Begin your tour with a visit to Wat Pho, a Buddhist temple complex which holds the status of ‘Royal Monastery’ (Wat Luang), due to its proximity to the Grand Palace and its importance in Thai-Buddhist culture. The most famous resident of Wat Pho is the Reclining Buddha, a 46-metre-long reclining-positioned Buddha, a position representing Buddha’s entry into Nirvana. Wat Pho is also home to a number of chedis, scattered throughout the complex, a scripture hall, a library, guarded by the Wat Pho Giant’s statues and many other Buddhist shrines and halls. The complex is known for its connection with massage and has been a school for traditional massage since the 1950s.

Next, you will continue by foot to The Grand Palace, a complex of royal and religious buildings which has been the official residence of the Kings of Thailand since 1782. The King, his government and his court resided in The Grand Palace from 1782 until 1925. The palace today is used for ceremonial purposes and for state visits and has become a major architectural symbol of Thailand.
Begin your exploration of the complex with a visit to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). Regarded as the most important Buddhist sites in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha is 66cm in height and sits in a state of meditation. Depending on the season, the Emerald Buddha is ordained in three different outfits: one for the summer season, one for the rainy season and one for the winter season. Behind the Emerald Buddha, you will see a mural depicting Buddhist cosmology and in front of the Buddha, guests are welcomed to meditate, pray or contemplate in the shadow of the buddha.

Note: there are strict dress codes when visiting Wat Pho and The Grand Palace complexes. Guests are to be covered up and not wear tight or torn clothing.

Lunch at local restaurant and return to hotel. Free time in the afternoon.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Accommodation: SO Bangkok (SO Cozy)

After breakfast, you board a longtail boat and head down part of the Chao Phraya River, the main waterway of Bangkok, before turning off on to Khlong Bangkok Yai, a historical canal in Bangkok which takes you through Thonburi, the old capital of Thailand. While you cruise down the canal, pass by old wooden stilted houses, townhouses and some unfortunate dwellings which have tilted 45 degrees to the side! You will pass lush greenery, quaint Buddhist temples and occasional graffiti. You will also pass a giant buddha statue, which opened in 2023, a glorious gold statue peeking up over the historical district.

Arrive at one of Bangkok’s most iconic sights, Wat Arun is a must-see visit. Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple which sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The word ‘Arun’ is named after the Hindu God Aruna who is often associated with the rising sun, giving Wat Arun the nickname ‘Temple of Dawn’. Dating back to the Ayutthaya period, Wat Arun pre-dates Bangkok being founded as a city and was originally known as Wat Makok. Wat Arun was the previous royal residence of the King of Thailand and previously housed the Emerald Buddha before it was moved to the Grand Palace complex in the 18th century.

Note: there are strict dress codes when visiting Wat Arun. Guests are to be covered up and not wear tight or torn clothing.

Following our morning tour you go back to the hotel for time at leisure in the afternoon.

In the evening you enjoy a Thai set dinner at Sala Rim Naam with Thai traditional performances.

(Breakfast, Dinner)

Accommodation: SO Bangkok (SO Cozy)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Bangkok Airport and fly to Chiang Rai. This afternoon, you visit Wat Rong Suea Ten, known as the Blue Temple for its hues of Blue throughout its design. The color blue is associated with purity, wisdom and lack of materialism, key tenets of Buddhism. A theme through Chiang Rai, the temple is a mix of traditional Buddhist styles, classic Thai architecture and eccentric modern flair. Inside the temple, you will see a classic Buddha statue in the center with stories of Buddha adoring the walls, but designed in a purely modern and intricate way.

Next, you visit Chiang Rai’s most iconic temple, Wat Rong Khun, known as the ‘White Temple’. The temple is an art exhibit, created, owned and designed by renowned national artist, Chalermchai Kostipipat. The artist considers the temple to be an offering to Buddha and believes the project will give him immortal life. The temple exterior is known for its flamboyant white structure covered in fragments of mirrored glass. Cross over the bridge of ‘The cycle of rebirth’ as you pass outreached hands which are said to represent unrestrained desire. The main temple itself is a symbol of heaven and not giving in to unrestrained desires will lead you to nirvana. Inside the temple, the walls are adorned with pop culture figures such as Michael Jackson, Neo from the Matrix and the Never Ending Story. The murals show destruction and warfare which shows an eternal message that people are inherently wicked.

