Thailand to Luang Prabang via Huayxay border 18 Days

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.

The first destination is the Grand Palace. This huge architecture complex is over 2 sq. kilometers, including 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office and pagodas (Wat) built in 1770s. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is no longer home of Thailand Royal, most of national significant events takes place there. 

Wat Phra Kaew is the most out-standing architecture in complex, built in 1785 when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. Wat Pra Kwae is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhism architecture but also for the sacred jade Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue will bring back fortune and prosperity for the nation.

Nearby Grand Palace is Wat Pho – the oldest and biggest pagoda in Bangkok with more than 1000 Buddha statues and the huge one sit-back Buddha in gold. This pagoda is also famous for being a birthplace of traditional Thai massage, since there is a traditional medicine school established in 1982, educating the arts of Thai massage.

The Wat Pho wall-surrounded complex was divided into 2 by Soi Chetuphon running along East – West. The Northern complex is the one including the in gold Buddha statue and massage school mentioned above. The Southern complex, Tukgawee, is a monastery and a school

We will board on a boat to pay a visit along the Chao Phraya River, watching the life of local people close by.

On route, we stop at Wat Arun, known as the most beautiful pagoda in Bangkok not only for its location on the Chao Phraya’s riverbank but also for the different architecture from other pagodas. “Arun” means sunrise, but it is most beautiful in the sunset.

The pagoda was decorated with glass pieces and Chinese ceramic, in a complicated style. You can climb up to the top of Wat Arun to see Chao Phraya, Grand Palace and Wat Pho at the opposite side.

Afternoon, we visit the last destination of the day: Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue.

Thai people believe that the statue represents for prosperity and purity, as well as strength and power. The Golden Statue was defined to be built in Sukhothai period, the 13-15th century – one of the most famous periods of Thai Buddhism architecture.  

Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok 

Meals: Breakfast 

Early in the morning, after having breakfast, we pay a visit to Meaklong Railway Market – a local market has grown up along the rail tracks. When a train pulls in or out of the station, the sellers quickly clear their stalls, and set them up again when the train has passed.

We continue our way to Damnoen Saduak Floating market. Arrival at the market, you can see the vendors who wear traditional farmer dresses and hats bring local Thai foods, fruits and products to sell on rowing boats.

You should not miss the opportunity to experience sitting and giving them a try on one of these boats on the canal. You are free to explore around the market, take photos/videos or even hire a paddling boat to breathe the once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere here.  

We then take a boat ride out of the floating market and journey along the winding canals to see remote villages, gardens and plantations.

Upon arrival, visit the World War II memorial including the Jeath War Museum, Cemetery. We will take 30 minutes train to experience and enjoy the beautiful view from train along the river. This is one of Southeast Asia's historic railways, the remaining part of the "Death Railway", departing from the provincial capital to the Railway Station and transfer then city to visit Kwai bridge.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Kanchanaburi 
Meals: Breakfast

After your breakfast, we depart to Erawan Waterfall, considered as the most beautiful waterfall of Thailand. This is such an impressive series of seven tiers, each with a shape and character on its own. 
Originating from the Monglai Stream, water flows down from the hill at height of 2000m and flows into the Khwae Yai River. The waterfall is named after the legendary three-headed white elephant living in the Himavarna forest.
Proceed to Ayutthaya for overnight.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Ayutthaya 
Meals: Breakfast 
 

Wake up in the morning, we visit Ayutthaya Historical Park, situated in the old city of Ayutthaya. The city was constructed by Ramathibodi I in 1350 and was the capital of Thailand until it was destroyed by Burmese – Myanmar army in 1767. Being a ruin with many temples which characterize this handicraft type of architecture built with red bricks, the park was recognized as World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO.

– Wat Phu Khao Thong is a massive pagoda towering in the middle of paddy fields and can be seen from afar. Built by King Ramesuan in 1395, the pagoda is unique with the combination of 2 architectural styles: Thai – style and Mon – style. There is a high golden plated chedi on the top, which makes the pagoda outstanding.

– Wat Phra Sri Sanphet was the most important temple of Ayutthaya and situated within the Ayutthaya Grand Palace grounds. It served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The highlight of Wat Phra Sri Sanphet is 3 towers standing high together in Ceylonese style, has the same architecture with Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

– Vihara Phra Mongkhon Bophit is the pagoda in which the bronze Buddha statue in the attitude of subduing Mara is situated. This is one of the biggest Buddha statue in Thailand. It was considered to be built during the Ayuttaya period of King Srongta, who transferred the location from the east side to the west and has been the location since then. After that he ordered to build a dome on top.

– Wat Lokaya Sutha is considered as the sacred place for pilgrims since it’s famous for the reclining Buddha statue, which is the statue of the Blessed Buddha intact compared to other monuments in the entire Ayutthaya ruins. It is also the most important relics in most of those in Wat Lokaya Sutha. Thai people believe that if they paste the golden leaf onto Buddha statues, they will be protected by Buddha.

You leave for Lopburi, site inhabited since prehistoric times and which has long undergone the Khmer influence of the Angkor Empire.

Visit the Narai King’s Palace built by King Narai, the king who ruled Ayutthaya from 1656 to 1688. He ordered the palace built in 1666. King Narai stayed here for about 8 to 9 months a year except during the rainy season. He named Lopburi as the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The palace was a place of relaxation, hunting, business administration of the country and hosting official visitors.

Continue to Khmer temple of Prang Samyod, temple with three spiers and San Phra Kan, this ancient Brahmin temple located near Phra Prang Sam Yot, comprises two parts, the oldest dating from the Khmer period, the most recent dating from 1951. The latter houses a four-armed deity surmounted by a Buddha’s head and is the figure of a warship.

Arrival in Uthai Thani and check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Uthai Thani

Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast, we transfer to Sukhothai. Upon arrival, visit the ancient ruins of Sukhothai Historical Park. Bike to Wat Sri Chum with its gigantic Buddha statue that showcases.

A few minutes by bike from Wat Phra Phai Luang, there is an impressive sitting Buddha statue, the right hand turned to the ground, symbolizing the victory of Buddha on evil incarnated by the demon Mara.

Continue your way to Si Satchanalai. Si Satchanalai Historical Park is a historic park in Si Satchanalai District, in the province of Sukhothai, in northern Thailand. The park covers the ruins of Si Satchanalai and Chaliang.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Sukhothai

Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast we leave Shukhothai and continue our road to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival pick up and transfer you to your hotel for your overnight

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai

Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast, our morning tour will be started by a walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will be able to visit the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai including of Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Prah Singh

Wat Chedi Luang is the impressive ruins of a temple in the center of Chiang Mai which was built in 1411. Next to the sacred Wat Chedi Luang is a small interesting temple called Wat Phan Tao. This ancient temple is well known for its exquisite Lanna-style ordination hall entirely made of teakwood, which served as a throne hall during the reign of King Mahotara Prateth. 

Wat Prah Singh is the second most venerated temple in Chiang Mai after Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and a glittering example of Lanna art and temple architecture

We then continue wander through small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour. 

And then a walking through the central market of Warorot before visiting the Doi Suthep hill. You then exercise yourself by ascending the 306 steps to the temple.

However, it is very well worth the effort. A panorama view of the city and the surrounding areas can be seen from the temple grounds.

Return to hotel in Chiang mai for your overnight

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast 

After your breakfast, we will visit Chiang Dao cave. There are four interconnected caverns to see. Be prepared to bend down and perhaps even crawl between incredible stalactites.
Then, take two hour boat trip along the Mae Ping River is an excellent way to spend an afternoon, you get to watch as the scenery along the river changes, you will also get to see many beautiful traditional teak houses as well as a lot of rural greenery along the wat.
Returning to Chiang Mai hotel.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai 
Meals: Breakfast 
 

Pick up at your hotel at around 8:30 Am, we will head to the Doi Inthanon National Park, passing through various villages, rice fields and orchards. Upon arrival at Inthanon Mountain, we will spend spend 2-3 hours trekking to Thailand’s highest mountain at 2565 meters above sea level.

Immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery, impressive waterfalls, and lush mountain forests. We first stop to the summit to see the great twin Royal Pagodas: Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Bhumisiri. Each pagoda also has relics of Buddha.

We then visit Wachirathan waterffalls by a short trek along Michael’s Trail. After walk down the hill & have a short break at a local Hmong market, we will have lunch time.

In the afternoon, continue to visit Hmong and Karen hill tribe village at Ban Mae Klang Village to observe their still primitive lifestyle.

En route we will pass through the farmland where you will see the coffee plantation, flowers farm and the beautiful rice terraces.

Transfer back to your hotel in Chiang Mai.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Mai 

Meals: Breakfast 

Morning after breakfast, we will visit a local home industry of Elephant Poo Poo Paper, where you can know the procedure from elephant poo to final paper product.

You will also have a chance to make paper by yourself with possibility to buy hand-made souvenir from Chiang Mai.
Heading to Chiang Rai. Check in the hotel and the rest of day is on your own.

