The Best of Authentic Thailand - 9 Days   

Starting with a serene cruise in traditional teak rice barges, travelling from city to countryside, enjoying the transition from bustling city to a more peaceful pace of life; this is a cultural and experience based tour that will touch the senses. Learn, touch and explore the history of this proud exotic nation as you travel from Bangkok to the famous mountainous Northern Provinces, making insightful stops along the way to tantalize your interest.

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Bangkok - Mekhala on the River (D)
In the early afternoon transfer from your hotel to the pier and board the Mekhala Cruise.Start to cruise from Bangkok by the "Legendary River Cruiser Mekhala", cruising up the Chao Phaya River and pass by the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn. Just after dark the Mekhala will dock at Wat Kai Tia, a Thai temple set in a tranquil rural village and an exquisite candlelight dinner of mouth-watering cuisine is served on the deck.
Overnight: on board

Day 2 - Mekhala - Ayutthaya - Korat (B,L)
Optional: Rise early to join a 6am Monk offering at Wat Kai Tia early morning (This can be arranged and paid for on spot for everyone who would like to do a Buddhism style merit making).
Enjoy a sunrise breakfast on board and depart Wat Kai Tia to Bang-Pa-In.The cruise will disembark at Bang-Pa-In and you will meet with our guide to visit the magnificent Summer Palace of King Rama V. Continue by long-tail speed boats to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand, where you will visit the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpitr, the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch and Wat Pranangcherng. Depart for Korat via Saraburi, where you will enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant in Saraburi. Continue your journey to Pimai to visit the museum and the magnificent Khmer temples, the “Angkor Wat of Thailand”, supposedly built by King Jayavarman VI in the 11th century. Return to Korat and check-in at your hotel.
Overnight at the Sima Thani Korat or similar

Overnight at the Sima Thani Korat or similar.

Day 3 - Korat - Saraburi - Lopburi - Sukhothai (B,L)
After an early breakfast, visit the village of Daan Kwien, famous for its beautiful earthenware. Continue to Lopburi via Saraburi, where you will visit Phra Buddha Badh with its shrine of the holy footprint of Lord Buddha. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, go on a sightseeing trio through Lopburi, visit to the museum at Narai Raja Nives Palace, the Prang Sam Yod (Sacred Three Pagoda), and the ruins of Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat as well as the Monkey Temple. Continue to Sukothai and check-in at your hotel.

Overnight at the Ananda Museum Gallery Hotel or similar

Overnight at the Ananda Museum Gallery Hotel or similar.

Day 4 - Sukhothai - Sri Sachanalai - Lampang (B,D)
After breakfast, visit the famous ruins of this first capital of Thailand (1257-1379). See Wat Maha Dhat, Wat Sra Sri and Wat Sri Chum from where you will continue to Sri Satchanalai, the northern outpost town of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, built by King Ramkamhaeng. Visit Wat Chang Lom, Wat Jedi Jet Thaew, Wat Nang Phya and Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat which stands on the site of the Khmer fort called "Chalieng". Go on to Lampang and check-in at your hotel.

Overnight at the Lampang River Lodge or similar

Overnight at the Lampang River Lodge or similar.

Day 5 - Lampang - Phayao - Golden Triangle - Chiang Saen (B,L)
After an early breakfast, drive to Ko Kah to see Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang housing the only Emerald Buddha besides the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok. From here you will depart for Phayao, a unique rural town and once the princely state whose former glory will be seen at Wat Sri Kom Kam. Carry on to Chiang Rai and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Chiang Saen, the former capital of the first Thai Kingdom, situated directly on the Mekong River at the border between Thailand and Laos . Visit Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti by climbing up 383 steps to the top of the hill. Also visit Wat Chedi Luang and the small museum near by. Continue by long-tail boat upriver on the Mekong towards the famous Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos convene. Check-in at your hotel.
Overnight at The Imperial Golden Triangle Resort or similar

Overnight at the Imperial Golden Triangle Resort or similar.

Day 6 - Chiang Saen - Doi Mae Sa Long - Mae Sai - Chiang Rai (B,L)
After breakfast, depart from Chiang Saen to visit the Lisu Village at Baan Mae Kaotom and continue to Doi Mae Salong passing through a beautiful mountain scenery. The view from the top takes in a large part of Thailand, Myanmar and the Mekong Valley which makes this trip very worthwhile. Enjoy lunch at Mae Salong Villa in Doi Mae Salong. After lunch you will be taken to Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hilltribe community center. This community-based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of villagers of this Akha Commnuity, and is a model for tourism in Hilltribe villages. Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost Thai town on the Myanmar border and walk around the local market with the opportunity for some shopping. In the afternoon continue to Chiang Rai to check in at your hotel.

Overnight at The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & spa or similar

Overnight at the The Legend Chiang Rai or similar.

Day 7 - Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai (B,L)
After breakfast, depart for Mae Chan and enjoy a short stop at a ‘Hot Spring’. From here you will proceed to Chiang Mai and you will have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit the Handicraft Villages to see the manufacturing of lacquerware, spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and how paper umbrellas are made. Also visit Thai wood carving factory with possibility to buy Burmese antiques. Check-in at your hotel.
Overnight at the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai or similar

Overnight at the Holiday Inn, Chiangmai or similar.

Day 8 - Chiang Mai (B,L)
After breakfast, visit the Mae Ping Elephant Camp to watch the elephants taking timber in the forest. Their strength and clever teamwork will amaze you. Take a one hour elephant ride into the jungle. Continue to visit the Orchid Farm. After lunch, visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at an elevation 1,056 meters, the temple is reached by a staircase with 290 steps, flanked by a NAGA balustrade on either side. The monastery was built by King Gue-Na in 1383. The center is a big Chedi (pagoda) which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha. Overnight at the Holiday Inn Chiang Mai or similar

Overnight at the Holiday Inn, Chiangmai or similar.

Day 9 - Chiang Mai - Bangkok (B)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Chiang Mai Airport.

Itinerary Remarks: Due to the nature of the tour, the weather, road condition, local circumstance, prevailing safety factors, the route & itinerary may vary to those published but the content of the tour will remain similar. The final decision of the actual itinerary will be made by the tour operator's staff on the day of the tour.

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Tour Photos

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Tour Prices & Details

All prices are listed in Thai Baht per person or as otherwise stated.
Prices may fluctuate due to external factors. Contact us for exact prices.

	1 Person
Adult	60800

Inquire about this tour | Tour Itinerary | Tour Photos | Travel Kit

Travel Kit

 

Inquire about this tour | Tour Itinerary | Tour Photos | Prices & Details