8 Day Itinerary - Kingdom of Thailand

Allow INTOSOL to take you on an eight day luxury trip to Thailand’s most sensational sights. Hit the streets of vibrant Bangkok, gaze up at towering Buddha statues and venture deep into the lush rainforest. Thailand boasts cultural and natural wealth beyond measure. Time to set off exploring! Your journey starts in bustling Bangkok at the international airport. Soak up the first impressions of the multi-million metropolis on the transfer into the centre. Thailand’s capital unites age-old Asian traditions with contemporary flair and Western culture. Immerse yourself in this fascinating world and discover the beauty of Bangkok. As day fades to night, you board a ship that gently glides down Thailand’s central artery, the Menam or Chao Phraya River. Rest your eyes on the glittering lights popping up everywhere around you. The Loy Nava is an elegant river cruiser that does not only feature a stylish design but also provides a gourmet Asian dinner. After a long and exciting first day, you retire to your comfortable hotel for a first night in Thailand. Bangkok has frequently been called the Venice of the East. A network of canals known as “Klongs” criss-cross the heart of the city. Explore the endless waterways connecting the river with the city’s nooks and crannies. You will pass through the western part of Thonburi. Here, life depends on the river. More than just transportation, it supplies the water for the adjacent orchards and orchid farms. Arriving at the western bank of the River Chao Phraya, let your eyes feast on the Temple of Dawn. Adorned with an elaborate golden finish, the Buddhist temple is an architectonic masterpiece. Later, visit the Royal Barges Museum. In former days, the narrow boats frequently shuttled back and forth across the river. Today, they predominantly operate on public holidays and special occasions. Next on the itinerary is a visit to the fabled Grand Palace. Once the King of Siam’s seat, the vast palace is a fine example for typical, imperial Siamese architecture and opulent splendour. As a long but exciting day slowly draws to an end, settle down to a romantic dinner at the Sala Rimnam Restaurant, part of the famous Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The superb cuisine is enhanced by an authentic Thai ambience and accompanied with traditional music and dance. New delicacies are brought to your table, the dancers whirl across the floor and the light sparkles and reflects off the glittering costumes. Time to say goodbye to lively Bangkok. However, you have much to look forward to! You leave Bangkok on a flight headed for Chiang Mai in North Thailand. One of Thailand’s oldest cities, said to have been founded in the 13th century, Chiang Mai is also known by its nickname the “Rose of the North”. What sets the city apart is its dedication to crafts, art and architecture. Stroll the streets and mingle with the bustling crowds. The Chiang Mai centre is famous for its numerous temples and celebrated for its unique night market. Try the local Chang Beer and settle down for the sunset. A traditional dinner is the perfect occasion to discuss tomorrow’s exciting programme. On day four you drive down the winding serpentine roads to the Suthep Mountain, home of the outstanding Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple. The Golden Pagoda is famous for housing sacred Buddha relicts and has become a pilgrim destination for Buddhists from all over the world. Moreover, you enjoy a fantastic view out over the city and its surroundings. Continue to the Warorot Market. The locals come here to pick up their everyday groceries. Almost everything is available… from fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers to spices, handicrafts and cosmetics. It is a world of exotic shapes, colours, aromas, tastes and traditions. Almost adjacent to the market is the Wat Chedi Luang Temple. Two large dragon snakes, the so called Naga, stand guard at the gates. The Buddhist temple is fifty six metres high and houses a majestic golden Buddha statue. Wat Phra Sing is still used by monks for prayer and meditation. Believing Buddhists lay down offerings and you are welcome to join in this ancient tradition. We recommend you slow down here, soaking up the peculiar flair of the temples, admiring the exotically elegant architecture. Today you leave Chiang Mai. En route you will stop at an orchid farm. The local climate is just perfect for the colourful and fragrant flowers. Later, you continue your journey to Chiang Dao and the Chiang Dao National Park known for its vast cave system. In fact, the Chiang Dao Caves have come to been known as one of the Thailand’s great natural wonders. The intricate network has been traced for more than twelve kilometres. Buddhists consider the caves a holy site and countless Buddha paintings can be discovered by a keen eye. Venture deep into this silent maze. In the deepest, darkest parts oil lanterns will help you find your way. And again you take to the road and continue to Baan Thaton, a small village on the Burmese border. It is the perfect setting to settle down to a delicious lunch at the Maekok River Village Resort. Having dined and wined you may look forward to riding the Maekok River: A long-tail speedboat takes you from Baan Thatorn to Baan Pa Tai. Rest your eyes on the graceful landscape and the magnificent temple appearing at Chiang Saen. In the afternoon you float further down the river past lush and pristine rainforest headed for the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle. You may start to look forward to superbly comfortable accommodation in a spectacular setting, a sumptuous dinner and select wines from the fine house’s cellar. A highlight at the Four Seasons Tented Camp is the Elephant school: However, the gentle giants will be the teachers, you the student. Learn all about elephants and taking care of them. You will also be taught the basic commands necessary to mount one of the magnificent creatures. Having spent the morning training, after lunch you are ready to set off and apply your new knowledge on an elephant trekking tour. You are invited to reward your trusty mount with a little treat! Wind down after an exciting day at the Burma Bar with a cocktail mixed to perfection or a select wine. Day seven starts with a river cruise on the mighty Mekong. The Mekong is more than a river – it is a home and a source of income for countless people. Your ship slowly cruises past picturesque villages and temples lining the banks, of course, landing every now and then to offer you a chance to take a stroll and meet the locals. Incidentally, your comfortable river cruiser features a superb spa with a select massage programme. At night, you return to the Four Season’s Tented Camp, where a delicious dinner is being prepared for you. Everything good finally comes to an end. The fifth day is also the last day of your round trip. Take it easy in the morning, with time to follow the second cup of coffee up with a third and fourth, basking in the sun or refreshing yourself with a dip in the pool. Having left the Tented Camp in a boat, a car will pick you up to take you to the Chiang Rai Airport for a flight to Bangkok or your next destination. We highly recommend you to stay for yet another few days… maybe on the beach or at a neighbouring country? It will be a pleasure for the INTOSOL team of travel consultants to provide more information and ideas. Thailand and Southeast Asia have yet got much more to offer!