Thailand Overland – The Royal Cities

from CAD $2299 per person

10D/9N

Land only price (based on minimum 2 people, twin share in a room)
Local 3* in Bangkok (Furama Silom): CAD 2,299 per person
Single room supplement: CAD 669 per person

Local 4* in Bangkok (Pullman Bangkok G): CAD 2,499 per person
Single room supplement: CAD 889 per person

Local 5* in Bangkok (Shangri-la): CAD 2,789 per person
Single room supplement: CAD 1,049 per person

Hotel surcharge:
Pullman Bangkok G (29DEC22-01JAN23): CAD 70 per room per night
Shangri-la (29DEC22-02JAN23): CAD 140 pe room per night
Pattara Resort (25DEC22-01JAN23): CAD 25 per room per night
The Legend Chiang Mai (24DEC22-02JAN23): CAD 50 per room per night
Melia Chiang Mai (24DEC22-02JAN23 & 20-24JAN23): CAD 40 per room per night

Compulsory gala dinner:
Lampang River Lodge (31DEC22): CAD 45 per person

SERVICES INCLUDED

9-night accommodation as per above itinerary (or similar) in twin share/double rooms with daily breakfast included
Pick up and drop off services by private air-conditioned vehicle with English speaking local guide and entrance fees at places listed above
All sightseeing as described in itinerary
Join-in elephant care activity (morning program)
Meals plan as mentioned (drinks are not included)
Standard accident insurance
VAT Government tax

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

All airfares and taxes, unless otherwise specified
Meals other than specified as included
Festive dinners, seasonal room supplement and meals other than specified as included
Optional tours, fees or other expenses from optional tour
Expenses of a personal nature (souvenir, phone call, laundry, etc.)
Gratuities to tour guides, drivers, hotel porters, restaurant or boat men, etc
Drinks and personal expenses

Included

Accommodation

Guide

Meals
Not Included

18-hole Golf Round

Flights

Insurance

Transport

Tour Plan

DAY 1 // BANGKOK ARRIVAL

Arrive in Bangkok. Be welcomed and greeted by our local English-speaking guide. Transfer to your hotel and the rest of the day is at your own leisure. Accommodation: Local 3*: Furama Silom Hotel (Superior Plus Room) or similar Local 4* Pullman Bangkok Hotel G (G Deluxe Room) or similar Local 5*: Shangri-la Bangkok (Shangri-la Wing Deluxe Room) or similar

DAY 2 // BANGKOK (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a tour that included three of Bangkok’s most famous temples, plus the iconic Grand Palace. The first on the tour; Wat Trimit a 700-year-old, three-meter-tall golden statue, cast from five-and-a-half tons of solid gold which makes it the world's largest solid gold statue. Wat Pho features one of the largest reclining Buddha images in Thailand. It is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, situated in the Grand Palace complex, otherwise known as Wat Phra Kaew is regarded as the most sacred temple in the kingdom. It is home to the Emerald Buddha, a dark green statue which has been carved from a single jade stone. The former residence of the King, the Grand Palace, adjoins the temple. Return to the hotel around noon and rest of the day is at your own leisure. -- Note: Dress code for the Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew: Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops. If you are wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (no bare feet.) Women must be similarly modestly dressed. Skirts need to fully cover the legs, no see-through clothes, no bare shoulders, etc.

DAY 3 // BANGKOK (B)

Start an early morning (6:30AM) with a visit to the Railway Market, witness the train running through the heart of the market while vendors begin to move their goods away from tracks. On the way stop for a short visit to a local coconut farm, see how they produce different products, try for example freshly cooked coconut palm sugar. There are countless floating markets throughout Thailand, but the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is the most famous. Situated 110 km from Bangkok in Ratchaburi province, you will take a long tail boat ride through the canals and witness the local communities along the riverbank, before visit the floating market at Damnoen Saduak. At the market, you can walk around and see colorful clad merchants paddle along congested canals in sturdy canoes laden with fresh fruit, vegetables, local foods and tourist souvenirs to sell to shoppers on the canal banks. Buy some local snacks, enjoy the view of the many boats find their way along the canals and locals interact with tourists. There is lots of activity and bargaining is part of the fun of the sale. Return to the hotel around 2PM and rest of the day is at your own leisure.

DAY 4 // BANGKOK – AYUTTHAYA – PHITSANULOK (B/L)

Pick up at your hotel (8AM) and depart to start one of the most classical journeys of Thailand. Visit ancient ruins and historical park of Siam’s former capital Ayutthaya, declared world heritage site by UNESCO, where we will explore the three most important temples: Wat Yai Chaimongkol, Wat Mahathat and Wat Phanan Choeng. During the visit, our tour guide will tell you interesting stories about the impressive history of Ayutthaya’s origin, conquests and the Burmese Wars that were the downfall of the kingdom and the reason why nowadays only ruins remain. Afterwards, we drive further north to Phitsanulok where we stay overnight at local 4* Pattara Resort (Superior Room) or similar.

