7 Days Around Thailand Tour

Bangkok – Ayutthaya - Sukhothai

Pick up passengers from various major Bangkok hotels. Depart from Bangkok to Ayuthaya, the former capital of Thailand. The principal sights are Wat Pranangcherng, the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Srisanpetch and the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpith. Drive to Chainat for lunch at a local restaurant, then continue Khampheng Phet and visit the historical park. Continue to Sukhothai for dinner and overnight at Ananda Museum Gallery Hotel.

Sukhothai - Lampang

After breakfast, visit Sukhothai Historical Park, the Ramkamhaeng Museum and Wat Sri Chum with the gigantic Buddha statue. After lunch at a local restaurant in Sri Satchanalai, continue to Lampang and visit Wat Don Tao, where the Emerald Buddha was once enshrined (the same statue now installed in Bangkok), Wat Pa Fang and Wat Si Rong Muang, two Burmese-style temples with exquisite wood carvings.
Optional tour: Lampang is the only town in Thailand, where horse carriages are still used as a means of transportation. Take a leisurely ride on the colorful horse-drawn carriages along the river. Price per person: 300 baht (minimum 2 persons).
Dinner and overnight at Lampang Riverlodge.

Lampang - Phayao - Chiang Rai

After breakfast, depart for Ko Kah to see Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang housing the only Emerald Buddha besides the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok. Short stop at the colorful Tung Kwian Market, where handicrafts, fruit, vegetables, live animals and the famous Lampang Ceramics are on sale, then proceed to Lampoon for a visit to the famous Wat Haripoonchai, one of the most sacred monuments in the north. Continue to Chiang Mai and lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the interesting Hill Tribe Museum (closed on Saturdays and Sundays) and see handicraft manufacturing, where the process of making lacquer-ware, spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and painting of paper umbrellas can be observed. Also visit a famous Thai wood carving factory with the possibility to buy Burmese antiques. Check-in at the Empress Chiang Mai Hotel. Tonight you will savor a traditional Northern Thai style dinner at the ‘Just Khao Soy’ Restaurant. After dinner, take a walk to the famous Chiang Mai Night Market or transfer back to the hotel.

Chiang Mai

Visit the most interesting places in Chiang Mai such as Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image, Wat Bupparam and Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 1,056 meters above sea level. Lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure.
In the evening, enjoy a typical Thai dinner with a presentation of traditional dances from Northern Thailand. Accommodation at The Empress Chiang Mai Hotel. Note: Guests staying at The Empress Chiang Mai on Dec 31, 2005, will join the Gala Dinner held at the hotel instead (compulsory surcharge as per price list).

Chiang Mai - Hmong Hilltribe Lodge

After breakfast, depart Chiang Mai to Mae Sa Valley. Visit the elephant camp to watch the elephants at work. Their strength and clever teamwork will amaze you.
Optional: Take a one-hour elephant ride into the jungle surroundings.
Cost per person: If pre-booked & prepaid 600 baht, if paid on spot 800 baht per person.
Continue to an Orchid Farm, lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to visit the hill-tribe Village at Ban Meo Mae Ki (for group sizes of 7 or more persons, transportation to the Hill tribe village is on pick up trucks or Landrovers). Check in at the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge. The afternoon is at leisure, take a walk through the hill tribe village or rent a bicycle to explore the neighborhood. BBQ dinner at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge followed by presentation of tribal dances and songs. Accommodation at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge.

Chiang Rai - Bangkok

After breakfast, depart for Fang and Thatorn. En route, visit to Huay Luek, a Hmong hill-tribe village. After arrival in Thatorn, a small village just a few kilometers away from the Burmese border, lunch is served at Maekok River Village Resort. Depart by long tailed motor boats from Ban Phatai for a three hour journey down the Kok River, passing tiny hill tribe villages consisting of simple bamboo huts among lush vegetation. A stop will be made to visit a Lahu hill tribe village along the way. Arrival in Chiang Rai in the early evening. Check-in at The Legend Resort. Dinner and accommodation.