Day1 Bangkok-Ayuthaya-Lopburi-Pitsanuloke (L,D)
Pickup at your hotel in Bangkok, Depart for Ayuthaya, former capital of Thailand. Principal sights are the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Monkol Borpith, the three ancient pagodas at WAt Phra Srisanpetch and Wat Pranancherng. Continue via Saraburi to Phra Buddha Badh with its shrine of the holy footprint of Lord Buddha. Proceed to Lopburi for lunch. Visit museum at Narai Jaja Nines Palace, the Prang Sam Yod (Sacred Three-Spired Pagoda), ruins pf Wat Phra Sri Ratnana Maha Dhat, as well as the Monkey Temple. Proceed by bus to Pitsanuloke and check in at Amarin Lagoon hotel. Dinner and accommodations.
Day2 Pitsanuloke-Sukhothai-Sri Satchanalai-Lampang (B,L,D)
Breakfast, visit Wat Maha Dhat with its revered Buddha statue, Phra Buddha Jinaraj. Depart for Sukhothai, visit famous ruins of Thailand’s first Capital (1257-1379). See Wat Maha Dhat, the Ramkamhaeng Museum, Wat Sra Sri and WAt Sri Chum. Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to Sri Satchanalai, Northern outpost town of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, built by King Ramkamhaeng. Visit Wat Chan Lom, Wat Chedi Jet Thaew, Wat Nang Phya and Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat on the site of the Khmer fort “Chalieng”. Proceed to Lampang and check in at Lampang River Lodge, or similar. Dinner and accommodations.
Day3 Lampang-Lampoon-Chiang Mai (B,L,D)
Breakfast, Depart for Koh Kha to see Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang, housing the only Emerald Buddha other than the one at Wat Phra Keaw in Bangkok. Continue to visit Wat Phra Keow Don Tao, a very interesting Burmese style temple, plus Wat Chedi Sao, with its many small pagodas. Proceed to Lampoon. Visit famous Wat Haripoonchai in Lampoon, built in 1157 one of the most sacred monuments in the north. Continue to Chiang Mai. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon visit to Handicraft village, to observe manufacturing of lacqureware, spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and paper umbrella making. Also visit famous Thai wood-carving factory, with possibility of purchasing Burmese antiques. Check in at Amari Rincome hotel or similar. Dinner and accommodations.
Day4 Chiang Mai (B,L,D)
Breakfast, Chiang Mai city tour : visit the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai, like Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image, Wat Chiang Man, Oldest temple in Chiang Mai and built by King Mangrai, and Wat Suan Dok, housing remains of many generations of the old Chiang Mai royal family. Also visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 1,056 meters above sea level. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon free. Kantoke Dinner : enjoy typical Thai Dinner with ancient dances from northern Thailand followed by a performance of dances and songs by various hilltribes. Accommodation at Amari Rincome Hotel (you can visit city’s night market in search of bargains there)
Day5 Chiang Mai-Hmong Hilltribe Lodge (B,L,D)
Breakfast, Drive to elephant camp and watch elephants taking timber in forest. Their strength and strategic teamwork will amaze you. Continue with visit to orchid farm and lunch at Mae Saa Valley Resort. Proceed by pickup truck to visit Meo hilltribe village at Nong Hoi Mai and continue to Baan Meo Mae Ki. Afternnon free to discover many activities in the hilltribe village. BBQ dinner at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge followed by presentation of Meo dances and overnight stay.
Day6 Hmong Hilltribe Lodge-Thaton-Chiang Rai (B,L,D)
Breakfast, depart for Fang and Thatorn via Chiangdao. Short stop at village of Chiangdao for Drinks and stroll around local market. En route, ivsit Huay Luek, a Meo hilltribe village. After arrival in Thatorn, a small villge just a few kilometers from the Burmese border, lunch is served at Mae Kok River Lodge. Depart on Motor-powered traditional boats for five-hour journey down Kok River, passing tiny hilltribe villages, bamboo huts and jungle. The first stop is the village of Mae Salah, a river check point. Further down river, visit a Lahu hilltribe village, after passing a few rapids. The last stop before arriving in Chiang Rai is at a cave housing namy sacred statues of Lord Buddha. Arrive early evening in Chiang Rai and check in at Rimkok Resort Hotel. Dinner and accommodations
Day7 Chiang Rai-Golden Triangle-Bangkok (B,L)
Breakfast, Depart Chiang Rai by minibus to visit Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. Takes short boat ride on Mekong River. Picnic box lunch provided. Transfer to Chiang Rai airport, Depart for Bangkok by Thai Airways. Arrive Bangkok and transfer to your hotel.
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