Bangkok & Ancient Capitals

Arrive at Bangkok International Airport, where we’ll meet and greet you before transferring you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore your surroundings at your own pace – you might opt for a traditional Thai massage and sample the city’s local flavours. As evening falls, you can watch the sunset from one of Bangkok’s stylish rooftop bars. Overnight in Bangkok.

Spend the day at leisure in Bangkok – explore independently or choose from optional excursions available locally. You could visit the Royal Grand Palace, an architectural masterpiece that served as a royal residence from the 18th century to the mid 20th century and remains one of Thailand’s most visited royal sites. Within the complex, Wat Phra Kaew – Bangkok’s most sacred temple – houses the Emerald Buddha. Overnight in Bangkok.

After breakfast, we leave Bangkok for Ayutthaya, the former capital, to explore the ruins of this once vast island city, largely destroyed by an invading army around 250 years ago. We visit Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Wat Phanan Choeng and Wat Mahathat – known for the Buddha head entwined in tree roots – then board a traditional longtail boat for a scenic circuit around the island to view the sites from the water. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue to Kamphaeng Phet and check in to the hotel. Overnight in Kamphaeng Phet.

After breakfast we travel to Lampang to visit Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a large Lanna style temple set on a hill and enclosed by walls. We climb the Naga staircase to explore the complex, which features seven buildings and a sacred tree, and we admire the bronze Buddha in the ordination hall and the Buddha relic housed in the golden chedi. We then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Chiang Mai, the Rose of the North. On arrival we check in and the rest of the day is at leisure – you can explore the city at your own pace or unwind with a traditional Thai massage. In the evening you might browse the lively night bazaar or opt for a khantoke dinner with traditional northern performances. The Thai massage and the khantoke dinner are not included. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, we visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Thailand’s most revered temples, set atop a mountain with panoramic views over Chiang Mai. To reach the temple, we either climb 309 steps up the naga staircase or take the cable car. We then continue to San Kamphaeng Road, a 10 km stretch lined with workshops and shops offering locally made pottery, silverware, lacquerware, handmade saa paper, sculptures, jewellery, wood carvings and silk – in several places you can watch artisans at work. Look out for celadon pottery and fine silver, both noted for their quality. After a typical lunch at a local restaurant, we return to the hotel and the afternoon is free for you to spend as you wish. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, we leave Chiang Mai for Lamphun – home to one of the north’s most important temples, the one thousand year old Wat Phra That Hariphunchai. We explore its Buddha images and striking stupas, including a 46 metre golden chedi in Lanna style and a 21 metre chedi in Hariphunchai style. We then continue south to Sukhothai Historical Park to walk among the ruins of the first capital of Siam, founded in the 13th century. This marked the beginning of a golden age for Thai culture under King Ramkhamhaeng the Great, who is credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The park preserves the remains of almost 200 structures, including dozens of temples. Overnight in Sukhothai.

After breakfast, we depart Sukhothai for Lopburi, a historic city famed for its roaming macaque troops. We visit the Khmer temple of Phra Prang Sam Yot and the adjacent Brahman shrine of San Phra Kan – widely known as the ‘Monkey Temple’. We stop for a typical lunch at a local restaurant en route, then continue to Bangkok. Overnight in Bangkok.

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel, then we transfer you to Bangkok Airport to continue with your onward travel.