bangkok & surrounds Tours Essential Thailand

Itinerary:

Day 1 Bangkok
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 Bangkok
Enjoy an exciting introduction to this dynamic capital. Travel via Skytrain, tuk-tuk and public river boat to visit the glittering Grand Palace and huge reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, among other highlights. The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 3 Samut Songkhram
Head out to the Samut Songkhram province to visit some local markets, including one set on the train tracks and a floating market, then take a short cooking class in a traditional wooden house overlooking the canals. Later cruise along the waterways before stopping at the fascinating Wat Bang Kung temple which has a small chapel that is completely enclosed within the roots of a banyan tree.

Day 4 Bangkok to the Golden Triangle
Fly to Chiang Rai and drive up to the Golden Triangle region where Burma, Thailand and Laos meet. Visit the sleepy riverside town of Chiang Saen, site of an ancient Thai kingdom, and take a longtail boat ride on the Mekong.

Day 5 Golden Triangle to Chiang Mai
Start the day with a visit to Wat Rong Khun, a beautiful and unconventional temple whose exterior is painted entirely in white. Drive on to the village of Mae Kampong set 1,300m above sea level, where you will meet some of the villagers before a walk through the forest to a waterfall. Continue to Chiang Mai.

Day 6 Chiang Mai
Visit the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary, which looks after elderly elephants after they retire from Thailand’s tourist industry. Feed, interact and play with these majestic creatures in a natural environment. Finish your day at the mountaintop temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep to enjoy views over Chiang Mai.

Day 7 Chiang Mai
This morning explore the ancient and modern sides of Chiang Mai. Enjoy a trishaw ride from the Tapae Gate to bustling Somphet Market then visit nearby Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. Take a songthaew (shared taxi) to Wat Phra Singh in the middle of the old city and continue by foot to Wat Chedi Luang. The afternoon is at your leisure.

Day 8 Chiang Mai
Transfer to the airport. Direct flights are available to Koh Samui and Phuket making it easy to combine this tour with a beach stay.

Additional Options:

Why not extend your time and explore a little more? Home to Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon National Park boasts mist-covered peaks, tropical forests and majestic waterfalls. It is also full of wildlife and home to 383 species of bird. Take a private tour and hike to a local Karen hill tribe village to meet this colourful community and learn about their work at a coffee plantation. Then trek for 2 hours along lush forest trails and across bamboo bridges, emerging at dramatic waterfalls. Speak to your travel consultant for more details.      

Your Bespoke Tour can depart on any day you please.