Best of Thailand

Your guide and driver will greet you at the hotel lobby for the city tour. Today you will be dazzled by the architecture and intricate details on one of Bangkok’s most magnificent landmarks “The Grand Palace”. The Grand Palace was built in 1782 and was used as a significant residence for the royal family until 1925 and is now used for ceremonial purposes only. The highlight of this breath-taking temple is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha “Wat Pra Kaew”, the residence of Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist sculpture “Phra Kaew Morakot”. Not far from the Grand Palace is Wat Po, known for its giant reclining Buddha that measures 46 metres long and is covered in real gold leaf. Wat Po is also considered the leading school for Traditional massages in Thailand. You will then take a break and have lunch at a local restaurant before taking a water taxi to visit the legendary Wat Arun. Also, known as The Temple of Dawn one of the most striking riverside landmarks of Thailand because of its architecture and fine craftsmanship. Then you will navigate Asia’s “Venice of the East” by a long-tailed boat. Venture along the waterways and canals, discovering the fascinating lifestyle of the neighbourhood where life is simple and more relaxed with their truly Thai waterfront homes and their spirit houses. After a full day of excitement, you will then return to your hotel for a good rest. Option 1: Overnight at Nouvo City Hotel, Superior room. Option 2: Overnight at Dream Hotel Bangkok, Bronze King room. Option 3: Overnight at COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, City room.

This morning the driver will come to pick you up, to be on time at the starting point of the great sportive tour you are about to experience in a small group (Join-in). After arrival at the office, you choose a bicycle that fits your body-length. Once on the way we will stop at a typical local temple, ride along the train-graveyard, through slum areas and visit the biggest daily fresh-market “Talad Klongtoey”. Here we park our bicycles and have a stroll on the market. All your senses will wake-up while walking here (if this not has happened before we reached this market) and you will be very busy with your camera. After the market, we cross the always traffic congested Rama IV Road that brings us to Queen Sirikit Convention Center and the tranquil Benjakitty Park. In Benjakitty Park, a small, but very nicely designed park, we will have a break and rest a little while enjoying the views. We continue our ride along the Tobacco Monopoly. This is the place where cigarettes are made. Sometimes you even can smell the scent of tobacco-leaves when cycling in the area. A little further we pass one of the most expensive streets of Bangkok “Thanon Witthayu” where many embassies are located. It also has an entrance to the famous, “Central park of Bangkok”, Lumpini Park. Besides of taking a break in this beautiful park we can see locals doing Tai Chi or Yoga and other outdoor activities. If we are lucky, we might meet the famous permanent residents of Lumpini Park, the huge monitor lizards! Although they look scary, they’re harmless. After the break, we continue our ride through small communities and finish at our office. From here you make your own way back to the hotel or continue to explore Bangkok. Option 1: Overnight at Nouvo City Hotel, Superior room. Option 2: Overnight at Dream Hotel Bangkok, Bronze King room. Option 3: Overnight at COMO Metropolitan Bangkok, City room.

Early this morning (06.45), you will be picked up from your hotel by our minivan and guide and driven to the old fishing port of Samut Songkhram, locally known as Maeklong, which is well known for its railway market. The station is in the middle of a huge, local market, and is usually packed with people. Just before the railway station vendors use the space between the rails for their trays of vegetables, fruit and fish… Your guide will walk with you through the market along the tracks until the train arrives! After your visit, we continue to Kanchanaburi for your next destination. You will have lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the Bridge over the River Kwai and we head to the Thailand Burma Railway War Museum and Cemetery and the transfer to your hotel to rest at leisure. Option 1: Overnight at Hintok River Camp, HB Option 2: Overnight at River Kwai Jungle Raft, HB Option 3: Overnight at The Floathouse River Kwai, HB

In the morning we visit the Erawan Waterfalls and afterwards head towards Ayutthaya World Heritage Site. As the capital city of Thailand from 1350 to 1767, Ayutthaya served as the centre of Thai culture and international trade at the height of the country's territorial expansion. Until its final destruction by the Burmese, Ayutthaya was home to 33 different Siamese kings, and boasted a population, at one point, of over 1,000,000 inhabitants. Your visit will also include Wat Mahatat (Buddha in the tree) and Wat Sri San Pet. Finally, we go to Ayutthaya’s railway station where you take the night train to Lampang. Overnight on 2nd Class air-conditioned sleeper train Ayutthaya - Lampang

Upon arrival in Lampang, the only place in Thailand where horse-drawn carriages are still used as public transport, we first have a local breakfast (on own cost). After breakfast, we will make a horse cart ride through the streets of Lampang. We will visit the Burmese monastery Wat Si Rong Muang, Wat Prakaeo Don Tao as well as Ban Sao Nak, a unique historic teak wooden house. We visit the Kaad Thung Kwian market followed by some famous temples such as Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, Wat Phra Kaeo, and Wat Chedi Sao. Also on the program is a visit of the FAE Elephant Hospital. Rest of the day at leisure. Option 1: Overnight at The Coconut Lampang, Standard room. Option 2: Overnight at Lampang River Lodge, Lanna Bungalow. Option 3: Overnight at Wienglakor Lampang, Superior room.

