Northern Thailand
JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME
BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI - CHIANG RAI - CHIANG SAEN / THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE AREA
---10 days / 9 nights---
OPTIONAL TOUR IN BANG KOK 3 NIGHTS
Day 1 : ARRIVAL IN BANGKOK (by A/C car)
Arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport. Warmly welcome to everybody, a moment of courtesy meeting of the tour guide in the meeting point’s Airport.
Welcome to Bangkok - the “Land of Smiles”, one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities, is a national treasure house and Thailand’s spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic centre.
You will be transferred to your hotel, check-in and free at leisure for your own activities.
Note of check-in / check-out procedures: Please note that standard check in time is 14.00, check out at 12.00. Early check in or late check-out is subject to room availability. Hotel can guarantee early check in or late check-out at 50% of the room rate or full charge as depend on the state at that time.
Evening: Thai Dinner & Dances at Piman restaurant (see supplement).
Piman Restaurant - Despite its palatial appearance, Piman offers an atmosphere that is warm, friendly, and air-conditioned. The food is succulent and the shows inside the theatre-restaurant recall the Sukhothai period from the 13th century (narrated in six different languages).
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 2 :
BANGKOK
(by A/C car, boat)
Today, you will have full day to discover Highlights of Bangkok.
The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) - Together, these two sites form what many consider the greatest spectacle for visitors to Bangkok. Dating back to 1782 (when Bangkok was founded), the entire compound consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics. Because of its popularity, this destination is often extremely crowded, but still an essential part of any trip to Bangkok. Presently, the Grand Palace is used for the occasional ceremony and is no longer the royal home (the present King Bhumibol lives in Chitralada Palace, located in Bangkok's nearby Dusit district). The interiors of most of the buildings in the Grand Palace are closed to the public. Wat Phra Kaew adjoins the Grand Palace in a common compound and is the home of the country's most famous Buddha statue (also known as the Emerald Buddha). This important figure has a long and interesting history that is tied to the royal family and once resided in nearby Wat Arun. It is relatively small (about 66 centimeters) and is situated in a high position in the Wat to signify its important status in the Thai kingdom.
Wat Po (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) - Bangkok’s largest temple is most famous as the home a giant reclining Buddha statue (45 meters long), but there is also much more to see here. Four large Chedis (and 73 small ones) 394 Buddha statues, and a Bodhi tree are situated throughout the compound and about 300 monks live in the monastery.
Local lunch at SD Avenue Hotel (or similar) - Sample tasty local cuisine at one of Bangkok’s most popular establishments.
Then
continue to
Thonburi
Klongs:
Travel on the picturesque
Chao Phraya
River
(also known as the
River of
the Kings)
and throughout the klongs (canals) of Thonburi situated on the West side
of the river from Bangkok. This is an excellent chance to observe and
photograph the serene family homes and temples along the waterways, all
of which helped gave the city the nickname of “Venice
of the East.”
A highlight of this trip includes
Wat Arun
(the
Temple of Dawn),
a major riverside landmark. This magnificent shrine is decorated with
ceramic pieces from top to bottom and has a pagoda that soars 79 meters
into the sky. The afternoon concludes with a visit to the
Flower
Market and The Golden Mount.
Overnight in Bangkok. (B, L)
Day 3 :
BANGKOK
(by A/C car, boat)
After breakfast, you will enjoy a full day tour to Floating Market & River Kwai.
Floating Market - Located at Ratchaburi Province, the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market dates back to 1866 when King Rama IV ordered that a canal 32 kilometers long be dug at Damnoen Saduak to connect the Mae Klong and Tacheen Rivers (his reason for doing so lies in the fact that the quality of the soil on the banks of the canal is excellent for growing many kinds of fruits and vegetables including Malacca grape, Chinese grapefruit, mangos, bananas, and coconuts). The Floating Market is an ideal place for tourists to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying fruits, vegetables and other from small boats. Tourists will also be able to see traditional Thai houses and the way locals use boats in their everyday lives.
River Kwai - Apart from the fascinating natural geography, this region has many major attractions affiliated with World War II: The Bridge over the River Kwai, still in use today, was the target of frequent Allied bombing raids during 1945, and was rebuilt after the war end. The JEATH Museum, an enclave constructed largely as an Allied prisoners of war camp, contains a collection of photographs. The War Cemetery is the final resting place for over 6000 prisoners of war who perished during the construction of the “Death Railway”, (also known as Hell Fire Pass). Visitors to Kanchanaburi will be moved as they reflect on how these memorials have come to signify the harsh realties of war.
Overnight in Bangkok. (B, L)
NORTHERN THAILAND - SOLF ADVENTURE TOUR 6 NIGHTS
Day 4 : BANG KOK - CHIANG MAI (by A/C car)
After breakfast, take time to free at leisure until time check-out at noon transfer airport for flight to Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai - the capital of Northern Thailand. In recent years, Chiang Mai has grown, although with a population of 200,000 it is still a comfortable size and you will find that people here are relaxed and easy going.
Afternoon, you enjoy a half day of Chiang Mai City and Temples Tour.
This amazing sightseeing tour takes guests around the famous city for an up-close and personal look at some of its most notable temples, as well as stops at its old city walls, gates and moat, and the local market and Tapae Gate. Highlight of this trip include Wat Chiang Man, the city’s oldest temple and famed for a Chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses; Wat Phrasing home of the beautiful Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarving and northern style murals; Wat Jedihuang and its enormous Pagoda (which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545); and Wat Suan Dok, which dates back to the 14th century when it served as the pleasure gardens to the Thai monarchy. Nowadays it houses several white Chedis, containing the ashes of Chiang Mai’s former Royal family.
