Thailand Discovery I 10 Days
10 Days: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui
Tour overview:
Make the most of your exploration of beautiful Thailand with this itinerary that visits the throbbing capital Bangkok, the lush jungles of Chiang Mai and beautiful beaches of Phuket.
Day 1 - Arrive Bangkok
Arrive at Bangkok Airport by flight …. Meet and greet our English-speaking guide and transfer by private air-conditioned coach from Bangkok Airport to your hotel.
Day 2 - Bangkok Full Day City Tour
07:30 Start the morning with a klong adventure that takes us to the waters of the former Bangkok capital Thonburi which in 1972 merged into Bangkok. Situated on the western side of the Chao Phraya River, these waterways remain very much intact since development on this side of the river is at a much slower pace and this has ensured the capital has retained its title ‘Venice of the East.’ Here we will glide through the klongs in traditional long-tail wooden boats and soak up scenic life along the capital’s waterways. On the way we stop at the National Museum of Royal Barges which is home to elaborate royal vessels used in state processions. We then head back along the Chao Phraya to visit the magnificent Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn. We then cross the water to explore the gleaming Grand Palace which is considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Siamese Court. Previously the residence of royalty, this complex contains different venues for different occasions, including the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. We break for lunch at a local Thai restaurant before continuing to Wat Po, thae largest temple complex in Bangkok which has an impressive reclining Buddha that is 46 metres in length as well as ornate chedis. Next, is the ornate Wat Trimitr which is situated at the end of buzzing Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, and also near to Hua Lampong train station. This temple is home to a vast invaluable Golden Buddha that weighs five-and-half tons adding to this remarkable site. Return to the hotel 17:00 approximately. (BL)
Day 3 - Bangkok at Leisure
The day is free to relax and pursue independent activities. (B)
Day 4 - Bangkok – Chiang Mai
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 5 - Chiang Mai ½ Day Mutelu Trip
08:00 Embark on a spiritual journey on a tour of some of Chiang Mai’s most revered religious sites. This discovery is conducted in silent and clean electric tuk-tuks – the perfect vehicles to visit sacred sites. We pay our devotion at Wat Lok Moli, a temple that dates back to the 14th century. This features a huge chedi, constructed in 1527, which contains the ashes of several Mengrai Dynasty kings who ruled the Lanna Kingdom from the 13th to the 16th centuries. We then pay homage to Queen Mahadevi Chiraprapa, followed by a stop at Wat Chiang Man, a temple famous for merit making. Our journey continues to a Brahmin statue to pay respect to the ‘god of success’. This is carved from a single piece of teak wood, that weighs five tons and stands at a height of six metres, making it the largest of its kind in Thailand. Our last stop is the Old Quarter, including Thapae Gate, one of the most famous landmarks in Chiang Mai, followed by the return to our hotel approximately 12:00. This is the perfect excursion to gain spiritual enlightenment at the city’s most revered sites. This is one of our Sustainable Trails, an excursion that maximizes positive impacts on local communities and minimizes negative impacts on the environment in the following ways: Transport alternatively - Walking is combined with a mix of local transportation (EV TukTuk) to experience Chiang Mai like the locals; Experience meaningfully – visit local rural communities. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 6 - Morning Offering/ Hill Tribes/Handcraft Village
06:30 Join in a monk alms offering at Wat Srisoda at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain to learn more about Thai religious devotion. Starting early before sunrise, we head to Wat Srisoda to observe this ritual and discover the customs behind it. Afterwards we return to our hotel for breakfast and then travel by car into the countryside to reach the newly-discovered ancient city ruins of Wiang Kum Kam which once served as a capital during the Lanna era. Here we hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a tour of the ruins and then embark on cruise on board a ‘scorpion-tail’ boat along the Mae Ping River for about 45 minutes before returning to our hotel at approximately 11:30 for lunch on own account. 13:30 Admire skilled craftsmen at work with an exploration of vibrant San Khampaeng that takes us to various galleries and factories where household and decorative items are crafted, painted and displayed. Chiang Mai is the birthplace of these skills and we watch the production of popular items in workshops such as Thai silk, colourful paper parasols and observe teak wood being transformed into elegant furniture with the use of simple tools. These skills have been passed down generations and we also learn the art of marking Celadon ceramics with methods that date back to the Sukhothai period. We also learn the intricacies behind the marking of lacquerware and silverware and have plenty of time to shop during our tour. Return to the hotel at approximately 17:00. Evening at Leisure. (B)
Day 7 - Chiang Mai – Phuket
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Phuket, famous for its serene scenic beaches. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to relax and pursue independent activities. (B)
Day 8 - Phuket
Day at leisure to relax and pursue independent activities. (B)
Day 9 - Phuket.
Day at leisure to relax and pursue independent activities. (B)
Day 10 - Phuket – Departure
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B)