An exciting combination of ancient cultures, river journeys, stunning scenery, starting with the awe inspiring Ancient Lanna Kingdom, this unforgettable journey takes you to some of Indochina’s most enthralling destinations. Experience the highlights of two fascinating and culturally rich countries.
Balmy weather, splendid scenery, rich history and friendly people are what we will discover in the northern region of Thailand. On our "Northern Vision" journey, we will be immersed into the fascinating traditional atmosphere of Ancient Siam Kingdoms, through a large array of temples and several famous attractions in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai and their associated historic towns.
In Laos, we arrive in enchanting Luang Prabang, after we cruise on the Mekong River, to discover a treasure chest of faded colonial architecture and gilded Buddhist monasteries.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Bangkok
After our arrival at Bangkok Airport, we meet our local guide and driver and we are transferred to our hotel. Overnight: Hotel Royal Orchid Sheraton, Bangkok. (2 nights)
Day 2: Bangkok
Bangkok has a feast of attractions to offer. The city is dotted with 400 glittering Buddhist temples of great beauty and fascination, magnificent palaces, classical dance extravaganzas, numerous cultural centers and traditional ways of life, especially along the "Venice of the East" timeless canals and the Chao Phraya River of the "River of Kings", winding through the city.
After breakfast we’ll start our full-day City & Temples Tour. First we’ll visit the Golden Buddha Temple (Wat Trimitr), Wat Po, home of the enormous Reclining Buddha and the White Marble Temple (Wat Benjamaborpitr). Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, near Chitralada Palace, this unique marble temple was constructed during the reign of King Rama V.
It employs European ecclesiastic details, such as stained glass windows, and contains a superb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images. In the evening we’ll enjoy a Thai Dinner & Dance Show. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3: Bangkok / Ayutthaya / Phitsanuloke (drive)
We leave Bangkok in the morning to visit Ayutthaya, the former capital of Siam from 1350 to 1767. Magnificent ruins of the old city still remain, some having been restored.
Attractions in Ayutthaya include: Chao Sam Phraya National Museum; the very large Buddha image called "Phra Mongkhon Bophit"; ruins of the former Royal Palace, a complex with many buildings. From here we drive to Lopburi with a stop at Wat Phra Phuttabat. After lunch, we continue to travel further north towards Phitsanuloke, an important traffic meeting point at the River Nan. Overnight: Topland Hotel, Phitsanuloke. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 4: Phitsanuloke / Sukhothai / Lampang (drive)
After our breakfast, we’ll go sightseeing in Phitsanuloke and we’ll visit Wat Maha Dhat with its famous shrine. We also visit the temples Wat Sra Sri and Wat Sri Chum, before driving to Sri Satchanalai, the former sister town of Sukhothai. Sukhothai is generally recognized as a place of historical significance, however it is also home to a very beautiful National Park, the Sri Satchanalai National Park.
Sukhothai (literally means Dawn of Happiness) was the first truly independent Thai Kingdom, which enjoyed a golden age under King Ramkhamhaeng, credited with creating the Thai alphabet. The superb temples and monuments of this great city have been lovingly restored in Sukhothai Historical Park, a World Heritage Site and a must-see for all Cultural travelers. Later in the afternoon, we drive to Lampang. Overnight: Lampang River Lodge. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 5: Lampang / Chiang Mai (drive)
This morning we’ll visit Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao and Wat Phra That Lampang Luang. Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao, built in 1680, is one of Thailand's most revered temples, picturesquely situated on the Menam Wang. The little bot in the center, with its recently renovated central tower, is particularly worth seeing.
We continue driving to Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North“. Once here, we’ll have Lunch and the rest of day is leisure time. Overnight: The Sheraton Hotel, Chiang Mai. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 6: Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a city built on the roots of a traditional heritage that dig deep into the soil of time. It is a city with a beautiful cultural personality and in addition, it has been blessed with much majestic beauty in nature. After breakfast we’ll take a tour of Chiang Mai with most famous temples.
The one temple every first-time visitor absolutely, positively must see is the mountaintop Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep. The temple is a "must see" not only for its importance as a pilgrimage temple, but also for the outstanding views it affords of the city and its surrounding plain, when the weather cooperates.
Our trip to the temple is combined with a stop at the Royal Phu Phing Palace and the Doi Pui Maeo village. After Lunch in a local restaurant we go to the area of San Kampaeng, where all handicrafts are produced and visitors are always welcome to watch the production. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 7: Chiang Mai / Thaton / Chiang Rai (drive)
We drive this morning onto northern direction to Mae Sa Valley to visit here an Orchid & Butterfly Farm, and continue drive to the Chiang Dao Elephant Camp. An optional ride on the back of an elephant and/or bamboo rafting will also be possible. Then we drive to Thaton, on the banks of Mae Kok River, a very peaceful and relaxing town.
After lunch, we take a short boat ride along the Kok River (for approx. 1 hour) to Baan Mai, where we’ll walk around the hill tribe villages of the Akha and Yao hill tribes. We’ll arrive in Chiang Rai in the late afternoon. Overnight: Dusit Island Resort, Chiang Rai. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 8: Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai was founded in 1262 by King Meng Rai and was the first capital of Lanna Thai (Kingdom of a Million Rice fields). The province contains Thailand's northernmost point at Mae Sai, which is well known for its crisp mountain scenery, and hill tribes. North Chiang Rai falls into the region known as the ‘Golden Triangle’, the area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge.