Evening: Khantoke Dinner (see supplement)
One of Chiang Mai’s most popular tours, this outing offers guests a chance to enjoy a traditional meal prepared in the Khantoke (northern Thailand) style. While guests are seated on floor cushions with an array of classical dishes arranged before them, exciting and stimulating performances will unfold before their very eyes. Entertainment for this evening will include the traditional Finger, Sword and Candle dances as well as the Ramwong, for which all quests will be invited and encouraged to participate. The evening concludes with performances from the Akha, Yao, Lahu, Meo and Karen Hill Tribes.
Free time at hotel. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B)
Day 5 : CHIANG MAI FULL DAY TOUR (by A/C car)
A full day for visiting Doi Suthep and Meo Doi Pui.
This tour features a scenic drive through the most historic areas of Chiang Mai, including a pass through the old city walls, city gates and moat. The drive continues into Chiang Mai’s tourist area, the local market, foreign consulates, government buildings and ‘Tapae’ before continuing to the acclaimed temple Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep, home to a holy relic of the Lord Buddha and considered by many to be the most sacred wat in northern Thailand. Built in A.D. 384 and situated 3,500 feet above sea level, this temple offers an interesting challenge as it contains a flight of over 300 steps to reach its top level. Once on top of the summit, visitors will be treated to a panoramic view of the city before leaving to visit the primitive Meo Hill Tribe village a community known for its unique culture and colorful costumes. The trip to the village will be made by local truck.
The tour is followed-up to Home Industries. A popular shopping destination, San Kampaeng is also famous for its range of local cottage industries and handicrafts, including authentic Thai silk and cotton weaving. The nearby Bo-Sang village is also a recommended destination for would be shoppers and has many interesting items on display including decorative paper umbrellas; the Celadon kilns, with their traditional stoneware; lacquer ware; carved teakwood and jewelry and silverware factories. Guests will be able to witness firsthand the skill of these local craftsmen as they consider which products to buy as souvenirs.
Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B)
Day
6 :
CHIANG MAI - CHIANG RAI
(by A/C car, boat)
After breakfast, transfer forwards the North, along one of the most scenic routes to Chiang Rai. En route, we will pay a visit at an elephant training camp to see the elephants at work before we continue to the North in direction of Thaton. Visit the long neck Karen hill tribe village.
After that, we board long tail boat for an exiting 4 hours long tailed boat ride from Thaton to Chiang Rai. Transfer to hotel for check-in and free at leisure. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (B)
Day 7 : CHIANG RAI FULL DAY TOUR(by A/C car)
Today, you will visit Doi Tung, Hill Tribes and Mae Sai.
A breathtaking trip to the highest peak between the Thai and Myanmar border, Doi Tung provides the perfect opportunity to visit both the Lahu and Akha hill tribe villages. En route, enjoy spectacular scenes of farming terraces and admire the Palace of the Princess Mother. Located at the top is Wat Phra That Doi Tung, which offers a magnificent view of the rice field plains below. The journey continues on to Mae Sai, the northernmost town of Thailand situated on the border of Myanmar. While here, visitors can explore many flea markets and shops.
Return then to the hotel. Overnight in Chiang Rai. (B, L)
Day 8 : CHIANG RAI - CHIANG SAEN The Golden Triangle Area (by A/C car, boat)
This morning, transfer from Chiang Rai to Chiang Saen for visiting the remains of an ancient city; the historical city dates back more than 700 years.
The afternoon is reserved for a wonderful boat trip on the mighty Maekong river and sail along the border of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, better know as the Golden Triangle. We arrive at “Sob Ruak”, a small trading town right on the Myanmar border.
Free at leisure at hotel. Overnight in Chiang Saen. (B)
Day 9 : CHIANG SAEN The Golden Triangle Area FULL DAY TOUR (by A/C car)
After breakfast, depart to Mae Sai, the northernmost point of Thailand. This is the perfect spot to observe border life, as Mae Sai is one of the very few official land crossings between Thailand and Burma. Many Burmese come over during the day from Thakhilek to work or do business, hurrying back before sunset. Burmese lacquerware, gems, jade and other goods from Laos and Burma are sold in shops along the main street. A breath taking trip to the highest peak on the Thai-Burmese border, Doi Tung, provides the perfect opportunity to visit. En route, enjoy views of scenic farming terraces, and see from a distance the palace built for the Princess Mother. Located at the top of the peak is Wat Phra That Doi Tung offering views over the river and rice field plains below.
Back to your hotel and free for your own leisure. Overnight in Chiang Saen. (B, L)
Day 10 : CHIANG SAEN - CHIANG RAI - BANG KOK FLY BACK HOME (by A/C car, plane)
This morning, after breakfast, check-out at noon and straight-up to the airport in Chiang Rai then take a domestic flight to Bangkok. This flight is just for your reference, it is depending on your international departure flight back home. Have a safe trip !
It’s timely, you have to say Good-Bye Thailand. We (Toan Vinh Tours) thank you very much for your choice of our company as your ground handler in Thailand and may be Indochina countries on further, be sure all our people are your best friends always and beyond. May we will meet and honoured welcome you have other voyages to Indochina in the days coming, continuing to discover, to experience the endless imposing landscapes, then get the really restful moments in a diversified World and a colourful Subregion of Mekong River: VIETNAM - LAOS - CAMBODIA - THAILAND - MYANMAR ! GOOD-BYE & SEE YOU AGAIN ! (B)
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