Tour Detail

8 Days - 7 Nights BANGKOK + NEW PANORAMA SIC

DAY 1 - BANGKOK - ARRIVAL. TRANSFER

DAY 2 - BANGKOK. UNUSUAL TOUR AMONG PALACES, TEMPLES, AND KUDI CHEEN. Full Day (B.L.)

DAY 3 - BANGKOK - AYUTTHAYA Maeklong Railway, Damnoern Saduak, Bang Pa In, Ayutthaya Historical Park (B.L.)

DAY 4 - AYUTTHAYA - ANG THONG - SUKHOTHAI. (B.L.) Temples Wat Muang & Wat Sang Kratai, Sukhothai Historical Park

DAY 5 - SUKHOTHAI - SRI SATCHANALAI - PHAYAO - CHIANG RAI Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkol Khiri, Vonburi House, Phayao Lake (B.L.)

DAY 6 - CHIANG RAI - CHIANG MAI. Golden Triangle, Wat Phra That Pu Khao, Opium Museum, White Temple, Mae Krachan, (B.L.)

DAY 7 - CHIANG MAI - Elephant Sanctuary - Doi Suthep. (B.L.)

DAY 8 - CHIANG MAI. TRANSFER (B.)

Day 1

DAY 1 - BANGKOK – ARRIVAL. TRANSFER

Arrival at Bangkok Airport. After collecting your luggage, proceed to Gate 4, where our English-speaking Airport Assistant will be waiting for you. Transfer to the hotel with a driver only. Note that rooms are guaranteed from 2:00 PM. Our Italian Assistant will meet you in the lobby or call you to arrange an appointment. Rest of the day free for individual activities.

Day 2

DAY 2 - BANGKOK. UNUSUAL TOUR AMONG PALACES, TEMPLES, AND KUDI CHEEN. Full Day (B.L.)

Breakfast at the hotel and meet with the Italian-speaking guide. The first stop of the day will be the "Temple of the Reclining Buddha". Wat Pho is the oldest Buddhist monastery in the city and also hosts the oldest Thai massage school. Next, we will take a public boat to reach Wat Arun, or the "Temple of Dawn". From here, it will be a short distance to reach the characteristic Kudicheen (Kudi Chin) neighborhood. Continue on foot to the small village to meet the local community, where time seems to have stopped! We will visit the old bakery (Thanusingha Bakery House) that still bakes delicious sweets, the small Baan Kudi Chin museum, and the exotic Kuan An Keng Shrine. After the visits, proceed by car to the restaurant with a splendid panoramic view over the Chao Praya River and the old city. In the afternoon, the last stop is the majestic and astonishing Royal Grand Palace with Wat Phra Kaew, the "Temple of the Emerald Buddha". The Royal Palace also includes the Chakri Palace (visit only from the outside), the Dusit Palace, and the Montien Palace, which are only visitable inside during certain periods. The visits end around 4:30 PM, return to the hotel.

IMPORTANT

Please dress appropriately, covering shoulders and legs up to the knees.

Please bring your passport, often required for entry checks.

Day 3

DAY 3 - BANGKOK - AYUTTHAYA Maeklong Railway, Damnoern Saduak, Bang Pa In, Ayutthaya Historical Park (B.L) 260 KM

Breakfast at the hotel. At 6:30-7:00 AM, meet with the Italian-speaking guide and depart for a wonderful day of visits in the nearby provinces of Song Khram and Ratchaburi, about 100 km from Bangkok. Start with the Railway Market (Hoop Rom Market), also commonly known as the Siang Tai (life-risking) market. It is considered one of Thailand's fantastic attractions. Spread over a length of 100 meters, the market is situated on the railway near Mae Klong station. Then proceed to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, arrive at the pier and with a long tail boat, in about 30 minutes through the canals, reach the Floating Market. The Damnoen Saduak market in Ratchaburi is one of Thailand's most popular floating markets. Every day, many Thai and foreign tourists come here to shop, eat, and absorb the atmosphere of Thailand's water markets built over a hundred years ago. Around 11:00 AM, depart to discover the Ancient Capital of Thailand. Bang Pa In is located about 60 kilometers north of Bangkok, along the banks of the Chaopraya River, and is one of the summer palaces of the Thai Royal Family. The palace dates back to the seventeenth century, before Bangkok was established as the capital, then fell into disuse for a long period. All the buildings you will visit date back to its revival, made possible by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the nineteenth century. Then proceed to Ayutthaya Historical Park. The city was founded around 1350 and became the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. It flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries, during which it became one of the world's largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and a center of global diplomacy and commerce. Ayutthaya was strategically located on an island surrounded by three rivers connecting the city to the sea. This site was chosen because it was above the tide of the Gulf of Siam as it existed at that time, thus preventing the city from being attacked by sea warships from other nations. Lunch is served in a local restaurant during the excursion. Hotel check-in is scheduled between 5:30-6:15 PM.

