Iconic Thailand Your itinerary Start Location Visited Location Plane End Location Cruise Train Over night Ferry Day 1 prevalent in the Golden Triangle in the past century. Stopping for lunch at a local Arrive Bangkok (3 Nights) restaurant, you'll then hop on board a boat that will take you along the mighty Mekong River to the exact spot where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) 'Sawadee ka' and welcome to Thailand! Your trip will kick off in buzzy Bangkok, a and Laos collide. Stepping onto dry land in Laos you'll have time to peruse the cosmopolitan delight boasting all the mod cons and glistening malls of any capital handicrafts on offer at the Don Sao Island Markets, the only part of Laos that can be city, but with a distinctly exotic Thai flourish. Here, golden temples and neon clad visited without a visa, before heading back to your hotel in Chiang Rai. nightclubs co­exist peacefully side by side, whilst monks stroll the streets with smart phones in hand. After transferring to your hotel you'll meet up with your Travel Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch Director to learn the lay of the land, then dinner tonight will see you sample some of Day 6 Thailand's amazing cuisine whilst getting to know the rest of your group. Chiang Rai ­ Chiang Mai (3 Nights) Rembrandt Bangkok Hotel - Heading out of Chiang Mai this morning, your first stop for the day will be Wat Kong Khun, or the 'White Temple'. Instantly recognisable, you'll likely be amazed that Included Meals - Dinner unlike many of Thailand's other temples that date back centuries, Wat Kong Khun is Day 2 just over 20 years old, constructed by a notable Thai painter turned architect in Bangkok Sightseeing 1997. Take your time exploring here before heading on for a quick refresher at the Mae Kajaen Hot Springs, dipping your toes in the warm mineral waters as is local Today's sightseeing will reveal Bangkok's finest cultural and spiritual delights. tradition. Lunch will be another local affair at a nearby restaurant, then this afternoon Starting off at Bangkok's most ancient temple, Wat Pho, you'll visit the hugely you'll put your bartering skills to the test with a visit to San Kamphaeng Road. Shop impressive Reclining Buddha, the largest in Thailand, before continuing on to the for traditional local handicrafts before making the short drive to laid back, low key Grand Palace. A former royal residence, the dazzling, vibrant and intricate Chiang Mai. This evening head out with the rest of your group to explore the architecture of this sprawling complex never ceases to amaze, the centre piece of legendary Chiang Mai Night Market. A regular crowd pleaser for visitors and locals which is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Stopping for lunch at a local restaurant alike, here you can pick up souvenirs and local knick knacks, dine on delicious to re­fuel, this afternoon you'll then take to the maze of canals, known locally as street food and soak up the energy of this lively city coming to life by night. klongs, that zig zag across the city on a private boat, enjoying the ride as you pass by traditional family homes on stilts. Take in the simple river lifestyle of those who Hotel - Holiday Inn Chiang Mai work and live on the water. Later today, you'll also have the chance to join our optional visit to Jim Thompson's House, which houses an astounding collection of Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch Asian art and is also an exquisite example of traditional Thai residential architecture. Day 7 Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch Chiang Mai Sightseeing Day 3 Take advantage of the later start this morning, then hop on board a samlor Bangkok Free Day (rickshaw) to explore the bustling centre of Chiang Mai. Stopping by the city's most revered temple, Wat Phra Singh, take in the lavish buildings and immaculate Bangkok, your exploring options today are enticingly limitless and this is your free grounds before heading to the main attraction here, the famous Buddha known as day to tailor your way. If its markets you're seeking, the exotic and colourful Pak Phra Singh. Housed in the ornate Gilded Assembly Hall, the building itself is Kong Talad (Bangkok flower market) will offer up flower species of every shape, remarkable as a shining example of Northern Thai architecture that boasts restored colour and origin, whilst the tiny lanes of Chinatown are the perfect place to nibble murals depicted local Lanna life throughout the 19th Century. Lunch today will be a street food and shop for jade in Bangkok's busiest neighbourhood. Architecture local treat of Chiang Mai khao soi, a delicious, fragrant and spicy rice noodle soup. aficionados will probably choose to join our trip to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, This