NORTHERN THAILAND ADVENTURE

Bangkok - River Kwai - Kanchanaburi - Ayutthya - Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai ITINERARY BY DAY Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok Arrive in Bangkok in the morning and transfer to your hotel in the city. After freshening up, get your first impressions of Bangkok while enjoying the the ambiance of a charming dinner cruise. In the backdrop of Bangkok's glittering skyline, enjoy a sumptuous dinner while listening to live music. Day 2: Bangkok City Tour Meet with your guide in the morning and spend the day visiting some of Bangkok's most iconic attractions on a guided tour of the city's highlights. Explore the majestic and elaborately decorated grounds of the Grand Palace, experience the serene beauty of the Golden and Emerald Buddhas, and cruise down the "Khlongs" of Bangkok's Chao Praya River on a longtail boat to discover why this area is called the "Venice of the East". Wind up a whirlwind tour of the city's highlights with a visit to the city's oldest temple, Wat Arun, and ascend the impossibly steep steps of its stupa for an incredible view of the city from across the river. Afterwards, enjoy dinner at your hotel and spend the rest of the evening relaxing. Day 3: Bangkok – River Kwai – Kanchanaburi After breakfast, head out to discover the distinctive charm of Bangkok's floating markets. Mingle with locals while bargaining for handicrafts and sample some snacks while exploring this unique and bustling environment. Then, head to the famous bridge at River Kwai. Learn about the history of the bridge and its role in WWII while visiting a museum and war cemetary. Then, head to your hotel for a restful evening. Day 4: Kanchanaburi – Ayutthaya – Phitsanulok Depart Kanchanaburi in the morning and head to the ancient capital of Siam at Ayutthaya. At its height, Ayutthaya was considered to be one of the world's most illustrious cities. Here, find the crumbling remains of grand temples and pagodas. Discover how the city's history shaped modern Thailand while exploring the impressive relics of this faded ancient city at the confluence of three rivers. Day 5: Phitsanulok – Chiang Rai Head out in the morning for a visit to the beautiful Wat Mahattat. Also known as the Temple of the Great Relic, it's an important centre for Buddhism and meditation in Thailand, has a fascinating story and isn't bad on the eyes either. Afterwards, visit the historic capital of Sukhothai. Famed for its gorgeous traditional architecture and charming atmosphere, here you'll have a look at ancient palaces, temples and Buddha statues before continuing onward to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the evening at your leisure. Day 6: Mountain Tribes - The Golden Triangle – The Mekong After breakfast, head to the hills surrounding Chiang Rai for a visit to colourful Akha and Yao hill tribe communities. Meet and mingle with the friendly residents of these villages, being sure to snap a few photos along the way. Afterwards, hop on a boat and cruise down the mighty Mekong River. From the perspective of your boat, explore a notorious area known as the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Once a thriving waypoint for the flow of opium through Asia, the Golden Triangle has fascinating history that your guide will be sure to explain. Afterwards, head back to your hotel and relax or spend the rest of the evening exploring the quiet local charm of Chiang Rai. Day 7: Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai Wake up in the morning and enjoy breakfast before heading to the northern capital, Chiang Mai. Stop by the charming village of Sankampaeng along the way to see some of the finest silk and hand-painted umbrellas in Thailand. After arriving in Chiang Mai, check in to your hotel and spend the evening relaxing or head out to explore the bustling nightlife or thriving night markets of the city. Day 8: Chiang Mai In the morning, head to the world-famous Doi Suthep Temple. Perched high on a mountain just outside of Chiang Mai, this impressive temple was first constructed in the 13th century. In addition to being one of Thailand's most beautiful temples, it also has a uniquely pious cultural vibe and sweeping views of Chiang Mai City. After soaking up the unique atmosphere of Doi Suthep, head to an elephant camp in the jungle to spend time with these magnificent animals, watch them playing together and learn about elephant conservation. Day 9: Chiang Mai Spend the day at your leisure. Sleep in for some well-deserved rest, relax at the hotel or explore the near-endless cultural attractions and charming haunts in this interesting and historic city. Day 10: Chiang Mai – Bangkok After breakfast, head out to a local market early in the morning. With the local experience of your guide, find the freshest and best ingredients before heading to a Thai home. Here, learn some of the secrets you'll need to accurately recreate authentic Thai dishes for your friends back home. Under the guidance of an experienced chef, learn how to balance flavours and add spice to make your dishes stand out. After enjoying the fruits of your labour, head to the Chiang Mai Train Station where you'll hop aboard a train for a scenic ride back to Bangkok. Alternatively, at extra cost, fly back instead and spend an extra night exploring the Chiang Mai. Day 11 – 15: Bangkok – Gulf of Siam After arriving in Bangkok in the morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast before heading to the Gulf of Siam. Upon arrival, check into your luxurious hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. The coast in this area has three beautiful beaches: Jomtien, Naklua and Pattaya Beaches. The area also abounds with shops, restaurants and night markets. Spend the next few days exploring the area, soaking in the sun, or swimming in clear waters. Alternatively, head to the quieter seaside towns of Hua Hin or Cha Am for a slightly more relaxing experience. Day 15: Bangkok After heading back to Bangkok, spend your last hours enjoying the city's unique ambiance before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight.