The best of Thailand 11 Days

Destination: Bangkok/Ayuthaya/Phuket/Phi Phi/Chiang Mai

Highlights: Explore the magical Kingdom of Thailand taking in the main sites from bustling Bangkok to relax in the paradise of Phuket to enjoy its white sandy beaches, sunshine and seafood, ending up in Chiang Mai to visit several hill tribes and an elephant orphanage, walk to the famous Doi Suthep Mountain where leading to the magnificent temple of Wat Prathat near the summit – a place of fascinating history and legends.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Bangkok arrival (D, G)

On arrival at Suvanphumi Airport, you will be met and transferred to hotel. Your time will be on your own until our guide and driver arrive to take you the a good local restaurant where you can enjoy a welcome diiner with a variety of typical Thai foods.  Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a spectacular performance of Thai classical dances. Your overnight stay will be in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok City Tour (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll begin your tour of Bangkok with a long tail boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to see many lively inner canals which provide some fantastic views of the local life. Along the way you will stop over at Wat Arun, the temple of dawn, before continuing to the Grand Palace which dedicated to the Thai Royal Family’s ceremonies. Nearby is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, which is famous for the Emerald Buddha Image. After seeing this complex, you will drive through the many vibrant streets of China Town to some of the most significant temples in Bangkok. The landmark of Wat Traimit is well known as the Golden Buddha Temple while Wat Pho houses a gigantic Reclining Buddha. You will spend the night in Bangkok.

Day 3: Bangkok/Ayuthaya (B, L, G)

A full day visit to Ayuthaya, the former capital of Thailand (1350-1767) situated 90 kms north of Bangkok. At the magnificent city ruins you can see Wat Phra Sri Sanphet with three spared pagodas, the large Buddha image of Phra Mongkol Bophit and then visit to Wat Chai Wattanaram the most beautiful landscape ruin temple. Buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon, the tours continue to visit Wat Chaimongkol and continue drive to visit Bang Pa-in Summer Palace. Bang Pa In was served as the summer palace for many Thai monarchs from the 17th century. This structure has a captivating collection of marvelous pavilions in a variety of Thai, Chinese, Italian and Victorian architectural styles. After visiting this site, you’ll return to Bangkok by car. Your overnight stay will be in Bangkok.

Day 4: Bangkok/Phuket (B, G)

You time will be your own until our guide and driver arrive to transfer you to the airport where you will board the flight to Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, which is often dubbed as the pearl of the Andaman, or the pearl of the south. Its natural resources- rocky peninsular, limestone cliffs, white powdery beaches, tranquil broad bays and tropical in-land forests contribute to making it the South’s wealthiest, busiest, most visited and most popular island and province. Arriving at Phuket airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for a check in and free at own leisure. Your overnight stay will be in Phuket.

Day 5: Phuket City Tour ½ day (B, G)

After breakfast at hotel, you’ll be free until at noon time for sightseeing around Phuket. Check out the yesteryears of Phuket’s old Sino-Portuguese buildings, built more than 100 year, these building portray Thai characteristic and heritage although architecturally they are blend of Chinese and European styles. You will then visit Wat Chalong a famous Buddhist temple in town, nice beaches, rubber plantation cashew nut factory and see sunset at Promthep Cape. Your overnight stay will be in Phuket.

Day 6: Phuket/Phang Nga Bay (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will enjoy a lovely 45-minute drive from Phuket to Phang Nga Bay, one of southern Thailand’s most beautiful areas. A lovely cruise along the meandering waterways would bring you the stunning views of limestone outcrops sculptured with sheer cliffs, caves, stalactities and dense vegetation which resemble the shapes of Pekinese dog and elephant. A landing near the well-known “James Bond Island”, where the movie “The Man With The Golden Gun” was filmed, would instill some adventure. A seafood lunch break at a fishing village on Ko Pannyi island ensures you a pleasant experience. Awaiting for you at Lawa island is the fun of swimming and relaxing on the beach. You will return to Phuket for overnight stay.

Day 7: Phuket/Phi Phi Island (B, L, G)

In the morning, you’ll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the pier for the boat trip to Phi Phi Island, just 48 km to the east of Phuket, famous for its natural scenic beauty with silver sand beaches fringed with palm trees, towering limestone cliffs and hills full of lush greenery. Our boat will first carry you to the famous ‘Ao Maya’ which was the setting for Leonardo Dicaprio’s movie, ‘The Beach’ filmed just a few years ago. The beaches there are absolutely gorgeous, truly a paradise on earth. Here you can admire Phi Phi Ley Island’s magical landscape and enjoy swimming, snorkeling with the colorful fishes and crystal clear water. You will then discover “Loh Samah Bay” and “Pileh Cove” and sightsee at the historic “Viking Cave”. You will have lunch at Phi Phi Don Island and have free time to explore its surroundings until returning to the habour and driving back to Phuket for overnight stay.

Day 8: Phuket/Bangkok/Chiang Mai (B, D, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be free until your driver arrives to take you to Phuket airport for a flight to Bangkok where you will take another flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Free and easy day and in the evening we will take you to a Thai traditional northern style dinner called ” Khan-Toke dinner”, in which local food is served on low wooden tables while you enjoy traditional dancing and music performed by local tribes. You’ll spend the night at Chiang Mai.

Day 9: Chiang Mai/Mae Taeng (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up and driven to visit the Jungle Raft Elephant Camp in Mae Taeng to see the elephant shows. After that, you will enjoy an exciting ride on the elephants crossing the river and up the hill. Then you will return by oxcart to the camp where buffet lunch will be served. Rafting adventure starts from here and last for 45 minutes along the river. On wards to the Orchid Farm, here there are many beautiful of 500 species of orchids. In the evening, you will have free time strolling around the Night Bazaar for shopping. You’ll spend the night in Chiang Mai.

Day 10: Chiang Mai/Doi Suthep (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will take a short drive up 17 kms to Doi Suthep Mountain. Upon arrival, you’ll embark on a walk to the famous Doi Suthep Mountain, leading to the magnificent temple of Wat Prathat near the summit. This temple, one of the most important of the province, and an enduring symbol of Chiang Mai, is a place of fascinating history and legends. At an elevation of over 1,000m, the temple grounds afford excellent views over Chiang Mai city and valley. You’ll then continue to hilltribe villages, see the scenic route pass the beautiful Northern mountain and the forest. In late afternoon, you will return to your hotel. You will spend the night in Chiang Mai.

Day 11: Chiang Mai/Bangkok Departure (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be free until your driver arrives to take you to Chiang Mai airport for a flight to Bangkok to connect with your international departure flight.