Authentic Thailand I

A perfect retreat to authentic Thai culture. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of mountainous valleys in the north. Experience the traditional Thai lifestyle at the central plain of the Chao Phraya River.

Karen Village Thailand Hilltribes in Thailand Lanna Flag

Attraction Highlights

  • Chao Phraya River
  • The Grand Palace
  • Wat Pho
  • The Gold Buddha
  • Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
  • Umbrella Pull-down Market
  • Bang Pa-in Summer Palace
  • Ayutthaya Historical Park
  • Associated Towns of Ayutthaya
  • Kamphaeng Phet
  • Sukkhothai Historical Park
  • The White Temple
  • The Golden Triangle
  • Doi Tung
  • Highway 107
  • Pai
  • Tiger Kingdom
  • The City of Chiang Mai

Cultural Highlights

  • Bangkokians
  • Lives Along the Canals
  • The Emerald Buddha
  • China Town
  • Buddhism
  • Water Buffalos
  • Grass Jelly (Dessert)
  • Opium Museum
  • Santichon Village
  • Yunnan Cultural Village
  • Phra That Doi Suthep
  • Elephants

Itinerary

1

Rice Barge Canal Tour

Our guide will pick you up from Suvarnabhumi Airport and transfer you to hotel. In the afternoon, pick up for Bangkok and Thonburi Canal Tour. We will start with a long-tail speedboat, passing through Bangkok-Noi Canal, before switching to a Rice Barge Boat. While the boat cruising along the Chao Phraya River, you will enjoy the wonderful view of Bangkok’s main attractions, including the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn. The great varieties of Thai fresh fruits are also provided on the boat. Overnight in Bangkok Meals: Fruit Buffet on Board


2

Bangkok, City of Angels

We begin our journey around 8 am, heading to the Flower Market, where they sell a wide variety of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. After that, we explore Four Great Stupas and the Reclining Buddha Image at Wat Pho. Then we will take you to the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple to see the most important, magnificent, and regarded Buddha image in Thailand. Next, we explore the Chinatown and catch a glimpse of the 700-year world’s biggest gold Buddha image at Wat Traimit. Overnight in Bangkok Meals: Breakfast


3

Lives Along the Mae Klong River

We depart from Bangkok in the morning, visiting the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you can experience the traditional Thai’s way of life on a wooden paddleboat. Then visit Coconut Sugar Farm, try and taste coconut palm juice and a variety of products made from coconut palm. After that, we continue journey to visit one of the most spectacular market on a railway, known as the Umbrella Pull-down Market or the Railway Market. Then we head to Bangkae Noi Temple, explore the main chapel, which built from golden teak woods. Next, enjoy one of the official unseen in Thailand sites, where a giant banyan tree covers the whole building at Bangkung Temple. (Rainy season only: evening time, join a boat trip along the Mae Klong River, observing the enchanting world of fireflies. During this time of the year, fireflies are swarming around the special Lamphu trees, uniquely to this region.) Overnight in Amphawa Meals: Breakfast


4

The Journey to Ayutthaya

In the early morning, experience a traditional almsgiving, by giving alms to monks along the canal. After breakfast, we head to Nakhon Pathom province, visiting Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in Thailand. Next, we visit Thai Wax Museum, where the exhibit displays the Thai culture and traditions. Then our journey takes you through green rice field to arrive in Ayutthaya. We will first visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, a magnificent royal palace, which has a history dating back to the 17th century. It has been used many times for holding reception to important guests such as Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. In addition, we visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkol or the victory temple. After that, we continue to Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and its nearby Wihan Phramongkol Bophit. This important and outstanding monastery is situated in the ancient palace compound, like Wat Phra Kaew of Bangkok. Also, we will visit Wat Mahathat, the place where the amazing head of a sandstone Buddha image covered by tree roots. Overnight in Ayutthaya Meals: Breakfast


5

The Famous Grass Jelly

After breakfast, we will pick you up from hotel in Ayutthaya and transfer you to Angthong Province, visiting Wat Khun Inthapramun, an ancient temple which housing the longest and largest reclining Buddha image in Thailand. Then we arrive at Wat Muang, where the temple enshrine Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin, which also known as the Great Buddha of Thailand. After that, we visit the Buffalo Village. This is the water buffalo preservation area, which features the authentic rural lifestyle of farmers in Thailand’s central region. In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Kamphaeng Phet. The province is well known about its Grass Jelly, a kind of desserts, which typically served chilled in a bowl. Check-in to hotel in the late afternoon. The evening is free for you to explore the local nearby night market. Overnight in Kamphaeng Phet Meals: Breakfast