Note for the activity at Elephant Poo Poo Paper: 

• Includes entrance fee, paper-making activity + 1 DIY item: Passport Holder
• This price includes the entrance fee, mulberry-paper making activity, and explanations in Thai/English.
• The DIY item is a passport holder.
• Approximate duration: 60 minutes

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Rai 

Meals: Breakfast 

We start a tour today with a visit to Wat Rong Khun. Only a transparent white color from the towers to the Buddha statues, Wat Rong Khun is equally noteworthy as the gold-plated temples typical of Thailand’s smiley country. This is a combination of unique Thai architecture and realistic depiction style Completed in the late 20th century, the temple is one of the attractive destinations to both a large number of Thai and foreign tourists.
We can’t miss Wat Rong Seur Ten. It stands out among other magnificent temples in Thailand thanks to the enchanting green. This unique green building is one of the pride of Chiang Rai city. Not only by the rare and magical blue, the temple is covered by meticulous, sophisticated and gilded decorative details.
Continue to visit Baan Dam (Black House), an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings interspersed with some outlandish modern designs.
Then take a boat to cruise on Mae Kok river from Chiang Rai to Karen village.
Heading back to Chiang Rai to overnight.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Rai 
Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast we continue the trip by heading to the northern Thailand – a wooded, mountainous and beautiful area. This morning, you will explore the surroundings and the first road you will take is the one that leads to Mae Salong. Climb up and down the green hills, covered with tea plantations.

Here, you can enjoy a cup of tea in a traditional Chinese tea house overlooking the mountains and tea fields before continuing your way towards the Golden Triangle. From Doi Mae Salong, we will visit villages of ethnic minorities.

Afterwards we will visit the Mae Fah Luang botanical garden. Last but not least, transfer to Golden Triangle where we take a boat trip on Mekong River to see Thailand, Burma & Laos triangle. Overnight in Chiang Saen

Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Saen 

Meals: Breakfast 

Today you will be picked up at your hotel and transfer you to Thai – Lao border No. 4.

At 07:30am, you will meet our English-Speaking team with a welcome sign at the Chiang Khong immigration office. He will help the guests to exit Thailand and get the shuttle bus to Lao border (included). Our guide will assist customers to apply for the visa. After getting the VISA, guests will take a sharing transfer (minivan) to the slow boat pier to embark on the boat. During the morning, Quick lecture about Do’s and Don’ts in Laos and fun facts will be presented by our guide. 
Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board. 
Before reaching Pakbeng, we will stop to visit a traditional Kamu village (Ban Keng Lae), a tiny cozy place which host about 70 families. Travelers will learn about rural lifestyle in a very remote area. 
The boat will arrive at Pakbeng before the night. 
Overnight in your hotel in Pakbeng.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Pakbeng 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Note for Shompoo Cruise: 

• From October to April: Departure every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. 
• From May to September: Departure every Monday and Friday.
• From November to February, it can get cold during the cruise, do not forget to bring a jacket. 
• It is possible to leave luggage and suitcase on the boat and take only small daypack for your overnight in Pakbeng. 
• For safety reasons and according to the weather conditions, the program may change without prior notice.

In the morning, our guide and cooker will make a short demonstration on how to make local handicrafts and will also prepare some lao desserts and local drinks that travelers will eat later in the afternoon. 
A Lao traditional Lunch set is served on board. 
First stop will be at Ban Muang village, small village famous for its lao lao whiskey making. Right after the visit, the boat will stop for the second visit at the Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) and its over two thousand Buddha statues. It is one of the most important Pilgrimage places for lao people. 
After the visit, enjoy the homemade desserts and drinks made by our team and the travelers. The boat will arrive in Luang Prabang before 4:30pm.
We’ll arrive in Luang Prabang by 4:30 PM, concluding a day full of cultural exploration and scenic beauty.
Then, meet our staff, then transfer from pier to the hotel for check-in. Time at leisure.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, go up to Phousi Mount. From the summit, you can enjoy a spectacular 360 degrees outlook across the city and its many temples, and out over the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance.
Then, visit Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is one of the Luang Prabang’s oldest temples and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas. From there we stroll around to visit Wat Aham, which was once the residence of Sangkharat, the supreme head of Lao Buddhism.
Next, visit the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.
In the afternoon, move to discover the National Museum which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.. End your sightseeing day at Wat May built in 1796, the five-tiered roof of the wooden Sim (chapel) epitomizes the graceful Luang Prabang architectural style.
Nighttime is for your own discovering the Night Street Market.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 
Meals: Breakfast 

Today, our guide will pick up you at hotel in Luang Prabang city and start our trip to Living Land Lao Organic Farm at Phoung Van village. Upon arrival, the farm owner will give us introduction in briefs about the tradition and activity of the farm. You will have chance to experience the real activities (join-in) and life of a Lao farmer.
You will feel how hard to grow the rice when you try to do all the activities such us ploughing, seeding, manuring, until reaping the harvest. Morever, you will never regret to learn and realize many type of vegetable by visting the garden and our guide will kindly help and teach you well. Learning all those things for the first time could be a real interesting experience.

After lunch on spot, we will reach one of the most beautiful Kuang Si Falls situated 30 kilometers of Southern Luang Prabang. On your arrival, enjoy your short walking on trails of falls to visit the bear rescued centre, and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools where you can cool off with a swim. Transfer back to Luang Prabang.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Luang Prabang 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 

You are free to stroll around the town before taking the departure flight. End of services.

Accommodation: NA

Meals: Breakfast