Thailand tailor made holiday, history & culture

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13 Days including domestic flights only

More info:This itinerary is priced per person and designed to give you an idea of what can be included on your bespoke luxury tour of Thailand, tailor-made to suit your personal tastes and preferences.

Tailor made

“Efficient eight day tailor made tour of northern Thailand by way of a domestic flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Temples, railways and rivers.”

Highlights

Description of Thailand tailor made holiday, history & culture

Visit Bangkok's Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, discover the floating markets of Damneon Saduak, explore the ancient cities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai and trek in the hill tribe region of northern Thailand.

Experience the culture of Bangkok, two ancient Thai cities and the northern parts of Thailand on this Thailand heritage tour.

The trip begins in bustling Bangkok, where you'll visit the city's main cultural sights, Buddhist temples and famous floating markets. Enjoy a city tour led by your English-speaking local guide. Then, explore the ancient cities of Ayutthaya and Lopburi (also known as "Monkey City"), before continuing your journey north to Sukhothai and Chiang Mai, where you'll discover the distinctive culture of northern Thailand. Spend a night in a hill tribe lodge and trek around the local area, before continuing your northern adventure and head east to the hill tribe region above Chiang Rai. You'll stay in a lodge right in the heart of a local community and enjoy trekking in the lush mountains before heading to Chiang Rai, where your holiday ends.

Day-by-day experiences

Day 1:	Arrive in Bangkok - Upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your accommodation. Your guide will meet you at your hotel in the evening to brief you about your itinerary and they will be able to recommend some great places to eat in this exciting city.
Day 2:	Bangkok Guided Tour - Your day will start with a guided tour of Bangkok. You’ll travel like a local using transport including klong (canal) boat, public bus, the Chao Phraya River public ferry and the elevated BTS or Skytrain. Your friendly and knowledgeable local guide will take you to Bangkok’s magnificent temples and palaces, including Thailand’s most sacred sites: The Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace is without doubt the city's most famous landmark and Wat Phra Kaew, known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is regarded as the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand.
Day 3:	Visit Floating Markets & Transfer to Ayutthaya - This morning you’ll visit Damneon Saduak floating market, approximately 12 kilometres south of Bangkok. Here, you’ll see hundreds of long-tail boats along the narrow canals with vendors selling everything from exotic fruits, to traditional desserts and noodles cooked right on the boat. You’ll then be driven to Ayutthaya, 80 kilometres north of Bangkok. Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya was the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam and it was a prosperous international trading port until it was attacked by the Burmese army in 1767. The Burmese burned the city to the ground and forced the inhabitants to leave. This afternoon you’ll have an opportunity to explore this ancient city and the fascinating archaeological ruins. Ayutthaya is located on an island surrounded by three rivers connecting the city to the sea and you can take a private boat trip around the historical island to see some of the most famous temples and palaces. You will also have a chance to observe the daily life of local people around the river and you’ll see wooden houses on stilts on the banks of the river (houses in Ayutthaya were traditionally built on stilts because of the frequent floods in the area). You’ll also see more recent, active Buddhist temples.
Day 4:	Explore Lopburi & Transfer to Sukhothai - This morning you’ll have additional time to explore the ancient city of Ayutthaya before driving to Lopburi, also known as Monkey City. You’ll explore Prang Sam Yot, an impressive three-pronged Khmer ruin, and San Phra Kan, a modern spirit shrine – both of which are home to most of the monkeys of Lopburi. The monkeys, specifically rhesus and crab-eating macaques, also like to steal food and hats from people: you have been warned! Later this afternoon you’ll start your journey to Sukhothai, 427 kilometres north of Bangkok.
Day 5:	Explore Sukhothai - A UNESCO World Heritage City, Sukhothai is home to a vast number of historical sites and temple ruins. Today you’ll have a guided tour where you’ll explore the ruins of former royal palaces, Buddhist Temples and the city gates and moats of the ancient kingdom, discovering the unique style of Sukhothai architecture.
Day 6:	Srisatchanalai Historical Park & Transfer to Chiang Mai - This morning you’ll be driven to the ancient town of Srisatchanalai, now a historical park. A total of 134 monuments have been discovered within the park, and although you’ll only spend a few hours here, you’ll have time to explore the most impressive and important sites. You’ll then continue on to Chiang Mai and this evening your guide will take you out for a traditional Kantoke dinner.
Day 7:	Day Trip to Elephant Nature Park - Today you’ll visit the Elephant Nature Park, 60 kilometres from Chiang Mai. The Elephant Nature Park focuses on education and conservation and offers the opportunity to see ex-working elephants up close without exploiting them. Your family will learn about elephants, plus you’ll have a chance to interact with them and you can also feed and bathe them. Your visit helps to improve the lives and conditions of elephants. This evening, you’ll visit the famous Chiang Mai night market.
Day 8:	Cookery Lesson & Hill Tribes - This morning you’ll visit a local farm outside Chiang Mai, where you’ll collect the ingredients required for your Thai cookery lesson, and then you’ll prepare an authentic Thai meal for your lunch. After lunch, you’ll head into the hill tribe region outside of Chiang Mai, taking in spectacular views before arriving at your accommodation, nestled in the scenic valley of the Suthep-Pui mountain range. This evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious buffet dinner at your lodge and you can watch a traditional Hmong song and dance performance.
Day 9:	Explore Mae Rim - Today you’ll enjoy a walking tour through the mountains and rice fields of Mae Rim District. You’ll visit a local Hmong village, completely untouched by tourism, and you’ll get a glimpse into the way of life of the Hmong people, taking in the impressive views along the way.
Day 10:	Transfer to Chiang Rai & Mountain Trekking - This morning, you will be driven to your accommodation in the tribe region above Chiang Rai and this afternoon you’ll join a guided trek through lush mountains, stopping at a beautiful waterfall and a Hmong village. This evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious Thai dinner at your lodge and watch traditional Hmong and Lahu performances.
Day 11:	Day Trek - Today you’ll embark on a full day trek in the mountainous hill tribe region near Chiang Rai. After a picnic lunch in the forest, you’ll continue trekking downhill until you reach a village by the Kong River. After exploring the village and interacting with the locals, you’ll take a short transfer by local truck back to your accommodation.
Day 12:	Visit the Golden Triangle - Today, you’ll visit the Golden Triangle. Also known as Sop Ruak, the Golden Triangle is the point where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge and are separated by the Mekong River. This region is known for its breathtaking scenery and from the viewpoint near the town of Chiang Saen in Thailand you can see the neighbouring countries, the mighty Mekong River and the stunning landscape. This evening, you can explore the bustling Chiang Rai Night Bazaar, where hill tribe people and lowlanders sell their handicrafts.
Day 13:	Depart from Chiang Rai - Sadly your Thailand heritage tour comes to an end. After breakfast, you’ll check out of your accommodation and be driven to the airport for your flight home.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.

