Bangkok

Thanks for booking our 8-day Thailand tour from USA! When your flight arrives at Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport or Suvarnabhumi Airport, our guide will be waiting for you in the arrival hall. After a warm welcome, you will be escorted to the hotel in a comfortable private car exclusively arranged for you. It takes 30 to 40 minutes depending on the traffic.

Let’s start our guided Thailand tour! Today’s first destination is Wat Pho, the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. Here, you’ll witness the morning ritual of monks chanting prayers. Take a stroll through the tranquil temple and you’ll find the 46-meter (151-foot) long magnificent reclining Buddha statue.

The Grand Palace

Next, we’ll walk a few minutes north to the highlight of the day, the Grand Palace. This elaborately designed palace is the symbol and the most important temple complex of Thailand, exhibiting the finest art of Siamese paintings, sculptures and decorations. The golden stupa and the Phra Mondop’s (Library) glazed tiles sparkle in the sunlight, showcasing the luxury of royal architecture. Our guide will also lead you to the Wat Phra Kaew within the palace, a gorgeous temple dedicated to the sacred Emerald Buddha. At the entrance, you will find a basin of holy water with lotus flower alongside. Try to use the flower to sprinkle the water on the head, which is believed to bring good fortune.

At noon, our guide will lead you on a shuttle boat to Supatra River House, a riverside restaurant across the Chao Phraya River for a sumptuous Thai lunch.

Chinatown - Bangkok

After a short break, we’ll drive about 20 minutes to Bangkok Chinatown, where we’ll explore the bustling blocks on foot. Our guide, who has spent years navigating Bangkok and is most familiar with its labyrinth of alleys, will take you for a walk along one of the city’s oldest streets. Passing through the Yaowarat Road full of interesting boutiques. Walking past Trok Leng Moi Eia to Talad Kao, we will find a distinctive local market. Finally, you will be accompanied to visit Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Wat Leng Noei Yi), a small and tranquil Taoist temple hidden in downtown Bangkok.

Chao Phraya River

★ Exclusive Chao Phraya River Cruise by Long-tail Boat: Next, we’ll walk a few minutes to the Ratchawong Pier to embark on a traditional Thai long-tail boat to float along the Chao Phraya River for 1 hour. Along the way, you can observe the captivating mix of modernity and tradition of Bangkok as you pass by skyscrapers and ancient temples. Especially, our boat will navigate through small channels to find some traditional Thai houses, providing you with a picture of the authentic daily lives of locals. Don’t forget to take some bread to feed the lively catfish that swim alongside your boat.

Temple Of Dawn (Wat Arun)

Our boat will dock at Wat Arun on the west side of the river, and the guide will lead you to visit this magnificent temple. Its striking pagoda rises majestically into the sky, earning it the nickname “Thailand’s Eiffel Tower”. At sunset, the intricate design of geometric shapes and colorful ceramic fragments is bathed in golden light, bringing you ultimate visual enjoyment. Then you’ll be escorted to the hotel.

Ayutthaya Historical Park

In the morning, we’ll leave the hectic Bangkok City and drive for 1 hour to Ayutthaya, the 400-year-old Siamese capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a bustling hub of trade and culture in the 17th century, Ayutthaya was one of the largest cities globally until an unfortunate destruction during a war in 1767. Our first destination is Ayutthaya Historical Park, a living museum of majestic temples narrating the rich history of this once-thriving city. As you wander through the remains of Wat Mahattat, Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and Wat Lokaya Sutharam, imagine the glory of old Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351-1767). Then our guide will lead you to the Muslim quarter, savoring one of the most popular local snacks, Roti Sai Mai. Marshmallows are wrapped in flatbreads and then the dessert top is sprinkled with sesame seeds. Observe the skillful process as Muslims prepare it, and choose your favorite flavors like pandan, banana, or strawberry.

Chiang Mai

After having a sumptuous lunch, the guide and the driver will escort you to Bangkok Airport for a 1-hour flight to Chiang Mai. Upon your arrival, our local guide will greet you warmly and escort you to the hotel in our exclusive car with a chauffeur.