afternoon enjoy some down time before heading to Wat Doi Suthep, which is Thailand's former capital city. Stopping on the way at the gorgeous Bang Pa tucked away in the mountains. Dating back to 1383, it's here that legend states a Summer Palace, Ayutthaya is an archeological hotbed of temples, monasteries and piece of bone from the shoulder of Lord Buddha is enshrined. Staying until sunset to statues that offer a glimpse into the former glory of this ancient land. Heading back watch as the monks chant and offers prayers, you'll then head back to your hotel to Bangkok on a cruise, enjoy a buffet lunch as you take in local life along the banks after another no doubt magical day. of the Chao Phraya River. Included Meals - Breakfast, Lunch Included Meals - Breakfast Day 8 Day 4 Chiang Mai Free Day Bangkok ­ Chiang Rai (2 Nights) Your day your way is what today is all about, and with today being your last day, be Enjoy a late start this morning before you head to Bangkok Airport to catch a flight sure to make the most of it. For those looking to get out of the city and into the bound for the diverse, delightful city of Chiang Rai. Despite its small size Chiang Rai tropical lush greenery that surrounds Chiang Mai on all sides, opt to join our visit to is rich in historical and spiritual offerings, whilst its relaxed atmosphere and eclectic Baan Tong Luang Village, located north of the city in a beautiful valley. This foodie scene both ensure this little city is a big crowd pleaser. Your city tour later ecological Paguang village is home to the Long Neck Karen hill tribe of Myanmar, so today will tick off the headliners including Wat Phra Kaew temple, the original home you'll have the chance to learn about the costumes, traditions and rituals of this of the famous Emerald Buddha now residing in Bangkok's Royal Palace, plus the ancient community. Foodies, we've got a real treat for you in the form of an optional golden and glistening clock tower, an icon of Chiang Rai that was designed by a Thai cooking class. Set within a beautiful garden on an organic farm, you'll learn local Thai artist and unveiled in 2008 to honour his Majesty the King. Dinner tonight from the masters the secrets to perfecting Thai cookery by preparing your very own will offer a chance to sample Chiang Rai's culinary delights at a local restaurant. feast using fresh, local ingredients, which you'll shop for yourself accompanied by your instructor at a local market. Hotel - Laluna Resort Included Meals - Breakfast Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner Day 9 Day 5 Depart Chiang Mai Golden Triangle Sightseeing And just like that, your Thailand adventure will come to an end. You've explored Venturing into the heart of the Golden Triangle this morning, your first stop will be countless temples, tasted all manner of Thai cuisine and experienced the joys of the fascinating and self­proclaimed 'edutainment' Hall of Opium. Spanning an Thai hospitality, so we hope you're leaving with a big Thailand induced smile on your astounding 5000 years of history, the museum boasts state of the art exhibitions, face! Transferring to Chiang Mai International Airport, you'll catch your onward flight. harrowing stories and even a tiny opium plantation that paint a vivid picture of the conflicts, rituals and abuse that have all stemmed from opium, a trade that has been Included Meals - Breakfast HERE'S A SAMPLE OF YOUR CHOICE OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES AVAILABLE ON DAY 8 Hill Tribe Village Experience Head to the north of Chiang Mai to visit Baan Tong Luang Village, an AVAILABLE ON DAY 2 ecological Paduang village situated in a beautiful valley and the home to Long Neck Karen hill tribe from Myanmar. The women wear heavy copper Jim Thompson House neck rings as a ritual starting from when they are 5 or 6 years of age. Jim Thompson House is one of the best examples of traditional Thai Other hill tribes such as Lahu, Hmong and White Karen can also be seen residential architecture and houses a breath­taking collection of in the village in their traditional costumes. The price shown is in Thai Southeast Asian art. Jim Thompson, born in Delaware in 1906, fell in love Bhat. with Thailand while posted as an intelligence agent in Bangkok during WWII. He later made it his permanent home and started a business Adult Price: ฿2,015.00* supplying fine Thai silk to overseas fashion houses, single­handedly saving what had been a dying cottage industry. His silk company continues to flourish today. With the proceeds of his success, Thompson collected an impressive range of art works, and sections of teak houses, assembling them into a museum complex set in a lush garden alongside AVAILABLE ON DAY 8 central Bangkok’s Saen Saep Canal.