After, you check-in at our hotel and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

(Breakfast, Dinner)

Accommodation: Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort

Enjoy a full-day tour to Thailand’s northern extremes, where Thailand meets with Myanmar and Laos to make ‘The Golden Triangle’. A place of natural beauty and known for its minority populations who live here, ‘The Golden Triangle’ is also renowned for being one of the largest opium producers in the world. Opium production began in Europe and extended across Asia with Alexander The Great in to India. During the British Empire period, British traded opium to the Chinese and when the Chinese government tried to ban opium in China, the British invaded, leading to the First and Second Opium wars, ending with the annexation of Hong Kong to the British.

To begin your tour, head to the Golden Triangle Park where you can enjoy views across the Mekong River to see in to Laos on your right and Myanmar on the left. Enjoy unique views across in to two separate nations and enjoy the Phra Buddha Nawa Lan Tue, which sits within the park. Across the road, walk to the House of Opium Museum. Here, you will learn about the history of opium in the world and how mass production ended up in South East Asia.

Following the tour, we stop for a delicious lunch overlooking the river.

Next, visit the Union of Hill Tribe Villages and Long Neck Karan people in a natural setting. The North of Thailand and neighboring region is known for its many minority groups who each have their own distinct cultures and ways of life. Here, you will have the opportunity to walk through the villages of the Akha, Yao, Lahu and Kayaw people, each with their own distinct costume and selling their unique wares. During your visit too, we will enjoy a visit to the Long Neck Karan village. This village is known for the women who reside here who, from a young age, add brass necklaces to their neck until the neck is fully covered. While here, there is an opportunity to interact with the local minority people and purchases their wares on sale.

After you return to Chiang Rai where you will have the evening at leisure.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Accommodation: Le Méridien Chiang Rai Resort

Enjoy a morning of leisure. After an included lunch, your group will transfer to Chiang Mai and check in to your hotel. Later this afternoon, you will visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, located on mount Doi Suthep in the west of Chiang Mai. Drive through the winding roads as you head through greenery to the foot of the temple. From here, you will take a tram to the temple grounds. Within the site, there are a number of pagodas, bells, statues and shrines, including a replica of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, and a statue of Hindu God Ganesh. During your visit, you will often see Buddhis monks chanting in meditation which further adds to the holy atmosphere of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Not only does the temple offer a plethora of religious architecture and relics, you can also enjoy enviable views over Chiang Mai city which today we will enjoy during a beautiful Thai sunset.

After you head back for dinner at your hotel.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Today you may choose to spend the entire day at leisure, enjoying the beautiful resort or take part in one of the optional tours on offer today. See the Optional Add-Ons section for more details.

Tonight, meet your experienced local guide who will take you on a tour to enjoy street food at the Chiang Mai night market.

(Breakfast, Dinner)

Accommodation: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort

Following breakfast, your group will head to the Chiang Mai Airport and fly to Phuket. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit Phuket’s historical center with a walking tour of Phuket old town. Phuket has a long history with international trade and has long been associated with both European and Chinese cultures, especially in relation to its tin mining and rubber plantation production. Since the 16th century, Europeans, originally the Portuguese, have been trading with Phuket in tin and the tin mining industry was mainly operated by Hokkien Chinese, mainly from Fujian province in south east China. There is still a core Chinese community living in Phuket and within this community, there are the “Baba” people formed by a unison of Hokkien tin miners and Thai women. The architecture of Phuket’s Old town is also very unique, with many examples of Sino-Portuguese elements in the houses, shops and streets, not dissimilar to Macau.

This evening, enjoy dinner at Blue Elephant Phuket.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Accommodation: La Flora Resort Patong