Upon your arrival in Bangkok, deplane and follow signs to Immigration, located one level above baggage claim. Descend elevator to collect baggage. After clearing customs, proceed to the Arrival lobby and look for your sign. Our friendly representative will assist your family with luggage and help with your transfer to your comfortable hotel for check-in. 

Breakfast at the hotel

Then short walk to visit Wat Pho is regarded as the first center of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first university’. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple educated people on various subjects such as literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation and is considered to be home of Thai traditional massages. Here, you will enjoy a 30-minute Thai massage as an excellent break after a morning sightseeing. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

We will also stop by the “Temple of Dawn” (officially named Wat Arun). An ancient temple dating back to the Ayutthaya period with the imposing Khmer-style prang or tower is 104 meters tall with steep decorate with the multihued floral mosaics from broken Chinese porcelain that was used as ballast by boats coming from China. Today the temple is one of Bangkok\'s most iconic structures, with most remarkable visual identities on the bank of Chao Phraya River.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Next proceed to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the most colourful floating market in the Kingdom. Enjoy the beautiful sights along the way and witness the day-to-day activities of the Thai people who live on the canals selling their fresh fruits and vegetables from the surrounding villagers’ farms. Take a short paddle boat ride through the canals to get the closure feeling of the local people. Free at leisure and enjoy of photo shooting. 

Afterward drive to Kanchanaburi, local lunch will be served at the restaurant. You will visit the well-kept War Cemetery of Allied Prisoners, which contains the graves of an estimated 9,000 Allied soldiers. These soldiers died while building the bridge and the notorious \"Death Railway” which the Japanese had hoped to stretch all the way to the Burmese border.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Morning drive to the significant Erawan National Park. The major attraction of the park is the stunning Erawan Falls, a waterfall named after the Erawan, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology. The seven-tiered falls are said to resemble the Erawan. It has received many awards. Here lies the biggest and most beautiful waterfall of Kanchanaburi Erawan Waterfall, which runs from the Huai Mong Lai River down a 2100 meters tall mountain. The waterfall i.s 1500 meters long which cascades down 7 tiers, each of which is a great and safe swimming area. The park’s many caves include Phartat Cave, which has stalactites and stalagmites, and Ta Duang Cave, featuring rock paintings. Limestone Wang Bah Dan Cave has 2 levels, with a stream in its lower chamber. The park is crossed by trails, and home to elephants and deer. Moreover, you can take a 30 minute walk around Erawan nature trail to savor the beauty of hill evergreen forest and deciduous forest.  

Late afternoon arrival and check-in at the hotel, free at leisure. 

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR :   

AYUTTHAYA DINNER CRUISE  

Join-in Service / Time: 19.00 21:00 hrs.

Board our converted traditional teak rice barge and drift slowly along the majestic Chao Phraya River, the ‘River of Kings’, and her tributaries, and while the sights of the Island City of Ayutthaya pass you by enjoy a fine selection of traditional Thai cuisine, prepared especially for you in our own kitchens. Take a cruise around Ayutthaya Island and take in the romantic atmosphere of the old capital. Within its ancient monuments, the artistic and cultural heritage of the nation is preserved for later generations to admire. You will have ample opportunity to see some of these magnificent sites along the river, as well as observing the timeless day-to-day activities of the people living along the riverbanks.  During your cruise a carefully selected set menu of delicious traditional Thai dishes will be served (food only). The art of Thai cuisine is balancing the delicate flavors that make up our four different taste sensations: sour, salty, sweet and, of course, spicy hot. Thai food is very versatile and can be adapted to suit almost any palate. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel, free at leisure and enjoy the hotel facilities.

Visit Ayutthaya Historical Park declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. First stop at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, is not just an important historical site, but it was also considered as the spiritual center for Thais. It is strategically located within the grounds of the Royal Palace. Next to visit at Wat Mahathat an unseen tourist attraction where you could see buddha head enshrine in the three. These temples also enshrine buddha lyric from the past 600 years. Stop for lunch at local restaurant. 

Transfer to Bangkok Airport for your afternoon flight to Chiang Rai (flight TBA / Included).

Arrive in Chiang Rai, meet tour guide and transfer to check-in at the hotel, free at leisure.

Evening free at leisure.

Continue on to the ancient city of Chiang Sean, Visit the ancient city at Wat Chedi Luang, built by the 3rd ruler of the Lanna Kingdom in the early 13th Century. This temple was constructed during the classical era of Chiang Saen. Return to the town and lunch is at a local restaurant before return to your hotel and free at leisure.

