Itinerary Details: 6 days/5 nights

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival

Welcome to Bangkok! Upon exiting customs, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel. Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a bustling and vibrant city of contrasts. Evening at leisure and overnight in Bangkok.

Day 2: Bangkok

After breakfast, take a city tour of Bangkok. The tour includes three of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Trimitr with its invaluable Golden Buddha; Wat Po, the most extensive temple in Bangkok with its colossal Reclining Buddha; and the Chedis of the Kings. The Grand Palace is one of the most beautiful samples of an ancient Siamese court. It used to be the residence of the Kings of Thailand. Here you will see palaces which were used for different occasions: the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, the Coronation Hall, the Royal Guest House, and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. Afternoon at leisure and overnight in Bangkok.

Day 3: Bangkok – Chiang Rai – Chiang Saen

In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Tour the city, including Wat Phra Keo, where the much venerated Emerald Buddha image was once enshrined, and Wat Phrasing, where beautiful Buddha images in Chiang Saen style are preserved. Continue to Chiang Saen, the former capital of the first Thai Kingdom, situated directly on Mekong River at Thailand-Laos border. Visit Wat Phra Dhat Jom Kitti by climbing 383 steps to the top of the hill. Also explore Wat Jedi Luang and the small museum nearby. Continue by longtail speedboat upriver on the Mekong toward the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos meet. Return to your hotel and overnight.

Day 4: Chiang Saen– Mae Salong – Chiang Rai

Depart from Chiang Saen to visit Lisu Village at Ban Mae Kaotom and continue uphill via Mae Chan to Yao and Akha hill tribe villages. Proceed to Doi Mae Salong, passing through beautiful mountain scenery. Enjoy the stunning views of Thailand, Burma and the Mekong Valley. After lunch, depart Doi Mae Salong to Mae Sai, a northernmost Thai town on the Burmese border. Stroll through the local markets and engage with the locals. Later, return to Chiang Rai with short stop at fish cave. Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 5: Chiang Rai – Thathorn – Chiang Mai

In the morning, board a simple longtail motorboat for the three-hour journey up Kok River, passing tiny hill tribe villages, bamboo huts and jungle scenery. Disembark at Ban Pha Tai and continue to Ban Lorcha, a Phami Akha hill tribe community center. The community-based tourism project promotes sustainable, self-reliant development to improve the quality of life of Akha villagers. After lunch, continue to Chiang Mai via Fang and Chiang Dao. Arrive in Chiang Mai and transfer to your hotel. . Chiang Mai is the largest and most culturally significant city in Northern Thailand. It has emerged as a leisure destination and attracts visitors from all over the world. Evening at leisure to explore the famous night market. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 6: Chiang Mai and Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a temple tour. Drive up the serpentine road to the magnificently situated Wat Doi Suthep. Perched on a forested mountain, this most sacred Chiang Mai temple (3,280 ft) provides a superb view over the city, as well as a wealth of images and frescos. You will then pass the city's biggest market, Talat Warorod, before visiting two important temples - Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Sing. Afternoon tour of handicraft factories to see the manufacturing of lacquer ware, spinning and weaving of Thai Silk. Later, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Inclusions

• 5 nights of room accommodations
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Economy airfare from Bangkok – Chiang Rai
• Private A/C vehicle and driver
• Comprehensive touring, including a private guide and entrance fees
• Airport transfers with representative
• Road/Interstate taxes, fuel surcharges, and parking fees
• Service charges and room taxes

Exclusions

• Any items of a personal nature
• Gratuities
• Travel Insurance
• International and domestic airport taxes

Supplemental Information

• U.S. citizens carrying a tourist passport and in possession of an onward or return airline ticket do not require a visa to enter Thailand. The passport must have at least six months validity remaining to be allowed entry.
• To protect your travel investment, Sodha Travel strongly recommends Travel Insurance.
• Visit our FAQ page for additional information on traveling to Thailand.

Thailand Express