Explorer Thailand 8 Days 7 Nights

Day 1: BANGKOK
Arrival at the airport in Bangkok. Transfer to hotel for check in and free.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: BANGKOK FULL DAY TOUR (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Thailand has over 26,000 ‘Wats‘ or Temples. Thistour brings you to the 3 most famous temples in Bangkok. Wat Traimit(‘Temple of the Golden Buddha’) boasts a statue of Buddha which is madefrom solid gold. It weighs 5.5 tons and is a fine example of Sukhothaiart. Passing through Chinatown your next stop is Wat Po (‘Temple of theReclining Buddha’) which is the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, agreat place also for a traditional Thai massage. It is also the seat ofTraditional herbal medicine School, being referred to as “Thailand First Medical university” www.watpho.com. Then continue visit to the The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha)Together, these two sites form what many consider the greatest spectaclefor visitors to Bangkok. Dating back to 1782 (when Bangkok wasfounded), the entire compound consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics. Because of itspopularity, this destination is often extremely crowded, but still anessential part of any trip to Bangkok.
Presently, the Grand Palace is used for the occasional ceremony and isno longer the royal home (the present King Bhumibol lives in Chitralada Palace, located in Bangkok’s nearby Dusit district). The interiors ofmost of the buildings in the Grand Palace are closed to the public.
Wat Phra Kaew adjoins the Grand Palace in a common compound and is thehome of the country’s most famous Buddha statue (also known as theEmerald Buddha). This important figure has a long and interestinghistory that is tied to the royal family and once resided in nearby WatArun. It is relatively small (about 66 centimeters) and is situated in ahigh position in the Wat to signify its important status in the Thaikingdom. Rest of day, free to walk at your pace, “City of Angels” anddiscover the charms of one of the oldest cities of Southeast Asia. Takethe opportunity to stroll around Sanam Luang, the royal park and venueof many religious events or watch the gorgeous sunset behind the Templeof Dawn, near the Chao Phraya river. Return to your hotel and free atleisure for your own activities. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 3: BANGKOK – PHITSANLUK (B)
Breakfast at hotel. The outing begins in Bangkok with an earlydeparture, our first stop is at Bang Pa In, and the former summerresidence of the kings of Ayutthaya built in the 18th century. Therewe’ll visit the Royal Palace, the Thai pavilion, the Chinese-stylePalace Vihat Chamrun with their trimmed bushes in elephant shapes.Continue to Ayutthaya, which used to be the capital of Siam from 1350 to1767 and visit the most interesting temples like Wat Chaiwathanaram,Wat Phra Srisampetch.
Then, proceeding to Lopburi, to visit the ruins of War Phra Sri Ratana & Phra Prang Sam Yod, a temple with three towers and impressiveornaments then continue on to Phitsanuloke for over night. Overnight inPhisanulok.

Day 4: PHITSANLUK – LAMPANG (B)
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, visit to the Chapel Phitsanulok & Wat Phra Sri RaTtana Mahathat – is a major city landmark and housesThailand’s most beautiful and significant Buddha image, Phra BuddhaChinnarat. Proceed to Sukhothai, the first capital (13th century) of theThai Kingdom. Old Sukhothai is one of Asia’s most important historicalsites and therefore under the supervision of UNESCO. After a visit ofthe temples Wat Sri Chum, we continue to Sri Satchanalai, the formersister town of Sukhothai for lunch and a visit to some of its mostinteresting temples and ruins. We drive further North to Lampang.Overnight in Lam Pang.

Day 5: LAMPANG – CHIANG MAI (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and visit the famous temples in Lampang, Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang and Wat Phra Keo Don Tao before proceeding to Lamphun to visit Wat Haripoonchai Burmesestyle temple.
Finally arrive to Chiang Mai. Express check in your hotel and visit to apopular shopping destination, San Kamphaeng is also famous for its range of local cottage industries and handicrafts, including authentic Thai silk and cotton weaving. Guests will be able to witness firsthand the skill of these local craftsmen as they consider which products to buy assouvenirs. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

DAY 6: CHIANG MAI FULL DAY TOUR (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Today, after breakfast, enjoy an amazing sightseeing tour around the famous city for an up-close and personal look at some of its most notable temples, as well as stops at its old city walls, gates and moat, and the local market and Tapae Gate. Highlight of this trip include Wat Chiang Man, the city’s oldest temple and famed for a Chedi supported by rows of elephantine buttresses; Wat Phrasing home of the beautiful Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite wood carving and northern style murals; Wat Jedihuang and its enormous Pagoda (which waspartially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545); and Wat Suan Dok, whichdates back to the 14th century when it served as the pleasure gardens tothe Thai monarchy. Nowadays it houses several white Chedis, containingt he ashes of Chiang Mai’s former Royal family.
In the afternoon, visit to Doi Suthep and Meo Doi Pui. This tourfeatures a scenic drive through the most historic areas of Chiang Mai tothe acclaimed temple Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep, home to a holy relic ofthe Lord Buddha and considered by many to be the most sacred wat in northern Thailand. Built in A.D. 384 and situated 3,500 feet above sealevel, this temple offers an interesting challenge as it contains aflight of over 300 steps to reach its top level. Once on top of the summit, visitors will be treated to a panoramic view of the city beforeleaving to visit the primitive Meo Hill Tribe village a community knownfor its unique culture and colorful costumes. The trip to the villagewill be made by local truck. Overnight in Chiang Mai. (B)

Day 7: CHIANG MAI – CHIANG RAI (B)
Breakfast at hotel. This morning, check out right after breakfast, thenstraight up to Chiang Rai – the first capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of a Million Rice fields).
The Chiang Rai tour takes travelers around Northern Thailand by means ofroads that cross over mountains and wind through picturesque valleys.The first stop on this adventure is ‘Wiang Pa Pao’, an area known forits hot springs, followed by a trip to Mae Chan where the villages ofthe Yao and Akha hill tribes are located. We will then proceed to ChiangSaen, an ancient city (A.D. 1260) situated opposite Laos on the steepbanks of the Mekong River. Next is a trip to the infamous ‘GoldenTriangle’, the area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laosmeet, followed by a local lunch (see supplement). After everyone haseaten, we will make several short visits to primitive villages in thearea before proceeding to Mae Sai. This is the northern-most bordertrading town between Thailand and Myanmar and a place where you can shopfor many interesting items from both countries. Free at leisure athotel. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 8: CHIANG RAI – BANGKOK (B)
Breakfast at hotel. Today, after breakfast, check out and transfer to Chiang Rai airport for a flight back to Bangkok or next destination.(AIRTICKET NOT INCLUDED)

End of services

Rate of above itinerary: in USD/pax

* FOC is on twin/double basis

Inclusions:

• All accommodation on double/twin sharing basis with daily ABF
• All airport – hotel – airport transfers on private basis with English speaking guide
• All tours & transfers on private basis with English speaking guide, all entrance fees
• Meals as indicated (Breakfast, L-lunch, D-Dinner), drinks excluded
• Complimentary drinking water and wet tissue on tour days (1 bottle/pax/day)

Exclusions:

• Air fares of any kind
• Services not mentioned above
• Extra charges, personal expenses
• Surcharge for peak/festival season if any (upon booking)
• Optional tours /meals if any, drinks excluded
• Travel insurance, visa fees

Remark:

• Above quotation is for min 2pax group traveling (rate per pax) now – 31Oct 2014 (except peak season 19Dec 2013-15 Jan 2014)
• No reservations have been made at this time
• Itinerary mentioned above is only tentative and is subject to guests’ flight timings.
• Rate quoted is nett & non commissionable