Signature of Thailand: 9-Day Bangkok, Chiang Mai & Phuket Beach Escape

DAY 1: BANGKOK – HALF DAY TEMPLE TOUR

Welcome to Thailand!

Arrive at Bangkok International Airport, meet your driver for an airport transfer with a private vehicle and English – speaking guide. Transfer to your hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon you will go on one of the most popular tours, taking you along to 3 of the most stunning temples, Bangkok has to offer! It features the “Wat Traimit” with its 5, 5, ton heavy Golden Buddha Image, the Wat Phra Chettuphon (commonly known as the Wat Pho), that boasts the over 45-meters long Reclining Buddha. Wat Pho is also regarded as the first centre of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first university’. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple-educated people on varied subjects such as literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation.

It’s also considered to be the home of the Thai traditional massage. We end the tour with a visit to the Wat Benchamabophit (also known as the Marble Temple): a representation of an outstanding success of marriage between Italian Carrara marble and classical Thai architecture.

Meal: None

Overnight at hotel in Bangkok

DAY 2: DAMNOEN SADUAK FLOATING MARKET & GRAND PALACE – DINNER ON RIVER CRUISE (B/D)

This most interesting full day tour takes you to the rural yet world-famous floating market of Damnoen Saduak, situated around 100 kilometers west of Bangkok. The tour includes a visit to Nakhon Pathom; site of the highest Chedi in Thailand called “Phra Pathom Chedi”, which is the largest pagoda in Southeast Asia.

Afterwards you’ll visit the Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark and most praised royal monument in Thailand is a must. The former royal residence of the Chakri Kings, the palace is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Built in 1782 by King Rama I, it was the center of power for more than 150 years. Today, the palace is Bangkok’s major landmark and most popular tourist attraction.

Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located right next to the Grand Palace. Together they form perhaps the greatest spectacle for visitors in Bangkok. Even though the whole compound is so full of tourists, and you spend half the time trying to avoid getting in people’s photos, it’s still an impressive place to visit. It consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics, and dates to 1782, when Bangkok was founded. When you enter the compound, you’ll first go see Wat Phra Kaew and the nearby attractions, and then move on to the Grand Palace.

Important Note: Photography is permitted in the Royal Palace Grounds and in the compounds of the Emerald Buddha Temple, but not inside the buildings.

Dress Code: Participants on this tour should note that the Palace is a national shrine, and you will be required to wear proper attire (no bare shoulders, knees or strapless-heel shoes). Shoes must be removed before entering the temple buildings as a matter of respect.

19:30 – 21:30: Have individual dinner on Chao Phraya Princess (Included: International Buffet menu and Live Music)

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at hotel in Bangkok

DAY 3:  FULL DAY VISIT AYUTTHAYA (B)

Drive to the former capital of Thailand, visit Bang Pa In (Summer Palace) and ruins of the Ancient City of Ayutthaya.

A full day tour, bringing you to visit the former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya, situated approximately 75 kilometers north of Bangkok and one of those destinations, you must see. The mixing of cultures in Ayutthaya began in the mid-16th century when ships from Ayutthaya plied the Asian seas, trading with neighboring countries. When the Dutch began showing up in the 17th century, Ayutthaya became a port city and trade routes were extended to China, Japan, Indonesia, Portugal, Holland and France and up to the Scandinavian countries later. Although the ancient villages of foreign traders lining the Chao Phraya riverbanks were abandoned when the city was sacked by Burmese troops in 1767, some remnants survive to showcase the cities past glory.

The tour starts at the Summer Palace of the late King Rama V), commonly known as “Bang Pa-In”, which is another touch of beauty. You continue to the magnificent ruins of early splendor that Ayutthaya is famous for all over the world. We will pass or visit all the most impressive ruins of this World Heritage Site to take sufficient pictures.

We will return to Bangkok by coach, where we will bring you back to your booked Bangkok hotel.

Note: Kindly be aware that proper attire is required to enter the Summer Palace compounds; 365 Travel Asia Enterprise staff will be pleased to advise you accordingly.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Bangkok

DAY 4:  BANGKOK – FLIGHT TO CHIANG MAI – HALF DAY CITY AND ANCIENT TEMPLES – KHANTOKE NORTHERN DINNER & CULTURAL SHOW (B/D)

Breakfast in the morning & free time at hotel until transferring to Bangkok airport for flight to Chiang Mai.

After 1hr.20min on plane, you arrive at Chiang Mai airport & meet our guide and driver then start moving to hotel for check in.