DAY 5 // PHITSANULOK – SUKHOTHAI – LAMPANG (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel and make a short visit (8AM) to Wat Mahathat the most revered temple and impressive Buddha statue in the area, Phra Buddha Chinnarat. Continue to Sukhothai Historical Park. The city is regarded as the first capital of Siam and was protected by no less than three rows of earthen ramparts and two moats, which enclosed the inner city. Admire beautiful standing Buddha statues as you explore the many ruined temples and monasteries. The Department of Fine Arts of Thailand with the help of UNESCO, which has declared it a World Heritage Site, conserves it. The park receives thousands of visitors a year who marvel at the ancient figures of Buddha, the palace buildings and the temples. The park can easily be explored either by bicycle or on foot. Visit within the walls of Sukhothai Monument to King Ramkhamhaeng, right in the middle of the park. We will visit the royal palace and the Wat Mahathat temple in the center of the architectural interior complex of the ancient city to get an idea of the dimension and all the monuments it encompasses. Lunch at local restaurant before we drive to Lampang, a quiet but charming town. Overnight in Lampang at Lampang River Lodge (Lanna Cottage).

DAY 6: // LAMPANG – CHIANG RAI (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel and make a short visit (8AM) to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. Depart by road to Chiang Rai via Kwan Payao. During our visit, we will lunch at a local restaurant. Once arriving at the province of Chiang Rai, we will visit the hill of Doi Mae Salong and climb to the top of the mountain. There we will visit the Akha tribes, little frequented and influenced by tourists to know their town, lifestyle, organization, etc. At the village, you can find natural products such as mushrooms, green tea, spices. Also visit a green tea plantation with the option of tasting such prized tea. Back to town and overnight at local 4* Legend Chiang Rai (Superior Studio) or similar.

DAY 7 // CHIANG RAI (B/L)

After breakfast at hotel, learn the cultures of two ethnic minorities: the Akha who originate from Tibet and the Yao from China. Northern Thailand is very famous for its colorful hill tribe communities and this gives an insight into their rich culture and traditions. Then we make journey further north to the infamous "Golden Triangle", located on the border between Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos. See the magnificent views over where the Mekong and Ruak River confluence and the beautiful area surrounding this spirited ambience. There is the possibility to make an optional boat tour on the river to enjoy the spectacular views and optionally visit Baan Sao Don-a small town in rural Laos. After that we will make a quick visit to the ancient capital of Chiang Saen and drive back to the hotel around 3PM. We stop en route for lunch at local restaurant. Rest of the day is free time at your leisure.

DAY 8 // CHIANG RAI – CHIANG MAI (B/L)

Breakfast at the hotel and before embarking on our way to Chiang Mai where we will visit newly built temple in town: Wat Rong Seua Ten or Blue Temple. Painting in a striking sapphire blue with gold ornamentation, its exterior and interior design bears a resemblance to the White Temple because it was built by Putha the pupil of Chalermchai himself. En route stop at Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. Even from afar, the glistening temple makes an immediate impression as soon as it comes into view. It is true that most of the areas visited in Thailand have a historical and cultural relevance and importance that date back centuries; we want to incorporate to this visit a sample of how the modernity and the present can still recover techniques and vestiges of the past. This temple has been built not long ago and part of its construction has not finished yet. Afterwards, we continue to Chiang Mai on which way you can enjoy the great scenic beauty of Northern Thailand. During our trip, we make a stop at a local restaurant to savor locally cooked lunch. Arrived in Chiang Mai, visit the famous handicraft district, the artisan village of Sankamphaeng where you can see the northern handicrafts including silk, silver, Saa paper, lacquerwares, etc. Overnight at local 4* Melia Chiang Mai (Melia Room) or similar.

DAY 9 // CHIANG MAI (B/L)

After breakfast, get pick up from your hotel (8:30AM) and drive approximately 1.30 hour for a half day elephant care activity. Enjoy a visit to a natural home and sanctuary for the elephants. At the park, you will have the opportunity to spend time with the various herds, learn about how to care elephants as well as their individual stories. One of the highlights is to prepare foods and fruits to feed them. You can expect to have some wonderful photo opportunities during this time. Take a walk around the park with your expert guide and elephants, with no riding and you may have a chance to see the elephants socializing in their herds, concluding at one of the elephant’s favorite places, the mud bath. After the guided walk through the park, refresh yourself with drinks and snacks provided by the park. Around noon, it is time for goodbyes to the elephants. We head to the beautiful butterfly orchid and nursery where we have lunch at local restaurant. Our last but not least destination is the temple of Doi Suthep, one of the most sacred temples of Chiang Mai and located on the top of a hill in the north of the city. At the top, we will enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city. Return to the hotel around 5PM and overnight in Chiang Mai.

DAY 10 // CHIANG MAI DEPARTURE (B)

Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy free time until transfer to the airport for your homeward flight OR check with us if you want to extend your journey to the beach destination in Thailand.

Tour Location

Thailand

1-677-124-44227

wanderers@qodeinteractive.com

Thailand Overland – The Royal Cities