Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok
Welcome to Bangkok, the most vibrant capital city in Southeast Asia.
Upon arrival at the airport, meet your driver for private transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure to relax. Meet with your guide at the hotel around 6:00 pm to accompany you to the restaurant where a welcome dinner awaits you.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight stay: Furama Silom * * * (or similar)
Day 2: Bangkok
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet with your guide at 08:00 for a morning dedicated to seeing Bangkok like a local. Board the sky train to cross the city to the river, where a short boat ride to Tha Tien pier awaits, from where a visit to Wat Pho begins.
Wat Pho houses more than a thousand Buddha images, including one of the largest Buddha statues: the Reclining Buddha. With any luck, the morning ritual of monks chanting may come from the main hall during the visit. Continue on foot to Wat Phra Kaew, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and one of Thailand’s most revered temples. The next must-see stop is the Grand Palace, residence of the Kings of Siam of the Chakri Dynasty, originally built by King Rama I.
Continue on foot to the quaint amulet market. For a touch of adventure, board a Thai tuk tuk to visit Wat Saket and climb Golden Mountain, which offers breathtaking views of Bangkok. Return to the hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight stay: Furama Silom * * * (or similar)
Day 3: Bangkok > Damnoen Saduak > Bangkok
Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, depart for the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, a destination that has fascinated visitors for centuries with its unique tradition of trading on water. Board a long-tail boat to cruise through the canals, skirting verdant plantations, traditional houses and glimpses of daily life along the banks. After the boat tour, free time to explore the market and its stalls with freshly cooked street food, traditional Thai snacks, local handicrafts and souvenirs.
Continue to the Talaad Rom Hoob, better known as the train market. This market is located right along the train tracks, and with any luck you may witness the train skimming past the goods on display. The train announces its arrival with powerful blasts of its horn, leaving the vendors only a few seconds to move the stalls, which are then promptly put back in place as soon as the train has passed.
Return to the city in the early afternoon for a visit to one of Bangkok’s most vibrant and fascinating neighborhoods, Chinatown, a true paradise for food and photography enthusiasts. The visit continues with Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha. Wat Traimit is one of Bangkok’s most famous Buddhist temples, celebrated for its beauty, history and the presence of the monolithic golden Buddha statue. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon, free time at leisure. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight stay: Furama Silom * * * (or similar)
Day 4: Bangkok > Ayutthaya > train to Chiang Mai
After breakfast, meet your guide at 7:30 a.m. and depart for Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand, which stands proud about 75km north of Bangkok. En route to the city, visit the Summer Palace, known as “Bang Pa-In,” a striking combination of Eastern and Western styles dating back to the 17th century. Arrive in Ayutthaya and visit the legendary ruins to relive the ancient splendor of the city, destroyed by the Burmese army in 1767. Walk at the foot of the fascinating vestiges of this World Heritage Site: Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a royal temple during the happy days of Ayutthaya’s reign, and Wat Mahathat, where, shrouded in the gnarled roots of a tree, the famous face of the Buddha is hidden.
Arrival at hotel, time at leisure to freshen up before transfer to station in time to board overnight train to Chiang Mai. Free dinner (before the train departs), overnight on board.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Day use: Krungsri River Hotel * * * (or similar)
Overnight stay: by train (second class, single bed)
Day 5: Chiang Mai
Upon arrival at Chiang Mai train station, meet with local guide and transfer to a local restaurant for breakfast. After breakfast, walk to explore the historic center of Chiang Mai. Squeezed in the secure embrace of the Doi Suthep-Pui mountain range, Chiang Mai, the country’s second largest city, boasts a unique atmosphere and a mix of authenticity and modernity.
During the tour, the city unveils its treasures: the Wat Chedi Luang temple, an immense building dating back to the 14th century where the Emerald Buddha was preserved (now in Bangkok); the Wat Phra Singh temple, with its Lai Kham chapel, the center of one of the most renowned Buddhist festivals; and the Wat Chiang Mun temple, the former residence of the ruler Meng Rai, who designated Chiang Mai as the worthy capital of the North in 1290.
