Highlights of Thailand

Thailand might almost have been designed with holidays in mind, so blessed is the country with attractions from bustling modern cities to golden tropical beaches. It’s a famously friendly country thanks to the renowned hospitality of the Thai people. It’s known as ‘The Land of Smiles’.

On arrival at Bangkok International Airport, you will meet our airport representative, who will provide the private vehicle transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Today enjoy a half day of touring through Bangkok. The first visit of the day is to the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho; a giant lying Buddha covered in gold leaf. Proceed to the Grand Palace, a must-see for every visitor to Bangkok. Located close to the banks of the Chao Phraya River (River of Kings), the Grand Palace is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Within the compound is the Temple of The Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), which houses Thailand’s most precious image of the Lord Buddha.

Important: Please note that for visiting the Grand Palace, you will be required to wear proper attire (no bare shoulder, bare knees or strapless-heel shoes). Shoes must be removed before entering all temple buildings as a matter of respect.

To discover how Bangkok used to be, today at 7.00 am meet your guide and travel approx. 100 km outside Bangkok, to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market with its many colours, flavours, and exotic fragrances. Commence with a scenic ride on a narrow long-tail speedboat, passing riverside villages and fruit plantations, before entering the vibrant market. There will be many photo opportunities along the way and in the colourful market on the water.

Embark early this morning from your hotel and depart for Kanchanaburi. Kanchanaburi, located in the West of Thailand, is known for the Death Railway, built during WWII. The line crosses over the River Khwae Yai via the Death Railway Bridge. Displays at the JEATH War Museum honour the prisoners of war who died building the bridge. The Thailand–Burma Railway Centre explores the wider history of the railway. Nearby, thousands of Allied soldiers are buried at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery.
You will visit the War Museum (Thailand-Burma Railway Centre), the War Cemetery and the River Kwai Bridge and take a historic ride on the Death Railway Train, passing lush forests.

Continue your tour today as you enjoy a drive to the Erawan National Park. The park’s major attraction is the seven-tiered Erawan Falls with emerald green ponds. The park and the falls are named after the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology, as the top tier of the falls is said to resemble an elephant head. After this visit, you will continue and drive to Uthai Thani.

The Wat Tha Sung Crystal Temple is also known as Wat Chantharam, and it was built back in the days of Ayutthaya. The temple possesses a small-size monastery in which paintings depicting Buddha’s history were completed by local artists and some of which are understood to be painted later as they are unbalanced in some ways. Another precious element of the temple is the Luang Poh Yai pulpit. In the monastery, a stucco of Buddha’s image and traditional Thai wood carvings on the tympanum are beautifully installed. In the afternoon, surrounded by nature, we will enjoy an old-time river cruise along the Sakaekrang River before you continue onto Sukhothai.

Today visit the famous Historical Park of Sukhothai, and be amazed by the many ruins from the 13th century. Wat Mahathat is considered the magical and spiritual centre of the Kingdom, and at Wat Sri Chum, you will see one of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the country. Sukhothai was also the first capital of the Kingdom of Siam and is considered the cradle of Thai culture. Proceed to Wat Phra That Lumpang Luang, a paradigm of the temple building of Lanna. The temple is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by a wall and has a large collection of ancient wooden utensils. In the afternoon, enjoy the drive to Chiang Mai.

This morning after breakfast, explore the most significant temples of Chiang Mai. Visit Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, the sacred temple with a challenging flight of steps that are flanked by Naga Serpents. Next, Wat Chedi Luang, the site of a formerly massive pagoda that was unfortunately destroyed in the great earthquake of 1545, and Wat Phra Singh, the lovely Lai Kam chapel houses the revered Phra Singh Buddha image.

Today at 7.00 am, you will be picked up from your hotel by a local 4WD Truck and enjoy the drive approximately 1.5 hours outside of Chiang Mai through rural landscapes, agricultural areas and forested hills. Arrive at the village and meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the village to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional clothing and enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behaviour. Meet the elephants, feed, interact and play with them in their natural home as you learn about their behaviour and history. Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruits. Walk with the elephants to the river, where you can bathe and brush the gentle giants, and you can also join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa or swim in the river. Change back onto your clothes and walk for about 10-15 minutes through the village before leaving the sanctuary and returning to Chiang Mai.

NOTE – Items to bring are a hat, shorts, sunscreen, towel, bathing suit, insect repellent, walking shoes and a change of clothes.

Enjoy your final hours of leisure in Chiang Mai before you meet your driver in the hotel foyer, who will provide the private vehicle transfer to the Chiang Mai International Airport for your onward flight.