This morning we will go and visit some more exotic hill tribes. We’ll pass Doi Mae Salong and drive further to Mae Sai, which is geographically the most northern town of Thailand at the border to Burma (Myanmar). From here, we drive to the centre of the ‘Golden Triangle’, the actual meeting point of the borders of Burma, Laos and Thailand.
If one would like to come even closer to the border of Burma and Laos, an optional trip by boat on the Mekong River will be offered. After lunch we visit the provincial town of Chiang Saen. The town is still very small, even though it appears to have been a major trading crossroads since the seventh century. It was probably part of the Kingdom of Yonok and birthplace of Mengrai, who founded the Kingdom of Lanna. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 9: Chiang Rai / Chiang Khong / Huay Xai / Pakbeng (drive & cruise)
After breakfast and check out, we are transferred to Chiang Khong, from where we take a boat across the Mekong River to Huay Xai, which is the border crossing between Thailand & Laos. Once immigration & custom formalities completed, we’ll take a Pak Ou boat from Huay Xai to Pakbeng.
We’ll have several stops along the way, to visit small fishing villages and to observe their lives along the Mekong River. Lunch will be served onboard. We’ll arrive in Pakbeng late in the afternoon. Our Dinner & overnight accommodation will be at the Luangsay Lodge. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10: Pakbeng / Luang Prabang (cruise)
This morning we embark the Pak Ou boat, a traditional style wooden boat with open decks offering beautiful views, then cruise downstream towards Luang Prabang. Continue to the famous Pak Ou Caves; they are essentially two caves (Tham Thing – lower cave and Tham Phum – the upper cave) located in the steep rock cliff at the confluence of the Mekong River and Ou River.
They are full of Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes. En route we also stop at Ban Xang Hai to observe the making of traditional Lao rice wine and whiskey. Upon arrival to Luang Prabang, late in the afternoon, we are transferred to our hotel. Overnight: La Residence Phou Vao (Pansea), Luang Prabang. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 11: Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is the ancient capital city of the Lan Xang Kingdom and is famous for its historic temples and beautiful setting surrounded by mountains. Today we’ll have a full day sightseeing and we’ll visit Wat Xieng Thong - built in 1560 and situated on the banks of the Mekong River, it is the most beautiful monastery in Luang Prabang and shows the typical Lao art style with old religious artifacts and some ancient masterpieces of Lao art.
Wat Wisunalat (Vat Visoun) - built in 1513 during the reign of Chao Wisunalat, is the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang with a collection of gilded wooden Buddhas from the 15th and 16th Centuries. Also see Wat Mai - constructed in 1821 during the reign of King Manthatourath, it was once the residence of Phra Sangkharaj (the Patriarch of the Buddhist clergy); Wat That Luang - the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are interred inside the large central stupa, which was erected in 1910.
The inside of the huge sim dating back to 1820 contains a few Luang Prabang Buddhas and other artifacts. The Wat Saen - Thai style wat built in 1718 and restored in 1957. The abbot Ajannn Khamjan who was ordained here in 1940 is one of the most revered monks in Luang Prabang and perhaps in all of Laos. (Breakfast)
Day 12: Luang Prabang / Vientiane (flight)
We leave today this magnificent place and fly from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. The capital city and seat of government sits in a bend of the Mekong River amidst fertile alluvial plains. Vientiane (pronounced 'Wieng Chan' by the locals) is a laid-back city with interesting wats and lively markets.
After our arrival, we will go for a city tour and visit Ho Pha Keo - the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy built in 1565 by King Setthathirat and now converted into a museum containing some of the best examples of Buddhist sculptures found in Laos; Wat Si Saket - constructed in 1818 by King Anouvong in the early Bangkok style, small niches are carved into its interior walls, containing more than 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddha images.
In the afternoon we’ll see Patuxai - a large monument in the style of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the huge arch at the end of Thanon Lan Xang has a stairway that leads to the top levels of the monument, providing a panoramic view of the city; Pha That Luang (Great Sacred Reliquary or Great Stupa) - built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD, it is the most important national monument in Laos, a symbol of both the Buddhist religion and Lao sovereignty. Overnight: Don Chan Palace, Vientiane. (1 night) (Breakfast)
Day 13: Departure Vientiane
After breakfast, and according to our flight times, we are transferred to the Airport. On our way to the airport, we’ll feel a strong impulse to recall the outstanding memories we carry from this outstanding journey. (Breakfast)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices for 2008
USD: 2,780.00 / CAD: 2,920.00 – per person in double occupancy.
Single room supplement is USD: 865.00 / CAD: 905.00
Price includes:
- Transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary by private AC car / minivan
- English speaking local guide
- Baggage handling
- Entrance fees at the mentioned sites
- Domestic flight: Luang Prabang / Vientiane (except taxes)
- Accommodation at the mentioned hotels or similar
- Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Service charges and all current government taxes
Price does not include:
- Meals that are not mentioned in the itinerary and all ‘Optional Tours’
- Departure airport taxes for both Domestic & International flights
- Expenditure of personal nature - i.e. laundry, telephone bills, drinks, souvenirs, etc.
- Gala dinners and peak season surcharges as might be applied
Note: itinerary and/or daily activities could be subject of change due to local conditions.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Thailand
Laos
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
