6-Day Thailand Tour: Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai

Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Upon your arrival in Bangkok, you will be met by your local guide in the arrivals area of the airport who will be holding a signboard with your name on it. After meet and greet, you will then be transferred from the airport to your hotel in Bangkok. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

• Overnight in Bangkok
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Avani Atrium Bangkok Hotel OR Hotel Clover Asoke OR Lancaster Bangkok or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Bangkok highlights: Grand Palace and Thai wats

After breakfast, our guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby. Our first destination is Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan, home to a massive golden Buddha statue made from 5.5 tons of pure gold. We then proceed to Wat Pho, Bangkok’s oldest temple, renowned for the magnificent giant reclining Buddha and as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

A short 5-minute walk north brings us to one of Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks, the Grand Palace. This historic palace and temple complex, formerly the residence of the Thai royal family, now welcomes visitors from around the globe. Within its grounds is Wat Phra Kaew, housing the exquisite Emerald Buddha carved from a single piece of jade.

In the afternoon, experience a different facet of Bangkok with a cruise along the Chao Phraya River, the city’s ‘River of Kings’. Leaving behind the bustling streets and temples, our cruise navigates the intertwining canals, unveiling the serene natural beauty amidst the city’s vibrancy. Our journey concludes at the stunning Wat Arun, notable for its 79-meter-high Angkorian-style pagoda, by the riverside. Afterwards, our guide and driver will accompany you back to your hotel.

• Overnight in Bangkok
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Avani Atrium Bangkok Hotel OR Hotel Clover Asoke OR Lancaster Bangkok or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Day tour to Ayutthaya (return to Bangkok)

After your breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel, and before embarking on the full-day tour, we will ensure you are comfortably prepared for the day ahead.

On this full-day tour, you will journey outside of Bangkok to explore the former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya. You will have the option to explore Thailand’s ancient former capital by boat and return by coach, or vice versa. Located 86 kilometers north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya was the heart of Thailand from 1350 to 1767. Once a bustling international commercial hub, it now hosts only the ruins of this once-glorious city, following its invasion by the Burmese in 1767.

Midway through the day, we will pause for a lunch break at a local Thai restaurant, where you will have the opportunity to savor authentic Thai cuisine and experience the true flavors of the region.

After lunch, we will continue our exploration. The magnificent ruins of the palace and temples are quite breathtaking, with many still remarkably intact. Through these ruins, you will catch a glimpse of the former splendor of this ancient capital. You will visit all the most impressive ruins of this World Heritage Site, including the Summer Palace of the late King Rama V, commonly known as “Bang Pa-In”. This journey will take you back in time to what was once known as Siam. You will be transferred back to your hotel in Bangkok in the late evening.

• Overnight in Bangkok
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Avani Atrium Bangkok Hotel OR Hotel Clover Asoke OR Lancaster Bangkok or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Fly to Chiang Mai

After breakfast at the hotel, you will meet with your local guide at the scheduled time to be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Chiang Mai. Upon your arrival in Chiang Mai, you will be met by your local guide in the arrivals area of the airport who will be holding a signboard with your name on it. After meet and greet, you will be transferred to your hotel in Chiang Mai. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

• Overnight in Chiang Mai
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Melia Chiang Mai OR Novotel Journey hub Nimman OR Stay with Nimman Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Chiang Mai full day tour – temples and historical sites

After your breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel. Today, our focus will be on the remarkable temples in Chiang Mai, setting the stage for a full day tour of temples and historical sites.

As we drive towards the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, you’ll notice the harmonious blend of traditional houses and modern skyscrapers, reflecting Chiang Mai’s unique blend of the ancient and contemporary. The magnificent Wat Phra That Doi Suthep sits atop Doi Suthep Mountain and is over 600 years old, making it the holiest temple in Northern Thailand and home to the country’s most sacred stupas. The view from the mountaintop offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.

Continuing, our guide will lead you to the ancient Wat Jed Yod and Wat Suan Dok, each temple showcasing its unique historical and architectural significance. After enjoying a local lunch, we will head back to the hotel in Chiang Mai, stopping along the way at the Sankampang outlets, famous for their fine handicrafts and as a key production center for Thai silk.

Free Time Suggestions: We’ve reserved the rest of the day for you to discover Chiang Mai’s charm at your leisure. Apart from the ancient city and temple ruins, one of the best experiences in Chiang Mai is the night market. Just a 10-minute walk east from the Tha Phae Gate of the ancient city, the vibrant Night Bazaar Shopping Street on Changklan Road is open from 18:00 to 23:00. If your visit falls on a Sunday, don’t miss the Sunday Night Market starting at 15:00 and stretching west from the Tha Phae Gate to Singharat Road, passing through the ancient city. It’s the perfect place to soak in Chiang Mai’s lively nightlife, with a wide array of stalls that offer endless exploration.

• Overnight in Chiang Mai
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Melia Chiang Mai OR Novotel Journey hub Nimman OR Stay with Nimman Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 6: Departure from Chiang Mai – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 11:00 AM) and will then be transferred to the Chiang Mai Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

NCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• Greetings and transfers between the airport and the hotel in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
• Domestic flight tickets from Bangkok to Chiang Mai only.
• Accommodation for 5 nights in 4-star hotels.
• Daily breakfast at the hotel.
• 3 lunch at a local restaurant.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• All entrance fees to featured historical sites, attractions and monuments as shown in itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International Flight Tickets.
• Flight ticket from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.
• Visa to enter Thailand.
• Food and drinks, unless specified.
• Personal expenses.
• Any optional tours.
• Travel Insurance.

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation.
• For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation.
• For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
• For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation.
• For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation.