Thailand: From Bangkok to the Golden Triangle, a mythical journey

Arrival in Bangkok (-)

Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, you will be greeted and transferred to the hotel (check-in time is 2:00 PM, "early check-in" is not included in the price). The glorious history of Thailand's Capital, Bangkok, is closely linked to the Chakri Dynasty which still reigns but no longer rules in Thailand.

Check-in at the hotel and free time for your relaxation. Overnight in Bangkok.

Bangkok – City Tour (B, L)

After breakfast, we visit the Grand Royal Palace dedicated to the ceremony of the Thai royal family. It is the most sacred, respected, and majestic place in Bangkok. The Grand Palace, or Royal Palace, is a complex comprising numerous historical monuments built over centuries. For the most part, these are temples and official buildings still in use today.

Within the same compound is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew which is known for the Emerald Buddha Statue. Lunch by the river.

After visiting this complex, we continue to visit Wat Pho, a giant house of the Reclining Buddha.

Wat Pho is one of the largest and oldest Buddhist temples in Bangkok. It is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, south of the Grand Palace. The symbol of the temple is the renowned "Reclining Buddha" statue. This statue represents Buddha on his deathbed. It is 45 meters long and 15 meters high. Its feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

In the afternoon, board a long-tail boat for an excursion along the Chao Phraya River and many lively inner canals of the Thonburi bank which offer fantastic views of local life up close. You will have the opportunity to snack, buy trinkets, or use the restrooms at stops along the way.

Along the way, we stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.

In the afternoon, we will visit Wat Traimit which is well known as the Golden Buddha.

Return to the hotel for free time. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Bangkok.

Bangkok – Damnoen Saduak Floating Market – Kanchanaburi – Sai Yok (B, L, D)

Early in the morning, we drive southwest of Bangkok, visit the local market in Samut Songkram before driving to Damnoen Saduak, a rural floating market.

Stop at a coconut flower sugar factory.

Canoe tour of the most popular floating market. The waters of the main Klong Ton Khem market are usually overrun with vendors of all kinds, from noodles to hats to pineapples and handicrafts. The surrounding canals offer an interesting glimpse into rural life in Thailand.

In the afternoon, you will go to the beautiful peaceful province of Kanchanaburi, located at the confluence of the Kwai Noi River with the Kwai Yai River, 130 km from the capital Bangkok, this city of 52,000 inhabitants is known for the famous Bridge over the River Kwai and for the beauty of its nature.

Along the way, stop at the Allied cemetery and then at the unknown bridge over the River Kwai, the most important landmark of the city.

The Bridge over the River Kwai is a railway bridge in Thailand spanning the Kwai Yai River in Kanchanaburi. Built during World War II by forced laborers under the orders of the Imperial Japanese Army, it is famous for Pierre Boulle's novel and the film it inspired. The bridge was built by prisoners of war under the command of Japanese troops to carry out an ambitious project to build a 415-kilometer long railway through Thailand to join British Burma. 16,000 laborers died in the construction of the bridge. It is for this reason that the line is called the "Death Railway". Lunch at a floating restaurant.

Continue the road to Sai Yok where you will spend two nights in a floating bungalow. Free time for a canoe ride (free).

Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Sai Yok.

Sai Yok – Erawan Waterfall (B, L, D)

Early in the morning, departure for the visit of the spectacular Phra That cave with its monumental stalagmites. Then, departure for Erawan National Park located 65km from the city of Kanchanaburi. You will visit the magnificent Erawan waterfalls, composed of 7 absolutely superb cascades successively flowing into each other. These opaque and majestic waterfalls are located in the heart of a unique lush green jungle. You will have the chance to enjoy a relaxing swim in these natural pools.

The more adventurous can descend the river with a life jacket, with the current. Picnic lunch.

Return to the lodge to enjoy the site and its optional activities. Dinner at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Sai Yok – Ayutthaya – Bang Pa In (B, L)

After breakfast, head to Ayutthaya. The ancient city of Ayutthaya is known as the "Venice of the East" because it is located along the Chao Phraya River, with tributaries surrounding Ayutthaya province. Many monuments and remains from that era can be visited in this city, founded in 1350 by King Uthong when the Thais had to migrate south under pressure from their northern neighbors.

Before arriving in the city, visit Bang Pa In Palace. Originally, the palace was a river island. King Prasat Thong (1630-1655) had a palace built on a lake in the middle of the island to serve as a royal retreat. This place was then used by every Ayutthaya sovereign. However, when the capital was moved to Bangkok, the palace remained unused for 80 years. King Rama IV (1851-1868) revived the place by building a house there. His son, Rama V (1868-1910), deeply loved this place, staying there every year. He had the splendid complex that can be visited today built there.

After lunch at the restaurant, a "Kermit" tuk-tuk excursion will take you to discover the magnificent ruins of ancient temples in the historical park: Wat Phra Si Sanphet, one of the most photographed temples in Ayutthaya, then Wat Phra Mahathat, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, and Wat Ratburana, all of which are beautiful.

Then, we will stop at Wat Yai Chaimongkhol, one of the largest reclining Buddha images, as well as the ruins of the ancient Grand Royal Palace & temples.