6

Sukhothai Kingdom

After breakfast, we visit 2 outstanding places in Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park, including Wat Chang Rop, a large temple situated on a high hill, where its main stupa surrounded by elephant caryatids, and Wat Phra Si Iriyabot, which housing Buddha statues in four postures, including walking, standing, seated, and reclining. Then we head to Sukhothai Historical Park and begin a short bike trip around this old capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th century. Next, we continue our journey to Wat Si Chum, which enshrine a 700-year old Buddha image, seated inside of a square brick Mandapa. After that, we drive to Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang, one of the best-preserved Lanna style temples, before experiencing Lampang’s most memorable symbol, by getting around the city with the Horse-drawn Carriage. Check-in to hotel in the afternoon. Overnight in Lampang Meals: Breakfast


7

The White Temple

In the morning, we begin our long drive to Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple, one of the most recognizable temples in Thailand. Then we explore the Golden Triangle. This area was one of Asia’s two largest opium-producing areas. In addition, we will visit the Opium Museum, which was built to educate people about the dangers of this type of drugs. After lunch, we will join a boat ride along Mekong River heading to Chiang Saen District, and visit Wat Pa Sak, which located just outside the old city wall of Chiang Saen Ancient Town. Check-in to hotel in the afternoon. Overnight in Chiang Rai Meals: Breakfast


8

The Northernmost of Thailand

After breakfast, we head to Doi Tung Royal Villa, former residence of mother of the present king, before visiting a botanic garden at the Mae Fah Luang Garden. After that, we drive up a steep hill of Doi Tung to visit a very unique destination: Phra That Doi Tung, which is located on the cliff at the top of Doi Tung. Then we continue our journey to Mae Sai, a major border-crossing town between Thailand and Myanmar. Enjoy shopping for Myanmar products at the local market. One-day passes to Tachileik is possible for some nationalities with an additional fee. In the afternoon, return to Chiang Rai and visit Wat Phra Kaew Chiang Rai and the museum, the place where the Emerald Buddha was found 700 years ago. Return to your hotel in Chiang Rai in the late afternoon. Overnight in Chiang Rai Meals: Breakfast


9

Highway 107

Our journey begins in the early morning. We will take the famous scenic route, Highway 107, towards Pai. On the way, we visit Thaton Temple, a large temple complex in a lovely area of Ban Thaton. Then we continue driving to Chiang Dao Cave, exploring the wonders of this limestone cave complex, which has been converted into a Buddhist monastery. Arrive in the relaxed atmosphere of Pai and visit the Memorial Bridge over Pai River, built in 1942 by the Japanese during World War II. Check-in to hotel and prepare for shopping at Pai’s Night Market. Overnight in Pai Meals: Breakfast


10

Pai in Love

After breakfast, we head to Mo Paeng Waterfall, a three-cascade waterfall, where you can enjoy relaxing and swimming. After that, we visit Santichon Village, or the Yunnan Cultural Village where the Chinese tribesmen have settled down. Apart from the village, we will explore Wat Nam Hu to find the Golden Stupa, which believed by the locals that it built by King Naresuan. Next, we visit Phra That Mae Yen, which sits atop the hill, where you can enjoy the wonderful view and scenery of Pai. Also, we will stop at Coffee in Love, a romantic coffee shop, which nowadays became one of the landmarks of Pai. In the afternoon, we continue journey to the Tiger Kingdom. Enjoy playing with the tigers. Check-in to hotel in Chiang Mai in the late afternoon. Overnight in Chiang Mai Meals: Breakfast


11

Phra That Doi Suthep

Our Chiang Mai sightseeing tour starts with visiting Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous holy temple on top of Mount Suthep. Then we head to Wat Ched Yod, a unique and elegant temple built in 1453 to host the eighth World Buddhist Council. After we return to the inner city, visiting Wat Phra Singh to see one of the best examples of classic Lanna style architecture in Thailand. Also, we visit Chedi Luang Temple, a Buddhist temple with a giant stupa in the historic center of Chiang Mai. Return to hotel and enjoy your leisure time. Overnight in Chiang Mai Meals: Breakfast


12

Elephants

In the morning, pick up to the Elephant Camp and enjoy a variety of activities including: an elephant show, elephant riding, bamboo rafting, and ox-cart riding. After lunch, we return to Chiang Mai and visit Sankampang Handicraft Village, where they craft and sell handmade items such as umbrellas, silverware, silks, leathers and so on. Return to hotel in the afternoon. Overnight in Chiang Mai Meals: Breakfast, Lunch


13

Departure

Check-out from hotel and free until we transfer you to Chiang Mai International Airport for departure. Meals: Breakfast