Evening, explore the authentic side of Chiang Rai. You will pass the King Mengrai Monument, commemorating the king who founded Chiang Rai in 1262. Next is the Golden clock tower. Built in 2008 to honor His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the clock tower bears the signature style of Chalermchai Kositpipat, the artist who conceived and built the White Temple. Every evening at 20:00 and 21:00, the clock tower comes to life in a light-and-sound display. 

Next is the famous night market of Chiang Rai. Here you can find restaurants and there is also a performance of classical dance (own expenses). Our dedicated guide will make sure to explain you the cultural and historical particularities of Chiang Rai, the Gateway to the mythical Golden Triangle. Return to your hotel

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.

Then visit Wat Huay Pla Kang, important buildings include the Phop Chok Dhamma Chedi, a nine-storey chedi in a contemporary architectural style. The exterior chedi in a contemporary architectural style. The exterior is built in layers, and every floor is roofed in a Chinese style decorated with dragons surrounding it. The top of the chedi enshrines an inverted bell-shaped chedi in an authentic Thai style and the top tier is decorated in Burmese art. The interior is decorated in the European style. Inside the chedi, there is a replica of the Guan Im Bodhisattva carved with fragrant wood. Each floor in the chedi is enshrined with a standing Buddha image. The white Wihan: The way up is a Naga staircase decorated with stucco patterns. Inside is enshrined the white principal Buddha image, Guan Im Bodhisattva, which is the largest of its kind in Thailand is about 79 meters tall.

After lunch, drive south of the town for 30min to visit Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), designed and built by Achan Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai artist, built with strong determination that created unique and beautiful works of art that harmoniously combine the culture of Lanna, both stucco patterns decorated with mirrors and large wall paintings. The distinguishing feature of the temple is that the ubosot is decorated with a pattern of silver mirrors that shine in tiered tiers. The gable decorated with serpents with tusks proboscis looks very strange and interesting. The murals inside the Ubosot are made by the master\'s own paintings.

Continue travel to Chiang Mai (drive approx. 3hours) via Mae Kha Chan Hot Spring. 

Evening arrival at Chiang Mai, check in at your hotel and free at leisure.

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR :   

CHIANG MAI STREET EATS BY TUK TUK                     

Private Service / Time: 16.30 20:30 hrs.

Highlights:

• Take a local transport “Tuk-Tuk” (pick-up & drop-off hotel in town)

• Experience on tasting local food in Chiang Mai town

• Visit the religion relics places in Chiang Mai town

• A glass of beverage at Xanadu Restaurant with scenic Chiang Mai view

Depart from the hotel by local transport “Tuk-Tuk” to Chiang Mai gate local market for street food. Just outside the old walled city center of Chiang Mai, the Wat Lok Molee is one of the city’s older temples. The temple that is also known as the Wat Lok Moli houses one of the largest and most impressive chedis in Chiang Mai. 

Breakfast at the hotel

Drive to the famous home industries of Sankampaeng, where a variety of souvenirs and handicraft are made. Chiang Mai is the main centre for high quality handicrafts in Thailand. In the area of Sankampaeng, you can observe the full steps of the production of the famous Thai Silk as well as of the colourful paper umbrellas or the well-known celadon ceramics. You will be amazed when seeing some other craftsmen transforming teakwood into elegant furniture and delicate carvings using only very simple tools. Also fascinating to watch is the production of lacquer ware, when even eggshells are used to achieve unusual designs.  Finally, not to be missed is the variety of silverware produced in this area. There are numerous other thriving industries such as cotton and traditional local products’ industries, antiques from Myanmar and more. In other word, a perfect place for shopping and souvenirs.  

Afternoon, visit Wat Phrasing, which is home of the beautiful Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarving and northern style murals. We will then go to Wat Chedi Luang and its enormous Pagoda (which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545) before heading to Wat U-Mong This old temple (established in 1296) is now widely known as a meditation centre devout Buddhists from around the world visit to practice amid its peaceful atmosphere and minimalism structures. Around the area you also find numerous historical artifacts and architectures, such as Asok Pillar, which is devoted to an Indian King Asok Maharaja who was a devout Buddhist, and U-Mong, an ancient tunnel-like architecture built to create a near-silent ambience for better meditation practice.