01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.com

Departure information

This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements

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Responsible tourism

As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.

This holiday includes a visit to Elephant Nature Camp, a renowned elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre near Chiang Mai. This chain-free elephant sanctuary, near Chiang Mai, puts great emphasis on ethical practices and conservation and offers visitors the opportunity to see ex-working elephants up close without exploiting them. Although visitors are no longer permitted to bathe or touch the elephants, there are still but there are still plenty of opportunities to interact with them, including feeding them! Your visit to the Elephant Nature Park helps to improve the lives and conditions of elephants.

On this holiday you’ll spend two nights at Lanjia Lodge, an eco-friendly community-based lodge in the mountainous Chiang Rai Province. The design of this traditional Hmong-style lodge incorporates architectural features that reflect the rich traditions of the local hill tribe communities and the lodge was constructed using natural materials ensuring that it blends in with the surrounding environment. The lodge has four guest cottages with a total of 16 guest rooms and each house is built on stilts with a high roof which allows air to flow freely throughout the day – this means that air conditioning is not required which helps to minimise their carbon footprint. A solar-power system generates hot water at Lanija Lodge and other eco-friendly projects include an installation of wind turbines to generate electricity and a biogas production. You can read more about how Lanjia Lodge promotes sustainable and environmentally-friendly tourism in the section below.

The Impacts of this Trip

Your Thailand adventure starts in Bangkok where you’ll have a chance to discover the city’s temples and palaces, including the Grand Palace and The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, two of Thailand’s most sacred sites. We ask our clients to be mindful of Thailand’s culture, customs and religion, and always respect the local etiquette, particularly when visiting sacred sites. Our detailed pre-departure notes will give you tips about visiting religious sites in Thailand and our local guides will give you more information about the simple rules regarding the proper behaviour for Buddhist temples.

This holiday includes a stay at Lisu Lodge in Chiang Mai, Lanjia Lodge in Chiang Rai Province and Hmong Hilltribe Lodge in Mae Rim district - we have chosen to feature these specific lodges because they are committed to sustainable tourism and supporting their local communities.

Lisu Lodge and Lanjia Lodge are operated by travel company Asian Oasis who work closely with local communities to create community-based tourism while conserving the natural surroundings. The lodges are located in local communities mostly made up of hill tribe minorities and these communities have been involved with the development and operations of the lodges from the beginning. All of the activities offered to guests at are operated by people from the local communities and during your stay you’ll have a chance to visit Hmong and Lahu hill tribe villages where you’ll learn about Hmong and Lahu culture. Contributions from your stay at these lodges are used to support community projects that will improve their living conditions and help to preserve their customs and traditions.

We fully support community-based tourism as it allows travellers to immerse themselves in another culture and it offers a more meaningful travel experience, plus of course it helps to support the local cultures and adds another source of income to the community.

Environment

Community

The Impacts of this Trip

Climate

2 Reviews of Thailand tailor made holiday, history & culture

4.5 out of 5 stars

SHOW

Reviewed on 16 May 2016 by Marla Gould

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The beautiful Temples, cooking class, plantation tour.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

Not spending 2 days on Floating House. 1 would have been sufficient.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes...would have liked to help local economy more with purchasing local crafts. Didn't see many.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

EXCELLENT and PERFECT! Loved Annie

Reviewed on 01 May 2015 by Luis Varandas

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

It was the stay in the River Kwai Jungle Raft. The simplicity and isolation of the place is something that will stay in our minds for a long time. Very recommended.

2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?

To be prepared for a very intensive week. We were always on the move, so packing light is a must. Also, we appreciated very much the local food on the street merchants, which made the experience more enjoyable.

3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes, as our guide helped us to be in direct contact with the local people wherever we went.

4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?

Memorable and something that we'll definitely recommend.