panorama destination

Arrive at Chiang Mai Airport, where you will be met by our local guide and transferred to your selected hotel by private air-conditioned car/minivan, incl. baggage handling.
Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

You will be picked up from your hotel to visit the most interesting temples in Chiang Mai: such as Wat Phra Singh, with its famous Buddha image; Wat Chedi Luang; and Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, built by King Managrai. Also pass by the city’s largest market, Varorot Market. In the afternoon, continue to drive to the magnificently situated Wat Doi Suthep. Perched on a forested mountain, this most sacred temple in Chiang Mai offers superb views over the city. In the evening, listen to the monks during the evening chanting and join a blessing ceremony, take in the energy of this divine gift.
Return back to hotel in the late afternoon and prepare to go for a traditional Khantoke Dinner

After breakfast, depart to Chiang Rai. Stop at Chiang Dao Cave at Wat Tham Chiang Dao, then a short stop at an orchid farm along the way. The caverns are full of sacred Buddha images and natural formations. The main cavern is illuminated by electric lights, while the deepest recesses can be explored with oil lanterns. Afterwards, continue overland to Chiang Rai, via Fang.
Before reaching Chiang Rai, stop at Wat Rong Khun, The White Temple. It is an example of modern architecture, designed by a famous Thai artist. It is considered one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Arrival at hotel and rest of the day at leisure.  (Optional Mae Kok river by Long Tail boat)

After breakfast, check out and depart for the Golden Triangle; the area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet at Sob Ruak, forming the “Triangle” between the three countries.
Next stop will be a visit to Hall of Opium, constructed on more than 40 acres of land at a site near The Golden Triangle. The site incorporates an exhibition area and information centre of the Hall of Opium within the landscape of the Golden Triangle Park. The Hall of Opium combines a museum on the history of opium and the impact of illegal drugs, with an information centre for research and extension education on opium, opiates and other narcotics.
Continue your day with a boat trip downstream to Chiang Saen (A.D.1260) to visit its ancient ruins and magnificent temples. Visit Chiang Saen Museum (closed on Monday), Wat Pa Sak Ngarm and Wat Phra Thad Jom Kitti overlooking the Mae Khong River. The stupa, built in the mid-14th century, combines elements of the Hariphunchai and Sukhothai styles, along with possible Burmese Bagan influences. Afterwards visit the Golden Triangle mountain viewpoint before driving to your hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, then journey to Payao where you can admire the largest lake in Thailand, before continuing your day with a stopover at the Lampang Elephant Hospital prior to arrival in Lampang; a city rich in archaeological evidence from the kingdoms of Hariphunchai and Lanna. Lampang boasts a long history of human settlements within the Wang River basin, some of which date back more than 1,000 years. Continue to visit Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang, housing the only Emerald Buddha other than the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok.
Take a ride on a traditional horse carriage; a mode of local transportation that has survived the introduction of automobiles and is a fun way to explore the surprisingly large town. The rooster statue, which you are likely to pass along the way, is a much older symbol of Lampang, dating back to the city’s former name (Kukutthanakorn), meaning ‘City of Roosters’.

Breakfast at hotel and then start your drive south to discover Sukhothai, Thailand’s first capital (1257-1379) and visit the famous Sukhothai Historical Park. It was once a walled city surrounded by a moat and has been declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The park contains almost 200 ruined chedis in remarkable condition.
Continue your day with a visit to the Sangkhalok pottery village to see local artisans throwing and hand-painting dishes and other objects made in ancient kilns. You will have an opportunity to learn and try your hand at painting on the pottery dishes. Sangkhalok is the name of a type of metallic ceramics, both glazed and unglazed.

Breakfast at hotel and depart for Lop Buri, with the first stop at Phitsanulok temple, then continue to Lopburi and visit Prang Sam Yod (Sacred Three-Spired Pagoda) and Monkey Temple. Proceed to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. King U-Thong founded the city in 1350 as the capital of his kingdom of Siam. By 1700, Ayutthaya had as many as a million inhabitants, making it one of the largest cities in the world at the time. Then in 1767, the city was invaded and destroyed by the Burmese army. Magnificent ruins of the old city still remain, some having been restored. Exciting archaeological excavations are still proceeding at many sites in the area.
Continue to Wat Yai Chaimongkol, a temple best known for its enormous statue of the Reclining Buddha. Conclude the tour at Wat Chai Watanaram, a monastery commissioned by King Prasatthong in 1630 in honour of his mother. However, its striking resemblance to Cambodia’s famous Angkor Wat has led some to believe that the king also built the wat to commemorate his victory over Cambodia.
Then tour takes you to Bang Pa In to view King Rama IV’s summer palace, used occasionally by the king and queen to host receptions and banquets. The palace and its surrounding temples represent an appealing fusion of Thai, Chinese, and European architectural styles.
At the end of the visit, proceed to Bangkok.

After breakfast, head to Wat Po and listen to the morning chanting. Continue by Tuk Tuk to the Grand Palace which is one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Siamese court. In the afternoon, float through Thonburi, the western part of Bangkok, situated on the right side of the Chao Phraya River. Its many canals led many to call Bangkok “Venice of the East”. Passing by boat along the canals gives you a first-hand impression of the scenic life along Bangkok’s waterways. One outstanding wooden house is Baan Silapin (Artist’s House). A traditional puppet show is performed, showing stories of Thai epos mixed with modern and fun elements (subject to schedule).
Continue to visit the Temple of Dawn, Bangkok’s landmark. Finally, walk through Yaowarat, the world’s largest Chinatown, where you will have a chance to taste several Thai-Chinese dishes from various eateries (not included).

Early morning leave Bangkok for Samut Songkhram province. Visit to the rural Maeklong Railway Market. The nickname of the market, Talad Rom Hoop, roughly translates to ‘closing an umbrella’. As the name Maeklong Railway Market suggests, part of the market is situated on the railway. Every morning until late in the evening, this market springs to life selling a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, snacks, and clothes and accessories. However, what makes the market unique and exciting is the fact that a train will run through the market eight times a day, every day of the week. As soon as the siren signals the arrival of the train, everything stops. Shoppers will hop off the tracks, and vendors will quickly pack their goods and prepare to close/retract their awnings from the train track as the train passes by.
Continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. A very attractive place to see the old style and traditional way of selling and buying fruits, vegetables, etc., from small boats. You will also see traditional Thai houses, the way they live and travel by boats.
Return to Bangkok and the rest of the afternoon is free at leisure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch a morning flight to Phuket.
Upon arrival in Phuket, transfer to Koh Yao and check in at your hotel before spending the rest of the day at leisure.

Time free at leisure

Breakfast is served at your hotel. The day is at yours to enjoy leisure until the designated time for your transfer to Phuket Airport for your onward flight.