Day 01: Arrive Bangkok

Arrive at Bangkok International Airport, meet and greet, and transfer to your hotel (transfer unescorted). Check in time starts from 1500 hrs.  Rest of the day is 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: The Lit, Bangkok (Extra Radiance Room) (3 nights)

Day 02: Bangkok

Breakfast at our hotel and we start our explorations of this land and start with the world famous Buddhist Temples of Bangkok. Our journey commences as it takes us to three of the most unique temples the city has to offer. We start at the ornate Wat Trimitr situated at the end of the buzzing Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road close to the Hua Lampong train station. The temple is home to a vast invaluable Golden Buddha statue weighing five-and-half tons and which took 18 years to build. At Wat Po we see the impressive reclining Buddha that is 46 meters in length. No temple tour is complete without a visit to the gleaming Grand Palace, the most beautiful example of a traditional Siamese Court. Previously the residence of royalty, there are a number of different venues for different occasions including the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the famed Emerald Buddha Temple. Return to hotel and free at leisure in the afternoon. (B)

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

Day 03: Bangkok

When one thinks of Thailand one of the first images that light the mind are the images of the unique Floating Markets. Here the live and indigenous culture is experienced. We will start at the Damnoen Saduak and the Sampran Riverside. Damnoen Saduak is dubbed as the ‘real floating market’ and is around 110 km west of Bangkok. A trip to this Thai phenomenon is like travelling back to the ancient times of the Siam Kingdom when colourful clad merchants paddled along the narrow canals. Here we witness the traditional ways of trading fruit, vegetables and other small items from small boats traditional Thai houses to view. These boats are the lifeblood of the families. This tour includes visit to the famed Maeklong Railway where food stalls are erected along trackside and hastily moved as trains arrive.

Free time follows to enjoy and wander around the gardens and the recreated Thai village with lots of interesting and varied handicrafts on display. Bangkok is a very popular city to loiter around. The city is famous for the wide variety of cuisines Thai, Asean and contemporary western dishes. (B, L)

Day 04: Bangkok/Chiang Rai (Flight)

A short flight gets us to the enchanting Chiang Rai known for its distinct forms of regional culture, cuisine and architecture. Chiang Rai is a small delightful city with a relaxed atmosphere, tasty cuisines and is also the logical base from where one can get to the more remote corners of the province. After our transfer to our hotel we have balance of the day free. Our hotel, The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa with its ever-changing riverside panorama is a secluded and tranquil property and yet it’s only a few minutes’ drive from the city centre. Afternoon we explore Chian Rai. Our tour takes us to Chiang Rai’s most beautiful temples such as the Wat Rong Suer Ten known as the ‘Blue Temple’. Also included is a visit to the ornate Wat Phra Sing which houses a replica of the Phra Sing Buddha, a highly revered image, as the original was removed from the city of Chiang Mai. We also take in Wat Phra Keow, which during the 13th century housed the famed Emerald Buddha. This informative and enlightening tour continues with a pleasant trishaw ride back to our hotel.

Balance of the day is free.

Overnight: The Legend, Chiang Rai (2 nights) (B)

Day 05: Chiang Rai

Enjoy breakfast at our hotel before heading to the city Centre to admire the iconic monument to King Mangrai who founded the Lanna Thai Kingdom in 1262. We get a unique insight into the life of the Hill tribe people at the Museum and Education Centre dedicated to them. We will learn about the dozens of hill tribes who have lived in the highlands around the city for centuries and how they survived the impact of globalization reaching their villages. At the Mae Chan district we get a firsthand exploration of the Yao and Akha peoples and experience their way of life first-hand. By this time we will be hungry so we hit on the road to Mae Sai, a busy market town that is at the border of Thailand with Myanmar. It is here where we will have lunch at a local restaurant followed by a walk around the town. We continue into the heart of the infamous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. This natural wilderness gained unwanted notoriety in the 1960s because of the abundant opium cultivation in the area. Continue to Chiang Saen to visit the hilltop Wat Phra That Chom Kitti, which is reached via a 350-step staircase. Return to Chiang Rai arriving early evening. (B, L)

Day 06: Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai (Drive)

We are in for a treat today as we explore the most well known gems of Thailand, Chiang Mai. We start with a visit to the magnificent Wat Rong Khun 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 Mai where we visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most revered temples in the country. This sacred location is at the top of a mountain from where one can appreciate the stunning panoramic view of the city. Reaching the temple requires another easy climb of just 309-steps naga staircase. Alternatively, as an optional, one can use the cable car to reach the temple. Head to the riverbank and board a boat for a cruise along the scenic River Ping. We get offshore at a typical farm to savour a delicious khao soi noodle curry as we enjoy dance performances while feasting on a traditional khantoke (traditional meal offered to guests). We have time to stroll through the local flowers and fresh produce market before checking into our hotel.