Today we drive to Chiang Mai, arrival around noon, and visit Doi Suthep before check in. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Chiang Mai, Thailand's second-largest city and the gateway to the country's north, was founded in 1296. You can still see the moat that encircled the original city, and there are 300 Wats, including Wat Chiang Man (home of the 1800-year-old 10-cm-high Crystal Buddha), Wat Phra Singh (built in the classic Northern-Thai style) and Wat Chedi Luang (partially ruined by earthquake, cannon fire and recent restoration efforts). 15km west of the city, Wat Doi Suthep, 1,156m above sea level on Suthep Mountain, overlooks the city from its forested backdrop. It is one of Chiang Mai’s most important landmarks. It dates from 1383 and has holy Buddha relics in its golden pagoda. To reach it one can chose the hard way and climb a steep Naga staircase comprising of around 300 steps or the less energetic may ascend by funicular cars. From here one can have fine views of the city. The Old Chiang Mai Cultural Centre was set up over 25 years ago to preserve and promote the history and culture of the ancient northern kingdom of Lanna, its royal tradition of dances and music, its unique food and the folk art of the people of the valleys and of the hill tribes. Compared to Bangkok, Chiang Mai's evenings are cool and conducive to browsing around the central Night Bazaar. To get value for money, bargain patiently, but keep things in perspective. Option 1: Overnight at Kampaeng Ngam Hotel, Standard room. Option 2: Overnight at Banthai Village, Superior room. Option 3: Overnight at U Nimman Chiang Mai, Deluxe room.

Free day to explore the Rose of The North. Option 1: Overnight at Kampaeng Ngam Hotel, Standard room. Option 2: Overnight at Banthai Village, Superior room. Option 3: Overnight at U Nimman Chiang Mai, Deluxe room.

Our guide will pick you up at 07.30 from your hotel for an overnight trip to the Golden Triangle. Drive to Mae Kachan hot springs where we will spend 20 min. Before we arrive in Chiang Rai we will make a brief stop at the 'White Temple'. Wat Rong Khun is a contemporary unconventional Buddhist temple in Chiang Rai, designed by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a famous Thai artist. We continue to Mae Sai and on the way, we make a stop at Baan Dam or The Black House - The Black Temple. Created by local artist/curator "Thawan Duchanee", Baan Dam is an estate of more than 40 black houses/domes. Each house is uniquely designed and loaded with a variety of paintings, sculptures, drums, animal bones, skins and horns collected from around Southeast Asia. Afterwards we drive to Mae Sai, to visit the border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). Our last stop will be the Golden Triangle where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet. We will make a boat trip on the Mekong River and visit the small Lao Island Koh Don Sao In the evening, you might want to visit the small but charming night bazar of Chiang Rai. There are tuk tuks (3-wheel motorized taxi) parking at the front of the hotel (one way is USD 3, 1-2 persons). Option 1: Overnight at Maryo Resort, Superior room. Option 2: Overnight at The Legend Chiang Rai, Superior Studio room. Option 3: Overnight at The Riverie by Katathani, Deluxe Garden room.

After breakfast, you will be picked up at 10.00 for a morning tour of Chiang Rai by samlor, a bicycle taxi. The Samlor is a disappearing sight in Thai cities and towns. During a relaxing 2-hour ride you will see the authentic side of Chiang Rai. You will pass the King Mengrai Monument, commemorating the founder of Chiang Rai in 1262. The monument will be the first place to visit, since locals believe that respect should be paid to King Mengrai before travelling further. You will visit Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Phra Kaew is noted for its late Lanna image hall and several fine bronze Buddha images. The temple is more famous, however, as the place where the statue of the Emerald Buddha, now housed in Bangkok, was originally discovered. Continue to Wat Prasing. This temple, on Singhakhlai Road, is a fine example of Lanna religious architecture. The Phra Phuttha Sihing image, now at Chiang Mai's Wat Phra Sing, was originally enshrined here. A copy now sits in its place. You will finish with a visit to the local market, always a bustling place to visit. After this tour, we will be brought back to the hotel. Here you will bid goodbye to your guide and the driver. Option 1: Overnight at Maryo Resort, Superior room. Option 2: Overnight at The Legend Chiang Rai, Superior Studio room. Option 3: Overnight at The Riverie by Katathani, Deluxe Garden room.

Today you will be transferred to Chiang Rai Airport by a private minivan.