Thailand
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TEMPLES & TRIBES OF THAILAND

From bustling Bangkok to the peaceful, remote mountain region, this itinerary offers an excellent introduction to Thailand's varied cultures and customs .

Tour Highlights Grand Palace in Bangkok • Canal Tour • Visit to Ayuthaya, the former capital • Elephant ride into the jungle • Cultural stay among the Hmong Hilltribe

DAY 1 DEPARTURE
Enjoy full-meal service on your scheduled flight to Bangkok.

DAY 2 BANGKOK
On arrival in Bangkok you will be met at the airport by you tour guide and transferred to your hotel. An orientation tour will introduce you to this fascinating city. We will tour the canals to see the ornate homes, gilded temples and the colourful markets.

DAY 3 BANGKOK
Today we visit the Grand Palace complex, a glittering array of temples and the royal residence, we will also see the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred religious image as we visit Wat Phra Keo Temple. Our next stop is at Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), which stands by the Chao Phraya, 'River of Kings'. This evening we watch a performance of the ancient spectacle of Thai masked dance.

DAY 4 BANGKOK - AYUTHAYA - LOPBURI - PITSANULOKE
Today we will drive to Ayuthaya, the former capital of Thailand. The principal sights are the gigantic bronze statues of Wat Mongkol Borpith, the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Srisanpetch and Wat Pranangcherng. We will continue via Saraburi to Lopburi. Here, we visit the museum at Narai Raja Nives Palace and the local market. We continue to Pitsanuloke.

DAY 5 PITSANULOKE - SUKHOTHAI - SRI SATCHANALAI - LAMPANG
Today we visit Wat Maha Dhat with its revered Buddha statue, Phra Buddha Jinaraj. Then depart for Sukhothai, where we will visit Sukhothai Historical Park, the Ramkamhaeng Museum and Wat Sri Chum with the gigantic Buddha statue. Continue via Sri Satchanalai to Lampang.

DAY 6 LAMPANG - LAMPOON - CHIANG MAI
This morning we depart to Ko Kah to see Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang housing a rare Emerald Buddha. Continue to Wat Phra Keo Don Tao, a very interesting Burmese style temple. After a short stop at the colourful Tung Kwian Market, we proceed to Lampoon for a visit to the famous Wat Haripoonchai, one of the most sacred monuments in the north. In the afternoon we continue to Chiang Mai and in the afternoon, we will make a visit to handicraft manufacturers. Towards the end of the day we will also visit a famous Thai wood-carving factory.

DAY 7 CHIANG MAI
This morning will be at leisure for shopping and individual sightseeing. In the afternoon we will visit Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image, the Hill tribe Museum, and Wat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 1,056 metres above sea level. In the evening enjoy a typical Thai dinner with a presentation of traditional dances from Northern Thailand.

DAY 8 CHIANG MAI - HMONG HILLTRIBE LODGE
This morning we will depart to Chiang Mai to Mae Sa Valley, where we will visit an elephant camp and watch the elephants at work. In the afternoon we will take a one-hour elephant ride into the jungle surroundings. We will then proceed to the Meo Hill tribe Village and continue to Ban Meo Mae Ki and the Hmong Hilltribe Lodge. This afternoon, take a walk through the hill tribe village to explore the neighbourhood. Dinner will be at Hmong Hilltribe Lodge followed by a presentation of Meo dances and songs.

DAY 9 HMONG HILLTRIBE LODGE - CHIANG MAI - BANGKOK TO LONDON
Today we will take a morning drive from the lodge to the Chiang Mai Airport for the flight back to Bangkok. Connect with the homeward flight to London. Your flight arrives back in the UK the same day.

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