in the architecture that includes
more than 300 wats (temples). The most significant
and
interesting wats are located within the city walls.
You are met at the Chiang Mai airport and transferred
to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon visit
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s most
fascinating temple. This 600-year-old temple sits
near the summit of Doi Suthep, a 5250-ft/1,600-meter
peak named after the hermit Sudeva who lived on
the mountain's slopes for many years. After a drive
up
the mountain's winding road, the final climb to
the site is up a magnificent Naga (dragon-headed
serpent)
staircase of 306 steps. Inside the cloisters is
an intriguing copper-plated chedi topped by a five-tier
gold umbrella that contains partial relics of Lord
Buddha. On a clear day, there are incomparable
views
of the city from the temple grounds. Enjoy lunch
at a local restaurant. Afternoon at leisure.
This evening, visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
With its wide range of goods at competitive prices,
this easily rivals Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market.
Inside are endless stalls selling hill tribe crafts,
leather goods, and clothing.
|
Day
4 |
Chiang
Mai
Breakfast at hotel. Visit Doi Inthanon National
Park, home to Thailand’s highest mountain
(8415 feet/ 2,565 meters). The park offers beautiful
scenery,
evergreen forests, dwarf rhododendron groves and
many types of habitat. The
area is popular for bird-watching, with nearly
400 bird species, many from North Asia including
mountain hawks and Eurasian woodcocks. Drive
up the peak to the Air Force Radar Station and
King
Inthawichayanon’s stupa.
Continue on to Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon
and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri, twin
pagodas, which were built to commemorate the
fifth cycle
birthdays of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen
Sirikit. Both pagodas share similar bases as
well
as a two-level walking path that surrounds
them. The pagodas enshrine Lord Buddha’s
ashes and Buddha images, and overlook the magnificent
scenery of Doi Inthanon. Continue on to visit
a Karen hill tribe village and the Royal Project.
Enjoy lunch and a short walk to visit Mae Klang
Waterfall.
|
Day
5 |
Chiang
Mai - Chiang Rai
This morning, drive north to Chiang Rai via Thaton,
stopping first at Chiang Dao elephant training
camp to watch the elephants as they take their
morning
bath in the stream. Optional elephant ride (additional
fees apply.) Continue on to the Fang District and
stop at a local hot spring. Enjoy lunch at a local
restaurant en route. After lunch, continue north
to the “Golden Triangle,” where the
borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) meet.
Transfer
to your hotel for check-in. |
Day
6 |
Golden
Triangle
Northern Thailand is famous for its colorful
hill tribes. Drive to the Mae Chan district and
continue
along the narrow mountain road to visit the simple
Akha and Yao hill tribe villages. The Akha, from
Tibet, are amongst the poorest of Thailand’s
ethnic minorities. The Yao, originating in China,
are heavily influenced by Chinese traditions and
still use Chinese characters in their writing.
Continue on to Mae Sai, the most northern trading
border town between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma)
and proceed to the Golden Triangle area for lunch.
After lunch, explore the area by riverboat. Continue
along the Khong River to Laos Island at Don Sao.
Visit Chiang Saen, the ancient city built on the
steep banks of the Mae Khong River, where you will
see magnificent ruins and temples.
|
Day
7 |
Chiang
Rai - Bangkok
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to the Chiang
Rai Airport for flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival,
transfer to your hotel and enjoy the day at leisure
in Bangkok.
|
Day
8 |
Bangkok
- Depart
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to the airport for your
onward flight home.
|
|
|
