Day 1: Bangkok arrival
Arrive at Bangkok airport by flight. Welcome by your English-speaking guide and private transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day to relax after a long-haul flight.
Bangkok began as a small trading centre and port community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River some 200 years ago. Today, while the city is up to speed with modern times, the grandeur and glory of its illustrious past still prevails. Be it dazzling temples, spectacular palaces, a world-famous floating market or colourful Chinatown, each of these famous places has an intriguing story to tell.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 2: Vibrant Bangkok: Grand Palace and China town (Breakfast/-/-)
Breakfast at hotel. Departure for the visit of the Royal Palace, founded in 1782 by King Rama I. The wall of the Palace protects an enclosure of 259 hectares. You will discover Wat Phra Keo Temple (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which is actually the Royal Chapel of the Grand Palace. The Buddha, which measures only 60 cm. This is the most famous and most revered statue of Thailand.
Next, visit Bangkok’s Chinatown, a maze of small streets and alleyways in one of the oldest areas in Bangkok. Walk along 1.5km (1mi) long Yaowarat Road, Chinatown’s main street, with shops selling everything from gold and garments to antiques and musical instruments, and of course, many excellent restaurants.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 3: Sights of the city – Traditional Thai massage (Breakfast/-/-)
Explore two of Bangkok’s most famous temples: Wat Traimit and Wat Pho. Wat Traimit houses a 3m (10ft) tall, 5.5-tonne, solid-gold Buddha image, cast sometime in the 13th century and is an excellent example of the graceful Sukhothai style that is still very much in favour to this day. Interestingly, the statue was only ‘discovered’ some 40 years ago, hidden beneath a plaster exterior as protection against theft. Continue to Wat Pho, which houses the enormous 45m (148ft) Reclining Buddha. Notice how the Buddha’s feet alone are 5m (16ft) long and exquisitely decorated in mother-of-pearl illustrations of auspicious lakshanas, drawing attention to the concept that his beautiful and perfectly proportioned body is an outer reflection of inner spiritual power. In addition to being home to more than 1,000 Buddha images, more than any other temple in the country, Wat Pho is also the spiritual home of traditional therapeutic Thai massage. Ideally on an empty stomach, and after visiting the Buddha, you will enjoy a 60min herbal Thai massage in Wat Pho which will leave you feeling wonderfully relaxed.
In the event of extreme traffic conditions, our driver may take you to the pier (located directly across from the Peninsula hotel) to transfer you by their shuttle boat in order to save time; or vice versa. Our guide will accompany you to and/or from the Peninsula.
Day 4: Bangkok's leisure time (Breakfast/-/-)
A free day to explore Bangkok at your own leisure. Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 5: Bangkok - Chiang Mai "Rose of the Northern Thailand" (Breakfast/-/-)
Breakfast at hotel in Bangkok and transfer to Bangkok airport to take flight to Chiang Mai.
Welcome to Chiang Mai the largest city in northern Thailand, and the second largest in the country, often referred to as the “Rose of the North”. Founded in 1296, Chiang Mai served as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom. In contrast to the normally densely populated Asian city, Chiang Mai has the appearance of a large village—orderly, clean, traditional, and almost sprawling.
Upon arrival, welcome and get picked up with Guide and transfer to your hotel to check-in. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 6: Lanna Old Kingdom unveiled: heritages, temples & cuisines (Breakfast/-/-)
Morning visit to a vibrant food and flower market where local Thais do their shopping. Continue to Wat Suan Dok, final resting place for the ashes of former kings of Chiang Mai and the Royal Family. Next, make a visit to Lanna Folklife Museum. The centre exhibits the lifestyle of Lanna people and the art that appears in Buddhist art including tools used in rituals, Lanna architectures, traditions, mural paintings and craftsmanship which can be found in a wide variety of categories in order to inherit the tradition and be able to reach out to general public.
Lunch to be on your own.
In the afternoon, drive 30min to Doi Suthep Mountain, enjoying the spectacular views of Northern Thailand as you head past mountains and forests, towards Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Northern Thailand’s most sacred temples. Founded in 1383 AD, the temple is reached by climbing 309 steps (or for the less fitness-minded, a tram is available for a small surcharge). The climb up is rewarded with a superb panoramic view over the city. After that, return to Chiang Mai and enjoy a 20min rickshaw ride through the quiet streets of the old town before returning to your hotel.
This evening, we’ll take you on a street food experience. Not only is Chiang Mai a visual paradise, surrounded by hills and jungle with a beautiful mix of new and old architecture, it also has a well-deserved reputation as a foodie paradise. Northern Thai cuisine shares some similarities with nearby Burmese and Lao cuisine, a contrast to the sweet flavours of southern Thailand. Get to know Chiang Mai’s street food scene sold from its many stalls and shophouses, especially in the area around the Three Kings Monument near the centre of town. Sample various delicacies including Northern Thai-style noodle soup, stirfries, Phad Thai, khao man gai (chicken rice), khao soi (a Burmese-influenced noodle dish), fresh fruits, and a variety of Thai desserts.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 7: Chiang Mai free day - Evening romance on Ratilanna boat (Private transfer from city hotel) (Breakfast/-/-)
The day is free for you to explore Chiang Mai at your leisure.
Then, enjoy an evening cruise down Chiang Mai’s Ping River aboard a unique scorpion-tailed boat designed by Ratilanna Boat Creations. The upturned stems of the long, wooden boats resemble a raised scorpion’s tail, and were once poled upriver from Bangkok to deliver goods to Chiang Mai. Take a 15-minute transfer to the pier and board your private boat, enjoying a drink and an appetizer as you set off down the Ping River, one of the two main contributories of the Chao Phraya River. Bask in the tranquil riverside scenes before disembarking for a romantic private dinner on the Riverside Lawn, complemented with a lovely bouquet and a bottle of wine.
Day 8: Chiang Mai free day (Breakfast/-/-)
Breakfast at hotel. Free day to explore Chiang Mai at your own leisure or simply relax.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Day 9: Chiang Mai - Krabi island (long tail boat to Koh Phi Phi) (Breakfast/-/-)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Chiang Mai airport to take flight to Krab. Upon arrival, welcome and transfer to boat pier , join speed boat to Phi Phi, embark on a private long tail boat to Saii Phi Phi Island Village.
Overnight in Phi Phi island
Day 10: Island leisure
Have carefree days and ultimate peace-of-mind at Saii Phi Phi Island Village, on a private stretch of white-sand beach by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea.
Overnight in Phi Phi island.
Day 11: Island leisure
Have carefree days and ultimate peace-of-mind at Saii Phi Phi Island Village, on a private stretch of white-sand beach by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea.
Overnight in Phi Phi island.
Day 12 Island leisure
Have carefree days and ultimate peace-of-mind at Saii Phi Phi Island Village, on a private stretch of white-sand beach by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea.
Overnight in Phi Phi island.
Day 13: Island leisure - flight back to Bangkok
Enjoy leisure time at SAii Phi Phi Island Village, on a private stretch of white-sand beach by the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. Check-out hotel and embark on a private long tail boat to Phi Phi boat pier, then join speed boat to Krabi. Transfer to airport to take domestic flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, welcome and transfer to your hotel in Bangkok to check-in.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Day 14: Bangkok departure
Relax at hotel until checking-out and transfer to Bangkok international airport to take departure flight to your home country. Thank you very much for choosing us as your destinations.
