Tour code: RR004B
Explore the historical, cultural and natural sites of both the central region and northern Thailand including the UNESCO world heritage sites of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the unspoiled nature of Uthai Thani, especially the Thai way of life on the raft houses along the tranquil Sakraekrang River, and Hub Patad Cave. The trip continues to the Golden Triangle, once notorious for the traffic of opium and ends with the beauty of Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North”.
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Pick up from hotel and drive to Nakorn Chaisri where you board on a converted rice barge at Lampaya temple. Enjoy an approx. one hour river cruise on Nakorn Chaisri River, the second cleanest and most natural river in Thailand. See water vegetable plantations, water birds and the Thai way of life along the riverside. Then continue to Ayutthaya to visit the UNESCO’S World Heritage before going to Uthai Thani. Visit Wat Tasung with its amazing crystal hall and the local market of Uthai Thani on Sakaekrang River, before checking in at the COUNTRY LAKE NATURE LODGE. Dinner and overnight at the resort.
After breakfast, drive to Koh Tepo, a rural community, visit home industry making high quality knifes, visit fruit orchards. Journey on to Hub Patad Valley. Surrounded by old limestone mountains, the hidden forest of rare big palm trees, which seem to be from the time of “Jurassic Park” is waiting for the outside world to be explored. Then continue to Kamphaengphet to visit Wat Pra Kaew, a large royal temple where was used on important city events and had no monks in residence. Continue to Sukhothai, found in the 13th century, literally means Dawn of Happiness. It was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see for all travellers. Overnight at hotel in Sukhothai.
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the historical Park of Sukhothai, the first capital of Thailand. Continue to Phrae, visit Prathat Suthon Temple which boasts beautiful Northern Thai style building. Teak wooden museum displaying rare antiques in the temple compound is a must-visit. Continue to Chiang Rai via Phayao with a short break at the Lake of Kwan Phayao, the largest fresh water fish habitat in the upper North which provides the livelihood of many of the local people. The surrounding scenery, particularly at dusk, is stunning. Evening arrive in Chiang Rai. Overnight at hotel in Chiang Rai.
Early morning have breakfast at hotel and afterwards drive to Chiang Saen, an ancient town located on the bank of the Mekong River to visit the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong River, was once supposed to be the center of all the poppy cultivation in Thailand. View the upstream scenery of the Golden Triangle and pay a visit to the Opium Museum. Then continue to Mae Sai, Thailand’s northern- most district to visit Mae Sai Market. Guests enjoy observing cross-border trading and shopping at the market at the Thai-Burmese border. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon drive along picturesque route to Chiang Mai. Visit Sankampaeng handicraft village to see silk weaving, wood carving and umbrella making. (Optional: evening a traditional Kantoke Dinner and Northern Thai dances with extra cost). Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai.
After breakfast at hotel start the trip to Mae Sa Valley to see elephants at work at an elephant camp. Continue to one of the biggest orchid and butterfly farms of Chiang Mai. In the afternoon, drive uphill to visit Wat Phratat Doi Suthep, the most famous and respected temple in Chiang Mai. Overnight at hotel in Chiang Mai.
Breakfast. Drive to Lamphun to visit Wat Phra That Haripunchai. Sited in mid-town, the temple was built some 800 years ago. A principle landmark is the 46-metre tall golden Chedi. Then further to Lampang province, famous for its horse-drawn carriages and with a rooster as its provincial emblem. The city boasts a long history of human settlements on the Wang river basin, some of which dating back to more than 1,000 years and is rich in archaeological evidence reflecting ancient civilizations of Haripunchai, Lanna and Burma. Visit a beautiful old Burmese style temple Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao. Continue to Phitsanulok to visit Wat Mahathat which houses Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha Image “Phra Buddha Chinaraj”, the large Sukhothai style bronze statue was cast in 1357 and now is highly respected by Thais countrywide. Overnight at hotel in Phitsanulok.
After breakfast drive to Kanchanaburi. On the way, stop at Lop Buri to visit San Phra Kan or Kala temple, the Hidu shrine, located a guardian house in which various Buddha and Hindu images are enshrined. One of the most attractive sights for the tourist visiting San Phra Kan is a troop of tamed monkeys. Visit nearby Prang Sam Yod , founded in 13th century, was originally a Hindu temple, with the three stone steeples (prangs) representing the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Visnu and Siva. Then continue to Visit the Narai Ratchaniwet Palace, built in 1665 and 1677, when King Narai the Great decided to make Lop Buri the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Although the buildings were designed by with the contributions of French architects, the Khmer influence was still strong. The Palace was a perfect blend of the both world, an awesome mixture of Khmer-European styles. before going to Suphanburi to visit Wat Pa Laelai. Drive to Kanchanaburi to visit the Bridge over the River Kwai. Overnight at hotel in Kanchanaburi.
Breakfast at the Resort. Early morning visit the floating market in Damnoen Saduak. Then proceed to Nakhon Pathom to visit the highest pagoda in Thailand with a height of over 120 meters at Phra Pathom Chedi. Afternoon drive to Sam Phran to see historical elephant theme shows and a crocodile farm. Transfer to hotel in Bangkok.