Overnight: Bodhi Serene, Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai (2 nights) (B, L)

Day 07: Chiang Mai

Take a walk on the wild side after breakfast as we visit an elephant sanctuary camp in Chiang Dao province. The camp is located in a rainforest by the River Ping and offers a perfect natural habitat for appreciating these gentle giants. Learn about the Asian elephants – their nature, individual traits, lifestyles, talents, and charms to get an understanding of the unique relationship that has been developed over years between the elephants and their mahouts. Elephants are considered revere in many cultures as such they are highly respected. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Chiang Mai for an afternoon to explore this ancient city. Chiang Mai’s old town is still surrounded by remnants of the old defensive walls and a moat. 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 the 14th century Wat Chedi Luang located in the very heart of the old city. (B, L)

Day 08: Chiang Mai/Lamphun/Lampang/Sukhothai (Drive)

An early breakfast and we are in for yet another exciting day. Our first destination of the day is Lamphun. Here we visit Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a golden temple complex whose origins have been traced to the Mon Kingdom of the eighth century. Here we visit the historic temple of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. After lunch, relax with a scenic drive to Sukhothai Historical Park.* We explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the ruins of ancient Sukhothai. As the first capital of Siam, the Sukhothai Kingdom (1238 –1438) was the cradle of Thai civilisation and the birthplace of Thai art, Architecture and Language. 'Sukhothai' means 'the dawn of happiness', and the kingdom did enjoy an extended period of peace and prosperity until the Ayutthaya Kingdom annexed it.

Overnight: Sukhothai Treasure Hotel, Sukhothai (1 night) (B, L)

Day 09: Sukhothai/Uthai Thani/Ayutthaya (Drive)

A “spiritual” start to the day as we join the locals in offering food to Buddhist monks during their morning alms round. The most popular question tourists ask is how can one become a monk – a life that requires complete faith and devotion to Buddhism, leading a life in celibacy and a lot more. After getting some understanding of the life and the spirit of devotion of the monks, we drive to Chai Nat for lunch. Today’s route from Sukhothai via Uthai Thani to Ayutthaya mirrors the southward expansion of Siam, following the kingdom’s historical development. On arrival at Ayutthaya, former capital of Siam, we head to Ayutthaya Historical Park* to visit the temple of Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the adjacent Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit to contemplate at the largest golden Buddha statue in Thailand. Continue to the eerily enchanting ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat, with its famous statue of Buddha devoured by tree roots. Such a heavenly heritage ensemble has earned this historical park the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Late afternoon, we arrive at the Kantary Ayutthaya hotel for our overnight.

Overnight: Kantary Hotel, Ayutthaya (1 night) (B, L)

Day 10: Ayutthaya/Kanchanaburi (Drive)

Drive through pastoral landscapes virtually untouched by the passage of time before arriving at Kanchanaburi, a quiet town at the confluence of the rivers Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai. It is renowned for the beauty of its natural surroundings and abundant wildlife, but it also holds an unwanted place in history as the location of the notorious World War II ‘Death Railway Bridge’, immortalised by the Hollywood classic, Bridge on the River Kwai. Visit the war cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of soldiers and the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre to learn about the appalling conditions in which Allied POWs and Thai slaves worked to build a railway for military purposes. After lunch, we have free time.

Overnight: Pung Waan Resort, Kanchanaburi (1 night) (B, L)

Day 11: Kanchanaburi/Bangkok (Drive)

After breakfast we take a scenic drive to Nakhon Pathom and visit the temple with the magnificent 127-meter-high Phra Pathommachedi stupa, the tallest of its kind in the world. An exciting finish to the Grand Thai Tour experience as we take a ride on the historic "Death Railway". During World War II, the Japanese forced more than 60,000 allied prisoners of war and nearly 300,000 Southeast Asian labourers to build a 415km railway across the mountains and jungles between Thailand and Myanmar (then Burma). Tens of thousands of local people died during the construction of this historical railway tracks as such it became to be known as the "Death Railway". Hot lunch comprising of typical Thai food and cuisine at a local restaurant before returning to our hotel for our last two nights in Bangkok.

Overnight: The Lit, Bangkok (Extra Radiance Room)(2 nights) (B, L)

Day 12: Bangkok

Day free. There is always a lot to see and explore in Bangkok. The city with its night market and traditional markets is  an internationally acclaimed shopping paradise of the world. (B)

Day 13: Depart Bangkok

Feast on a reinvigorating breakfast.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs and time at leisure until you are transferred to Bangkok International Airport for our next destination. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 12 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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