| NORTH THAILAND TOUR 7-DAY (6-nights) TP-21 Departure any day by private transport, and every Monday. on seat-in-coach basis (minimum 2 guests required). Day 1, Bangkok-Pitsanuloke At 6.00 a.m. Departure from the hotel to the former capital of Siam, Ayudhya, to visit its ruined palaces and temples, then continue to Saraburi where you will visit the scintillating Wat Phra Buddha Bart with its Footprint of the Lord Buddha, from here proceed to Lopburi for lunch and there visit King Narai The Great’s Palace, now a National Museum. There you will also see the Phrang Sam Yod, the Wat Phra Mahatard, the Monkey Shrine, Constantine Phaulkon’s residence, etc. Arrival late afternoon in Pitsanuloke for accommodation and dinner at the TOPLAND HOTEL. Evening at leisure (B, L, D.) Day 2, Pitsanuloke-Lampang At 8.00 a.m. Departure from the hotel to visit the much revered Wat Phra Jinaraj that shelters a unique Buddha Image, we then drive to the first Thai capital city of the Thais (1257-1379) Sukothai, to visit its archeological ruins, now a World Heritage Site protected by UNESCO. Lunch will be served here. In the afternoon on the way to Lampang, we visit the ruins of Sri Sachanalai and the great Wat Sri Chung. Upon arrival in Lampang, you will be checked in at either the LAMPANG RIVER LODGE or the LAMPANG WIENGTHONG HOTEL for dinner and overnight. Evening at leisure (B.L.D.) Day 3, Lampang-Chiangmai At 8.00 a.m. departure from the hotel to visit the leading temples of this area, already of Burmese style, such as Wat Phra Keo Don Tao, and Wat Phra Dart Lampang Luang. We then drive to Lampoon to there visit the shiny Wat Haripoonchai built in 1157, one of the most sacred shrines in the North. Lunch will be served in Pasang (sometimes called “The Town of the Pretty Maidens”); in the afternoon continue to Chiangmai to there visit the home industries such as wood-carving silk and cotton weaving, silver embroissing, paper-umbrella and lacquerware manufacturing, etc. Dinner and accommodation at the AMARI RINCOME HOTEL. (B.L.D.) Day 4, in Chiengmai At 8.00 a.m. Departure from the hotel to visit the leading shrines in this Northern capital, such as Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chiang Man and Wat Suan Dork. Then you will be driven to the spectacular Doi Suthep Temple located atop a hill 1,056 meters above sea level and overlooking the town. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant and the afternoon will be free at leisure. At 7.15 p.m. Departure from the hotel and transfer to “Old Chiangmai Cultural Center” where a typical Kan Toke dinner will be served, to be followed by a performance of Thai folk and tribal dances. (B.L.D) Day 5, Chiengrai-Mae Rim At 8.00 a.m. Departure from Chiangmai to visit an forest camp to watch elephants being trained and demonstrating their possibilities, then you will visit an Orchid Nursery. Lunch will be served at the Mae-Sa Valley Resort. In the afternoon by pick-up truck you proceed to visit the Nong Hoi Mai Meo Hilltribe village and then to the HMONG HILLTRIBE LODGE for overnight accommodation and dinner to be followed by a presentation of Meo’s dances and music. (B.L.D.) Day 6, Mae-Rim to Chiangrai At 8.00 a.m. Departure from the Loge for Fang and Tha Torn via Chiang Dao where a short stop will be made for refreshments and a walk around he local market; en route you will visit the Meo Hilltribe village of Huay Luek. Lunch will be served at the Mae Kok River Village, a few miles from the Burmese border; here you will board a motorboat for a four-hour journey down the Mae Kok River and its rapids, visiting a Lahu hilltribe village. Arrival late afternoon in Chiangrai for dinner and accommodation at the RIMKOK RESORT (B.L.D.) Day 7, Chiangrai-onwards At 7.00 a.m. Departure from the Resort for an excursion into the infamous Golden Triangle area where the borders of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand meet on the banks of the mighty Mekong River; here you will take a short boat trip, a lunch will be served en route. Then proceed directly to the airport for your return flight to Bangkok. (B.L.) |
