Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle – Chiang Mai – Bangkok
Discover Thailand’s soul on this thoughtfully curated adventure—from the glittering temples of Bangkok to the mist‑shrouded mountains of the north. You’ll glide through the storied past of Ayutthaya, meet gentle giants at a Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary, and watch the sun cast its glow over the Golden Triangle’s majestic river valleys. Alongside expert local guides, indulge in vibrant street food, experience the warmth of hill‑tribe hospitality, and witness traditional arts alive in rural villages. This is a journey into the heart of a nation rich in history, culture, and breathtaking beauty.
Important Features
- Expert local guides.
- No forced shopping stops.
- High-quality local and Western meals.
- Unlimited supply of bottled water.
- Free Wi-Fi in every hotel
Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner
Day 1: Departing for Bangkok
The trip starts with your transpacific flight departing from a city of your choice. You’ll lose a day upon crossing the International Date Line. Participants from countries other than Canada and the United States should note that this is the day of departure from North America, not the start of the land tour.
Day 2: Arrival in Bangkok
Meet the driver on arrival for your private transfer to the hotel. No activity or meal is arranged for today. The guide will get in touch with you tonight.
Day 3: Bangkok (B/L)
Located in the Chao Phraya River delta, Bangkok is the capital and the most populous city of Thailand, with a population of around 9 million within the city proper or over 15% of the country’s total. The city is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. A major financial and cultural centre in Southeast Asia, Bangkok also functions as an important hub for airlines serving the region.
We begin our sightseeing today at the royal Grand Palace. Established in 1782, the palace was dramatically expanded throughout successive reigns. The king and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925.
We then proceed to the National Museum, which is the largest museum in Southeast Asia and features exhibits of Thai art and history.
Afternoon sightseeing takes in Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand’s landmarks.
Later in the day, we go on a long tail boat for an hour-long cruise on picturesque Chao Phraya River and the Klongs (canals) of Thonburi on the west side of the river. There will be chance to observe and photograph the serene family homes and temples along the waterways.
If time permits, we’ll stop by Wat Pho (a Buddhist temple complex) and Bangkok’s historical Chinatown.
Day 4: Bangkok – Ayutthaya – Bangkok (B/L)
Following breakfast we set out for a full-day (7 to 8 hours) excursion to Ayutthaya, a town about 90 km north of Bangkok. Founded around 1350, Ayutthaya served as the capital of the Thai state of Ayutthaya (Siam), precursor of the new kingdom established in modern-day Bangkok, until it was razed by the Burmese army in 1767. The ruins of the old city are preserved in the Ayutthaya Historical Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1991. The remaining reliquary towers and gigantic monasteries in the park give visitors an idea of Ayutthaya’s past splendour.
Our sightseeing in Ayutthaya includes Wat Phra Sri Sanphet (the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace), Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, the former Royal Summer Palace, and Chedi Phukhao Thong (a Buddhist tower built in 1587 to commemorate Ayutthaya’s liberation from Burma three years earlier.
Additional temple visits and a boat ride may be arranged depending on time availability.
Day 5: Bangkok – Chiang Rai (B/L)
The early morning flight to Chiang Rai takes 1 and 20 minutes.
Chiang Rai is the northernmost major city in Thailand and traces its history to 1262 CE when King Mangrai made it the capital of his kingdom known as Lan Na.
Our sightseeing today includes the magnificent Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple. It unique design mixes contemporary and classic styles.
Day 6: Chiang Rai (B/L)
After breakfast, we drive to the Golden Triangle (70 km/1-hour drive to the north), where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge. A name reportedly coined by the CIA, the Golden Triangle covers area of approximately 950,000 square kilometres and is notorious for its narcotics industry. Our visit is safe and the focus of our excursion is the pristine scenery and the life of the local hilltribes.
