Tour Overview
Thailand is a rush for your senses: a bustling, exotic, and vivid culture that never ceases to amaze visitors. On this cultural tour, you’ll visit Thailand’s gilded temples, one more gorgeous than the next, in the cities of Bangkok, Ayutthaya, and Chiang Mai. Other highlights include a cruise through Bangkok’s canals, an opportunity to ride an elephant through the jungle, and exciting shopping opportunities in Chiang Mai’s famous night bazaar. Continue north to the “Golden Triangle,” where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) meet, an area famous for its colorful hill tribes. Crossing the border into Laos, board a cruise boat for a 2-day trip down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. Laos is less developed than Thailand and offers travelers an unparalleled glimpse of traditional Southeast Asian life. In Luang Prabang, well-preserved French architecture blends with more than 30 gilded Buddhist temples to create a town rich in atmosphere and history, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Bangkok, ThailandArrive Bangkok International Airport and transfer to your hotel for check-in and evening at leisure.
The Peninsula Bangkok Day 02: Bangkok
Full day guided tour of Bangkok. Travel by long-tail speedboat on the picturesque Chao Phraya River and klongs (canals) to see the serene family houses and temples along the waterways that give this city the name “Venice of the East.” Visit the elegant Temple of Dawn,stop at a neighborhood monastery to learn about Thai Buddhism and at an old wooden schoolhouse where kids delight in visitors. After lunch, visit the Grand Palace, and have time to shop this afternoon. This evening, enjoy dinner at Supatra River House, a two-story traditional Thai house on the banks of the Chao Phraya River near the Temple of Dawn.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Peninsula Bangkok Day 03: Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Bangkok
Full day guided tour to Ayutthaya. After breakfast, depart from Bangkok by road through the countryside to the north of Bangkok, heading for Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam. At the magnificent city ruins, you can see the largest Buddha image of Phra Mongkhon Bophit. Continue to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace of King Rama V, then cruise back to Bangkok on the Chao Phaya River aboard the luxurious Horizon Cruise. This evening, enjoy Thai Dinner and Classical Dance at Sala Rim Naam Restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Peninsula Bangkok Day 04: Bangkok – Chiang Mai
Transfer to the Bangkok airport for your flight to Chiang Mai. You are met at the Chiang Mai airport and transferred to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai’s most fascinating temple. After a drive up the mountain's winding road, the final climb to the site is up a magnificent Naga (dragon-headed serpent) staircase of 306 steps. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening, dine outdoors at Le Grand Lanna Restaurant. After dinner, visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Day 05: Chiang Mai
Full day excursion from Chiang Mai. Option #1: Visit Doi Inthanon National Park, home to Thailand’s highest mountain (8415 feet/ 2,565 meters). Other stops along the winding road include Karen hill tribe villages, Wachiratharn waterfall and the twin chedi built by the Thai Air Force to commemorate King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. Option #2: Visit the Mae Taman Elephant Camp to see the show. Enjoy an elephant ride across the Mae Tang River and up the hill. Then, return by oxcart to the elephant village. Next, enjoy a rafting adventure starts along the Mae Tang River. Continue to the Orchid Farm, where you may view many beautiful species of orchid. Breakfast
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Day 06: Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle
Drive north to Chiang Rai through mountain scenery via Mae Ka Chan, famous for its hot spring. Around noon, arrive in Chiang Rai and have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue north to the “Golden Triangle,” where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) meet. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon, visit the infamous Golden Triangle, renowned for centuries as the centre of the opium trade. From a hill top viewpoint, view the splendor of the mighty Mekong joining with the Ruak River and forming the actual “Triangle” with Laos, Burma and Thailand.
Breakfast, Lunch
Anantara Resort & Spa Golden Triangle Day 07: Golden Triangle
Drive to Mae Chan district and continue uphill along narrow mountain roads to visit simple Akha and Yao hill tribe villages. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and balance of day at leisure.
Breakfast, Lunch
Anantara Resort & Spa Golden Triangle Day 08: Golden Triangle – Chiang Khong – Huay Xai, Laos –
Mekong River Cruise*
Depart from the hotel early this morning to drive to Chiang Khong, located along Thailand’s border with Laos. A stop will be made at the Immigration office in Tha Buck to process documents for leaving Thailand and entering Laos. Crossing by boat from Thailand into Laos, you will be met by an iExplore Laos representative to assist with Laos Immigration procedures. Heading back down to the riverbank, its time to board your cruise boat for a 2-day trip down the mighty Mekong River. A few stops are made along the way to take a closer look at village life along one of the most important lifelines of the region. Late in the afternoon arrive in Pakbeng, a small river trading town, and check in at your accommodation for the evening.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Luangsay Lodge Day 09: Mekong River Cruise – Pak Ou Caves – Luang Prabang
After breakfast take a morning stroll through the Pakbeng market to view the wares that are brought to town by people from the surrounding villages. Then board the cruise boat for the second part of the journey along the tranquil Mekong River. After lunch. on board, continue on to Pak Ou, (Pak Ou – Mouth of the River), home of the famous Pak Ou caves. After visiting these caves we continue on and stop off at the village of Ban Xang Hi for a lesson in how rice whiskey is made. Our boat voyage ends in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.
This evening enjoy dinner at Le Elephant, a popular choice for both local and French cuisine and wine.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
La Résidence Phou Vao Day 10: Luang Prabang
Today you’ll get a chance to visit some of Luang Prabang’s priceless monuments on a walking tour around the old city, now under UNESCO protection as a World Heritage Site. Wat Xieng Thong, renowned as the most beautiful of Luang Prabang’s temples, is the first stop. Next, visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo Stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao. Also visit the National Museum, once a king's palace. Phou Sii hill stands right in the center of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of anti-aircraft guns, remnants of the Indochina war. Continue on to visit Wat Mai. Built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore on your own or just relax.
Breakfast
La Résidence Phou Vao Day 11: Luang Prabang
If you don’t mind an early start this morning, rise at dawn to witness the spectacle of “Alms Giving” whereby local monks and novices move silently through the streets accepting offerings of food from local villagers. After breakfast drive up to the Tad Khuang Sii waterfall. You can climb the stairs and look down from various high viewpoints on the way to the top. Enjoy a picnic lunch and a refreshing dip. On the return journey, stop off at Ban Phanom, a local village specializing in Lao weaving. Return to Luang Prabang, where the balance of the day is at leisure. As it’s the last night in Laos, tonight try a traditional Lao BBQ “sin daht” at the Nam Dong restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
La Résidence Phou Vao Day 12: Luang Prabang – Depart
Transfer to Luang Prabang airport for your departing flight.
Breakfast *Luangsay Boat will not be operating (in dry dock) during the month of June.
