Treasures of Thailand

Highlights

- A beautiful immersion in Thai culture and traditions
- The end of the trip with a relaxing stay on the beautiful beaches of Krabi

Description:

Day 1: Bangkok - Ayuthaya

Pick up and depart from Bangkok to Ayuthaya.

Visit to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace of King Rama V, representing a variety of architectural styles in a large park around waterways.
The palace was first used by the Royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century. However, the Palace was destroyed with the fall of Ayutthaya and was restored by King Rama IV in the mid-19th century.

Afterwards, drive to Ayuthaya and lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch, visit Wat Ratchaburana and Chao Sam Phraya Museum.
The temple's main prang is one of the finest in the city. In 1957 the temple's crypt was looted of a large number of Buddha images and gold artifacts. The thieves were later caught, but few of the treasures were recovered and now housed in the Chao Sam Phraya Museum.

Before checking-in at your hotel, stop for a visit at Ayothaya Floating Market. The objective of this market is to help preserve and promote Thai arts and culture.
Here, you will experience uniqueness of Thai custom and tradition and simple ways of living. Take a walk to enjoy various tasty food in the market along the very long canal or opt for different shops in Thai pavilions surrounding the floating market.

Check-in at your hotel or similar hotel.

Day 2: Ayuthaya - Nakhon Ratchasima

Depart from the hotel to visit the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpitr, the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch, and Wat Phra Mahathat.

Proceed for Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat, en route stop for lunch at local restaurant where you can taste the local signature foods such as Pad Thai 'Pad Mee Korat', Som Tum (spicy papaya salad) Kai Yang Isan grilled chicken.

After lunch, drive to Pimai to visit the museum and the magnificent Khmer temples, the “Angkor Wat of Thailand”, supposedly built by King Jayavarman VI in the 11^th century.

We’ll then go to Ban Dan Kwian Pottery Village to see the potters of this famous area.
Visit the retail market on the roadside and walk thru the village to see some of the pottery process.

Return to Korat and check-in at your hotel.

Day 3: Nakornratchasrima - Saraburi - Lopburi - Sukhothai

Depart Korat to Lopburi.
En route, visit Phra Buddha Badh in Saraburi, with its shrine of the holy footprint of Lord Buddha.

Sightseeing in Lopburi, visit to the museum at Narai Raja Nives Palace (closed on Monday), the Prang Sam Yod (Sacred Three spired Pagoda), and the ruin of Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat as well as the Monkey Temple.

After lunch at local restaurant, proceed to Sukhothai.
Before checking-in at your hotel, visit Sukhothai’s pottery village where local artisans use the ancient Sangkhalok skills to produce wonderful hand-painted dishes and other objects.
Here, you will have an opportunity to learn some of these skills for yourself and practice your own painting skills on the pottery dishes.

Check-in at your hotel.

Day 4: Sukhothai - Sri Satchanalai - Lampang

Visit to the famous ruins of this first capital of Thailand (1257-1379). Wat Maha Dhat, Wat Sra Sri and Wat Sri Chum.
Continue to Sri Satchanalai,the northern outpost town of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, built by King Ramkamhaeng.

Visit Wat Chang Lom, Wat Jedi Jet Thaew, Wat Nang Phya and Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat which stands on the site of the Khmer fort called "Chalieng".

Proceed to Lampang and check-in at your hotel.

Day 5: Lampang - Phayao - Golden triangle - Chiang Saen

Drive to Ko Kah to see Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang housing the only Emerald Buddha besides the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok.

Depart for Phayao, a unique rural town and once the princely state whose former glory will be seen at Wat Sri Kom Kam.

Proceed to Chiang Rai and lunch at a local restaurant.
Continue to Chiang Saen, the former capital of the first Thai Kingdom, situated directly on the Mekong River at the border between Thailand and Laos. Visit Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti by climbing up 383 steps to the top of the hill.
Also visit Wat Chedi Luang and the small museum nearby.

Continue by long tailed speedboat upriver on the Mekong towards the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos convene.

Check-in at your hotel.

Day 6: Chiang Saen - Doi Mae Salong - Mae Sai - Chiang rai

Depart from Chiang Saen to visit Lisu Village at Baan Mae Kaotom and continue to Doi Mae Salong passing through beautiful mountain scenery. The view from the top takes in a large part of Thailand, Myanmar and the Mekhong Valley which makes this trip very worthwhile.

Lunch at Mae Salong Villa in Doi Mae Salong.
Drive to Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hilltribe community center. This community-based tourism development project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of villagers of this Akha Community, and is a model for tourism in Hilltribe villages.

Continue to Mae Sai, the northernmost Thai town on the Myanmar border. Walk around the local market with opportunity for shopping. Proceed to Chiang Rai.

Check-in at our hotel.

Day 7: Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai

Depart for Mae Chan with short stop at a hot spring on the way.

Proceed to Chiang Mai and lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon, visit to Handicraft Villages to see the manufacturing of lacquer ware, spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and how paper umbrellas are made. Also visit Thai wood carving factory with possibility to buy Burmese antiques.

Check-in at our hotel.

Day 8: Chiang Mai

Visit to an orchid farm where you will see a greater variety of species and colors of this king of flowers that grows in Thailand.

Afterwards, drive to Elephant POOPOO PAPER Park, an eco-friendly, naturally built outdoor museum park that introduces and explains the unique steps involved in making paper products from elephant poop fibers!

Then, continue visit to The Dara Pirom Palace Museum (closed on Monday). The elegant house of the late Princess Jao Dara Rasamee, one of the princess consorts of King Rama V, transformed into the museum full of exhibits showing the palace decor as well as Chiang Mai’s rich culture and history at the time of her life.

Lunch at local restaurant.
After lunch, visit Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at an elevation 1,056 meters, the temple is reached by a staircase with 290 steps, flanked by a NAGA balustrade on either side.
The monastery was built by King Gue-Na in 1383. The center is a big Chedi (spired pagoda) which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha.

Return to your hotel.

Day 9: Chiang Mai - Krabi

Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
According to the flight schedule, transfer to Chiang Mai airport and flight to Krabi.

Arrival in Krabi and transfer to your hotel.
Free time, and overnight at your hotel.

Day 10: Krabi

Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Free day to enjoy the superb beaches and finish this beautiful circuit smoothly.

Overnight at your hotel.

Day 11: Krabi

Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Free day to enjoy the superb beaches and finish this beautiful circuit smoothly.

Overnight at your hotel.

Day 12: Krabi - Bangkok

Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.
Room available until 12:00 noon.

Transfer to Krabi Airport for your return flight to Bangkok.

All our tours are customizable.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discover Thailand

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Included:

- Transportation in air-conditioned car / minibus / coach
- Transportation from/to your accommodation
- All entrance fees to visits
- Guide
- Double room with air conditioning in selected or similar rooms
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Not included:

- Personal expenses
- Gratuity

Useful information:

- Please contact us by email via the contact form if you wish to get more information about this tour