Siamese Heritage & Beach Vacation

15 days -- from USD 2,420 - 2,650 per person in sharing twin

Stay overnight in Bangkok and visit Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha Temple. Travelling with your private guide in a private car, you will trace the glory of Thailand's ancient capitals from Bangkok up to Chiang Mai. The trip beg ins from the glorious former capital of Ayuthaya all the way up to Thailand's first capital city 'Sukhothai', Lampang and Chiang Mai. Tour historical parks while observing the simple way of life of locals along the way. Also admire different ethnic cultures of hill tribe villagers of Lisu and Akha in their mountainous residence. Afterwards, flying to Krabi, southern Thailand to relax on a private beach at Lanta Island.

Program Overview:

Itinerary:

Day One - Arrival Bangkok

Upon arrival at Bangkok's Suvarnnabhumi Airport, meet by our representative and transfer to your hotel for check in and overnight.

Overnight in Bangkok at the Lebua at State Tower

Day Two - Bangkok

Meal: Breakfast

Take a private tour to visit Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple in the morning. Tour conducts in private air-conditioned vehicle with local English speaking guide. Return to the hotel and rest of the day free at own leisure. Overnight in Bangkok at the lebua at State Tower

Day Three - Bangkok / Ayuthaya

Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Depart early morning from your hotel for a boat ride on Thonburi Klongs for a scenic view of Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn. Continue by road to the former capital of Ayuthaya. Lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to the King's Summer Palace at Bang Pa-In and visit the ruins of Ayuthaya. Dinner and overnight in Ayuthaya at Krungsri River hotel.

Day Four - Ayuthaya / Lupburi / Phitsanuloke / Sukhothai

Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, short transfer to Ayuthaya Railway station for a rail journey to Lopburi Upon arrival in Lopburi, visit to the main attractions; Wat Phra Sri Rattana Maha Thad, national museum, the Monkey Temple and Prang Sam Yod. Lunch will be served at local restaurant.

After lunch, proceeding to Phitsanuloke via Nakorn Sawan. Upon arrival visit the most sacred temple in town Wat Phra Buddha Chinnaraj or Wat Phra Sri Rattana Maha Thad. Visit Ethnic & Folklore Museum of Mr. Thavee Buranakhet. Check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel The Ananda Gallery Hotel.

Day Five - Sukhothai / Lampang / Chiang Mai

Meal: Breakfast / Lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, visit Sukhothai Historical Park and Sri Satchanalai Historical Park. Lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Lampang City to visit Wat Phra Thad dLampang Luang where is renowned for its impressive murals painting, graceful architecture and richly colored interiors. Followed by a visit at Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao, one of Thailand's most beautiful Burmese-style temples. Continue the journey and arrive by late afternoon in Chiang Mai and drop-off at The Empress Hotel. Evening is free at leisure. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day Six - Chiang Mai

Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Full day city and temple tour around city temples: Wat Chiang Man, the first temple built in Chiang Mai around 1300; Wat Phrasingh in classic northern Thai or Lanna style; Wat Chedi Luang, Monastery of the Great Stupa; and Wat Suan Dok with a 500 year old bronze Buddha image. After lunch, continue to visit Handicraft Village and Factories; also called the Umbrella Village where the craft shops are full of painted umbrellas, fans, silverware, straw handwork bamboo and teak goods, statues, celadon and lacquerware. In the evening enjoy a traditional northern Thai dinner with cultural performance. Overnight in Chiang Mai

Day Seven - Chiang Mai / Lisu Lodge

Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Pick up from your hotel in Chiang Mai and drive to the mountain temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai. Continue up the mountain, passing the King's Winter Palace of Phuping to turn onto a rough dirt road to visit the Chang Khien Coffee Research Project and the white Hmong village of Chan Khien. Here, enjoy a quick cup of steaming mountain tea with a village family and then take a one-hour drive along a mountain ride down to Huay Tung Tao lake.

Enjoy lunch at Lisu Lodge. After that, embark on the "Lisu Lodge Experience" starting from Ton Lung Temple, a tour guided by a monk to visit the herbal garden and learn about the monk's daily life, for example, see how a monk wears the robe, etc. Then, visit Akha and Lisu families, together with a Lisu guide, stop for a cup of original hill tribe tea at the shaman's house - our guide will be a translator and accompany the guests throughout all activities. Return to Lisu lodge. Dinner and overnight at Lisu Lodge

Day Eight - Lisu Lodge / Mae Hong Sorn

Meal: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast, drive 45 minutes south to Mork Fah Waterfall. Enjoy a short walk through the jungle-covered valley to the falls and paddle or swim in a large natural pool and pause for soft drinks near the waterfall. Then, drive west through a glorious switchback road with views of high mountain ranges and forests.

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Sobpong and Tham Lod (1 hour) for a bamboo rafting along a peaceful river through. Twenty minute walk back to the village and drive from the caves back to the village. Continue to Mae La Na via Red Lahu village of Ya Pa Nae. Drive along spectacular dirt roads along a high mountain ridge to visit the village temple. From Ya Pa Nae, continue to the Shan Village of Mae La Na and onto Mae Hong Son Province before arriving at Fern Resort. Dinner and overnight at Fern Resort or similar.

Day Nine - Mae Hong Sorn

Meal: Breakfast / Lunch
After an early breakfast and an elephant ride, transfer to the pier near Mae Hong Son Resort. Enjoy a round trip long-tail boat along the pretty Pai River to visit the Longneck (Karen) village close to the Myanmar border. Continue to Mae Hong Son for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit this charming city and its Burmese style temples (Wat Doi Kong Mu). Return to your hotel Dinner on your own arrangement. Overnight at Fern Resort or similar

Day Ten - Mae Hong Sorn / Bangkok (via Chiang Mai)

Meal: Breakfast
Day free at leisure until departure flight to Bangkok via Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Bangkok, check in at Novotel Suvarnnabhumi Airport Hotel for overnight. Hotel will provide complimentary shuttle bus service between the airport and hotel.

Day Eleven - Bangkok / Krabi

Meal: NIL
Check out and take hotel's shuttle bus service to domestic airport (program might be changed if the domestic terminal has changed to use Don Muang Airport) for departure flight to Krabi.

Upon arrival in Krabi, meet by hotel representative for a transfer to Lanta Island which will take about 1.5 hours from Krabi Airport. Check in at Pimalai Resort & Spa and rest of the day free at own leisure.

Day Twelve to Day Fourteen - Krabi

Meal: Breakfast daily
All day free at own leisure for relaxation on the beach or enjoy the spa treatment in the resort (at your own cost)
Overnight at Pimalai Resort & Spa