Warorot Market (Kad Luang)

After breakfast, we’ll go on a walking tour to explore the highlights of the charming Chiang Mai City. Starting from the bank of the Mae Ping River, we’ll first visit the bustling Warorot Market, a favorite hangout for the locals, so you may encounter locals browsing the stalls in slippers and vests.

Tha Phae Gateve

★ Special Arrangement: Take a Rickshaw to Explore Chiang Mai’s Old Town: Next, you’ll travel to the Tha Pae Gate on a unique rickshaw ride. As we glide along the streets, you can take in the beautiful scenery and feel the marketplace atmosphere of Chiang Mai’s old town, and talk to your rickshaw driver to find out more about their daily lives. Tha Pae Gate is the main portal of the ancient city of Chiang Mai, and the center of important public activities and festivals. The surrounding crimson city walls and pigeon flocks create a picturesque scene worthy of a photograph.

Then, continue our visit to Three Kings Monument and Wat Chedi Luang, where the City Pillar stands, a meeting place for locals beneath the shade of a venerable tree.

Wat Phra Singh

Our next stop is Wat Phra Singh, an exquisite temple that epitomizes the artistry of the Lanna Kingdom (1259-1317). It is said that the Buddhist relics of Sakyamuni were enshrined in the temple’s 20-meter (66-foot) high golden stupa.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep

The magnificent Wat Phra That Doi Suthep will be our last stop, where the first thing that catches your eyes is two statues of Naga, serpents in Buddhist myth, stretching along the 306 steps. Besides, two statues of Yakshas, protector in Buddhism, stand at the top, welcoming you to this holy site. If you find the climb challenging, consider taking the one-way cable car, which is included in the price. Just let your guide know ahead of time! Finally, the guide will escort you back to the hotel.

Today we will explore Ob Khan National Park. After visit, you’ll be escorted to the hotel.

Mae Kampong Village

After a leisurely breakfast today, we will drive for 1 hour to Mae Kampong Village, deep in the mountains. On the way, stop at a local market to pick up the ingredients for today’s lunch. Located at a high altitude of 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), the Mae Kampong Village enjoys a cool climate all year round, with no distinct seasons. It retains a relatively rustic charm, with the Thai bamboo houses showing you the unique architectural beauty. As the soothing sounds of murmuring streams surround you, our guide will lead you through the lush forest and unveil hidden waterfalls. Equip yourself with sun protection and insect repellent for a comfortable adventure. We will have lunch with a local family and create a special memory by preparing meals together. Learn how to make local specialties and get a detailed look at their real lives with the guide’s translation.

Wat Rong Khun

In the afternoon, continue driving through the wooded mountains for about 2.5 hours to Chiang Rai. On the way, stop to visit Wat Rong Khun (White Temple). Here, you can lose yourself in the dreamlike atmosphere created by exquisite carvings and shimmering mirror fragments. You will notice that numerous visitors write their names onto paid tin Bodhi leaves for blessings.

Chiang Rai

Check into the hotel upon arrival in Chiang Rai.

Golden Triangle

After breakfast, embark on a 1-hour drive to explore the well-known Golden Triangle area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet. Next, our guide will accompany you to cruise along the Mekong River for 30 minutes.

House of Opium

Then we’ll visit the Hall of Opium Museum. With our guide’s excellent explanations and the museum’s extensive collections, you’ll delve into the opium-growing process, various opium-smoking tools, and legendary stories of drug kingpins. Cultural exploration continues with visits to the Akha and Yao Tribal Villages, primarily inhabited by immigrants from southwestern China. After the tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel in Chiang Rai.

Bangkok

This is the last day of your Thailand tour. After breakfast, our guide and the driver will see you off at the Chiang Rai Airport, where you will board a 1.5-hour flight back to Bangkok. Here’s the end of our service. Wish you enjoyed the trip!