Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui

Upon arrival, meet your guide and driver at the arrival gate and transfer to the hotel. Take rest to recover travel fatigue.

Today, we take a day trip to Ayutthaya (47 miles, 2 hours)- the second capital of Thailand, after Sukhothai. Ayutthaya flourished from the 14th to the 18th centuries and became one of the world's largest and most cosmopolitan urban areas and international trade hub. Unfortunately, the city was attacked and devastated by the Burmese army in the 18th century. Today, the town exists in the archeological ruins and remnants that survived the attack. It is characterized by the prang (reliquary towers) and significant monasteries, that showcases the past glory.

The tour begins at the Summer Palace of the late King Rama V, commonly known as "Bang Pa-In," and continues through the magnificent ruins of early splendor. We will pass or visit the most impressive ruins of this World Heritage Site and eventually return to Bangkok by a cruise ship. We will cruise down the Chao Phraya River, enjoying a sumptuous buffet lunch on board. From the disembarkation point, we transfer to the hotel.

After breakfast, check out the hotel and transfer to the airport for a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport, your local guide will meet and greet you and then move to the hotel in the city.

You have free time in the afternoon to take rest or pursue your interests.

In the evening, your guide will take you on a street food tour. The street food market features a variety of authentic Thai cuisines, particularly the northern Thai specialties. Your guide will lead you through the market and share information about food and local culture. You will sample different dishes and snacks and desserts.

Today, we will take a scenic 1.5 hour 4WD ride to the Elephant Sanctuary. We travel through the beautiful farmlands and get glimpses of rural life outside the city. We will experience life with elephants in their natural home.

Upon arrival in the sanctuary, English speaking local guide welcomes you. The guide will share knowledge on elephants and rural life as he leads you through the village of Karen tribe. We change to the traditional Karen clothing, grab some bananas and sugar cane for feeding, and we are ready to meet the elephants!

Divided into small groups, we will meet and interact with each of the friendly elephants personally. We learn about the life process and behavior of the elephants and discover the unique and exciting stories of each elephant as we touch, play, feed, and photograph them. After having some quality time with the friendly elephants, enjoy traditional Thai lunch and seasonal fresh fruits with a view of the picturesque river and the woods.

After lunch, we reunite and join on a walking tour alongside the elephants to a nearby river where the friendly animals get a bath. Here, we will have the opportunity to bathe and brush the elephants while they enjoy wading through the water. Next is the time for the therapeutic mud spa. Be prepared to get muddy as you cover the elephants in a protective layer of mud. We will have fun playing with them and watch as they joyfully frolic in the mud spa. Now, it's almost time to bid farewell to the elephants! We head upstream and wash off the mud in the fresh, clean water. Finally, we change clothes and take a scenic walk back through the Karen village and part our ways back to the hotel in Chiang Mai.

This morning, we take a half-day excursion. We first drive to visit the Wat Doi Suthep- situated atop a 3444 ft high mountain and requires climbing of 309 steps! Proper attire is required. The site has pagodas, statues, bells, a museum, and shrines. On a clear weather day, we will enjoy a panoramic view of the town and the province.

The next stop will be at Wat Chedi Luang in the historic center of Chiang Mai that enshrined Emerald Buddha from 1468 till 1551. Originally 280 feet tall, the temple collapsed partially due to an earthquake in 1545, and after six years, they moved the Emerald Buddha to Luang Prabang.

We will also visit the Wat Phra Singh- Chiang Mai's most revered temple. It contains the most beautiful Lai Kham Chapel with its exquisite wood carving and northern style murals.

Now is the time to take a trishaw ride and browse through the Muang Mai market. Most of the produces here come straight from the local farms!

Afternoon time is open for you to pursue your interests.

Late afternoon (4.30 pm), we will visit a Lanna Family. With our guide, we travel on the outskirts of the city and meet a local family in an authentic Thai neighborhood. The host family welcomes the guests with a refreshing drink. We will spend time with the family, learning about traditional Thai architecture and the elegant teakwood homes and structures. Led by the host family head, we will stroll through the orchard and herb garden. We will learn how to make bamboo baskets and cigars from banana leaves. Perhaps, there is no other better way to end the day than with a delicious home-cooked Northern Thai meal, prepared by the family. After lunch, we travel back to the hotel. 

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Chiang Mai airport for flight to Koh Samui. Upon arrival, meet and greet with your local guide and transfer to the hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Today, we visit the Angthong National Park that consists of 42 beautiful islands. We will take a speed boat from the Nathon pier and head north. We will explore natural caves, blue lagoons, and stunning rock formations. We will visit Mae Koh Island, a place where there is an inner saltwater lake.

Lunch will be served on the boat while we head to Wau Ta Lab Island and the National Park headquarters. Here, you will have free time to enjoy sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, or just relaxing on the white sandy beaches. The views around are beyond anyone's imagination.

You have free time in Koh Samui.

Another day at leisure to explore the nearby islands and attractions on your own.

After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport in time for the flight back to your next destination.

Meet your guide at the hotel lobby at 8:30 a.m. and proceed for sightseeing.

We visit the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. It's a magnificent image of Buddha in a reclining position, covered with gold leaf. Next, we continue to The Grand Palace, which is a "must-see" for every visitor in Bangkok. Located close to the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Within the compound is the Temple of Emerald Buddha (Wat Pra Kaew), you will have lunch in a Thai restaurant.

Travel by shared boat on the Chao Phraya River (The River of Kings) and on through the Klongs (canals) of Thonburi. You will have the chance to observe and photograph the serene family homes and temples along the waterways, which gave the city the name "Venice of the East." You will also visit Wat Arun, which most probably is the most photographed sights in Bangkok. The majestic shrine has a pagoda of 76 m high. It is all decorated with glazed ceramic pieces that reflect the rising sun and give the temple its name. 

Tour usually starts at 9:30 a.m., and you are expected back to the hotel by 6:30 p.m. Please note that you are required to wear proper attire (no bare shoulder, bare knees, or strapless-heel shoes). You must remove shoes before entering all temple buildings.