Treasures of Thailand

Land at Chiang Mai Airport, where an escorted transfer takes you to your centrally located hotel, having the rest of day at leisure. Relax at the hotel or maybe explore the charming old town, which is surrounded by stunning walls and a moat. Wander through streets and alleys teeming with the lovely artisan shops and the savoury food stalls. In the evening, the night market is a must, with an astonishing selection of local handicrafts, colourful souvenirs, tasty snacks, and more. Vendors will test your bargaining skills to the maximum! Accommodation: Overnight in Chiang Mai on half board basis.

Start your day with an early pick-up from your hotel in Chiang Mai city and depart for Lamphun. Visit Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, a golden temple complex whose origins have been traced to the Mon Kingdom in the eighth century, and catch a glimpse of the historic temple of Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. After lunch, relax enjoying a scenic drive to Sukhothai Historical Park. Arrive in the late afternoon and explore the mesmerising park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the ruins of ancient Sukhothai, the first capital of the kingdom of the same name. Lunch included. Accommodation: Overnight in Sukhothai on half board basis

Enjoy a spiritual start to the day as you join locals in offering food to Buddhist monks during their morning alms round. Drive south after breakfast and enjoy a 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. Upon arrival at Ayutthaya, a former capital of Siam, head to Ayutthaya Historical Park and 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. Lunch included. Accommodation: Overnight in Ayutthaya on half board basis

Drive through pastoral landscapes, after breakfast, 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’. Visit the war cemetery, the final resting place of thousands of soldiers, and the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, to learn about the conditions in which Allied POWs and Thai slave labourers worked to build a military supply railway. After lunch, spend the afternoon at your leisure. Lunch included. Accommodation: Overnight in Kanchanaburi on half board basis

Depart Kanchanaburi after breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy 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 East 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 for drop-off at your hotel. Lunch included. Accommodation: Overnight in Bangkok on half board basis.

Enjoy a reinvigorating breakfast followed by time at leisure until your unescorted transfer to Bangkok Airport for your onward travel to your selected destination. Breakfast included.