Bangkok to North Thailand

Arrive at Bangkok Airport, where our representative will meet and greet you before we transfer you to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure – you can start exploring Bangkok, the City of Angels and Thailand’s most populous city, with its cultural attractions, tempting food stalls and abundant shopping. Overnight in Bangkok.

After breakfast, we collect you for a tour of three of Bangkok’s most celebrated Buddhist sites. We begin at the Royal Grand Palace – an architectural masterpiece and former royal residence from the late 18th century to the mid 20th – then continue to Wat Pho, Bangkok’s oldest temple, famed for its gold leaf covered reclining Buddha. We also visit Wat Traimit to see the 5.5 tonne Golden Buddha. The evening is free – you could unwind with a traditional Thai massage, sample local flavours, or watch the sunset from one of the city’s rooftop bars. Overnight in Bangkok.

We depart Bangkok for Maeklong Railway Market (Talad Rom Hoop). On arrival, our guide shares the area’s background before we watch the train pass right through the market – a brief, striking sight. We then continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where colourfully clad vendors paddle sturdy canoes along busy canals selling fresh fruit and vegetables to shoppers on the banks – you can browse and bargain at your own pace. We transfer back to Bangkok after the visits. Breakfast included. Overnight in Bangkok.

After being picked up from your hotel, we travel to Bang Pa‑In to visit the Summer Palace of King Rama V. We continue to the former capital of Ayutthaya to explore three key temples within the Ayutthaya Historical Park: Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, Wat Mahathat and Wat Phanan Choeng. We stop for lunch at a restaurant in Chai Nat, then continue to Phitsanulok for a brief orientation tour of the city before checking in at the hotel – overnight in Phitsanulok.

After breakfast, we visit Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in Phitsanulok to observe local morning prayers and offerings at this historic temple, home to one of Thailand’s most revered Buddha images. We then continue to Sukhothai to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sukhothai Historical Park, admiring the remains of ancient temples, palaces and Buddha statues. Lunch is served en route at a local restaurant. A short drive takes us to Si Satchanalai to wander among atmospheric ruins, including Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat – reached via a wooden suspension bridge – and numerous Buddha and elephant statues. This quieter site offers a reflective pause before we travel on to Lampang for the evening. Overnight in Lampang.

After breakfast in Lampang, we drive a short distance to Wat Phra That Lampang Luang to admire its intricate decoration and serene Buddha images. We continue north, pause at Phayao Lake for a coffee, then head to the southern outskirts of Chiang Rai to visit Wat Rong Khun – a contemporary temple from the 1990s, renowned for its brilliant white exterior with mirror inlays. We continue into Chiang Rai for lunch before travelling on to the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet – an area that gained unwanted notoriety in the 1960s for opium cultivation. We then enjoy a boat trip of around 45 minutes with a stop at Don Sao Island, which is part of Laos, and later visit the 212 House of Opium to see its collection of weights, scales and pipes and learn about the trade’s impact on local communities.Overnight in Chiang Rai.

We start at 7:00 with a visit to Chiang Rai’s lively morning market, followed by a brief stop at Wat Phra Kaew. We then explore the Hill Tribe Museum and Education Centre to understand the region’s mountain communities. Continuing by road to Tha Ton, we pause for lunch before travelling on to Chiang Mai. On arrival, we head up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – one of Thailand’s most revered temples – for panoramic views over the city. We ascend by the included cable car, or you can climb the 309-step naga staircase if you prefer. Breakfast and lunch included. The day finishes at approximately 19:00. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Elephant Jungle Sanctuary (Grand Canyon). Following a safety and orientation briefing, we take part in an ethical experience focused on elephant care, conservation and observation. We learn about the sanctuary’s mission while watching the elephants in a natural setting where their welfare and freedom of movement come first – with time for photos. We then continue to Royal Park Rajapruek, a botanical and cultural park of about 200 acres established in 2006 to commemorate King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60th anniversary on the throne. We stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens showcasing indigenous and international plant species before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit Baan Tipmanee, a traditional woodworking workshop, to see how skilled artisans create Chiang Mai’s renowned hand–carved wooden products using techniques passed down through generations. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then the day is yours to explore Chiang Mai – often called the Rose of the North – at your own pace. You can take it easy or seek out the sights and green spaces that interest you most. We provide a departure transfer to Chiang Mai Airport at the arranged time.