BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI - PHUKET TOUR

12 DAYS

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OVERVIEW

Bangkok / Chiang Mai / Phuket

Meo Hill Tribe-Chiang Mai
Entrance to see Fantasea evening show- Phuket
Karen Hill Tribe – Chiang Mai

ITINERARY

12 days trip Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Phuket

Day 1: Bangkok 
Meet and greet by our guide upon arrival at the airport in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel for check in. Free at leisure. Overnight in Bangkok.
 
Day 2: (B) Bangkok temples – Flower Market – khlong tour
After breakfast at your hotel, begin a full day tour of Bangkok’s temples and other important sites. Pick up and transfer to Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha – the world’s largest solid gold Buddha image. The Golden Buddha is 4 meters in height, made of 18-carat gold, and weighs five-and-a-half tons. Visit Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok. Wat Pho is famous for the golden reclining Buddha that measures 46 meters and has feet inlaid with mother-of pearl. Continue on to the Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful remnants of the ancient Siamese court. The compound of this former residence of the kings includes Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), a treasure house of Thai art which houses the famous Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha in Thailand. Later, see Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple), one of the most modern works of Thai religious architecture. Graceful and tranquil, it is famous for its main chapel built with white Carrara Italian marble to house a replica of Thailand’s most beautiful Buddha image, Phra Phuttha Chinnarat.
 
This afternoon, depart for Pak Khlong Talad, the most famous flower market in Bangkok, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The flowers here sell by retail and also wholesale, and include roses, jasmine, marigolds, sunflowers, orchids, and others. Your day’s next adventure will be to take a longtail boat cruise along the Chao Phraya River, also known as “The River of Kings,” throughout the narrow canals of Thonburi. Along the way, there are numerous temples, shrines, restaurants and schools. Observe the locals going about their day. There are also mobile food vendors selling delicious BBQ chicken with sticky rice, noodles, fruits etc.  This is a great photo opportunity, as you’ll see kids frolicking on the water’s edge and taking a swim, jumping from bridges, giving a cheerful wave as you pass by. Stop at Royal Barge Museum to see the beautiful barges used by the King of Thailand on state occasions. Also take in the magnificent Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) with its 79 meter pagoda built in the Khmer style on the riverbank. Then transfer back to your hotel in the late afternoon. Complete your day with some shopping or relaxing on your own. Overnight at the same hotel. 
 
Day 3: (B) Bangkok market tour
After breakfast, depart for a day of exploring the Bangkok area’s fascinating markets, beginning with a drive through a portion of the country known for its salt production on the way to explore the unique Maeklong Railway Market, an open-air marketplace that will awaken your senses. People sell locally grown fruits, freshly caught seafood, dried spices, peppers, and other local foods. You’ll be able to meander through the wet market adjacent to the train station and learn about the interesting and fresh items from your guide. Train tracks run right through the marketplace, whose vendors have to close up their canopies when a train comes by and wait for it to pass. Afterward you’ll see Coconut Garden and observe how sugar is made from the syrup of the coconut flower. Then take longtail boat going along a narrow canal surrounding the plantation before arriving at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. See the fascinating Thai way of life from ancient times that is still widely practiced in this area. This is a good opportunity to try various kinds of exotic Thai fruits and purchase Thai handicrafts available here. Depart from Floating Market to visit Wooden Handicraft Factory, where you’ll see how woodcarvings are produced. Transfer back to Bangkok in the afternoon. Dinner on your own, and overnight at the same hotel.
 
Day 4: (B) Bangkok – Ayutthaya and flight to Chiang Mai
After breakfast and hotel checkout, depart for Ayutthaya to explore Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, a complex formerly used by Thai kings. It comprises a collection of buildings of various ages and architectural styles surrounded by a lake. Originally built by King Prasatthong in the Ayutthaya era, Bang Pa-In was a retreat for the kings in the Ayutthaya period to visit and enjoy, but it was left unoccupied when Bangkok became the capital. Its importance was reestablished when King Rama IV and King Rama V restored the palace, and some new buildings were built. Most of the present buildings were constructed between 1872 and 1889 by King Chulalongkorn.
 