Return to the hotel in the early afternoon, settle into rooms and free time at leisure to relax. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Optional evening tour: Traditional flavors of Chiang Mai with E-tuktuk
Duration: 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Price per person € 110.00
In the late afternoon, depart by e-tuktuk to explore Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand. Passing between the city’s three main districts (the riverbank, the old town and the Nimman area) savor some delicious local dishes along the way.
The excursion begins at a small hidden spot on the river to sample some authentic northern delicacies and enjoy a refreshing drink as the sun begins to set. Passing busy markets and some famous monuments, the tuk-tuk takes you into the city’s historic center. Enjoy a brief stop at a public park where locals exercise after their workday; a great place to observe local customs. Then hop back into your vehicle and head to a nearby market, famous for its wide selection of street food. Stop in front of a small cart where you can try khanom jeen nam ngiaow, or the famous khao soi. Continue to the Nimmanhaemin area, famous for its bars and restaurants and all things hip. In a small restaurant you will try some real Burmese dishes before continuing for a final dessert.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight stay: De Lanna Hotel Chiang Mai * * * (or similar)
Day 6: Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel. The journey begins with a taste of Chiang Mai. From the bank of the Ping River, you reach the chaotic and bustling local Kaad Luang market, consisting of three different markets and a favorite shopping destination since the late 1800s. During the tour you can enjoy fresh produce and local specialties.
After lunch, visit the centuries-old Doi Suthep, one of the highest hills near Chiang Mai. Doi Suthep is also one of the most spiritually significant temples. Witness the chanting of the monks-an evocative and exotic experience that leaves you with a sense of balance as you admire the sky tinged with different colors at sunset.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight stay: De Lanna Hotel Chiang Mai * * * (or similar)
Day 7: Chiang Mai > Karen Hill Tribe Village
After breakfast, meet your guide and depart Chiang Mai northward with a stop at the local market in Mae Malai to collect fresh ingredients for the new experience. Continue to Mok Fah waterfall for a refreshing swim and some relaxation before PICK-UP to a Karen hill tribe village.
After lunch at a local restaurant, begin a light trek of about three hours (10 km) to another Karen village in Bann Pa Kao Lam. Explore the village and learn about the traditional Karen way of life. Participate in a special elephant experience, which includes bathing in the nearby river.
Overnight in the village, in an authentic local homestay with shared room, with a delicious dinner prepared by the host family. The evening ends in relaxation.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: homestay
Height difference: less than 300 meters
Day 8: Karen village hill tribe > Bamboo raft > Lahu village > Shan village > Chiang Mai
After breakfast, start a short walk to the rafting spot. Enjoy a scenic bamboo rafting adventure along the Tang River, crossing several rapids (about 2.5 hours depending on water level). En route, stop at the Lahu hill tribe village of Bann Pong Ngan for a cultural visit.
Arrive at the Shan village of Bann Sob Kai where you will be treated to lunch before transferring to Chiang Mai. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Free evening with optional sightseeing.
Optional excursion: Khantoke Dinner
Duration: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Price per person € 40.00
Meet your driver in the lobby at 5:30 or 6:00 pm to experience the Khantoke dinner, dating back many centuries, which includes dishes from northern Thailand accompanied by traditional dances and music. For centuries, Khantoke dinners have been held at major festivals and special events, a tradition that continues to this day to promote the history and culture of the ancient northern kingdom of Lanna. Sitting comfortably on cushions on the floor, you enjoy delicious food served in traditional Thai Lanna style while watching a spectacular performance of traditional dances from northern Thailand
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight stay: De Lanna Hotel Chiang Mai * * * (or similar)
Day 9: Departure from Chiang Mai
Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure (including optional sightseeing) until transfer to the airport in time for boarding operations on your intercontinental flight back to Italy. Overnight stay on board. End of services.
Optional visit: Lanna Traditions with a local family (including transfer, guide and lunch)
Duration: 9:00 am – 2:30 pm. Price per person € 88.00
Half-day with a local family whose Lanna traditions go back five generations. Lanna is the name of the ancient kingdom in Northern Thailand, here locals still follow ancient traditions in their daily lives to be discovered during this time of mutual exchange. After exploring traditional houses and vast gardens, you will prepare a delicious meal together over a charcoal fire
Meals included: Breakfast
