ROYAL CITIES

Pick up from hotel and drive to Nakorn Chaisri where you board on a converted rice barge at Lampaya temple. Enjoy an approx. one hour river cruise on Nakorn Chaisri River, the second cleanest and most natural river in Thailand. See water vegetable plantations, water birds and the Thai way of life along the riverside. Then continue to Ayutthaya to visit the UNESCO’S World Heritage before going to Uthai Thani. Visit Wat Tasung with its amazing crystal hall and the local market of Uthai Thani on Sakaekrang River, before checking in at the COUNTRY LAKE NATURE LODGE. Dinner and overnight at the resort.

After breakfast, drive to Koh Tepo, a rural community, visit home industry making high quality knifes, visit fruit orchards. Journey on to Hub Patad Valley. Surrounded by old limestone mountains, the hidden forest of rare big palm trees, which seem to be from the time of “Jurassic Park” is waiting for the outside world to be explored. Then continue to Kamphaengphet to visit Wat Pra Kaew, a large royal temple where was used on important city events and had no monks in residence. Continue to Sukhothai, found 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, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for all travellers. Overnight at hotel in Sukhothai.

Breakfast at hotel. Visit the historical Park of Sukhothai, the first capital of Thailand. Continue to Phrae, visit Prathat Suthon Temple which boasts beautiful Northern Thai style building. Teak wooden museum displaying rare antiques in the temple compound is a must-visit. Continue to Chiang Rai via Phayao with a short break at the Lake of Kwan Phayao, the largest fresh water fish habitat in the upper North which provides the livelihood of many of the local people. The surrounding scenery, particularly at dusk, is stunning. Evening arrive in Chiang Rai. Overnight at hotel in Chiang Rai.

Early morning have breakfast at hotel and afterwards drive to Chiang Saen, an ancient town located on the bank of the Mekong River to visit the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong River, was once supposed to be the center of all the poppy cultivation in Thailand. View the upstream scenery of the Golden Triangle and pay a visit to the Opium Museum. Then continue to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northern- most district to visit Mae Sai Market. Guests enjoy observing cross-border trading and shopping at the market at the Thai-Burmese border. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon drive along picturesque route to Chiang Mai. Visit Sankampaeng handicraft village to see silk weaving, wood carving and umbrella making. (Optional: evening a traditional Kantoke Dinner and Northern Thai dances with extra cost). Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast at hotel start the trip to Mae Sa Valley to see elephants at work at an elephant camp. Continue to one of the biggest orchid and butterfly farms of Chiang Mai. In the afternoon, drive uphill to visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most famous and respected temple in Chiang Mai. Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport for departure.