A classic tour which takes in some of Thailand's most important destinations, this two week journey through the 'Land of Smiles' visits the country's capital Bangkok, its second city of Chiang Mai, the 'Golden Triangle' and one of Thailand's best beaches. From Bangkok, you will head north to see elephants, hill tribes and the border with Laos & Myanmar. After the sightseeing, there is time to relax at Khao Lak.
From £3,195 per person.
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Flight: TG911 London Heathrow - Bangkok 11.50 - 06.10 (overnight)
Meet & Greet: On arrival at Bangkok Airport, you will be welcomed to Thailand by your private English-speaking guide and then transferred to your hotel to check in and relax.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Night Hotel (Silver Room)
City skyline, BangkokMorning's guided tour of Bangkok: After breakfast, you will be taken on a tour of the city. Walk through the morning flower markets to explore real Thai lifestyle. Then board a long-tailed boat to Thonburi, in the west of Bangkok, situated on the right side of the Chao Phraya River. Its many canals had originally given Bangkok the name "Venice of the East." Passing along the canals in the boat gives you a first-hand impression of the scenic life along Bangkok‘s waterways. You will also visit the majestic Royal Barges and the Temple of Dawn. Return to the hotel to make your own arrangements for lunch.
Afternoon guided tour to the Grand Palace & Wat Pho: This afternoon, you will be collected from your hotel for a tour which includes three of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Traimit with its invaluable Golden Buddha (5.5 tons of solid gold); Wat Pho, the largest temple in Bangkok, with the colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings, and the Grand Palace which is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient Siamese architecture and has been the residence of the Kings of Thailand for over two centuries. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Night Hotel (Silver Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Grand Palace, BangkokGuided tour of Ayutthaya then cruise back to Bangkok: After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel and you will set out on a morning's excursion to Ayutthaya, one of the “must see” attractions in Thailand which is situated 60 miles north of Bangkok. The drive will take around an hour and your first stop will be at Bang Pa-In, a palace complex formerly used by the Thai kings and known as the 'Summer Palace'. Afterwards you will visit the ruins of Ayutthaya, which was founded around 1350 and became the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai. With its ideal location in the heart of Asia the city flourished and become a major trading centre, with a population of over a million by 1700, until it was sacked by the Burmese in 1767. This morning you will visit the principal sights of Ayutthaya such as Wat Yai Chaimonkol, Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, and Wat Chai Wattanaram. After the sightseeing head to the nearby pier to join the 'Grand Pearl' cruise boat for a buffet lunch and a leisurely river trip back to Bangkok. Relax as you watch life on the banks of the Chao Phraya River change from a rural landscape to an urban scene as you enter Bangkok. On arrival back in the city you will be met at the jetty and then transferred back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Night Hotel (Silver Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Floating market, BangkokPrivate transfer: After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Chiang Rai.
Flight: TG130 Bangkok - Chiang Rai 08.35 - 09.55
Afternoon tour of Chiang Rai: Upon arrival in Chiang Rai head off to see Wat Rong Khun, or the White Temple, which is a modern creation, and which symbolizes the purity of Buddhism with its bright white colour and ornamental mirrors. Continue the tour with a visit to Wat Rong Suea Tean, also known as the Blue Temple, another unusual modern Buddhist temple distinguished by its vivid blue colouring and elaborate carvings. Finish at Baan Dam Estate, an impressive art installation with intricately carved wooden buildings that was created by Thai artist ThawanDuchanee. Often referred to as the “Black Temple”, the building was constructed with a blend of traditional Thai architecture with a contemporary and unorthodox flair. The name comes from the dark interior, which houses a collection of taxidermied animals made into furniture and art.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Legend Chiang Rai (Superior Studio)
Meals: Breakfast
