Jour 1: Kanchanaburi
BANGKOK - DAMNERN SADUAK - KANCHANABURI (Lunch, Dinner)
Morning departure to visit Damnern Saduak, the famous floating market. Along the way, we visit the fresh market in Mae Klong, known as the Railway Market, unique because of the train that passes through it at certain times of the day, forcing vendors to move their goods in a hurry but just for a few minutes. Visit to the Damnern Saduak floating market, where dozens of farmers paddle their little boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and foods to buy and sell from boat to boat, creating a floating market. Transfer to Kanchanaburi, the town of the bridge on the river Kwai, whose construction by allied prisoners during World War II was made into the movie that made it famous worldwide. Arrival and visit of the J.E.A.T.H. museum. Lunch in a typical restaurant. After lunch we visit the Hellfire Pass and then take a train for a short but spectacular ride on the famous Death Railway, built by the POW under Japanese captivity. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Dinner at the hotel.
Jour 2: Sukhothai
KANCHANBURI - AYUTTHAYA - LOPBURI - PHITSANULOK - SUKHOTHAI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Early morning departure to reach Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam founded in 1350. Visit the most important temples of the Archaeological Park, one of the richest in all of Asia: Wat Mahathat, Wat Phrasrisanphet and Wat Mongkolbophit. Arrival in Lopburi, one of the most important centers of diffusion of Buddhism in ancient times. We visit Phra Prang Sam Yot and Sarn Prakarn Kala temples, populated by hundreds of monkeys. Lunch in a typical restaurant. We continue north towards Phitsanulok for a short visit to Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, a temple that contains one of the country's most revered and famous Buddha images and the best example of the artistic style of the Sukhothai period. Arrival in Sukhothai and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Jour 3: Chiang Rai
SUKHOTHAI - LAMPANG - CHIANG RAI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
In the morning we visit Sukhothai's Archaeological Park, an UNESCO World's Heritage Site. Here we visit Wat Srisawai, Wat Mahathat and Wat Sra Sri. Transfer to the historical park of Sri Satchanalai, where we visit the ruins of this city dating back to 1250. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Continue towards Lampang, where we stop to visit the city's most important temple, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. Arrival in Chiang Rai and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Jour 4: Chiang Rai
CHIANG RAI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
In the morning we visit some hilltribe villages on the hills around the city. Afterwards we transfer to Mae Sai, the northernmost city of Thailand, where we explore an interesting handicrafts market. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Transfer to the famous viewpoint of the Golden Triangle, from which we can see the shores of Burma, Laos and Thailand. Visit of the interesting Opium Museum. Time available for shopping or for a boat ride on the mighty Mekong river, which here marks the border between Laos and Thailand (optional). Return to Chiang Rai and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Jour 5: Chiang Mai
CHIANG RAI - CHIANG MAI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Departure from the hotel in Chiang Rai for a cruise on the Kok river in a typical longtail boat, going up the river for about an hour. Visit to a village of ethnic minorities. Transfer to the visit the incredible Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, designed and built by a worldwide famous Thai artist who saw it in a dream. The place is unique, a blend of styles, fantasies and modern art. Lunch in a typical restaurant. Transfer to Chiang Mai via Doi Sakhet, through a picturesque road passing near national parks and wonderful nature typical of the North. Upon arrival we visit Bo Sang and San Kamphaeng's handicrafts factories. Later on in the afternoon we visit Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most venerated and famous temple in the North.
Transfer to the hotel. Dinner in kantoke style, with traditional music and dances. After dinner there will be free time for shopping at the famous Night Bazaar. Return to the hotel.
Jour 6: Chiang Mai
CHIANG MAI (Breakfast, Lunch)
Depart early in the morning to visit the famous Padaung long-necked women
Depart to visit “Wiang Kum Kam” an ancient city located in Saraphi district about 3 km south of the south-eastern corner of downtown Chiang Mai.
According to chronicles and archaeological evidence, the old city was built by King Mangrai around the latter part of the 13th century. The city was founded as a new capital by the king after his victory over the Mon kingdom of Hariphunchai, today’s Lamphun.
Due to repeated floods, a new capital, Chiang Mai, was built a few years later. Wiang Kum Kam flourished during the reign of the Mangrai dynasty until the end of the 16th century.
Then the traces are lost for many years, until 1984, when Unit 4 of the Department of Fine Arts discovered the remains of the old city around Wihan Kan Thom at Wat Chang Kham and subsequently excavations were started; since then many new remains have been found and restorations have continued since then.
The main temple of the city is Wat Chedi Liam (originally Wat Ku Kham), which is still occupied by monks.
Lunch in a typical restaurant.
Free time at leisure.
Jour 7:
CHIANG MAI (Breakfast)
Transfer to the airport or to the bus/railway station.
