This comprehensive tour covers the most important cultural, historical and natural highlights of Central and Northern Thailand . The tour starts from Bangkok towards the picturesque River Kwai valley and then makes its way up to the North of Thailand , including overnights stays in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, the “gateway” to the Golden Triangle.

Day 1 Bangkok – River Kwai

Early morning drive to Damnern Saduak, site of Thailand 's most famous floating market. Here, old women and young ladies wearing their typical lampshade hats, paddle boats and trade with fruits, flowers, vegetables and cooked foods. Continue driving to Kanchanaburi to board the original “Death Railway”, built by prisoners of war during World War II. The train passes over dangerous looking wooden viaducts built along the mountainside. Transfer by boat to your hotel situated on the banks of the River Kwai. (Accommodation at River Kwai Jungle Rafts (Floating raft houses in exotic location, with limited comfort, no hot water/electricity; or at River Kwai Resotel (cottage style accommodation with superior comfort). In the evening enjoy dinner at Jungle rafts and a performance of Burmese Mon dances. (L/D)

Overnight: River Kwai Jungle Rafts (3***) or River Kwai Resotel (Cottages 3***+)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 River Kwai – Phitsanulok

Depart Jungle Rafts back to Kanchanaburi for a short visit to the “Bridge over the River Kwai” and the “Thailand-Burma Railway Museum”. Proceed further, crossing the fertile plains of the Chao Phraya river basin, the “rice basket of Thailand”. After lunch reach Nakhon Sawan, a provincial town where the four rivers Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan converge to form the Chao Phraya River, Thailand’s most important waterway. Enjoy a leisurely cruise on along the Ping River, offering scenes of the rural peasants’ daily life. After a stroll over the local market continue to Phitsanulok, central Thailand’s largest town for overnight.

Overnight: Amarin Lagoon (3*+)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 Phitsanulok – Chiang Mai

In the morning visit the temple Wat Maha Dhat, housing one of Thailand 's most revered Buddha statues. Continue to Sukhothai, birthplace of the Thai nation and established in the 13 th century as the first capital of Siam . Visit the principal monuments and ruins of Sukhothai, declared as Unesco World Heritage site. Continue to Lampang for a tour of the historic town by horse-drawn carriage and a visit to the temple Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang, housing the only Emerald Buddha besides the one at Wat Phra Keo in Bangkok . In the late afternoon reach Chiang Mai, heart and soul of the ancient “Lanna” kingdom and Northern Thailand 's largest town. Chiang Mai is a treasure trove of Buddhist temples and its surrounding mountains home to elephant camps, serene rivers and colourful hill-tribes.

Overnight: Empress Hotel (4****)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Chiang Mai

Drive to Mae Sa Elephant Camp to watch the elephants taking their morning bath in the running stream before seeing the demonstration of elephants at work. (Elephant riding is optional). Before returning back to Chiang Mai, visit a nearby orchid farm. In the afternoon drive up to Wat Doi Suthep, one of the most beautiful temples of Northern Thailand . Its golden stupa, located 1056 metres above sea level, is a popular pilgrimage site and offers a splendid view over Chiang Mai. Continue to tour the handicrafts workshops to see its array of woodcrafts, silk, lacquer and silverware and umbrella painting. In the evening enjoy a Northern style “Khantoke Dinner” with a hill-tribe cultural show.

Overnight: Empress Hotel (4****)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 Chiang Mai – Chiang Rai

Drive further north via Chiang Dao for a stop at Fang to see its hot springs . Continue to Thaton, a sleepy village on the banks of the Kok River . After your lunch enjoy a scenic river cruise by long tail boat to reach hilltribe villages nestled on the river banks. The Kok River , winding its way across rolling hills, offers some of the most beautiful river cruises in Northern Thailand . In the late afternoon reach Chiang Rai, the gateway to the “Golden Triangle”. Dinner and overnight in Chiang Rai

Overnight: Golden Pine Resort (4****)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle / Return to Bangkok

Enjoy a scenic ride over winding roads to Doi Tung where various crop substitution projects have been initiated by HRH the Princess Mother of Thailand . Once the expanse of opium fields, the mountainsides have been transformed into agricultural land where local people benefit of a remarkable turn-around in environment and lifestyle. Visit Doi Tung Villa and enjoy a stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens of Ma Fang Luang. Proceed to Mae Sai, Thailand 's northern-most town and a bustling market place. Continue to the Golden Triangle, marking the border between Thailand , Myanmar and Laos , to visit the Opium Museum and to enjoy a short boat ride on the mighty Mekong River before returning to Chiang Rai .

The tour ends at Chiang Rai Airport for the continuation of your programme or return flight to Bangkok .
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included

• Private escorted (English speaking guide/other languages on request) tour as per programme
• Transportation by minivan (max. 6 persons)
• Accommodation in good middle and first class hotels in sharing twin room with bath or shower
• VAT & Service charge
• Meals as indicated
• Boat & train rides
• Entrance fees

Excluded

• Airfare Chiang Rai – Bangkok
• Meals and services not mentioned
• Personal expenditures and tipping
• Seasonal surcharges on relevant dates