9 Days Experience Thailand- Bangkok to the North

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL BANGKOK

Pass By: Century Park Hotel
Arrive at Bangkok Airport, where our representative will meet and greet you. Then, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your centrally located hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the beautiful Thai capital. Bangkok, ‘the City of Angels’, is the most populous city in the country and it is packed with cultural attractions, tantalizing food stalls, and countless shopping temptations.
Overnight in Bangkok.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Century Park hotel or similar 4*

Day 2: BANGKOK SIGHTSEEING TOUR

Pass By: Century Park Hotel
Wait for your pick-up after breakfast for a tour encompassing the three most popular Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Start with a visit to the Royal Grand Palace, a great architectural masterpiece comprising several buildings from the outside and a magical inside, which 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, which shouldn’t be missed. The building houses the Wat Po, Bangkok's oldest temple, in which is located the famous gold leaf-covered reclining Buddha. This tour includes also the temple Wat Trimit, with its 5.5-tonne Golden Buddha. Spend the evening free at your own leisure. Perhaps you could indulge yourself with a traditional Thai Massage, surprise your taste buds with the amazing local flavours and cap off the day by enjoying sunset in any of the stylish rooftop bars which have blossomed in the city’s sky scrapers in recent years… the options are limitless.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Century Park hotel or similar 4*

Day 3: RAILWAY MARKET AND DAMNERN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET

Pass By: Century Park Hotel
Depart from Bangkok and head to Maeklong Railway Marker, as knows as Talad Rom Hoop. Upon arrival the guide will introduce you to the history of this area. See the action in several minutes before the train passing through the market. The process happens so quick it will amaze you for the unique moment. Then go to the world-famous floating market of “Damnoen Saduak”, there are countless floating markets throughout the country, the colorfully clad merchants at these lively markets paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruits and vegetables to sell to shoppers on the banks. This is an exciting and fun way to see the local like and to go bargain hunting. Transfer back to Bangkok. Breakfast and lunch included.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Century Park hotel or similar 4*

Day 4: BANGKOK – AYUTTHAYA – PHITSANULOK (405km – 6 hrs)

Pass By: Amarin Lagoon Hotel
After being picked up from your 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 Wat Phanan Choeng in the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Chai Nat, then continue to Phitsanulok for a brief orientation tour of the city before checking in at the hotel.
Overnight in Phitsanulok.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Amarin Lagoon or similar 4*

Day 5: PHITSANULOK – SUKHOTHAI – LAMPANG (410km – 5.5 hrs)

Pass By: Wienglakor Hotel
After breakfast at the hotel, head to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat to join the locals in their morning prayers and offerings in this historic temple, 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 Lampang for the evening.
Overnight in Lampang.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Wienglakor Hotel or similar 3.5*

Day 6: LAMPANG – PHAYAO – GOLDEN TRIANGLE – CHIANG RAI (470km – 5.5 hrs)

Pass By: Laluna Hotel and Resort
After breakfast, explore the wonderful Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, just a brief drive from Lampang, and marvel at the elaborate decorations and beautiful Buddha statues. Continue north, stopping briefly at Phayao Lake for a coffee break, continuing to the southern outskirts of Chiang Rai to visit Wat Rong Khun, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its ornate white exterior, with embedded mirror pieces, gives it a resplendent appearance, making it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Continue to Chiang Rai for lunch. Afterwards, head to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. This natural wilderness gained an unwanted notoriety in the 1960s because of the abundant opium cultivation in the area. Then 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). Later, visit the 212 House of Opium and stroll around its rare collection of opium paraphernalia such as weights, scales and pipes. Learn the history of this drug and about the devastating effect its trade had on local communities.
Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Laluna or similar 4*

Day 7: CHIANG RAI – CHIANG MAI (220km – 8.5 hrs)

Pass By: Empress Apartments
Enjoy a lively start to the day’s activities at the fragrant and vibrant Chiang Rai morning market and then a brief stop at Wat Phra Kaew temple. After, delve deeper into local culture at the Hill tribe Museum and Education Centre, where the lifestyles of the area’s mountain peoples are explained along with the challenges to their survival. Continue by road to Tha Ton and enjoy a tasty lunch before heading to the ancient city of Chiang Mai. On arrival, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most revered temples in the country. This sacred location is at the top of a mountain from where you can appreciate stunning panoramic views over the city. To reach the temple requires a climb up a 309-step naga staircase. Alternatively, a cable car (included) takes you to the temple.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Empress Chiang Mai or similar 4*

Day 8: CHIANG MAI

Pass By: Empress Apartments
After a good dose of culture and history, it is time for a day of wildlife and nature in the jungles near Chiang Mai. Get up close and personal with the animal kingdom at the Thai Elephant Care Centre, which was established to provide care for elderly elephants retired from logging and camps. Appreciate these gentle giants, learn more about their nature, their individual traits, their lifestyles, their talents and their charms. If the time is right, watch them play during their bath-time. Continue the visit with a stop at the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden in Mae Rim, which first opened in 1992. The facility’s purpose is to promote botanical research and biodiversity and to conserve Thailand’s natural plant resources. The Banana Avenue trail takes you to see the tremendous collection of over 200 different varieties of banana trees, mainly from Southeast Asia. Visit the Tropical Rainforest house, the largest conservatory of the glass complex. With a floor space of 1,000 square metres by 33 metres high, it holds a wide collection of tropical species, such as palms, banana trees and ginger plants. Then stroll through the majestic Orchid House. Another highlight 20 metres up in the air amongst the mountain treetops is Thailand’s longest canopy walkway. The walkway stretches around 370 metres, winding along the mountainside. With glass viewing platforms every 50 to 100 metres, you will certainly feel part of the landscape. Look down at the subtropical jungle plants far below your feet or gaze around at the surrounding mountains. At the end of the walkway you are rewarded with views stretching across the lush subtropical valley. The visit is followed by lunch at local restaurant. After, continue to the Baan Tipmanee woodworking shop. Learn how these artisans make Chiang Mai’s most famous carved wooden products. An optional khantoke dinner is available in the evening.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Empress Chiang Mai or similar 4*

Day 9: DEPART CHIANG MAI

Pass By: Empress Apartments
Relax over breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy the freedom of Chiang Mai. Explore the city at your own pace and leisure and catch the sights and attractions of this city teeming with green spaces and popularly known as the ‘Rose of the North’. The day is yours to do as you wish. Departure transfer to Chiang Mai Airport included.
Breakfast included.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.