Bangkok and the North of Thailand Discovery Tour

Bangkok and the North of Thailand

8-Day Discovery Tour

Day 1: Bangkok 

Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport, you will be met with our local representative and transferred to your centrally-located hotel for check in and enjoy rest of the day at leisure. Well known as the City of Angels, Krungthepmahanakorn (Bangkok) is the present capital city and the focal point of the country. It is a vibrant city, and home of Thailand’s spiritual, cultural, political, commercial, educational and diplomatic institutions.

Day 2: Bangkok (B/D)

An early start with breakfast at the hotel and you will be on your way for a half-day excursion to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Situated 110 km from Bangkok in Ratchaburi province, this market is like a trip back in time to the Siam of old. You will see colourfully clad merchants paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit, vegetables and other foodstuff to sell to shoppers on the canal banks.  Optional paddle boat is available at extra cost. In the afternoon, visit the Grand Palace and Wat Po. The Grand Palace is an architectural wonder of golden stupas, walls and pillars encrusted in shining and colourful mosaics. The most famous building within the palace grounds is Wat Phra Kaew and this is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. Continue to Wat Po, with its massive reclining Buddha.

This evening, join the Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk to experience the fun of riding around in a Tuk Tuk and discover Bangkok’s magical atmosphere at night. Visit famous local eateries around the city sampling the local street foods, go behind the scenes to see how it’s made.  Explore the amazing flower market with its vivid colors. Your Tuk Tuk driver will take you back to hotel around midnight.

Day 3: Bangkok – Chiang Rai (B/L)

After breakfast and hotel check-out, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Bangkok Airport to board a flight to Chiang Rai (included). Upon arrival at Chiang Rai Airport, you will be met with the local representative for the half-day tour “Golden Triangle, Hall of Opium and Boat Trip”.  Visit the area once known as a hub for the opium trade. A hill top view point gives a view of the splendor of the mighty Mekong River joining forces with the Ruak River and forming the actual “Triangle” with Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand. Embark on the Mekong River by traditionally built long-tail boat, for great views of river life. Learn more about the impressive history of those rivers by visiting the renowned Hall of Opium and experience their important role in the opium trade. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant. After the tour, you will be transferred to a resort  to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 4: Chiang Rai (B)

After your breakfast at the hotel, you will visit “The Golden Horse” Temple and Boon Rawd Farm. Heading north from Chiang Rai to the Wat Pa Asha Thong temple or so called  “Golden Horse monastery”. You will experience this ritual of the monks coming down the mountain to collect the alms from the villages. Afterwards continue to Boon Rawd Farm which is one of the largest tea producers in Thailand. The farm workers are local Thais and people from various hill tribes, whose unique traditional way of life and cultures have long been appealing to outsiders. Return back to hotel for an afternoon free at leisure or enjoy the resort’s facilities. This evening, discover Chiang Rai Night Bazaar with your guide. Vendors start to set up their stalls at around sunset, but it doesn’t get busy until after 19:00. What you will find here is a range of hill-tribe crafts, fashion accessories, souvenirs and clothing. Always negotiate before you buy. The Night Bazaar has two outdoor stages for cultural performances and a beer garden/food court where you can grab a quick bite or dinner.

Day 5: Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai (B/D)

After checked out from hotel, you will be transferred by road through splendid mountain scenery and tropical jungle (approx. 3 hours) to Chiang Mai with a short break at Mae Khachan Hot Spring. Proceed to Wat Rong Khun, also known as the “White”Temple” and further drive to Baan Dam (Black House) estate created by Thailand national artist Thawan Duchanee, this is an impressive park area with plenty of fantastic wood buildings, the main hall all in black. Beautiful woodcarvings, skins and horn installations are everywhere. Stop en route for lunch at a local restaurant (not included). Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be transferred to your hotel for check in. This afternoon, you will be heading out for a Lanna Home Host Dinner Experience. Dining in Thailand is a feast for the senses. Here we present a range of innovate, culinary-centric ideas! The family is typical “Lanna” Northern Thailand family, continuing the traditions of many generations in building their homes of teak wood and maintaining the natural surroundings in manner now rarely seen in Chiang Mai province. You will experience the simple Lanna way of life and learn about their traditional way of living,  walk through the family orchard with fruit such as banana, mango & coconut, and a garden typical Thai herbs and organic vegetables for cooking. You will join the preparations and cooking with local family.

Day 6: Chiang Mai (B/D)

After breakfast, enjoy a morning City Orientation Tour by Tri-Shaw. Explore the heart of Chiang Mai from local scrimmaging city life and markets to astonishingly erected temples and buildings offering beautiful traditional interior, which have been built many centuries ago. Witness a ceremony of Monks and experience Buddhism and its customs and rituals. This charming city remains the principal religious center in northern Thailand and focal point for the construction of temples and monasteries. You will visit Wat Pra Singh or Monastery of the Lion Lord, founded in the 14th century to house the ashes of King Kham Fu and to serve as the principal religious center of the Lanna Kingdom.  The Viharn Lai Kham gilded hall, decorated with murals of everyday life, houses the revered Phra Buddha Sihing image. You also have opportunity to attend the Monk Blessing Ceremony. The monks will chant their mantras and sprinkle holy water to bring good luck to the guests, while you will present offerings to them in return. It is considered auspicious to begin the day with a Monks’ Blessing Ceremony to ensure business success and spiritual happiness. There will be spare time for a discussion with one of the Buddhist monks. you will have some free time at a local restaurant before embarking on your afternoon excursion to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.  After a drive up the mountain’s winding road, the final climb to the site is via a magnificent Naga staircase which has many beautiful and historic Buddhist temples and about 306 steps. Inside is an intriguing copper-plated chedi topped by a five-tier gold umbrella which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha. On a clear day, there are astonishing panoramic views out over the city of Chiang Mai.

This evening you will enjoy a traditional Kantoke Dinner with show. The delicious northern Thai food “Kantoke” is the customary northern style dinner cooked in the traditional way and served in large platters on low tables. Whilst savouring this local cuisine you will be entertained by wonderful classic dances performed by hill tribes which have its origin from around the nation.

Day 7: Chiang Mai – Bangkok (B/D)

After breakfast, enjoy a morning free at leisure. After check-out from the hotel you will be met with our local representative and transferred to Chiang Mai Airport to board on your flight to Bangkok (included). Upon arrival, you will be met with our local representative and transferred to your hotel for check in and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, enjoy Sala Rim Naam Thai Dinner and Classical Dance.  Set on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, directly opposite of the world famous Oriental Hotel, Sala Rim Nam serves up delectable Thai cuisine followed by a performance of Thai classical dance. Experience Thai culture and royal cuisine in a charming and traditional, richly decorated Thai pavilion. Enjoy the show while sharing a wonderful riverside meal.

Day 8: Bangkok – end of the tour (B)

After breakfast and  checked out from hotel, you will be met with our local representative and transferred to Bangkok Airport.  International flights are not included in this itinerary.

Remark:  Itinerary and activities are subject to change depending on road, weather conditions, river water levels, or other conditions  out of the operator’s control.