Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket

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

Today, we will visit the two major attractions of Bangkok: The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. Wat Pho is among the largest and the oldest temples in Bangkok and houses thousands of Buddha images, including the 150 ft long reclining Buddha covered by gold leaf!

The Grand Palace is a highlight of any trip to Bangkok. The palace complex includes several buildings, temples, pavilions, halls, courtyards, lawns, and gardens. Located close to the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace is the perfect testimony of an ancient Siamese court. The Temple of Emerald Buddha (Wat Pra Kaew) is also within the complex.

After lunch in a local Thai restaurant, we travel by boat on Chao Phraya River and through the canals, locally called klongs, of Thonburi. We will have the opportunity to see life along the waterways.

We will also visit the 249 ft tall Wat Arun in the west bank of Chao Phraya River that dominates Bangkok sky. The majestic shrine is all adorned with glazed ceramic pieces that reflect the sunlight. That's how the temple got its name as the Hindu God Aruna is personified as the radiations of the rising sun!

All temple visits require that you wear the proper attire with covered shoulders and knees. You also need to remove shoes when you enter the temple.

The evening time is for Tuk Tuk Urban Odyssey, a group tour that starts at 6.30 pm and lasts about 3.5 to 4-hours. Zip through the historic streets of Old Bangkok on a tuk-tuk and experience the vibrant town. We stop in the historic landmarks and food stalls that serve authentic, delicious cuisines cooked on charcoal stoves. The trip ends with a belly full of delicious food and a head full of experience.

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 the flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival at Chiang Mai airport, your local guide will meet and greet you and transfer 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 domestic 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 a 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 require climbing of 309 steps! Proper attire is required. The site has pagodas, statues, bells, a museum, and shrines. With luck, we have a good weather day, and we can 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 partly collapsed due to an earthquake in 1545, and they moved Emerald Buddha to Luang Prabang in after six years.

We will also visit the Wat Phra Singh- Chiang Mai's most revered temple that 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 free 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 the meal, your guide and driver will bring you back to the hotel.  

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

After breakfast, we transfer to the pier and take a speedboat (45 minutes) to Phi Phi Islands that no longer need an introduction!. We visit the Loh Sa Mah, Phi Phi Ley Cove, and Maya Bay, where they shot 2000 film "The Beach" (starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tilda Swinton). Those who enjoy snorkeling you have to observe the majestic undersea world. If you are an explorer type of person and Phi Phi's natural beauty is not enough, there is plenty to do on and off the island. Phi Phi Ley is home to the Viking Cave, a large limestone cavern, where you can see the ancient rock paintings can. 

After lunch at a beachside restaurant, we will visit the Bamboo Island where we can enjoy swimming and snorkeling or lie and rest on the beach. The departure in the afternoon will be from Hin Klang Island. Upon arrival at the pier in Phuket, you will meet and then transfer to the hotel.

You have free time in Phuket.

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.