Thailand City Culture and Beach

Upon arrival, you will meet with your English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel. The day is at leisure.

After breakfast you will go on a private, full day tour of Bangkok. A visit to the Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark and royal monument in Thailand, with the enclosed, dazzling Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Phra Kaew, the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha”, is noted for its Golden Chedi, it’s Pantheon of the Chakri Kings and the Eight-Coloured Tower. In Thailand, it is considered by many to be a living example of a classical Siamese Court, being the former residence of the kings of Thailand. Wat Pho is regarded as the first centre of public education and often called “Thailand’s first university”. As an excellent break after sightseeing you will enjoy a 30-minute Thai massage. After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon will take you to the bustling Chao Phraya River and the quiet Klong (canals) in a long tail boat. We will observe a more traditional and serene way of living around the Thonburi residential areas, away from the skyscrapers and modern buildings of Bangkok City Centre, and visit the “Temple of Dawn” (officially named Wat Arun). We will then visit the Flower and Vegetable market with its vast selection of flowers. This Bangkok day-tour ends at the Golden Mountain. Overnight in Bangkok. (B, L)

After breakfast we depart on a Half Day tour of the Damnoen Saduak Floating market, situated around 100 kilometres west of Bangkok. Damnoen Saduak is really three floating markets; a narrow canal flanked with food stalls and souvenir shops forms the principal market. Upon returning to the hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Bangkok. (B)

After breakfast we will transfer to Bangkok Airport for our flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival you will meet our English-speaking guide and transfer to your sightseeing tour. This tour is a Half Day City Temples – Ob Kham Museum in Chiang Rai. Starting with a visit Wat Phra Kaew, believed to be the find spot of the famed Emerald Buddha, now housed in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew Chapel. Then proceed to Wat Phra Singh, a fine example of Lanna style religious architecture, the Ob Kham Museum and Lanna Heritage Conservation Centre, home to a collection of objects from the Lanna kingdom, including ritual and royal treasures. The tour will end with a visit to the most popular fresh market of Chiang Rai. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (B)

After breakfast we will depart on a Full Day Hill tribes, Chiang Saen, Golden Triangle & Mae Sai with Lunch. Commencing with a visit to the Akha and Yao tribes allows visitors to experience life in the villages of people originally from Tibet. Among the humblest of Thailand’s ethnic minorities, they’ve preserved influences and traditions brought from China. Continue to a small crossroads town on the bank of the Mae Khong River to explore some of the ruins of the area and to enjoy a stunning, panoramic view of the Golden Triangle. We will finally reach Mae Sai, the northernmost town of Thailand at the border of Burma. Visitors will be given some time to explore before we drive back to Chiang Rai. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (B, L)

After breakfast and check out, we head to Chiang Mai, stopping on the way to visit Wat Rong Khun, popularly known as the White Temple. This contemporary Buddhist and Hindu temples have been evolving for the last decade and is the vision of Chalermchai Kositpipat, who estimates it will take his skilled workmen 90 years to complete the project. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Our last stop today is Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, the most sacred temple in Chiang Mai and home to a holy relic of the Lord Buddha. Tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 1,056 meters (3520 feet), the temple is reached using a Naga (7-headed dragon serpent) railing rising along both sides. The temple compound – reachable by 300 steps, offers an exhilarating view of Chiang Mai city and the surrounding countryside. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B, L)

Following breakfast depart for a Full day Doi Inthanon National Park Adventure with lunch (Doi Inthanon Waterfall Trek). Today visit Doi Inthanon National Park. From the highest peak, explore the Ang-Kha Nature Trail and visit the Twin Pagodas built by the Thai Air Force in honour of the King and Queen for their 60th Birthday Anniversaries. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we will hike the trail for about two hours, passing rice fields, a waterfall and a Karen Tribe village. The Karen strive to live in accordance with nature and practice organic farming — here you can sample their superb coffee amidst the tranquil surroundings before heading back to Chiang Mai. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B, L)

After breakfast, you will experience the beauty of the North. Stop at a beautiful orchid nursery and a butterfly farm in Mae Rim District. Continue our journey through the hills and forests to observe elephants at work at Mae Taman camp and here you will be given the chance to make a 30-minute journey through the forest on the back of these gentle animals. The ox-cart is another traditional mean of transportation that you will get to experience. This new 30-minute ox-drawn cart journey will take you through rural villages at a leisurely pace. This tour provides you with direct insight into daily life in northern Thailand. After lunch, the afternoon is reserved for a 5-kilometre long bamboo rafting trip along the beautiful Mae Taeng River. After this day of adventure, we will return to Chiang Mai. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll check-out and transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival in Phuket Airport, you will transfer to your hotel – the rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Phuket. (B)

After breakfast we will take a Half-day package to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary which offers visitors an enjoyable opportunity to spend quality time with elephants in their natural home, as well as gain an insight into their history and behaviour. Visitors to the Sanctuary will witness stunning views of the surrounding jungle, mountains and beach – all while interacting personally with friendly, happy elephants in a safe and sustainable environment. In the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel and travel for approximately one hour through scenic agricultural areas, hills, and beaches before arriving at the Sanctuary. After being given bananas and sugar cane to feed to the elephants, you’ll walk with your guide through the Sanctuary, where you’ll find free-roaming elephants and hear their individual stories. You can touch, feed, photograph and interact with the elephants at your leisure while you learn about their lifestyle and behaviours. After you have met all the elephants, you will accompany them to a nearby mud spa. Get muddy with the elephants as you apply a healthy mud treatment to their skin. Next, you will walk with the elephants to a swimming pool and join them in the water for a refreshing bath. Take a swim and help bathe and brush the elephants while they wade through and play in the water. Once the elephants are clean, you can take some final photos with them and then it will be time to part ways with the gentle creatures and change into some dry clothes. Finally, enjoy a delightful Thai buffet and then return to the hotel. Overnight in Phuket. (B)

After breakfast depart for a Full day tour to Phi Phi & Bamboo or Khai Island. This is an ideal tour for those with limited time to explore the numerous bays and hidden coves in the area. All of these offer colourful coral reefs and fish that you will be able to admire throughout the excursion. In the morning, you will be transferred to the marina and board a speedboat for an hour journey of sightseeing. Enjoy snorkelling at Nui Bay, sightseeing at Loh Sama Bay, Monkey Beach, ancient Viking Cave and swimming at Nui Bay & Philey Cove. After lunch at a local restaurant, relax on idyllic Bamboo Island where the time is yours to sunbathe, swim and snorkel before heading back to the pier and returning to your hotel. Overnight in Phuket. (B)

After a breakfast, you will check out and transfer to Phuket Airport for your flight home. (B)