North Thailand Highlights

Depart from hotels in Bangkok to Angthong. Visit the temple Wat Muang, home to The Big Buddha, also known as Phra Buddha Maha Nawamin which is the biggest sitting Buddha statue in Thailand. Continue to Singburi to pay homage to the 46 meters long reclining Buddha image, Phra Non Chaksri, built in the Sukhothai style. The temple is believed to predate the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Then proceed to Uthai Thani. This small, charming city is located by the Sakaekrang River, where a part of the population lives in raft houses like in the olden days. Enjoy the beautiful view of the serene river before proceeding uphill to enjoy a panoramic view over the city. Then proceed to Wat Tasung, an old temple from the Ayutthaya period, also located by the riverside. Visit the amazing crystal hall which is ornately decorated with glass mosaics and serves as a meditation center. Continue to Phitsanulok for an overnight stay.

Overnight stay at the Topland Hotel/ Superior Room or similar

After breakfast there will be a short visit to Wat Mahatat to pay homage to the famous Buddha Image, Phra Buddha Chinaraj before proceeding to Sukhothai. This historic town founded in the 13th century, literally means “Dawn of Happiness”. It was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkamhaeng, who is credited with the creating of the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been restored in the Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see for all travelers.

Continue to Sisatchanalai to visit Sathorn Golden Textile Museum, a private collection of Tai-Puan’s ancient textile weaving using gold threads. The Tai-Puan migrated from Xiang Kwang in Laos since the time of the reign of King Rama III. Then drive to Phrae province. Towards the end of the 19th century Phrae was one of the centers for the Thai teak logging business. Explore Khum Chaoluang, built by the last ruler of Phrae in 1892 A.D. The Gingerbread architecture of the residence harmoniously combines the Thai and European style. It won the Conservation Award in 1993 by the Associations of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage and Outstanding Award for Conserved Building in 2007.

Overnight in Phrae at Phoomthai Garden Hotel/ Superior Room or similar.

After breakfast drive to Payao. On the way visit Ban Bua community, a handicraft village producing bamboo products including hand woven baskets and coops. Enjoy a guided village walk to see the people’s way of life. Continue to Chiang Kam to visit communities of the Tai Lue, whose ancestors migrated from Yunnan in the South of China. The history of the Tai Lue is displayed in beautiful paintings at Wat Phrathat Sob Waen where we will start our village tour which further includes a visit to the Tai Lue traditional house to see unique cotton weavings with natural dye colors and the Nantaram Temple built by a Burmese merchant to pay homage to Buddha.

Drive to Chiang Rai. Visit the lively local fresh market of Chiang Rai where local street food, seasonal fruits and vegetable are offered. Later in the evening guests can also enjoy the night bazaar of Chiang Rai which offers colorful handicrafts and art items.

Overnight in Chiang Rai at Phowadol Resort & Spa/ Standard Room or similar

In the early morning visit the famous white temple Wat Rong Khun and the morning market of Chiang Rai. Drive along the scenic mountainous route via Wiang Papao to Chiang Mai. On the way we stop at a hot spring where visitors can relax and have the opportunity to participate in the special activity of boiling eggs in a hot spring.

In the late afternoon visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous and respected temple in Chiang Mai built in 1383. The mountaintop temple, whose golden pagoda houses holy Buddha relics, is located 15 km from town and is 3,520 feet above sea level. It is one of the most beautiful Lanna style temples and the perfect place to get a bird eye view of the city.

Overnight in Chiang Mai at Lotus Pang Suan Kaew/Superior Room or similar.

Early morning drive to Lampang. Visit the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, established in 1992 to conserve and protect Thai domestic elephants. Here, elephants were trained for logging works in the olden days. Today the center provides edutainment for elephant lovers to see their working ability and painting talents, as well as medical treatments for sick and wounded elephants around the country. Then continue on to visit the landmark of Lampang, Wat Phratat Lamluang Luang, a paradigm of Lanna’s temple building. The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong, are adorned with fine plaster designs. The beautiful murals on the wooden walls of the ordination hall are said to be the oldest in the North.

Continue to Kampaengphet, a province with an over 700-year historical background. It was a defense city of the Sukhothai Kingdom, ruins of city walls and fortresses are still present today. Resulting from a beautiful blend of the contemporary Sukhothai and Ayutthaya style a common aesthetic runs through the various ruins, which include temples, pagodas, and fallen towns.

Overnight in Kampaengphet at Chakangrao Riverview Hotel /Superior Room or similar.

After breakfast visit the ruins of Wat Phra Keo at the Historical Park of Kampaengphet. Then proceed to Lopburi. Formerly known as Lavo, Lopuri is believed to have been an important seat of power in Southeast Asia between the 7th and 14th century. Visit Phra Prang Sam Yot, Lopburi’s best known landmark and provincial symbol. The shrine compound was built in the 13th century in the classic Bayon style of Khmer architecture and comprises of three Prangs (towers), representing the Hindu Trimurti. The tour ends with a visit to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ayutthaya was a former and by far the longest active capital of the Siamese Kingdom, and existed from 1350 to 1767.

Visit the ruins of the Wat Phra Si Sanphet temple, situated within the royal palace grounds. The temple was the royal monastery and served to conduct ceremonies within the royal court. Then we proceed to Wat Phra Mahathat, one of the oldest and most significant temples in the history of Ayutthaya. This temple housed the Buddha’s holy relic and hosted many important royal ceremonies of the Ayutthaya era. Visit other remains of important old buildings and the famous sand-stone Buddha head image in the Ayutthaya-style in a tree’s root.
Continue driving to Bangkok and transfer to hotels.