Day 4

DAY 4 - AYUTTHAYA – ANG THONG – SUKHOTHAI. (B.L.). Temples Wat Muang & Wat Sang Kratai, Sukhothai Historical Park. 390 Km

Breakfast at the hotel. At 7:00 AM, meet with the Italian-speaking guide and continue to Ang Thong, where we visit the Wat Muang temple. This temple, located in Ang Thong, about ten kilometers from the city center, is best known for its enormous seated golden Buddha, 95 meters high. It is the tallest in the country. The curiosity here is the right hand of the Buddha that visitors can touch from a small stage and under which they seem really tiny, and the Wat Sang Kratai temple, an ancient temple surrounded by the Bodhi tree, the tree of Enlightenment. At 9:30 AM, departure for Sukhothai, with a stop at a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, at 2:00-2:30 PM, we arrive at the Sukhothai Historical Park. The park is open daily and also offers tram service in addition to bicycle rentals to explore the vast area. Main points of interest are: The city walls are located in the center of the Historical Park and are surrounded by ramparts. The rectangular-shaped city measures 1330 meters in width and 1800 meters in length. The walls contain four main gates. A stone inscription mentions that King Ramkhamhaeng placed a bell at one of the gates. If his subjects needed help, they could ring the bell, and the King would come out to make decisions on disputes and dispense justice. Inside the city, there are 35 monuments, including Buddhist temples and many other structures, including the Royal Palace and Wat Mahathat. Arrival at the hotel in Sukhothai is expected between 5:30 and 6:15 PM. Overnight stay.

Day 5

DAY 5 - SUKHOTHAI - SRI SATCHANALAI - PHAYAO - CHIANG RAI Si Satchanalai Historical Park, Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkol Khiri, Vonburi House, Phayao Lake (B.L.) 400 Km

At 7:00 AM, meet with the Italian-speaking guide and depart for Chiang Rai, with pleasant stops along the way. The Si Satchanalai Historical Park is located on the bank of the Yom River. The ancient city, formerly called Muang Chaliang, was renamed Si Satchanalai during the reign of Phra Ruang when a new administrative center was established to replace Chailang. The ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered within this park. Although not an ancient temple, Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkol Khiri has beautiful architecture inspired by traditional styles, such as the Ubosot (Ordination Hall) and the Lanna style, with a teak building. The Vonburi House, built in teak, was constructed in the late 1800s, early 1900s in European colonial style, and today it is a well-preserved house museum. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Phayao Lake is very popular among local tourists and is also an important fishing resource. Early in the morning, fishermen go out and return mid-morning to supply the lakeside restaurants preparing for another day of dining, with grilled lake fish featuring prominently on the menu. The lakeside is a popular recreational area with afternoon aerobics classes, families picnicking, and couples strolling in the evening along the walkway between adjacent cafes and restaurants. Here, several activities are available (not included in the quote, to be paid directly on-site) including boat rental to navigate the waters up to Wat Tilokarum, or bicycle rental to tour around the lake. Arrival in Chiang Rai around 6:00-6:30 PM. Check-in at the reserved hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 6

DAY 6 - CHIANG RAI - CHIANG MAI. Golden Triangle, Wat Phra That Pu Khao, Opium Museum, White Temple, Mae Krachan, (B.L.) 320 Km

Breakfast. Today we start exploring this province, the northernmost in Thailand, beginning with the famous Golden Triangle, the point where the borders of Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand, and Laos meet. The visit includes Wat Phra That Pu Khao, offering a wonderful view of the Golden Triangle, the Mekong River, and the forested mountains. Two large Naga serpents at the base of the staircase protect the temple. Continue to the Opium Museum, which exhibits and educates visitors on opium production and its use in the life of the hill tribe populations. From the visit, we can learn a lot about the history of opium from its development in this infamous location. Lunch is served in a local restaurant. On the way to Chiang Mai, we stop at the famous White Temple, Wat Rong Khun, one of the many religious sites in Chiang Rai. Created by the great devotion of the famous Thai artist Chalermchai Kosipipat, the temple is dedicated to Lord Buddha with the intention of building a paradise reachable on earth that represents justice and the encouragement of good karma. Stop also at Mae Krachan Hot Springs. Arrival in Chiang Mai in the evening between 5:00-5:30 PM. Check-in at the reserved hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 7

DAY 7 - CHIANG MAI - Elephant Sanctuary - Doi Suthep. (B.L.)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will spend a wonderful day at an elephant sanctuary, to learn more about these pachyderms. A half-day visit that offers visitors a pleasant experience with the opportunity to spend time with the elephants in their natural environment and gain an overview of their history and behavior, creating lasting memories of the time spent with these wonderful animals.

APPROXIMATE ITINERARY:

6:30-7:00 AM - Pick up from your hotel or accommodation by the Elephant Sanctuary. Drive for about 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forests, and local agricultural areas.

8:30 AM - Arrive at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Meet the elephants and change into traditional Karen clothing.

9:00 AM - Meet the elephants. Feed them, interact and play with them in a natural environment while learning about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.

9:45 AM - Mud Spa with the elephants.

10:30 AM - Walk with the elephants to the river and bathe them.

11:30 AM - Lunch with a traditional meal and then say goodbye to the elephants.

12:00 PM - Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive for about 1.5 hours back to Chiang Mai. In the afternoon, we complete the day by visiting the most famous temple in Chiang Mai, Wat Pratat Doi Suthep, located on a mountain from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the hilly area of Chiang Mai. Built in the early 19th century Buddhist (we are now in the 26th), the beauty of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is marked by seven-headed Naga statues lining the stairs to the temple where there is a golden Chiang Saen-style pagoda and all its exquisite Lanna architecture. The view of Chiang Mai from here is simply phenomenal. Return to the hotel around 4:30 PM, time to relax.

Day 8

DAY 8 - CHIANG MAI. TRANSFER. (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel. Room available until 12:00 PM. Two hours before the flight, meet with our driver and transfer to Chiang Mai airport.