Bangkok, The North & Phuket
13 Nights
13 Nights
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Thailand. In Bangkok, marvel at the iconic Grand Palace and its revered Emerald Buddha. In Chiang Rai, explore vibrant hill tribe villages, the majestic Golden Triangle, and the fascinating Opium Museum. Cruise along the Maekok River, visit the enchanting Blue Temple, and be awed by Chiang Mai’s stunning White Temple and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep with its panoramic views. Finally, unwind in Phuket, basking in tropical bliss on its serene beaches
Itinerary
Day 1 Departure from London
Depart London Heathrow at 16.00hrs arrive Doha at 00.45hrs, depart Doha at 01.50hrs arrive Bangkok at 12.45hrs (next day)
Day 2 Arrive Bangkok
You will be met by our representative and transfer to your hotel
Rest of day at leisure
Overnight: Mode Sathorn Hotel – Deluxe Mode Room inc. breakfast
Day 3 Bangkok
After breakfast you will be met at your hotel at 08.00hrs for a visit to the Grand Palace.
Once a Royal Residence, it is an architectural wonder of golden stupas, walls and pillars encrusted in shining and colourful mosaics. Previously the residence of past Kings of Thailand, you will see palaces once used for different occasions; the Reception Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Throne Hall, the Royal Guest House. See and marvel the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.
Return back to your hotel lunchtime.
Rest of the day at leisure
Overnight: Mode Sathorn Hotel – Deluxe Mode Room inc. breakfast
Day 4 Bangkok
Day at leisure
Overnight: Mode Sathorn Hotel – Deluxe Mode Room inc. breakfast
Day 5 Bangkok - Chiang Rai
Transfer from the Mode Sathorn Hotel to Bangkok airport
Depart Bangkok at 08.20hrs arrive Chiang Rai at 09.55hrs
Upon arrival at Chiang Rai Airport, our guide greets you then it’s time for a trip to meet ethnic groups in their villages, which have barely changed for centuries. You can say hello to the Akha tribespeople who come from Tibet and are known for their colourful costumes, or the Yao, whose roots are in China. That Chinese influence is still very much alive in their traditions.
This is followed by an exploration of the Golden Triangle, where the Ruak and Mekong rivers meet to form the border between Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, hence the name. From the Tibetan Plateau the mighty Mekong runs through China and all the way through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam and eventually into the South China Sea. It's a memorably majestic sight!
After lunch at a local restaurant, you visit the opium museum to learn the history of the opium trade; a trade that was once so valuable and prized, it was the cause of major wars between the superpowers of an earlier era. Then it’s back to your hotel in Chiang Rai where you stay overnight.
Approximate pick up & drop off times: 10.00 – 18.00 hrs.
Approximate total distances: Chiang Rai centre to Golden Triangle 70 km (1.5 hours)
Meals included: Lunch
Overnight: The Legend Chiang Rai (or similar) – Superior Studio
Day 6 Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai
After breakfast at the hotel, you begin the day cruising along the Maekok River in a traditional Thai boat, arriving at the town of the Karen ethnic group. You then visit the newly built Wat Rong Suea Ten or Blue Temple, whose intense blue colour makes it unique, as no other Buddhist temple in Thailand has been designed this way.
It’s now time to hit the road for Chiang Mai, with a stop at Wat Rong Khun, known as the White Temple. In our opinion, this is one of the most amazing places in Thailand, which is quite a statement, but it truly is a breath taking site, with simply stunning architecture and lots of unusual, quirky aspects. You’ll see images from modern days alongside the more traditional Buddhist icons you’d expect. It’s quite an experience to see those carved depictions of the likes of Michael Jackson and Neo from The Matrix! The temple was built this century and was hit by an earthquake in 2008, but almost miraculously survived intact.
Breaking for lunch at a carefully chosen restaurant, there’s a stop at the much more traditional 600-year-old Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, near the summit of Doi Suthep. After a drive up the mountain’s winding road, the final climb to the site is via a magnificent Naga - dragon-headed serpent - staircase of 306 steps. Inside is an intriguing copper-plated chedi which is said to contain partial relics of Lord Buddha, topped by a five-tier gold umbrella. On a clear day, there are incomparable views over the city of Chiang Mai. Then you’re transferred to your hotel in the city.
Approximate pick up & drop off times: 08.00 – 17.30 hrs.
Approximate total distances: Chiang Rai centre to Chiang Mai centre 200 km (4 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast & lunch
Overnight: Melia Chiang Mai (or similar) – Melia Room
Day 7 Chiang Mai
The first two days of this tour are eventful, to say the least. So, after breakfast at your hotel, you have a full day of leisure to discover the historic walled city of Chiang Mai on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Melia Chiang Mai (or similar) – Melia Room
Day 8 Chiang Mai - Phuket
Your last day starts with breakfast at the hotel. At the arranged time, your private driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Phuket
Depart Chiang Mai at 14.35hrs arrive Phuket at 16.40hrs
You will be met by our representative and transfer to your hotel
Overnight: Amari Phuket – Superior Balcony Room
Day 9 Phuket
At Leisure
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Amari Phuket – Superior Balcony Room
Day 10 Phuket
At Leisure
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Amari Phuket – Superior Balcony Room
Day 11 Phuket
At Leisure
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Amari Phuket – Superior Balcony Room
Day 12 Phuket
At Leisure
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Amari Phuket – Superior Balcony Room
Day 13 Phuket
At Leisure
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Amari Phuket – Superior Balcony Room
Day 14 Phuket
At Leisure
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Amari Phuket – Superior Balcony Room
Day 15 Phuket - airport
At Leisure until your departure transfer to Phuket airport
Meals included: Breakfast
Depart Phuket at 20.30hrs arrive Doha at 23.15hrs, depart Doha 01.10hrs arrive London Heathrow at 06.25hrs (next day)
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