Thailand Grand Tour

Arrive in Chiang Rai, then collect your luggage and meet our representative on the exit of the Customs Hall who will be holding a sign with your name on it and transfer and check-in at the hotel with the rest of the day free at leisure. Maybe explore the heart of the old town, which dates from the reign of King Mangrai in the 13th century or stroll around the bustling night bazaar to get a flavour of what makes Chiang Rai tick. Overnight in hotel in Chiang Rai

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the centre to admire the iconic monument to King Mangrai en route to the Hilltribe Museum and Education Centre. Learn all about the dozens of hill tribes who for centuries have lived in the highlands around the city and how they have survived the spread of globalisation. Continue to the Mae Chan district to explore the remote hill tribe villages of Yao and Akha peoples, and experience their way of life first-hand. Take to the road for Mae Sai, a small border town with a busy market, before heading into the heart of the infamous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. This natural wilderness gained an unwanted notoriety in the Sixties because of the abundant opium cultivation in the area. After lunch, continue to Chiang Saen to visit the hilltop Wat Phra That Chom Kitti, which is reached via a 350-step staircase. Return to Chiang Rai with rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight in hotel in Chiang Rai.

ake to the road after breakfast at the hotel, heading for Chiang Mai. On the southern outskirts of Chiang Rai, stop at the magnificent Wat Rong Khun, a dazzling temple built in the 1990s. Its ornate all-white exterior, with embedded pieces of mirror, gives it a resplendent appearance, which makes it one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Continue to Chiang Mai and, on arrival, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of the most revered temples in the country. This sacred location is at the top of a mountain from where you can appreciate stunning panoramic views over the city. To reach the temple requires a climb up a 309-step naga staircase. Alternatively, you can use the cable car (included) to reach the temple. Head to the riverbank and board a boat for a cruise along the scenic River Ping and drop by a farm to savour a delicious khao soi noodle curry as you enjoy dance performances while feasting on a traditional khantoke meal. After a walk through the local flower and fresh produce market, return to the hotel. Overnight in hotel in Chiang Mai.

Take a walk on the wild side after breakfast, with a visit to an elephant camp in Chiang Dao province. The camp is located in a rainforest by the River Ping and offers a perfect natural habitat for appreciating these gentle giants. Learn about Asian elephants – their nature, their individual traits, their lifestyles, their talents and their charms, and get a glimpse into the unique and very real relationships between elephants and their mahouts. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to Chiang Mai for an afternoon exploring this ancient city. Chiang Mai’s old town is still surrounded by remnants of the old defensive walls and a moat. Visit the historic Wat Suan Dok and admire its 48- metre-high Sri Lankan-style chedi, which overlooks the Royal Cemetery. Continue to Wat Phra Sing in the old town and appreciate the beauty of this large complex of more than 60 buildings before visiting 14th century Wat Chedi Luang in the very heart of the old city. In the evening, you can enjoy an optional khantoke dinner (not included). Overnight in hotel in Chiang Mai.

Pick-up at 08:00 from your hotel in Chiang Mai city. Depart for Lamphun to visit Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a golden temple complex whose origins have been traced to the Mon Kingdom in the eighth century, before arriving at the picturesque town of Lampang to visit the historic temple of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. After lunch, relax with a scenic drive to Sukhothai Historical Park, arriving in the late afternoon. Explore the park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the ruins of ancient Sukhothai, which was the first capital of the kingdom of the same name. Overnight in hotel in Sukhothai

A spiritual start to the day as you join locals in offering food to Buddhist monks during their morning alms round. Drive south and break for lunch in Chai Nat. Today’s route from Sukhothai via Uthai Thani to Ayutthaya mirrors the southward expansion of Siam, following the kingdom’s historical development. On arrival to Ayutthaya, a former capital of Siam, head to Ayutthaya Historical Park to visit the temple of Wat Phra Si Sanphet and the adjacent Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit to contemplate the golden Buddha. Continue to the eerily enchanting ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat, with its famous statue of Buddha devoured by tree roots. Such a heavenly heritage ensemble has earned this historical park the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in hotel in Ayutthaya

Drive through pastoral landscapes virtually untouched by the passage of time before arriving at Kanchanaburi, a quiet town at the confluence of the rivers Kwai Noi and Kwai Yai. It is renowned for the beauty of its natural surroundings and abundant wildlife but it also holds an unwanted place in history as the location of the notorious World War II ‘Death Railway Bridge’, immortalised in the Hollywood classic, The Bridge on the River Kwai. Visit the war cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of soldiers, and the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre to learn about the appalling conditions in which Allied POWs and Thai slave labourers worked to build a military supply railway. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon of free time to rest or enjoy of Kanchanaburi. Overnight in hotel in Kanchanaburi.

Depart Kanchanaburi after breakfast at the hotel with a scenic drive to Nakhon Pathom to visit the temple with the magnificent 127-metre-high Phra Pathommachedi stupa, the tallest of its kind in the world. Continue to Damnoen Saduak, which is famed for its vibrant and colourful floating markets. Breathe in the fragrances of the orient as dozens of boats glide along, selling fresh fruit and vegetables as well as tasty local delicacies. The buzz of the noise and the bustle of activity are quintessential Thai experiences. Continue to Bangkok.

Full day at leisure to discover Bangkok on your own. For those who have never been to Bangkok we suggest a half day tour of the most popular Buddhist temple and Landmark in the city of angels (optional, not included). The Royal Grand Palace, a great architectural masterpiece of several buildings from the outside and a magical inside was used as a royal residence from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. It is without any doubt a national reference and possibly the most visited royal monument of Thailand, and it shouldn’t be missed. The building houses the "Wat Phra Kaew", Bangkok's most sacred temple, in which is located the famous Emerald Buddha. In the evening we suggest you enjoy an optional Thai and International Buffet Dinner whilst cruising along the Chao Phraya River or River of the Kings. Pass by famous sites such as Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and the Grand Palace. Entertainment is also provided on board with live music and a ‘show’ (Dinner Cruise is not included). Overnight in Bangkok

Feast on a reinvigorating breakfast and time at leisure until you are transferred to Bangkok Airport for onward travel to your selected destination. Breakfast Included.