The north of Thailand is a lot more untouched than the rest of the country. Jungle-covered mountains, magnificent temples and impressive encounters with the warm locals await you here. Experience deep insights into the everyday life of ethnic minorities. But the metropolis Bangkok and the old capital Ayutthaya should not be missing on this tour. Discover the best of Thailand away from the tourist crowds. According to countryaah, Thailand is a country in southeastern Asia starting with letter T.
This is an example of one of our tours and should serve as a source of inspiration. Of course, the itinerary including the destinations can be adapted and we will be happy to work out a round trip for you that is tailored to your interests and budget.
Best travel time: November to March
Travel time: 15 days
Travel planning: From Chiang Mai to Bangkok you can either travel like the locals by train or by domestic flight.
Tip: The Sunday Night Market with food stalls and street dancers takes place in Chiang Rai every Sunday.
Day 1: International flight & arrival in Bangkok
Arrival in Bangkok and transfer to the hotel. Immerse yourself in the metropolis.
Day 2: Bangkok
Today you will discover the capital of Thailand like a local. After a short boat tour you will explore the Wat Pho Temple with its more than a thousand Buddha images and the “Great Palace”, the house of the kings of Siam from the Chakri dynasty.
After lunch at a local restaurant, travel by tuk tuk to Wat Saket and climb the Golden Mountain. Enjoy the spectacular view over Bangkok! We continue by taxi boat to the house of Jim Thompson, who created the famous Thai silk. At the end of the excursion, take the Skytrain back to your hotel.
Day 3: Bangkok – Kanchanaburi Onward
journey to the northwest in the Kanchanaburi province. Visit the historic bridge over the Kwai River. A trip on the so-called «Death Railway» is also on the program. The railway owes its name to a tragic history: During the Second World War, almost 7,000 Allied prisoners died here while it was being built.
Day 4: Kanchanaburi
The second day in the city of Kanchanaburi is at your leisure. Here you can book activities like z. B. Hikes and canoe trips.
Day 5: Kanchanaburi – Ayutthaya
In the morning you travel to Ayutthaya. After your arrival at the hotel, you have the rest of the day at your leisure.
Ayutthaya, the “holy city” and the former capital of Thailand, is located on an island at the confluence of three rivers and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here you can marvel at the ruins of imposing chedis, palaces and stupas.
Day 6: Ayutthaya
Today your journey of discovery begins at the magnificent ruins of Ayutthaya and continues to the Mahathat Temple, which is famous for the Buddha head embedded in lofty tree roots. You will then board a traditional rice boat made of teak and discover the island city of Ayutthaya from the “River of Kings”. The cruise is complemented by a varied selection of Thai food. The grand finale of the day is the Yai Chai Mongkhon Temple, which houses an impressive reclining Buddha statue.
Day 7: Ayutthaya – Bangkok – Chiang Rai
After breakfast you drive to the small airport Don Mueang outside of Bangkok and fly to the north of Thailand. Here you have plenty of time to explore the lively city, also known as the “Crown of Northern Thailand”, on your own.
Day 8: Chiang Rai
In the famous Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, Chiang Rai is a city with diverse cultural influences and a fascinating ancient history. As a quieter counterpart to its sister city Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai may not have much to offer in terms of nightlife, but it does have a wonderful collection of temples, art, music and cuisine. It’s a leisurely destination, ideal for a relaxing getaway, with amazing sights – like the White Temple – guaranteed to amaze travelers.
Day 9: Chiang Rai – Thaton
The journey continues in the middle of the triangle where the Mekong River meets the Ruak River. Opium was once grown in this area, which an interesting museum has documented over the centuries.
Then visit the tea region of Thailand. Here you will explore the mountainous landscape and learn more about the lush tea plantations of the region. Arrival in Thaton, a small, idyllic settlement on the Mae Kok River on the border with Myanmar.
Day 10: Thaton – Pai
Enjoy the charming city, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. Then you travel on to Pai and after your arrival explore the impressive canyon near this mountain town. Let yourself drift in lively Pai while you stroll on your own through “Walking Street” with its delicacies from all over the world and colorful shops.
Day 11: Pai
Today is at your leisure and you can take your time to explore Pai and its idyllic surroundings. Drive e.g. Take a kayak over the Pai River, fly a zip line through the jungle or hike over peaks and through valleys. The area around Pai offers beautiful nature.
Day 12: Pai – Mae Hong Son
On your trip to Mae Hong Son you will visit a Chinese village where the descendants of former migrants from Yunnan live, which is still reflected in the traditions of the villagers today. Then you continue on a winding mountain road through lush nature and a breathtaking panorama. On an adventurous ride on a bamboo raft, you will explore a cave system that is traversed by the river underground. Then you will reach the city of Mae Hong Son, which is embedded in a spectacular landscape.
Day 13: Mae Hong Son – Mae Sariang
Here it is worth getting up early to experience the mystical morning hours in Mae Hong Son, literally translated as “City of Fog”. After breakfast you drive to a village of the Kayan, an ethnic group where the “giraffe neck women” live. Immerse yourself in a completely foreign culture and look forward to exciting insights into the life of the mountain people.
Your onward journey to Mae Sariang takes you past the imposing twin temples, which were built by the Shan ethnic group and which are beautifully reflected in the neighboring lake.
Mae Sariang is a colorful small town near the Burmese border, nestled between idyllic rice fields and steep mountain slopes.
Day 12: Mae Sariang – Chiang Mai
After a leisurely breakfast in your hotel, set off towards Chiang Mai. On the trip you have the opportunity to marvel at the oldest and most revered temple in northern Thailand, Wat Phrathat Sri Jom Thong – according to legend, Buddha himself once visited the hill on which the temple is enthroned.
Day 15: Chiang Mai – Bangkok / journey home
Even the best vacation comes to an end. Today it is time to say goodbye to northern Thailand. After breakfast either transfer to Chiang Rai train station where you board the train to Bangkok or to Chiang Mai airport. The return flight to Switzerland is waiting for you at Bangkok airport.
