Tour Detail

7 Days-6 Nights BANGKOK+GOLDEN TRIANGLE SIC

DAY 1 - BANGKOK - ARRIVAL. TRANSFER

DAY 2 - BANGKOK - Grand Palace and Temples Half Day (B.)

DAY 3 - BANGKOK - Maeklong Railway, Damnoen Saduak, - Half Day (B.)

DAY 4 BANGKOK TRANSFER TO AIRPORT Driver Only (B.)

DAY 5 - CHIANG RAI CHIANG MAI, Blue Temple, White Temple, Wat Pratat Doi Suthep. (B.L.)

DAY 6 - CHIANG MAI Elephant Sanctuary. GROUP DAY IN ENGLISH (B.L.)

DAY 7 - 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 driver only. Please note that rooms are guaranteed from 2:00 PM. Our Italian Assistant will meet you in the lobby or call you for an appointment. The rest of the day is at your disposal for individual activities.

Day 2

DAY 2 - BANGKOK - Grand Palace and Temples – Half Day (B.) Breakfast at the hotel. Meet the guide and depart for this half-day visit to some of the main attractions of this metropolis. The tour starts with the Grand Palace, founded in 1782, which includes not only royal halls and thrones but also numerous government offices and the famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It covers an area of 218,000 square meters and is surrounded by four walls, 1900 meters long. Next is the adjacent Wat Pho, not only one of the most visited Buddhist temples in Bangkok but also a combination of history, medical science, and an educational institute. Officially named Wat Prachetuphon Vimon Mangkararam, Wat Pho was founded during the 16th century and later became the Royal Temple of King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty. In 2008, Wat Pho was designated a UNESCO Memory of the World (MOW) as a documentary heritage for Asia and the Pacific. The visits conclude with Wat Trimitr, a Buddhist temple near Bangkok's Chinatown famous for one thing: the Golden Buddha. The story goes that in 1931 a restoration took place at Wat Phraya Krai in the Yannawa district. The main Buddha statue, which was made of concrete, was then transferred to Wat Trai Mitr, which was also undergoing significant renovation and expansion. Twenty years later, in 1955, when the structures were completed, the Buddha statue was moved to be placed in one of the buildings. However, the Buddha statue was too heavy and fell from the lifting crane, revealing the pure gold hidden inside. Return to the hotel is scheduled between 12:00-12:30 for the morning excursion and 17:00-17:30 for the afternoon.

IMPORTANT:

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

Please bring your passport, often required for entry checks.

Day 3

DAY 3 - BANGKOK - Maeklong Railway, Damnoen Saduak, - Half Day (B.) Breakfast at the hotel. At 06:30-07:00 meet the Italian-speaking guide and depart for a wonderful day visiting 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 Risk) Market. It is considered one of the fantastic attractions in Thailand. Spread over a length of 100 meters, the market is located on the railway near the Mae Klong train station. Continue to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, arriving at the pier and then taking a long tail boat through the canals for about 30 minutes to reach the floating market. The Damnoen Saduak Market in Ratchaburi is one of the most popular floating markets in Thailand. Every day, many Thai and foreign tourists come here to shop, eat, and absorb the atmosphere of the water markets in Thailand, built over a hundred years ago. Around 11:00, depart to return to Bangkok, with an expected arrival at the hotel around 12:00. Afternoon at leisure for individual and/or optional activities.

Day 4

DAY 4 - BANGKOK – TRANSFER TO AIRPORT – Driver Only (B.)

Breakfast at the hotel. Three hours before the flight, meet the driver in the hotel lobby. Transfer to the airport.

CHIANG RAI – Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday. Arrival, Golden Triangle, Opium Museum – Boat on Kok River, Ethnic Minorities. (L.)

Arrive at Chiang Rai airport by 10:00, meet with the local guide. Today we start exploring this province, the northernmost in Thailand, starting with the famous Golden Triangle, the point where the borders of Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand, and Laos meet. It is located 9 kilometers north of Chiang Saen, along the road by the Mekong River. Sop Ruak is the place where the Mekong River (border with Laos) meets the Ruak River (border with Burma). In the past, the Golden Triangle was the world's main source of drug trafficking due to its prime location, connected to the opium-producing countries. Today it is a renowned tourist attraction. 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 multi-headed Naga serpents at the bottom of the stairs protect the temple. Continue with the Opium Museum. The museum exhibits and educates visitors on opium production and its use in the life of hill tribe populations, teaching us much about the history of opium as it developed in this infamous area. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, return to the city and transfer to the pier to board a motorboat that will take us along the Kok River to Ruam Mitr, visiting the Karen and Lahu ethnic minorities. The Karen village of Ruammit, located on the banks of the Nam Mae Kok (Mae Kok River), is famous for its elephants, with a long tradition of training and logging, and remains distinctly Karen, preserving its culture and traditions. Today it has become one of the major tourist attractions both on the Nam Mae Kok and in Chiang Rai province. Ruammit is reachable in 1 hour by boat from the provincial capital of Chiang Rai, and boats depart regularly from Chiang Rai pier. In the early evening, arrive at the selected hotel and check into reserved rooms. Overnight at a hotel in Chiang Rai.

Day 5

DAY 5 - CHIANG RAI – CHIANG MAI, Blue Temple, White Temple, Wat Pratat Doi Suthep. (B.L.) At 07:00, meet with the guide and visit the famous Blue Temple, or Wat Rong Seua Ten, located a few kilometers from Chiang Rai. It is a recent temple still under construction, although its main hall is now complete. Its magnificent blue interior with a large white Buddha is particularly striking. The Blue Temple of Chiang Rai is still relatively unknown among tourists as it was completed very recently. Then we will start the journey to Chiang Mai, during which we will visit the White Temple or Wat Rong Khun. One of the numerous religious sites in Chiang Rai. With exceptional quality in art and extremely elaborate architecture, the consecrated assembly hall of Wat Rong Khun is different from any other temple in terms of both the sculpted gables and the tooth-shaped crests. The hall itself is mostly constructed in pure white, illustrative of the Buddha's purity. The glittering clear mirror glass serves as the wisdom of the Enlightened One shining upon the earth and the universe. Lunch is served at a local restaurant along the way. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, we will complete the day dedicated to temples with the most famous one in Chiang Mai, Wat Pratat Doi Suthep, located on a mountain offering panoramic views of the hilly area of Chiang Mai. Built in the early 19th century Buddhist era (we are now in the 26th), the beauty of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is marked by seven-headed Naga statues flanking the steps to the temple, where a golden pagoda in Chiang Saen style and exquisite Lanna architecture are found. The view of Chiang Mai from here is simply phenomenal. In the evening, transfer to the hotel and check into reserved rooms. Overnight at a hotel in Chiang Mai.

Day 6

DAY 6 - CHIANG MAI – Elephant Sanctuary. GROUP DAY IN ENGLISH (B.L.)

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

APPROXIMATE ITINERARY:

06:30-07:00 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.

08:30 Arrive at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Meet the elephants and change into traditional Karen clothing.

09:00 Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment while learning about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.

09:45 Mud Spa with the elephants.

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

11:30 Lunch with a traditional meal and then farewell to the elephants.

12:00 Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive for about 1.5 hours back to Chiang Mai.

13:30 Return to the hotel.

Day 7

DAY 7 - CHIANG MAI. TRANSFER. (B.)

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