Note: Please dress respectfully by not wearing sleeveless T-shirts, shorts or strapless sandals, when visiting Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Breakfast at hotel

A half-day join-in package to Kanta Elephant Sanctuary 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, and create cherished lifelong memories of their time spent with these amazing animals with friendly, happy elephants in a safe and sustainable environment.

ITINERARY

07.00AM:    Drive approximately 50 Mins North of Chiang Mai through a beautiful countryside, forest, and local farming areas.

08.00AM:    Arrive at Kanta Elephant Sanctuary. Walk through and learn about the elephants, change into traditional clothing and prepare fruits for our elephants.

09.00AM:    Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment and learn about their behaviour and history. Take photos with the elephants.

10.00AM:    Walk with the elephants to a clean water pond where they will cool off themselves and you will have chance to observe them as well.

11.00AM:    Get some tea, coffee and season fruit then say goodbye to the elephants. Leave Baan Chang

Elephant Park and drive approximately 50 Mins back to Chiang Mai. Drop off at your hotel or accommodation.

Please Note: At the Park, we will allow you to spend as much time as possible with the elephants. Therefore, there is no formal schedule and aside from pick-up times, the times shown here are approximations.

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR :   

HALF DAY CYCLING CULTURE TOUR  

Private Service / Time: 13.30 - 17:00 hrs.

13h30:        Pick up and transfer to Trekker camp, a centre of cycling tour & gears where briefly information about a cycling route and the instructions of using the mountain bike will be explained.

13h45:        Start cycling from here via Padad-Singhakam route along the Ping’s Riverside then continues through the 2nd ring road crossing Koh Klang Bridge (Kourmung). Stop at Wat Koh Klang, an important temple of this community.

15h00:        Proceed cycling to the vegetable’s plantation belonged to the villagers which is the trend of sustainable agriculture. Over there, the land has been reclaimed without using any chemical fertilizer. Instead, the farmers prevent and eliminate pests by using natural process. Explore around to see plantations of cabbage, chili, corn, eggplant, pea, shallot, and garlic for examples. Also if you love to join the gardener’ activities likes cultivating, watering, and fishing, these are something quite interesting to do as well!

15h30:        Leave to the ruin city, Wiang Kum Kam is the ancient underground empire of Lanna kingdom built by King Mang Rai where many ruin archaeological excavations and sites for instances temples, Buddha images and old potteries have been discovered. Make a first stop at Wat Chang Kum (also known as Wat Khan Tom), the first archaeological site which was found in 1984. Keep on traveling to Wat E-Kang, Wat Nhan Chang, Wat Pu Beai, Wat Pra Thart Khaow, and the last temple, Wat Chedi Liem (also known as Wat Ku Kam Luang). Appreciate the enormous facet pagoda restored many times both by the Thai and Burmese consequently which shows a lot of mixture on the architecture’s style on the Chedi itself.

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR :   

EVENING COOKING CLASS BY THAI FARM COOKING SCHOOL  

Join-in Service / Time: 16.00 - 20:00 hrs.

Itinerary

• Visit the main local Thai market out of the city centre 

• Explaining and learning about herbs and ingredients at our organic farm

• Pound and make a curry paste from scratch. You will make your own curry paste, each person will have their own individual mortar. You can decide how spicy or non-spicy you would like to make your own curry paste

• Choose and make one curry paste, one curry, one soup, noodle dish and sweet dessert (total of 5 categories)

• You will learn to make every dish completely by yourself from start to finish and will be able to season to your own taste!

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR :   

EVENING KHANTOKE DINNER WITH THAI CULTURAL SHOWS  

Private Transfer Service / Time: 18.00 - 21:00 hrs.

Khantoke Dinner at Old Chiangmai Cultural Center invites everyone to experience the atmosphere of the Northern Thai culture, taste the cuisine, and enjoy the unique Fon Ram dance performances. The original Khantoke Dinner has been served for over 50 years. We are pleased to welcome everyone to the warm city of Chiang Mai. Each Khantoke set includes 9 dishes, such as Hang Ley Curry, Kaeng Khae, Laab Kua, Deep-fried Crispy Chicken, Nam Prik Noom, Nam Prik Ong, Kab Moo, Sticky Rice, and Fresh/Boiled Vegetables. The dishes are served on the Khantoke tray, and each set can serve up to 4 people, accompanied by a traditional Lanna dance performance that showcases the unique local culture.

Breakfast at the hotel

Check-out and meet your Thailand Journeys guide and take a private transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your departure flight (flight TBA / not included).