While in Ayutthaya, we’ll also visit Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, situated to the southeast and opposite Ayutthaya city. A large chedi (Buddhist stupa) of this wat can be seen from afar. This monastery was built by King U-Thong in 1357 A.D. for use by monks who had returned from studying in Ceylon. We’ll also see Wat Phra Si Sanphet, the most important temple within the Royal Palace compound and the original from which the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok was copied. Three outstanding Ceylonese style pagodas were built here during the 15th century to enshrine the ashes of three Ayutthaya kings. Lastly, visit Wat Mahathat.  It is believed that Wat Mahathat was built before the Ayutthaya Period around the 14th century. One of the images which were excavated was a Buddha in the sitting posture from the Lopburi Period. The pagodas are from the Bayon Period. Return to Bangkok in the afternoon and transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Pick up and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
 
Day 5: (B) Chiang Mai temples – market and home Industries
This morning after breakfast, we’ll explore five of the most revered temples in Chiang Mai, all constructed during the Lanna Period (1297 AD-1411 AD), including Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, the area’s most sacred temple. The temple contains a holy relic of the Lord Buddha, and the temple compound offers a beautiful view of Chiang Mai and surrounding countryside. We’ll proceed to Meo hill tribe village, then to a local market to discover the exotic fruits, local delicacies, reasonably-priced clothes, and hustle and bustle of market life. Observe world-renowned native handicrafts being created by master craftsmen and their assistants. Some of the many available items include elaborate teak-wood carvings in hundreds of forms and sizes, intricate hand-made silverware, high-fired celadon, lustrous black lacquerware, Thai silk and cotton being woven the ancient, traditional method on rustic wooden looms, paper products made from primitive processes, and hand-made paper and silk parasols in a dazzling blaze of rainbow hues. High skill and endless patience are pre-requisites and a necessary virtue to work in these industries. Overnight at the same hotel in Chiang Mai.
 
Day 6: (B, L) Full day join-in day trip to Elephant Nature Park
Enjoy a full day visit to Elephant Nature Park, a natural home and sanctuary for elephants, buffalo, dogs, cats, birds and many other rescued animals, beginning with a picturesque drive through rural countryside to the park. You will hear the personal stories of rescued and orphaned elephants. See how they became a proud herd and free from abuse for the first time in their lives. Many find their visit to Elephant Nature Park rewarding and very relaxing. Observe free roaming elephants (no riding), and other rescued animals enjoying the natural surroundings of this sanctuary. Your visit helps support regional projects and offers an invaluable opportunity of helping elephant conservation. During your visit, you’ll have a memorable opportunity to feed the elephants from a viewing platform.
 
After a sumptuous lunch buffet of Asian and international dishes, take a walk with park staff and the elephants to the river that skirts the park, where you may bathe these gentle giants as they splash around. If going into the river is not for you, then watch the elephants bathe and play while you stay dry on the river bank. (Park visits are all about spending quality time observing and being with the herd. They do not adhere to a strict schedule; the best way to make the most of your visit is to relax, watch and learn from the elephants.) Late in the afternoon we’ll bid farewell to the elephants and to Elephant Nature Park before the hour-long drive back to Chiang Mai. Overnight at the same hotel.
Day 7: (B, L) Elephant camp and Karen Long-Neck hill-tribe (Padong) village
After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a pleasant drive north out into the countryside to visit the Mae-Sa Elephant Camp. In a lush, tropical jungle environment, see the elephants bathe in a cool stream. A demonstration is held to show you how trained elephants are used in the timber industry.  Using their tusks, powerful trunks and feet, they work as a team to push, pull and roll logs. Also enjoy an elephant ride through the countryside, up and down hills and in the river. From the camp, it’s a short drive to visit the Long-Neck hill tribe (Padong) village. You will be amazed at the layers of brass rings around the women’s’ necks, worn for decoration as well as for belief. Lunch is served at an orchid farm before returning to Chiang Mai. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and have the rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at the same hotel.
 
Day 8: (B, D) Chiang Mai – Phuket
After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to Chiang Mai Airport for your direct flight to Phuket. Upon arrival in Phuket, pick up and transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy an international buffet dinner at Manorathong restaurant and the delightful Phuket Fantasea show at the Ayara Theater. Overnight in Phuket.
 
Day 9: (B, L) Phuket – Ko Phi Phi cruise
After breakfast, pick up at your hotel and transfer to Rassada Pier, then cruise to Phi Phi Islands. Enjoy a day of sun and sightseeing around Phi Phi Leh Island, Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay, Pileh Bay, and Viking cave. There’s also swimming and snorkeling at Coral bay. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and free time to explore the surroundings until departure time. Overnight at the same hotel.
 
 Day 10: (B) Phuket
Join Buffet breakfast at the hotel, then have your day free at leisure to enjoy the beach or shopping. Overnight at the same hotel.
 
Day 11: (B) Phuket – Bangkok
Today, you’re free at leisure until pick up and transfer to Phuket Airport for your flight back to Bangkok. On arrival in Bangkok, transfer to your hotel. Relax or enjoy shopping on your own. Overnight in Bangkok.
 
Day 12: (B) Bangkok – departure
At leisure until transfer to airport for your flight to your next destination. End services.