Begin with comprehensive touring in Bangkok. With your own private guide, enjoy a fascinating, private long-tail boat tour through Bangkok’s canals. Visit the most important temples. Learn about Buddhist practices and influences on daily life.
Hear monks chanting at a morning ceremony. Explore colorful markets selling textiles, flowers, food and crafts. Visit small museums and interesting local neighborhoods. When not sightseeing, enjoy time at the world’s leading spa, swim, play tennis, shop for exquisite Thai silks and artwork, and dine on some of Southeast Asia’s best cuisine.
Spend several days in rural Chiang Mai in northern Thailand at one of Asia’s most luxurious and atmospheric resorts, surrounded by mountains and lush fields of terraced rice paddies.
TOUR CODE: 9D-THAILAND
PLACES VISIT: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Dao, Chiang Rai, Tha Chilek
DEPARTURE DATES: Dates are flexible and customizable for private departures.
Trip Highlights
- Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok
- Day 2: Bangkok
- Day 3: Bangkok - Chiang Mai
- Day 4: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep & leisure bik
- Day 5: Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center
- Day 6: Chiang Mai - Cooking class
- Day 7: Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai
- Day 8: Side trip to Burma & the Golden Triang
- Day 9: Bangkok - Departure
Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok
You will be met at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and transfer to the hotel by private air conditioned vehicle with your English speaking guide. After check in, the rest of the day is free on your own.
Day 2: Bangkok (B, L)
You will start out with a visit to the Grand Palace and the “Emerald Buddha Temple”, Wat Phra Kaeo . Before entering the main gate to the temple of the Emerald Buddha , you can stop by the Royal Regalia Museum to see the beauty of its decorative jewelry, which used to be the ornaments of royal officers and consorts. You’ll continue exploring Wat Pho , the “Reclining Buddha Temple,” the oldest and biggest temple, with the largest number of pagodas (95 in all).
In the afternoon, you will take a long-tailed boat along the Chao Phraya River to see Thai life. You will pass the Grand Palace and pay a brief visit to the Royal Barge Museum, which houses ceremonial King’s Barges decorated with multi-colored glass, gilt and stucco. You will disembark at Wat Arun , the “Temple of Dawn”, to visit the tallest prang in Thailand.
Day 3: Bangkok – Chiang Mai (B)
You will have free until time transfer to the airport for the flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
This afternoon, you will drive to visit Chiang Mai’s famous temples: Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Suan Dok, which has the North’s largest chapel royal. The evening is free and you will stay overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 4: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep & leisure bik
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a must visit in Chiang Mai. The temple is perched high on Doi Suthep Hill, 3,500 feet above sea level, overlooking the whole city. The repository of a sacred relic of the Lord Buddha, the temple is regarded as the holiest religious place of Chiang Mai. You will continue your visit to Phu Ping Palace and their Majesties’ Winter Palace (4,000 feet above sea level). You will also visit Wat Jed Yod (AD 1455) instead if Phu Ping Palace which is closed to public.
This afternoon, you will take a leisurely bicycle journey along the Ping River over quiet, narrow roads and through local fruit orchards, rice paddies and small villages. You can stop occasionally to visit temples, markets, traditional northern Thai houses and a local Thai school.
Day 5: Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center (B)
After breakfast, you will head out on an excursion to visit an elephant working site located at Ta Yaak Village, Chiang Dao District, approximately 70 km from Chiang Mai. On the way, you can observe the way of living of people who live on the outskirts of the Chiang Mai area and pass by Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and many hill tribe villages, including that of the long neck hill tribe.
Upon arrival in Chiang Dao, you’ll visit the elephant working camp on the banks of the Mae Ping River and then enjoy an exciting trek on an elephant around camp, through the jungle and along the river. Afterwards, you will board bamboo rafts along a very picturesque stretch of the Mea Ping River to see the beautiful scenery down the river. The rafting lasts about an hour but depends on the depth of the water and the speed of the current. You will transfer back to your hotel for an overnight stay in Chiang Mai.
Day 6: Chiang Mai – Cooking class (B, L)
Today, you will escape from the bustling city and go to the relaxing countryside and enjoy a cooking class with a local family in a local village. Upon arrival at the house, you can take a walk around the farm while the chef explains about the herbs and ingredients. Then, you’ll learn to cook the first three courses you choose and have lunch with what you have prepared on the terrace.
After lunch, you are free to relax after going back to the hotel.
Day 7: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai (B, L)
You will start a scenic drive of around 3 hours to Chiang Mai, with stops en route for a visit to Wat Rong Khun Temple . The temple is different from any other temple in Thailand, as it has been constructed entirely in a radiant white color with sparking reflections from mirrored glass mosaics embedded in the white plaster. You will h ave lunch at a local restaurant en route . On the way, there are many opportunities for you to take photos and meet with tribal locals. Upon arrival, check-in at your resort with the remainder of the day free to explore the resort and its facilities and amenities.
Day 8: Side trip to Burma & the Golden Triang
In the morning, you will go on an exciting excursion to Mae Sai , a border of Thailand and Burma for a visit to Tha Chilek. After finishing formalities, you’ll cross the Sai River into Tha Chilek, where you can witness local Burmese life in a nearby village. You can take a tricycle ride to explore Tha Chilek with its Shan-style temple and then ride around the town through lanes and side streets, ending at the local market, famous for products from Southern China, Laos and Burma.
Afterwards, you will continue to visit the world famous Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet . You will have lunch at a local restaurant and the visit the Hall of Opium, an insightful museum focusing on the history of the Golden Triangle and the opium trade. This multi-million dollar museum in the sleepy village of Baan Sop Ruak provides an in-depth look at the history of the area’s association with opium.
Day 9: Bangkok – Departure (B)
There are no activities planned for today so you are free until transfer to Chiang Rai Airport for your departure to Bangkok or next destination.