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: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham, Bangkok (3 nights)

Note: For international arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport, please proceed to Gates 1 or 2, where your guide will be waiting. For international arrivals, please proceed to Gate 6.

Today is devoted to Bangkok’s most iconic spiritual and royal landmarks. Explore the Grand Palace, a symbol of Thai heritage built in 1782 by King Rama I, with over a hundred ornately decorated buildings on its sprawling grounds—including Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha. Visit nearby Wat Pho, known for its Reclining Buddha, Thai massage origins, and role as Thailand’s oldest public education center. End the day at Wat Traimit in Chinatown, famous for its solid gold Buddha statue, discovered just decades ago after being hidden under plaster to protect it from theft. (B)

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

When visiting the Grand Palace, proper attire is strictly enforced. The following are not allowed: shorts, mini-skirts, short or tight-fitting pants, tights, see-through tops, culottes, quarter-length pants, sleeveless shirts, vests, shirts with rolled-up sleeves, sandals without ankle or heel straps, sweatshirts, sweatpants, windbreakers, sleepers, and fishermen’s trousers. For religious reasons, women should wear short-sleeved tops with full-length pants or knee-length skirts. Men must wear trousers and short-sleeved shirts. No shorts or flip-flops permitted.

Today is devoted to immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of Bangkok’s most authentic outer markets. We begin at Maeklong Railway Market, where stalls line the tracks and vendors display their goods astonishingly close to the rails. As the train approaches, we watch in awe as merchants swiftly pull back their wares, then return them just as quickly once it passes—an unforgettable scene that many capture on camera. We continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, about 100 kilometers southwest of the city, where traders in small wooden boats sell fresh fruits, vegetables, and other local goods along narrow canals. When you think of Thailand, the unique floating market is one of the first images that springs to mind, and here we’ll experience the most famous of them all. It’s a vivid scene full of color, tradition, and great shopping bargains, offering a memorable insight into Thai culture and daily life. (B, L)

Departure transfer to the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai (air ticket is not included).  Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. We then embark on an orientation tour of the city, discovering its highlights. We begin our walking tour of the Old Town at Tha Pae Gate, entering along the moat to Wat Sai Moon, the only Burmese temple within the old city walls. From there, we pass through Chiang Mai Gate and continue to Wat Chedi Luang, a 14th-century temple once home to the City Pillar and Northern Thailand’s largest chedi before it was damaged in an earthquake. Nearby, we stop at Wat Pan Tao, then visit the Three Kings Monument in front of the former royal palace, now the Chiang Mai Culture Center. We then visit Wat Chiang Man, the city’s oldest temple and former residence of its founder, before hopping on a Red Songteaw to Wat Prasingh, home to the revered “Pra Singh” Buddha and exquisite mural paintings in the Golden Hall.

Overnight: The Empress Hotel, Chiang Mai (2 nights) (B)

Note: For domestic arrivals at Chiang Mai airport, please proceed to Exit 2 to meet with your guide. Please note hotel check-in is not available until 2 PM or later, and early check-in is subject to hotel discretion and availability.

We spend a half day exploring Chiang Mai’s most important temples by trishaw, including the sacred Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on Doi Suthep Mountain. Accessible by a 306-step staircase or included tram, the temple offers stunning panoramic views of the city. The excursion ends at Muang Mai Market, where we meet local vendors, sample fresh ingredients, and learn about the staples of Thai cuisine. After free time in the afternoon, In the evening, we enjoy a traditional Northern Thai “Khan Toke” dinner, served on floor mats with cushions, featuring appetizers, entrees, dessert, and a drink. The experience includes a vibrant dance performance by local hill tribes showcasing their ancestral traditions. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B, D)

Note: To respect local culture, ladies should wear tops that cover the shoulders and either full-length pants or knee-length skirts. Men should wear long or short-sleeved shirts with pants.

We begin our day with a pickup from our Chiang Mai hotel, followed by a scenic drive through the countryside to the Elephant Park, where we change into traditional clothes and prepare fruit to feed the elephants. We spend time interacting with them—feeding, roaming, and playing—before enjoying lunch and making sticky rice mixed with herbs for their afternoon treat. We learn about their care and behavior, then walk with them to a pond for a refreshing bath and more feeding. Later, we take a 3.5-hour scenic drive to Chiang Rai and visit the striking all-white Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), a dazzling, otherworldly work by Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat that blends spirituality and surrealism. Afterward, we check in at the hotel and enjoy free time at leisure.

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

Note: This day includes private transfers with a guide and shared activities at the elephant park (no riding). Please bring a hat or cap, towel, swimsuit, appropriate walking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a change of clothes and underwear. For religious reasons, ladies should wear short-sleeved tops with full-length pants or knee-length skirts, and gentlemen should wear pants with short-sleeved shirts.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and visit Chiang Sean for a panoramic view of the Golden Triangle, where Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet and the mighty Mekong River flows through. We then hop on a boat for a 30-minute ride around the Golden Triangle. Afterward, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before being dropped off at Chiang Rai Airport at approximately 2:00 PM for our flight out.

Note: Flight should be booked to depart 5: 00 PM or later.