Day 01: Arrive Bangkok

Arrive at Bangkok International Airport, meet and greet, and transfer (unescorted) to your hotel. Check in time starts from 1500 hrs.  Rest of the day at leisure. Perhaps you could indulge yourself with a traditional Thai massage, surprise your taste buds with the amazing local flavors and cap off the day by enjoying sunset in any of the stylish rooftop bars which have blossomed in the city’s skyscrapers in recent years… the options are limitless.

Overnight: Century Park Hotel, Bangkok (3 nights)

Day 02: Bangkok

Today’s tour includes three of the most important Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Wat Traimit, also known as the temple of the Golden Buddha, houses a three-meter-tall statue made from solid gold and weighing 5.5 tons. You will then pass through Chinatown on your way to Wat Pho, the temple of the Reclining Buddha and home to the Chedis of the Kings. At 46 meters in length and 15 meters high, the Buddha is the largest in Bangkok and illustrates the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. The Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Bangkok. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and Wat Phra Keo, the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. To round off the tour, we call in at a local lapidary factory and showroom where you will be able to get locally made jewelery, handicrafts and silk at competitive prices. (B)

Note: The Grand Palace is closed during special royal ceremonies and during visiting heads of state.

Day 03: Bangkok

When you think of Thailand, the unique Floating Market is one of the first images that springs to mind. Experience the most famous of the floating markets at Damnoen Saduak and Sampran Riverside for an insight into Thai culture and traditions. In the morning you’ll have an exciting long tail boat ride along the nearby canals to the site of the market, where you will find the locals selling everything imaginable from their boats. Plenty of shopping bargains can be found. Then it’s onto Sampran Riverside, a beautiful resort area, where lunch is taken. After lunch you will have time to wander around the gardens and the recreated Thai village with lots of interesting and varied handicrafts on display. Before we return to Bangkok, enjoy an excellent cultural show. The show gives you an sample of many aspects of the Thai way of life, including Thai dancing, wedding and monk ordination ceremonies, kick boxing, sword and long pole fighting, and fingernail dancing. (B, L)

Day 03: Bangkok

Depart from Bangkok and head to Maeklong Railway Marker, as knows as TaladRom Hoop. Upon arrival the guide will introduce you to the history of this area. See the action in several minutes before the train passing through the market. The process happens so quick it will amaze you for the unique moment. Then go to the world-famous floating market of “Damnoen Saduak”, there are countless floating markets throughout the country, the colourful clad merchants at these lively markets paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruits and vegetables to sell to shoppers on the banks. This is an exciting and fun way to see the local like and to go bargain hunting. Transfer back to Bangkok. (B)

Day 04: Bangkok/Chiang Mai (Flight)

Departure transfer (unescorted) to the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai (air ticket is not included).  Unescorted transfer and check-in at the hotel.  Pick-up at 1330 hrs in central Chiang Mai followed by guided tour of the old town and the city’s main temples. Visit the historic Wat Suan Dok and admire its 48- meter-high Sri Lankan-style chedi, which overlooks the Royal Cemetery. Continue to Wat Phra Sing in the old town and appreciate the beauty of this large complex of more than 60 buildings before visiting 14th century Wat Chedi Luang in the very heart of the old city. This ancient temple has a more rustic appearance and has been restored after decades of decay. Discover, too, the nearby Wat Chet Yot and Wat Chiang Man. Due to its age, the Chet Yot temple betrays some signs of ruin, while the Chiang Man temple is renowned for its numerous elephant sculptures.

Overnight: Holiday Inn or Empress Hotel (until Nov 2020), Chiang Mai (2 nights) (B)

Day 05: Chiang Mai

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the city. The temple is reached by climbing a 309-step naga staircase or via cable car (included). If the views are stunning, the temple itself is even better and boasts a number of dazzling structures. Continue to the bustling Wararot Market, a historical landmark renowned for the variety and quality of its produce, before visiting the fragrant flower market. In the evening, enjoy a khantoke dinner, a traditional northern Thai feast combined with a selection of traditional cultural performances inspired by the Lanna kingdom, which dominated northern Thailand for almost five centuries. (B, D)

Day 06: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai (Drive)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading into the jungle to become acquainted with Thailand’s national animal during a visit to the Thai Elephant Care Center. The care center was set up to provide care for elderly elephants retired from logging and camps. Appreciate these gentle giants and learn more about their nature, their individual traits, their lifestyles, their talents and their charms. There may also be an opportunity to watch the bath-time. After lunch, sail aboard a traditional long tail boat on the River Kok towards Chiang Rai, passing the highland villages of the Muser people and the Karen tribes. The beauty of the hills that surround the river enhances the spectacular natural scenery. Arrive in Chiang Rai in the afternoon and transfer to your accommodation.

Overnight: Laluna Resort, Chiang Rai (1 night) (B, L)

Day 06: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai (Drive)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading into the jungle to become acquainted with Thailand’s national animal during a visit to the Thai Elephant Care Centre. The care centre was established to provide care for elderly elephants retired from logging and camps. Appreciate these gentle giants, learn more about their nature, their individual traits, their lifestyles, their talents and their charms. If time permits, watch them play during their bath-time. After lunch, continue by road via Doi Saket witha stop at Wat Rong Khun, nicknamed the ‘White Temple’, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its ornate all-white exterior with embedded pieces of mirror gives it a resplendent appearance, which makes it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Continue to Chiang Rai, arriving in the afternoon and transferring to your accommodation.

Overnight: Laluna Resort, Chiang Rai (1 night) (B, L)

Day 07: Chiang Rai/Bangkok (Flight)

Check out after breakfast at the hotel and visit Wat Rong Khun, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Known as one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, its ornate all-white exterior, with embedded pieces of mirror, gives it a resplendent appearance. Continue to Chiang Sean for a panoramic view of the Golden Triangle where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet and the mighty River Mekong. Enjoy lunch at the Imperial Golden Triangle Resort before being dropped off at Chiang Rai Airport at approximately 1400 hrs for a flight back to Bangkok.  Unescorted transfer to hotel.

Overnight: Century Park Hotel, Bangkok (1 night) (B, L)

Day 07: Depart Chiang Rai

Check out after breakfast at the hotel and visit Chiang Sean for a panoramic view of the Golden Triangle where Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet where the mighty River Mekong flows through.  Hop on a boat and take a trip around the Golden Triangle on a boat ride lasting around 30 minutes.  After, enjoy lunch at the Imperial Golden Triangle Resort before being dropped off at Chiang Rai Airport at approximately 14:00 hrs for a flight out (air ticket is not included). (B, L)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 16 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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