A Grand Adventure Across North to Central Thailand 13 Days

Breakfast at the hotel

Visit to the Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark and most praised royal monument in Thailand, with the enclosed and dazzling Wat Phra Kaew is a must. Wat Phra Kaew, also called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is well known for its Golden Chedi, its Pantheon of the Chakri Kings and its Eight Colored Tower. In Thailand, it is considered by many to be a living example of a classical Siamese Court, being the former residence of the kings of Thailand. Then short walk to visit Wat Pho is regarded as the first center of public education and is sometimes called ‘Thailand’s first university’. Mural paintings, inscriptions, and statues found in the temple educated people on various subjects such as literature, warfare, archaeology, astronomy, geology, meditation and is considered to be home of Thai traditional massages. Lunch is at a local restaurant.

Experience an afternoon trip along the bustling Chao Phraya River and the quiet Thonburi Canals (Klong) in a long tail boat, in which you can enjoy scenes of Bangkok life. We will bring you to a more traditional and serene way of living around Thonburi residential areas, away from all the skyscrapers and modern buildings of Bangkok City Centre. We will also stop by the “Temple of Dawn” (officially named Wat Arun). An ancient temple dating back to the Ayutthaya period with the imposing Khmer-style prang or tower is 104 meters tall with steep decorate with the multihued floral mosaics from broken Chinese porcelain that was used as ballast by boats coming from China. Today the temple is one of Bangkok's most iconic structures, with most remarkable visual identities on the bank of Chao Phraya River.

Overnight in BANGKOK

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch are included

Breakfast at the hotel

Drive to explorer Ayutthaya city & it’s ruin. To truly appreciate the history in Thailand, no holiday would be complete without a visit to Ayutthaya. This historic city was the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam, There are 34 kings to govern the territory until the end of it by an invasion of the nearby territory in 2310 B.E. It results in Ayutthaya Empire has stayed long about 417 years and a prosperous international trading port, from 1350 until razed by the Burmese in 1767. The ruins of the old city now form the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an archaeological site that contains palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries and statues. Visit Ayutthaya Historical Park declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. First stop at Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, is not just an important historical site, but it was also considered as the spiritual center for Thais. It is strategically located within the grounds of the Royal Palace. Next to visit at Wat Mahathat an unseen tourist attraction where you could see buddha head enshrine in the three. These temples also enshrine buddha lyric from the past 600 years.

Stop for lunch at local restaurant in Ayutthaya

Afterward proceed to the local market to discover Candy Cotton or " Roti Saimai " it’s become the province signature desert snack. You will be amazed to see this product available throughout Ayutthaya. This candy floss rolled sweets feature threads of crunchy sugar enshrouded in a steaming is wrapped in soft paper-thin, Pandan-flavoured crepes or in other different color. You can see the how it made and enjoy to taste it. Probably this Thai-style cotton candy and sweet crepes can be your favorite snack for your next visit to Thailand.

Last visit at an old ruin temple Wat Kudi Dao is a restored ruin of a temple sit uated off the city island in the eastern area of Ayutthaya where we can share with your storytelling from local people and also other stories about Ayutthaya that you could not find on google or any travel book. We would like to ta ke you to some hidden place whereas not touristic.

Please note: Kindly be aware that proper attire is required to enter the Ayutthaya Historical Temples; Aravinda Travel staff will be pleased to advise you accordingly.

This captivating tour ends with your safe by sleeping night train to Chiang Mai

(Train No.9 / Ayutthaya-Chiang Mai / time: 19:45-07:15hrs* / 2nd class sleeper train fare is included).

** Please note that tour guide is not escorted along with the group to Chiang Mai.

Overnight on NIGHT TRAIN

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included

Arrive at Chiang Mai Train Station. Meet our tour guide (presented your name at the meeting point) and having a light snack before starting a half day tour. Visit the most sacred temple in the North of Thailand: Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is the most sacred temple in Chiang Mai and contains a holy relic of the Lord Buddha. Tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 1,056 meters (3,520 feet), the temple can be reached by the carved mythical Naga Serpent Staircase. The temple offers an exhilarating view of Chiang Mai city and its surrounding countryside. Then return drive to Chiang Mai town and visit Wat Phrasing, which is home of the beautiful Lai Kham chapel with its exquisite woodcarving and northern style murals. We will then go to Wat Chedi Luang and its enormous Pagoda (which was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 1545).

Note: Please dress respectfully by not wearing sleeveless T-shirts, shorts or strapless sandals, when visiting Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep

Lunch is at a local restaurant before transfer to your hotel for check in and relax at your leisure.

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR:

CHIANG MAI STREET EATS BY TUK TUK

Private Service / Time: 16.30 20:30 hrs.

