Bangkok & Chiangmai

9 Days / 8 Nights Program of Bangkok & Chaingmai, which includes the principle sites of Bangkok & Chiangmai, including Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Floating Market, floating market, Doi Suthep Temple, Private Elephant Conservation Safari, etc.

• DAY 1   Arrival

  On arrival at BANGKOK Airport you will be met and transferred to Your Bangkok Hotel, where your reservation is for the next 4 Nights and includes Breakfast. En route to the Hotel, your Guide will give you an introduction to Thailand and your Program. (Specific aspects of your Sightseeing, etc. can also be discussed with your Guide).

• DAY 2   Grand Palace & Temple of Emerald Buddha

  This morning we visit Bangkok's most revered site - The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha. We can also visit Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's oldest and largest Temple complexes, among the many sites of interest here is the Viharn which is home to a 46-meter Reclining Buddha. After lunch at a local restaurant we travel by Private Boat through the Klongs (Canals) of Thonburi where we get an insight to why Bangkok was once known as “the Venice of the East”, we also call in to see the Royal Barge Museum (if open) and Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn), before returning to the Hotel.

• DAY 3   Floating Market & Jim Thompson House

  Leaving the Hotel early we drive South of Bangkok through the countryside passing Palm Plantations and Salt Fields to Damnoen Saduak, to visit Thailand's largest floating market. Here we travel by small boat around the quiet waterways and the bustle of the main floating market. After looking around the market we drive back to Bangkok, taking lunch at a local restaurant en route. In the afternoon we can visit Jim Thompson's House, the classic Thai-style former home of a Pioneer of the Thai Silk Industry (to your interest, as time and energy permits!) before returning to the Hotel.

• DAY 4   Ayutthaya & Bang Pa-In Summer Palace

  Today we have a trip to the Ancient Capital of Ayutthaya. We travel by road, North of Bangkok to Ayutthaya, here we visit the various Ruins and Temples of this Ancient Capital City (now designated a World Heritage Site), including the Wat Phra Si Sampet Ruins, Wat Rachabophit, and the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum. After lunch at a local Restaurant, we then continue to Bang Pa-In, where we take a look around the Royal Summer Palace Gardens (The Palace is still used by the Thai Royal Family), after which return to Bangkok by road, and return to the Hotel.

• DAY 5   China Town & to Chiangmai

  This morning we can visit China Town to explore one of the busiest areas of Bangkok. Some of the sites here that we could visit include: Talat Kao or old market then continue on a leisure walk along the colorful Sampeng lane; visit unique typical Chinese Temple, and 100 years old gold shops; browse around for bargains at the Kakorn Kasem, explore Pahurat Indian Fabric Market; have a visit to a Sikh temple; visit the beautiful flower market "Pak Klong Talad" we can also see Wat Trimit which houses the largest solid Gold Buddha in the World. On completion we transfer to Bangkok Airport for your afternoon flight to Chiangmai.
  
  On arrival at CHIANGMAI Airport we transfer to Your Chiangmai Hotel, where your reservation is for the next 4 Nights and includes Breakfast. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure in the Hotel.

• DAY 6   Special Merit Making Ceremony, Doi Suthep Temple & City Sights

  This morning we leave the Resort early (around 06.00am) to arrive early at the foot of Doi Suthep, where we can take part in a local make merit ceremony by giving Alms (some food & drink, etc.) to the local Monks from Wat Sri Soda. This is an amazing and moving site with usually hundreds of Saffron Robed Monks walking out of the Temple. After this we continue with a drive up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the most venerated Temple in Chiangmai, situated on the hill-side some 3000 ft. above the City in the Doi Pui National Park. On the way up the mountain we stop for a short coffee break before visiting The Temple itself (before all the crowds arrive !!). Here we can climb the 306 stairs, to reach the Temple which encloses a large traditional, “Lanna” style Chedi covered with gold plates (A small mountain Tram is also available if the stairs are too much effort !!) From the Temple Grounds there are also panoramic views over Chiangmai and the surrounding area.
  
  On our descent we can spend the rest of the day in and around Chiangmai City, visiting some of the Principle Temples inside Chiangmai old moated City, such as - Wat Phra Singh, Chiangmai City's most important Temple. Constructed in the 14th Century, of particular interests here are some well-preserved murals. Wat Chedi Luang, once home to the Emerald Buddha (Now in the Grand Place in Bangkok) built over 600 years ago, is dominated by it's massive Chedi, which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the mid 1500's. and Wat Chiang Man, the City's oldest Temple. Wat Suan Dok, best known for its large number of pagodas in which the ashes of the Chiang Mai Royal Family are enshrined.

• DAY 7   Private Elephant Conservation Safari

  This morning we drive by Private Air-conditioned vehicle, to our Elephant Conservation Site, in the Mae Khanin Valley on the outskirts of Chiangmai.
  
  On arrival at the Site, you will be greeted by your Host, and have a short briefing on how to be a health-based advocate for elephants, you will learn how to approach and become friends with your elephant as well as provide a health inspection.
  
  After getting changed into a more comfortable Local “Elephant” Outfit, we then start our Private “Elephant Safari” in an Africa Safari-style Off road Vehicle through the hidden MaeKhanin Valley, and while driving along the trail of River Crossings, you will have up close and personal interactions with free-roaming elephants.
  
  You will have the opportunity to feed the Elephants with natural fruits and herb balls as well as a hands-on specialized elephant bathing for skincare and other healthcare-based activities. After a Safari-styled local Lunch, we can walk with the Elephant through the Fields & Forest.
  
  On completion, we say farewell to your elephants, then meet up with our Vehicle & return to your Resort.
  
  For your Safety & Security, our own Qualified, English-speaking Guide, will be with you throughout the Private Program, which will be just your own Private party (with your own Vehicle ) throughout the activities.

• DAY 8   Local Handicraft Village

  Today we visit some of the various Traditional Local Handicrafts & Craft villages that Chiangmai is renowned for. Specific interests and details can be discussed with your Guides, but could include Silk Weaving; Teak-wood carving; Silver working; Laquerware production; Ceramics and a village community producing Sa-paper (to your interest, as time and energy permits!) before returning to the Hotel.

• DAY 9   Departure

  Today is at your leisure until we transfer you to CHIANGMAI AIRPORT, for your onward flight to Bangkok.