Transfer to the hotel for relaxation. In the evening, free dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Ayutthaya – Uthai Thani – Sukhothai (B, L)

Breakfast and departure north to Uthai Thani. Uthai Thani is a small, little-known province, far from tourist circuits, but which holds many attractions. Board a rice barge and take a boat trip on the Sakaekrang River amidst the floating villages. Lunch on board.

Visit Thasung Temple or the "Crystal Temple" and its "Crystal Hall." Locally revered, this modern temple seems to be frozen in ice with its many illuminated mirrors and mosaics.

Continue the road to Sukhothai, the first capital of the Kingdom of Siam.

Free dinner at the restaurant and overnight in Sukhothai.

Sukhothai – Historical Park – Lampang – Chiang Mai (B, L)

Breakfast. This morning, visit Sukhothai, the museum, the archaeological park, which is very rich and the most beautiful in Thailand.

This Sukhothai Historical Park is a complex of the remains of the ancient capital of Siam (Thailand). It contains temples, historical monuments, and remains of an ancient civilization in Thailand. Located 12km from the city, this park was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991.

You will visit Wat Sa Si temple, Wat Sri Chum, Wat Mahathat, Wat Sri Sawai.

Wat Mahathat is the main temple of Sukhothai. Located east of the ancient city, the temple is the most significant complex of remains in Sukhothai. The construction of the temple began under the rule of King Inthradit (1239-1259) - founder of the city and continued under subsequent sovereigns before finally being completed under King Li Thai in 1345. Under the reign of Rama Khambeng, Wat Mahathat became the religious center of Sukhothai.

Then, you will take the road towards Chiang Mai.

En route, stop in the town of Lampang.

Located in the Wang Valley, Lampang is the capital of the province of the same name, in the Northern region of Thailand. It is located 540 km north of Ayutthaya. Thanks to its intact beauty and the friendliness of the local inhabitants, the city is considered a new star of Thai tourism.

By horse-drawn carriage, you will go to one of the most beautiful and majestic temples in Thailand, located twenty kilometers from the city, Wat Phra That Lampang Luang.

Wat Phra That Lampang Luang temple is a major attraction in the region. Located 20km from Lampang, on the site of the old city, it is one of the most sacred and famous temples of this historic city. Unlike many temples in Lampang which are of Burmese style, it was built in the traditional Lanna style. Its 19th-century frescoes are renowned and its portal is on the provincial seal. In the evening, arrival in Chiang Mai. Free dinner.

To brighten up your evening, explore the Night Market on your own. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – City Tour – Boat trip on the Kok River (B, L)

You depart for the city of Chiang Rai where you will visit Wat Phra Keo temple and the superb Rai Mae Fah Luang museum. Visit the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun. This very recent temple is nevertheless the most visited monument in the region, the work of Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, begun in 1997. Its creator himself announced that it would only be completed 60 to 90 years after his death. Its particularity, its immaculate whiteness, makes it a unique temple of its kind. In the wihaan, a fresco mixing Buddhist codes with Matrix, Star Wars, the Twin Towers attack in New York, and even Kung-Fu Panda stands out from the usual decorations for such monuments.

In the afternoon, you can take a motor longtail boat excursion on the Kok River and visit a Tibetan-Burmese village.

Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Lanjia Lodge (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. In Chiang Rai, you are at the borders of Northern Thailand. A wooded, mountainous, and magnificent region.

This morning, you will explore the surroundings, and the first road you will take is the one that leads to the Golden Triangle, a strategic point from which you will contemplate a unique landscape, shared between Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, where the three borders meet. You will have the opportunity to visit an Opium museum.

On the way back, discover the interesting Yao and Akha tribes as well as the famous long-neck Karen women tribe. You will arrive at Lanjia Lodge. After a welcome drink, your Lanjia host will give you an overview of the different tribal peoples in Thailand, especially the Hmong and Lahu, who will be your hosts during your stay. You will also discover the livelihoods of the people living near the Mekong River and the famous giant catfish (known locally as Pla Buek), which is the largest freshwater fish in the world, found in this area of the river. In the evening, you will participate in a sumptuous dinner with local specialties, followed by a cultural show presented by the Hmong and Lahu villagers. You will spend the night at Lanjia Lodge. Overnight at Lanjia Lodge.

Lanjia Lodge – Thaton – Doi Angkhang (B, L)

After breakfast, you will start the day with a visit to the nearby Hmong and Lahu village, called "Baan Kiew Karn". You will learn about their traditions, beliefs, and way of life. You will be shown how to create your own piece of batik or, if you are interested, you will learn how to make and set up animal traps. Lunch. Departure towards Doi Ankhang.

You will pass through Thaton, a pleasant site dominated by a beautiful Buddha. You will visit Wat Thaton temple. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Doi Ankhang.

Doi Ang Khang – Doi Suthep – Chiang Mai – Overnight train to Bangkok (B, L)

Visit the royal estate with its many orchards and flower gardens in the heart of magical landscapes.

Return by road to Chiang Mai for a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai's most famous pagoda. It is accessed after climbing a staircase of 290 steps whose railings represent two gigantic nagas. From the esplanade, you can admire the panorama of the entire Chiang Mai valley.

Then, transfer to the station for boarding the 2nd class overnight train to Bangkok. Overnight on board.

Bangkok arrival - welcome and then free time (-)

Arrival, welcome for transfer to the hotel to take a shower and then free time for your shopping or rest. Meeting with the sole driver (without guide) for transfer to the airport for the return flight.