The Golden TriangleFull day guided tour in the Golden Triangle region: After breakfast drive northwards to the mountainous area of Mae Salong (Santikhiri), which was originally settled by the renegade KMT 93rd regiment that fled to Myanmar from China in 1949. The mountain is also home to numerous hill tribe settlements, and you will visit both Yao and Akha minority villages. Near the peak of the mountain you will find several tea plantations as well as tea houses. There are stunning views from the top overlooking Thailand, Burma and Laos along the Mekong Valley. Continue to the northern-most point of Thailand at the Thai-Burmese border and visit the border town Mae Sai where lunch will be served in a local restaurant. After lunch, drive to the Golden Triangle area on the bank of the Mekong River where the three borders meet. Visit the House of Opium, a museum that tells the story of how this illicit cash crop shaped the history and culture of the Golden Triangle region. There are many antique items on display such as opium harvesting knives, scales, weights, pipes, mats and pillows. You will then embark on an hour’s cruise along the Mekong River and soak up the riverbank scenery, before returning by road to your hotel in Chiang Rai.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the The Legend Chiang Rai (Superior Studio)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Sunset, Chiang RaiJourney from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai with sightseeing: After breakfast, you will be taken to board a simple long-tail boat for a 3 hour journey up the Kok River, passing tiny hill tribe villages, bamboo huts and jungle scenery. Disembark at Ban Pha Tai and continue by road to visit Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hill tribe community centre. This community-based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of villagers in this Akha Community, and is a model for tourism in hill tribe villages. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant. After lunch, you will set off by road to Chiang Mai via the towns of Fang and Chiang Dao. On arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and relax for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rimping Village (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Doi Inthanon, Chiang MaiFull day guided tour of Chiang Mai: After breakfast, you will set out to explore the local fresh market before taking a short "samlor" (tricycle) ride to Wat Phra Singh. This 14th century Lanna style temple has been one of Chiang Mai's most important sanctuaries. Opposite is Wat Prasat, one of the oldest unreconstructed temples in the city, and after looking around here, you will visit Wat Suan Dok where the ashes of former kings of Chiang Mai and the Royal Family are kept. Your last stop of the day will be at Wat Gate (or Wat Gatekaram) which dates back to the mid 15th century and sits in a great location in the historic district on the east bank of the River Ping. Later this afternoon visit Wat Doi Suthep, which is tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 1,056m. The temple is reached using a 290 step staircase and the monastery at the top was built by King Gue-Na in 1383. At its centre is a big Chedi (spiral pagoda) which contains relics of the Lord Buddha.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rimping Village (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Golden statues, Chiang MaiFull day at the Elephant Nature Park: After an early breakfast at the hotel you will be collected and driven north of Chiang Mai to the Elephant Nature Park in a shared vehicle. A picturesque drive through agricultural Thai countryside, along Mea Taeng Valley brings you to Elephant Nature Park where you will hear the stories about the rescued elephants as told by expert guides. You will also learn about the problems elephants face in Southeast Asia and how the Elephant Nature Park is helping in the treatment and care of Thailand's dwindling elephant population. Today’s tour includes a visit to the park's special 'Hand's Off' project, Skywalk, where the elephants are free to roam as a herd as they would in the wild. You can view them from a specially constructed SkyWalk observation bridge. A buffet lunch is included today. In the afternoon return to Chiang Mai. Please note that this excursion and transfers are shared with other participants. Lunch is a varied vegetarian buffet of Asian and International dishes (no meat is served).
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Rimping Village (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Elephants, Chiang MaiPrivate transfer: This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Phuket.
Flight: FD3162 Chiang Mai - Phuket 12.45 - 14.50
Private transfer: On arrival in Phuket, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your beach hotel in Khao Lak to check in. The drive will take around 1.5 hours.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Khao Lak Paradise Resort (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Sea view, Khao LakAt leisure: You are free to do as much or as little as you like. Khao Lak offers a wide variety of activities and this is also a great opportunity to arrange a day trip to the nearby Similan Islands.
Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Khao Lak Paradise Resort (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Sunset, Khao LakDay at leisure: Today you have most of the day free to relax or hunt for souvenirs.
Private transfer: Early evening, you will be transferred by car back to the airport in Phuket, from where you will check in for the Thai Airways flight to London Heathrow, via Bangkok.
Flight: TG222 Phuket - Bangkok 20.50- 22.15
Meals: Breakfast
Beach, Khao LakFlight: TG910 Bangkok - London Heathrow 00.15 - 06.20