Highlights:

• Take a local transport “Tuk-Tuk” (pick-up & drop-off hotel in town)
• Experience on tasting local food in Chiang Mai town
• Visit the religion relics places in Chiang Mai town
• A glass of beverage at Xanadu Restaurant with scenic Chiang Mai view

Depart from the hotel by local transport “Tuk-Tuk” to Chiang Mai gate local market for street food. Just outside the old walled city center of Chiang Mai, the Wat Lok Molee is one of the city’s older temples. The temple that is also known as the Wat Lok Moli houses one of the largest and most impressive chedis in Chiang Mai.

After your experience with Chiang Mai local shopping, take a ride to the night market on Chang Puak Gate or North Gate is always busy and offers a great range of authentic Thai cuisine. Try the stewed pork leg from the famous vendor with the cowboy hat who’s had visits from the likes of Anthony Bourdain. Taste Bua Loi, or floating lotus, is a warm fresh coconut milk broth with teeny pandan-laced glutinous rice flour balls swimming around. Take a ride with Tuk-Tuk to see Chiang Mai nightlife around old city, visit 3-Kings monument, Wat Chedi Luang. Let's celebrate with your friends and family, spend the night and enjoy the beautiful Chiang Mai view with a glass of beverage at Xanadu Restaurant before return to the hotel in Chiang Mai town.

Overnight in CHIANG MAI

Meals: Light Breakfast & Lunch are included

This is THE MAIN TREK for most of people who are looking for a remembrance to enhance life’s experience. The HIGHLY RECOMMENDED reason is the excellent program which is consisted of bamboo rafting, Elephant feeding and bathing or visiting hill tribe villages in an unspoiled jungle area. Let’s see how interesting the program is…          ?

One day before departure trek, at 18h00 the meeting will be arranged to give introduced to know each other before sharing the same trip. Also, the guide will present and inform about “how should you prepare yourself and all equipment supposed to bring along during the trek”.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out from your hotel

Day 1^st program :

MORNING 09h00 Depart from the hotel by truck. On route stop at Mae Malai local market to purchase some food and vegetables needed during the trek. stop at Mok Fah Waterfall for swimming and relaxation.

LUNCH: Transfer by truck to Baan Pang Lun for a local lunch.

AFTERNOON: Drive about half an hour along the wildly road to Huay Nam Dung National Park. Spend another 2 hours to trek from here to Baan Mae Jok, Karen village.

NIGHT: Arrive and explore around the village chitchatting with local people as well as joining local activities. Dinner and overnight at the village.

ACTIVITIES ON THE 1st DAY

** Along the natural trail, a tour guide will always lead and instruct how to walk in the jungle trail as well as shows the group various kinds of trees and vegetation seen during the trek **

Overnight in a basic bamboo cottage at hill tribe village.

(Dormitory room with basic mattress, mosquito net, no electricity, backpack can be provided on-request)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 2^nd program :

Breakfast at the village.

MORNING: Trek about 3.5 - 4 hours to Karen village, Bann Pang Khao Laam. which?s quite Impressive because you will mostly trek under the shady of green trees.

LUNCH: Lunch at the village, guide will show his cooking skill by preparing lunch for the group.

AFTERNOON: Then, take time after lunch to walk around the village to see their local lifestyle.

NIGHT Feeding the Elephant and bathing Elephant in the river. Dinner and overnight at the village. There? usually a camp fire with some entertainment (Jokes - Games - Funny Stories) lead by the guide after dinner

HIGHLIGHT OF THE 2nd DAY

** Elephant feeding and bathing in the bank of the river. ** An entertainment with Jokes – Games – Funny stories.

Overnight in a basic bamboo cottage at hill tribe village.

(Dormitory room with basic mattress, mosquito net, no electricity, backpack can be provided on-request)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

Day 3^rd program :

Breakfast at the village.

MORNING: Breakfast at the village. Take a very smooth bamboo rafting along the Mae Tang River for 1.5 - 2 hours (depend on water level) to Lahu hill tribe village at Baan Pong Ngan. Shortly break to view around visiting Lahu people and village. Continue exciting on the bamboo raft passing many rapids down to Shan village for 2 hours.

LUNCH: Lunch at Shan village.

AFTERNOON: Transfer back to Chiang Mai by local truck and transfer to your hotel.

IMPRESSION ON THE 3rd DAY

** Enjoy a marvelous bamboo rafting passing many rapids along the Mae Tang River **

WHAT TO SEE? WHAT TO GET?

• Able to learn distinctive customs, costumes & ornaments, life styles and dialects of different ethnic
• Able to see various kinds of trees and

REMARK: Timing is approximately and program can be change or switch without prior notice depends on local conditions.

Overnight in CHIANG MAI

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included

Breakfast at hotel, free day at your leisure.

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR:

HALF DAY ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE AT KANTA ELEPHANT SANCTUARY

Join-In Service / Time: 07.00 - 12:00 hrs. Or 13:00 – 18:00 hrs.

