10 Days Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Sukothai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son

Day 1 Sun: Arrive Bangkok
Arrive this afternoon in Bangkok, the vibrant and throbbing capital city of Thailand. You are welcomed and escorted to your hotel. Built on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, this “City of Angels” has a fascinating appeal that is difficult to resist. The day is at leisure to relax and recover from the long flight. ROYAL ORCHID SHERATON.

Day 2 Mon: Klongs, Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha / City & Temples Tour
Travel by motor launch on the picturesque Chao Phya River and klongs (canals) to observe the serene family homes and temples along the waterways, which gave this city the name “Venice of the East.” Pass the famous Royal Barges, which displays excellent samples of Thai craftsmanship and stop at Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn). Then visit Grand Palace, one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Thai court and the former residence for the Thai kings. Visit the Reception Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Funeral Hall and the beautiful Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keo). Following lunch, visit Wat Po (home of the enormous Reclining Buddha and one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok). Drive through Chinatown, one of the oldest areas of Bangkok to visit Wat Traimitr (Golden Buddha Temple). This evening enjoy a delicious Thai dinner accompanied by a classical Thai dance and music performance featuring the exquisite costumes and elegant movements unique to this style of dance. (BLD)

Day 3 Tue: Kanchanaburi & River Kwai
Travel west of Bangkok to Kanchanaburi to visit the Allied soldier’s cemetery. A scenic train ride along the “Death Railway” and a crossing of the bridge on the River Kwai are highlights of this day. Visit the War Museum prior to returning to Bangkok this evening. (BL)

Day 4 Wed: Bangkok / Phitsanuloke
Depart Bangkok this morning and drive to Phitsanuloke. Visit “Wat Yai,” the most important monastery and the home of the famous Phra Buddha Chinnarat. Regarded as the most beautiful Buddha image in Thailand, Phra Buddha Chinnarat is cast in the attitude of subduing evil. The monastery was built in the reign of Phra Maha Thamma Racha I (Phraya Lithai) in 1357 AD. AMARIN LAGOON HOTEL. (BL)

Day 5 Thu: Phitsanuloke / Sukothai
Drive to Sukhothai Historical Park on the Sukhothai-Tak Highway. Visit the ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist temples, the city gates, walls, moats, dams and the water dyke control system. Sukhothai was the magical and spiritual center of the kingdom, and has been preserved and restored by the Fine Arts Department with the cooperation of UNESCO, not only with a view of fostering Thailand’s national identity but the safeguarding a fine example of mankind’s cultural heritage. PAILYN SUKHOTHAI. (BL)

Day 6 Fri: Sukhothai / Chiang Mai / Mae Hong Son
Drive to Chiang Mai today enroute visiting the Sri Satchanalai Historical Park located on the banks of the Yom River at Tambon Muang Kao. Ruins of 134 monuments have been discovered within the park. Upon arrival, connect to your flight for Mae Hong Son. You are welcomed and escorted to the IMPERIAL TARA MAE HONG SON RESORT. (BL)

Day 7 Sat: Hilltribe Village / Elephant Ride / Pai River Boat Trip
Travel to an elephant camp for an hour elephant ride through the jungle. Next, board a long-tailed boat for a ride along the Pai River until you reach the suspension bridge. In the afternoon you will visit Baan Nai Soi to meet the unusual and exotic Long-Neck Karen Hill tribe (Giraffe Women) where the women wear many brass rings around their elongated necks. (BL)

Day 8 Sun: Mae Hong Son /Chiang Mai
Your morning tour of MHS includes a visit to the local provincial market. Continue on to Wat Phra Thad Doi Kong Moo, a hilltop temple offering a panoramic view of the surrounding beautiful mountains and valleys. Next visit Wat Chong Klang, a temple which features historic glass paintings and woodcarvings that were brought from Burma over 100 years ago, followed by a visit to the prehistoric Fish Cave, situated at Ban Huai Pha where hundreds of multi-colored fish can be seen. Later you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to THE SHERATON HOTEL (Deluxe). This evening enjoy a superb Kantoke Northern Thai dinner accompanied by dancing and a special tribal show performed by the Karen tribe. (BLD)

Day 9 Mon: Morning Market, Wat Doi
Suthep & Temples / Handicraft Village Early this morning, witness the traditional Thai culture of offering food to Buddhist monks. Take a rickshaw ride to Chiang Mai Gate to visit the morning market. Following breakfast, drive to Wat Doi Suthep. Built in AD 1384, Wat Doi Suthep is the most sacred temple in northern Thailand. In the afternoon, visit a handicraft village. (BL)

Day 10 Tue: Chiang Mai / Home
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B)