Jour 1: Chiang Rai
CHIANG RAI (Lunch, Dinner)
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Continuing towards Chiang Rai, we 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 and built it at his own expenses. The place is unique, a blend of styles, fantasies and modern art. Transfer to Chiang Rai to visit the most important temples of the city: Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Phra Sing. Dinner in a typical restaurant. Return to the hotel.
Jour 2: Chiang Mai
CHIANG RAI - CHIANG MAI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Departure to reach Chiang Saen, about one hour North of Chiang Rai, for a cruise on the mighty Mekong river, here marking the border between Thailand and Laos.
After the cruise we climb the Golden Triangle viewpoint, to see where the three countries (Myanmar, Laos and Thailand) meet. Then we visit the nearby, very informative Museum of Opium.
We pass by the Baan Dam, literally the Black House, an open air museum, home and workshop of one of Thailand's leading artists, whose work is displayed in art galleries worldwide. Baan Dam is only interesting as modern art and has no religious intents.
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 the most important temple of the North, the famous Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, perched on top of a hill overlooking Chiang Mai. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Jour 3: Sukhothai
CHIANG MAI - SUKHOTHAI (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Departure for Sukhothai. Along the way we visit an elephant training camp, located in a small valley just outside Chiang Mai. The main attraction is a show performed by these majestic animals, where they demonstrate their skills in working, painting and interacting with visitors.
Lunch in a typical restaurant. Arrival in Sukhothai and visit of the Historical Park of old Sukhothai, Siam's first capital and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visit Wat Srisawai, Wat Maha Dhat and Wat Sra Sri. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Jour 4:
SUKHOTHAI - PHITSANULOK - AYUTTHAYA - BANGKOK (Breakfast, Lunch)
Departure from Sukhothai to reach Phitsanulok. We stop to visit Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, a very important Buddhist temple, home of one of the most revered and iconic images of the Buddha. This image, Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, is the best example of the artistic style of the Sukhothai period.
Lunch in a typical restaurant. We reach Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam, founded in 1350. We visit the most important temples of the Historical Park: Wat Mahathat, Wat Phrasrisanphet and Wat Mongkolbophit. Transfer to Bangkok. Arrival in Bangkok.