A half-day join-in package to Kanta Elephant Sanctuary offers visitors an enjoyable opportunity to spend quality time with elephants in their natural home, as well as gain an insight into their history and behaviour, and create cherished lifelong memories of their time spent with these amazing animals with friendly, happy elephants in a safe and sustainable environment.

07.00AM: Drive approximately 50 Mins North of Chiang Mai through a beautiful countryside, forest, and local farming areas.

08.00AM: Arrive at Kanta Elephant Sanctuary. Walk through and learn about the elephants, change into traditional clothing and prepare fruits for our elephants.

09.00AM: Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment and learn about their behaviour and history. Take photos with the elephants.

10.00AM:  Walk with the elephants to a clean water pond where they will cool off themselves and you will have chance to observe them as well.

11.00AM: Get some tea, coffee and season fruit then say goodbye to the elephants. Leave Baan Chang Elephant Park and drive approximately 50 Mins back to Chiang Mai. Drop off at your hotel or accommodation.

Please Note: At the Park, we will allow you to spend as much time as possible with the elephants. Therefore, there is no formal schedule and aside from pick-up times, the times shown here are approximations.

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR:

HALF DAY CYCLING CULTURE TOUR

Private Service / Time: 09:00 – 12:30 hrs. Or 13:30 - 17:00 hrs.

13h30: Pick up and transfer to Trekker camp, a centre of cycling tour & gears where briefly information about a cycling route and the instructions of using the mountain bike will be explained.

13h45: Start cycling from here via Padad-Singhakam route along the Ping’s Riverside then continues through the 2nd ring road crossing Koh Klang Bridge (Kourmung). Stop at Wat Koh Klang, an important temple of this community.

15h00:  Proceed cycling to the vegetable’s plantation belonged to the villagers which is the trend of

sustainable agriculture. Over there, the land has been reclaimed without using any chemical fertilizer. Instead, the farmers prevent and eliminate pests by using natural process. Explore around to see plantations of cabbage, chili, corn, eggplant, pea, shallot, and garlic for examples. Also if you love to join the gardener’ activities likes cultivating, watering, and fishing, these are something quite interesting to do as well!

15h30: Leave to the ruin city, Wiang Kum Kam is the ancient underground empire of Lanna kingdom built by King Mang Rai where many ruin archaeological excavations and sites for instances temples, Buddha images and old potteries have been discovered. Make a first stop at Wat Chang Kum (also known as Wat Khan Tom), the first archaeological site which was found in 1984. Keep on traveling to Wat E-Kang, Wat Nhan Chang, Wat Pu Beai, Wat Pra Thart Khaow, and the last temple, Wat Chedi Liem (also known as Wat Ku Kam Luang). Appreciate the enormous facet pagoda restored many times both by the Thai and Burmese consequently which shows a lot of mixture on the architecture’s style on the Chedi itself.

17h00: Return to Trekker camp and transferred to the hotel.

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR :

MORNING/EVENING COOKING CLASS BY THAI FARM COOKING SCHOOL

Join-in Service / Time: 08:00 – 14:00 hrs. Or 16.00 - 20:00 hrs.

Itinerary

• Visit the main local Thai market out of the city centre
• Explaining and learning about herbs and ingredients at our organic farm
• Pound and make a curry paste from scratch. You will make your own curry paste, each person will have their own individual You can decide how spicy or non-spicy you would like to make your own curry paste
• Choose and make one curry paste, one curry, one soup, noodle dish and sweet dessert (total of 5 categories)
• You will learn to make every dish completely by yourself from start to finish and will be able to season to your own taste!

RECOMMEND OPTIONAL TOUR :

EVENING KHANTOKE DINNER WITH THAI CULTURAL SHOWS

Private Transfer Service / Time: 18.00 - 21:00 hrs.

Khantoke Dinner at Old Chiangmai Cultural Center invites everyone to experience the atmosphere of the Northern Thai culture, taste the cuisine, and enjoy the unique Fon Ram dance performances. The original Khantoke Dinner has been served for over 50 years. We are pleased to welcome everyone to the warm city of Chiang Mai. Each Khantoke set includes 9 dishes, such as Hang Ley Curry, Kaeng Khae, Laab Kua, Deep-fried Crispy Chicken, Nam Prik Noom, Nam Prik Ong, Kab Moo, Sticky Rice, and Fresh/Boiled Vegetables. The dishes are served on the Khantoke tray, and each set can serve up to 4 people, accompanied by a traditional Lanna dance performance that showcases the unique local culture.

Overnight in CHIANG MAI

Meals: Breakfast is included.

Breakfast at the hotel, free at leisure and check-out.

(flight TBA / not included).

 OPTIONAL – Private transfer from Hotel to Chiang Mai Airport by private car with driver at 30 USD per car one way ( 1-6 persons , Please contact your travel agent to request this additional service )

Meals: Breakfast is included.