Thailand Connex Explore – 6 Days 5 Nights

07:00am. Pick up from your hotel in Bangkok and transfer by private comfortable air condition vehicle to Ayutthaya, the first stop is to visit Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, was first used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century. Original ly built by King Prasat Thong in 1632, Across the river from the Palace is Wat Niwet Thammarat, the only Neo-Gothic monastery in Thailand and is located on an island in the Chao Phraya River, afterwards, hop on to private longtail boat and enjoy the fascinating scenery along the River, hop off at local pier in Ayutthaya, continue transfer by our private minibus to visit the ancient town and world heritage site, visit the three ancient pagodas at Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch situated on the city island in Ayutthaya’s World Heritage Park. This monastery was the most important temple of Ayutthaya and situated within the Grand Palace Grounds. It served as a model for the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, after visit Wat Phra Sri Sanpetch, we transfer to local restaurant for lunch (Thai cuisine) after refreshment, transfer to visit Wat Mahathat The well-known image of the Head of the Buddha, with tree trunk and roots growing around it. The temple is believed to have been built during the 14th century A.D. (the early Ayutthaya period). The last stop is to visit Wat Chaiwatthanaram, on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, outside Ayutthaya Island. The temple was constructed in 1630 by the king Prasat Thong.

Afternoon, depart from Ayutthaya in late afternoon and long transfer to Sukhothai (distance 365 kms, transfer time about 3 ½ -4hrs) Drop off at your hotel in evening, check in, at leisure.

Overnight in SUKHOTHAI

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00am check out and transfer to visit Sukhothai Historical Park, visit the famous ruin of this first capital of Thailand (1257-1379), the highlight is Wat Mahathat, Wat Sasi and Wat Sri Sawai and Wat Sri chum, continue to Lampang (distance 191 kms-about 2hrs), we stop visit Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang in Lampang. Lunch will be provided at local restaurant (food only), after refreshment, continue trip to Chiang Mai (92 kms, about 1hr drive), check in, at leisure.

Afternoon, depart from the hotel by local transportation “Tuk-Tuk” to Varoros Market which is known locally as “Kad Luang” This is the Main local market. The market has been in Chiang Mai city for more than 100 years. Inside the market, we will be tasting fresh seasonal tropical fruits, freshly made Northern Thai sausage-Sai Oua and wash it all down with the famous Thai Iced Tea which is made according to local taste.

05:00 pm 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. 07:00 pm Take a ride with Tuk-Tuk to see Chiang Mai nightlife around the old city before transferring back to the hotel for overnight.

Overnight in CHAING MAI

Morning: make merit by putting food into the bowl of a mendicant Buddhist monks!

Return to the hotel for breakfast.
In the morning of your visit, you will be picked up from your place of accommodation and will drive for approximately 1.5 hours through scenic agricultural areas, hills, and forest, before arriving at the Sanctuary. There, you will meet your English-speaking guide and learn a little about the elephants, before changing into traditional Karen clothing.

After being allocated bananas and sugar cane to feed the elephants, you will walk with your guide through the Sanctuary, where you will find free-roaming elephants and hear their individual stories. You can touch, feed, photograph, and interact with the elephants at your leisure while you learn about their lifestyle and behaviors. After you have met all the elephants, you will accompany them to a nearby mud spa. Get muddy with the elephants as you apply a healthy cosmetic mud treatment to their skin. Next, you will walk with the elephants to a nearby river and join them in the water for a refreshing bath. Take a swim and help bathe and brush the elephants while they wade through and play in the water. Once the elephants are clean, you can take some final photos with them, and then it will be time to part ways with your new friends and change into some dry clothes. Finally, eat some snacks and seasonal fresh fruit, before enjoying once again the impressive rural scenery as you drive back to Chiang Mai. 

Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, we transfer to visit Wat Phra Singh with its famous Buddha image, then, visit silver temple (Wat Sri Suphan) and the must-see Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, tucked away in the mountains at 3,520 feet (1,056 meters). The temple is reached by a staircase with 306 steps, flanked by a Naga balustrade on either side. The Monastery was built by King Gue-Na in 1383. The center is a big Chedi spired pagoda which contains partial relics of Lord Buddha return to Chiang Mai town in the evening.

Overnight in CHIANG MAI

Note: Wat Sri Suphan, due to old Buddhist rules women are not allowed to enter the inside of the temple and must remain outside.

Breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to Chiang Rai via Wiang Papao route, drive through mountainous landscape to Chiang Rai (distance 172 kms, driving time about 3hrs), enroute, visit hot spring and visit the must see Wat Rong Khun (white temple) in Chiang Rai, lunch will be provided at local restaurant, after refreshment, transfer to visit Baan dam (black house) of the Thailand’s artist to see the collection of artwork – sculptures, wood carvings, and furniture created by him, and collected from around the world, then, transfer up to the northernmost Thai town on the Burmese border where you have the opportunity for shopping and looking around the local market and transfer to visit the view point at Golden Triangle and enjoy boat trip on Mekong River, cruising close-by the border of three countries, where you can see the simple & traditional lifestyle, return to local pier in Chiang Rai and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Overnight in CHIANG RAI

Breakfast at the hotel.

Check out and drive to visit part of Doi Nang Non or “Mountain of the Sleeping lady, The most popular cave is the Tham Luang cave (closed during rainy season) which extends several kilometers into the mountain, after visited Tham Luang cave, continue transfer to Chiang Mai via Fang and Thaton. Lunch will be provided at a local restaurant (food only) and drop off at your hotel in the evening. Evening owns explore in Chiang Mai town.

Overnight in CHIANG MAI

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out and private transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your departure flight.

Check-out normal time 12:00noon