Pick up from the hotel lobby and depart to Chiang Man Temple, the oldest temple which probably dates from 1296. The temple was the residence of King Mengrai, who founded Chiang Mai, and is noteworthy for a chedi supported by rows of elephants. Continue to Chedi Luang Temple, which was built at the end of the 14th century. The great chedi was to remain the tallest structure in Chiang Mai and was once the home of the Emerald Buddha image, Thailand’s most sacred religious relic. Visit to Phra Singh Temple, was built in the year 1345. This temple contains marvelous examples of Lanna art, including a Lanna style viharn and the finest scripture repository of its type in the north.

Proceed to Suan Dok Temple, which was built in the year 1370. This temple is the royal cemetery of the Chiang Mai Royal Family. The main chedi is gilded and contains relics of the Buddha. The temple is also famous for the Golden Buddha image, cast in the 16th century. Continue to Thapae Gate; this eastern main entrance gate is still the main center of Chiang Mai’s public city activities and festivals. Then transfer back to the hotel.

Dress Code: Visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed entry to the temple. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves – no sleeveless tops. If you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (in other words, no bare feet.) Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, bare shoulders, etc. It is also recommended to avoid bright colors.

Evening, pick up from the hotel lobby and depart to Northern Dinner & Cultural Show. Enjoy a Dinner the traditional northern Thailand form of dining. The food is served on a wooden pedestal tray, called Khantoke. While guests enjoy the meal there are usually performances of traditional northern Thai dances and music.

Traditional Northern Thai dinner provides; Kao Neaw: Sticky rice, Gaeng Hung-Lay: Burmese pork curry, Gai Tawd: fried chicken, Paad Pugg: fried vegetable, Naam Prik Ong: pork cooked in mildly hot tomato-chili paste, served with fresh cucumber slices, Mee Krob: Crispy noodles, Kaeb Moo: pork rind with paste for dipping and with a starter Klow Thod: fried banana. Experience using fingers to break off pieces of sticky rice and dip it into various bowls instead of using cutlery. Desserts are Kao Taent: popped rice crackers, coffee or tea and fresh fruits.

Relax while being entertained by performances of Traditional Northern Thai Lanna dances and music such as Fingernail dance, Sword dance, Candle dance, Ramwong dance and Firework displays. Additionally, there are also hill tribe shows and music. Then transfer back to the hotel.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai

DAY 5: FULL DAY ELEPHANT SANCTUARY & BAMBOO RAFTING (B)

Pick up from the hotel lobby and depart to Mae Taman Elephant Camp; (1½ hour drive) explore the spectacular mountainous scenery along the way. Watch Demonstrations of how trained elephants are used as working animals in teak forests. The show includes elephant painting, dragging and pushing logs, and responding to commands. Elephant Ride through the beautiful mountain scenery and Bamboo River Rafting cruise along the rural Mae Taeng River, softly moving along the river while relaxing as the raft’s men pole you down through farmhouses and stunning greenery. Lunch served at the local restaurant.

Continue to visit Orchid Nursery to see a large collection of different types of colorful exotic year-round-bloom orchids. Then transfer back to the hotel

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai

DAY 6: FULL DAY DOI INTHANON NATIONAL PARK – FLIGHT TO PHUKET (B)

Pick up from the hotel lobby and depart to Doi Inthanon National Park, which is Thailand’s highest mountain (2,565 meters above sea level) offers beautiful scenery, evergreen mountain forests, dwarf rhododendron groves, rare bird life, and impressive waterfalls. Visit to the Summit and short trek along Angka Nature Trail; explore and feel the beauty and the unforgettable nature around. Continue to the great Twin Royal Pagodas, which were built for His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness the Queen of Thailand. This place provides a marvelous view of its surroundings.

Depart to Doi Inthanon Royal Project, one of the many royal-sponsored projects to familiarize hill tribe people with new agricultural techniques. View the flower nurseries and cultivation areas. Then visit Vachiratharn Waterfall, a large waterfall which plummets over the edge of a high cliff around 100 meters into a deep pool below. It is also one of the highest waterfalls in Northern Thailand, great to take pictures. Then transfer to Chiang Mai airport to take a flight to Phuket. Arrival Phuket, transfer to hotel for check-in without guide.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai

DAY 7: PHUKET – FREE DAY AT BEACH (B)

Free day at Phuket Beach.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Phuket

DAY 8: PHUKET – FREE DAY AT BEACH (B)

Free day at Phuket Beach.

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight at hotel in Phuket

DAY 9:  PHUKET DEPARTURE (NO GUIDE) (B)

Breakfast in the morning & free time at hotel until transferring to Phuket airport for flight departure.

Meal: Breakfast