After lunch, we return to Chiang Rai and the spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 7: Chiang Rai – Chiang Mai (B/L)
The morning drive to Chiang Mai can take anywhere between 3 and 4 hours depending on route chosen and traffic conditions. Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
Nestled in high mountains and 750 kilometres north of Bangkok, Chiang Mai is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. The city was founded as the new capital of the Kingdom of Lan Na (1296–1768) by King Mangrai. Known for its artistic and cultural heritage, the city sits astride the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. The Chiang Mai Metropolitan Area has a population of nearly one million, more than half the total of Chiang Mai Province.
The afternoon walking tour in Chiang Mail includes Warorot Market by Ping River and the old city centre.
Day 8: Chiang Mai – Bangkok (B/L)
We spend the morning visiting Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple sitting atop the Doi Suthep Mountain about 15 km west of the city. The temple ground offers a panoramic view of Chiang Mai on a clear day and the night view of Chiang Mai from here is simply spectacular.
A visit to the Elephant Rescue Center can be arranged upon request. You’ll get to watch the elephants taking baths in conditions close to their natural habitat and interact with the gentle giants.
The late afternoon flight back to Bangkok takes 1 hours 20 minutes. Transfer to the hotel by taxi on arrival. Cab fare should cost no more than 20 US dollars.
Day 9: Bangkok – Returning Home (B)
Your Thailand tour ends this morning. Transfer to the airport by taxi for return flight.
Post-tour extension to Hua Hin or Pattaya can be arranged on request.
Hotel List
| City/Location | Night | Hotel/Resort | Category |
| Bangkok – first stay | 3 | The Landmark Bangkok | Luxury |
| Chiang Rai | 2 | The Legend Chiang Rai | Luxury |
| Chiang Mai | 1 | Melia Chiang Mai | Luxury |
| Bangkok – 2nd stay | 1 | The Landmark Bangkok | Luxury |
Dates & Prices
No scheduled group departures are available. Please contact us for a price quote.
Passport
You’ll need a passport that has at least one blank visa page and a validity of six (6) months beyond the tour’s return date.
Visa
Thailand does not require visa for stays less than 30 days.
Immunization
None is required to the best of our knowledge. Please check with your national healthy authorities for recommendations if necessary. We recommend all guests to be vaccinated against hepatitis A.
Tips on Staying Healthy
Do not drink from the tap when you travel. Ask for bottled or boiled water when eating in restaurants. When buying bottled water from street vendors, especially at tourist sites, make sure the cap is properly sealed because some vendors may be selling tap water in recycled bottles.
Try to avoid uncooked food. Raw food, even clean, may still cause stomach upset or diarrhea.
Always carry a roll of toilet paper and a bottle of hand sanitizer containing more than 60% of alcohol, no matter where you go.
Always have an N95 type of facemask ready. Passengers sitting next to you may be sick and cough loudly but wear nothing to cover their mouth. This was a big problem before the pandemic that may return soon.
Banknotes in general are filthy and carry all kinds of germs. Minimize your contact with local banknotes and coins by keeping them in a plastic bag and sanitize your hands every time you touch them. Use plastic for payment as much as possible.
Local Currency
Thai currency: Baht (THB)
Please keep your inventory of local currency to the minimum. Your tour fare covers all the expensive items already. You only need some local cash, which can be easily obtained as you go, for souvenirs and meals not included in the tour price.
Credit Card
Consider using a credit card for transactions over $20. Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout Southeast Asia. Merchants in Thailand only accept their own currency if you pay by cash.
Travel Insurance – When to Buy
We will save your deposit as credit if you cancel at any time and for any reason. The transferrable credit has no expiration date. Therefore, it may be unnecessary to pay $30 to $50 on cancellation insurance for your deposit.
However, you should definitely consider purchasing trip cancellation & emergency medical insurance when your balance is due. If you don’t have proper coverage, the loss can be devastating if you were forced to cancel close to departure date or ran into a serious medical emergency during the trip. Please ask us for insurance quotes when your balance is due.