Unveiled Thailand – 07 Days 06 Nights

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll travel through the Ratchaburi province and make a stop at the spectacular Tham Khao Bin, a limestone cave formed over millions of years by water erosion. The entrance to the cave is impressive, with large stalactites and stalagmites rising like natural guardians. The interior of the cave is divided into 8 rooms, each named after the formations found inside. It’s a labyrinth of chambers and passages, illuminated by soft lights that create a suggestive atmosphere. Some of these rock formations have evocative names reflecting their shape or resemblance to objects or creatures, including a hermit-shaped stone, a large bird spreading its wings, and a sacred well believed to cure diseases.

Next, we’ll head to one of the country’s oldest cities and an important Buddhist center, Nakhon Pathom. We’ll visit Wat Samphran, also known as the “Dragon Temple” or “Serpent Temple”. This temple is famous for its unique and striking architecture, featuring a series of towers and structures adorned with intricate reliefs depicting dragons, serpents, and other mythological symbols. One of the most impressive features of Wat Samphran is a tower that stands over 17 stories high, representing the passage of time and the pursuit of wisdom. Additionally, the temple is known for its tranquil and well-maintained gardens, providing an ideal space for contemplation and reflection.

UNFORTUNATELY, access to the university is not allowed throughout the year due to specific restrictions/circumstances/holidays. It will be our task to communicate the feasibility of a potential visit after contacting the campus.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll arrive at the Maha Sawat Canal, an agritourism destination where villagers still maintain a traditional way of life. They continue to use natural water for bathing and drinking and as the main traffic route. We’ll board a typical local boat for an unforgettable cruise along the canal. Our first stop will be at the Na Bua Luang lotus flower farm, set against a picturesque backdrop of vast expanses extending to the horizon. Lotus flowers play an important role in Buddhist worship, and the myriad temples throughout the Bangkok region rely on local producers to meet their daily needs (approximately 3,000 flowers are harvested every other day using a flat-bottomed aluminum boat).

Continuing our navigation, we’ll stop at the village of Ban Sala Din to learn about and taste the delicious and crispy Khao Tang (fried rice crackers). Visitors will be encouraged to try making rice cakes themselves, topped with sesame seeds and shredded pork. In addition to the tasty rice cakes, you can sample banana chips and mango sheets.

Our final stop will be at a garden featuring a collection of magnificent tropical orchids that thrive in a high humidity. We’ll return to the pier and depart for Ayutthaya, a vast island surrounded on all four sides by three rivers (Chao Phraya, Pasak, and Lopburi). Ayutthaya was the ancient capital of Siam for 417 years during the reign of 33 kings. Upon arrival at the hotel, dinner will be on your own, followed by an overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll visit the Ayutthaya Historical Park, an impressive testament to Thailand’s rich history and past grandeur. This park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 and includes 425 archaeological sites located both inside and outside the city walls. Among the ancient temples, palaces, monasteries, and Buddhist statues, you’ll find:

• Wat Mahathat: Known for the Buddha head trapped within the roots of a tree.
• Wat Phra Si Sanphet: Formerly housed the royal palace and features three impressive chedis.
• Wat Chai Watthanaram: A majestic religious complex along the Chao Phraya River.
• Wat Mongkhon Bophit: Houses an imposing bronze Buddha statue, approximately 12 meters tall and 9 meters wide, depicting Buddha in a seated position with his right hand touching the earth as a witness to his enlightenment.

You’ll have free time to explore the numerous craft stalls. Afterward, we’ll head to Chai Nat province for lunch at a delightful local restaurant set within a tropical garden. Then, we’ll continue toward Sukhothai, the first capital of Siam, also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll stop at the local Kluay Khai market, named after a delicious banana species popular in Thailand. Here, you can sample a variety of tasty raw and cooked snacks, including banana chips, banana sprouts, and Kluai Chap (a sweet fried banana dessert) – guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. Upon arrival at the magnificent archaeological site of Sukhothai, we’ll explore its most significant places by bicycle. The historical park, enclosed by three rows of perimeter walls, houses various temples, including the colossal Wat Mahathat, Wat Sa Sri, Wat Sri Sawai, and the famous quadrangular “Mondop.” We’ll arrive at the hotel, dinner will be on your own, followed by an overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head toward Si Satchanalai to visit the picturesque rural village of Ban Na Ton Chan. Surrounded by Chan trees, this village is famous for its mud-fermented textile process and ancient weaving techniques. We’ll take a guided tour of the village using a local agricultural vehicle, stopping at a bamboo bridge that spans an enormous rice field.

Next, we’ll continue toward Phrae, one of Thailand’s oldest cities. It was founded during the same period as Sukhothai and Chiang Mai and is part of the glorious Lanna empire. The ancient name was Wiang Kosai, which means “silk cloth”. Phrae is also nicknamed the “Best-Kept Secret of Northern Thailand”, boasting immense historical, cultural, and natural wealth.

Before arriving in the city, we’ll have a brief photo stop at the magnificent Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkhon Khiri. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll explore the Baan Thung Hong neighborhood, famous for producing Mo-Hom – blue-colored cotton garments worn by villagers throughout northern Thailand.

Continuing our journey toward Nan, we’ll visit its two main temples:

• Wat Khao Noi: This distinctive temple features a large pagoda atop Khao Noi Hill.
• Wat Phumin: Famous for its must-see frescoes in the Lue Thai style.   

We’ll arrive at the hotel, dinner will be on your own, followed by an overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll depart for the visit of the splendid town of Nan, rarely visited by tourists. It is surrounded by mist-covered mountains, lush valleys, and rice and corn fields. After about an hour of travel, we’ll arrive at the Lue ethnic craft village of Ban Nong Bua, known for its production of traditional tribal textiles. We’ll then head to the Song Khwae district, taking a mountainous route of incredible beauty. Along the way, we’ll pass rice paddies, rubber tree plantations, and incredible teak forests. Our next stop will be Chiang Kham, another small town inhabited by the Lue ethnic population. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll visit the distinctive Wat Chiang Kham Nantaram, a Burmese-style temple entirely built from teak wood. Upon arriving in Chiang Rai, we’ll stop at Wat Rong Seua Tean, better known as the “Blue Temple”. Its magnificent blue interior features a large white Buddha. We’ll arrive at the hotel, dinner will be on your own, followed by an overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head to the “Golden Triangle”, the famous location where Thailand meets Laos and Myanmar along the legendary Mekong River – the longest river in Southeast Asia, spanning 4,350 km. We’ll stop at the panoramic viewpoint where the rivers converge, known as Phrathat Doi Pu Khao. We’ll also visit the Opium Museum, which showcases evidence and objects related to opium cultivation, trade, and consumption. Returning to Chiang Rai, we’ll visit Wat Rong Khun, better known as the “White Temple”. This temple is one of Thailand’s most famous. The white color symbolizes the purity of Buddha, while the glass represents the wisdom and Buddhist teachings of Dhamma. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll depart for Chiang Mai, known as the “Rose of the North”. It is surrounded by spectacular mountains and boasts a wonderful city center with unique architecture that you can admire while strolling through the streets. We’ll visit Wat Pha Lat, the “jungle temple”, a complex of temples on the slopes of Doi Suthep, the mountain overlooking Chiang Mai. This picturesque temple, nestled in the jungle, consists of several buildings scattered in the forest along a tranquil stream. It is built in perfect harmony with nature, making it difficult to distinguish where the buildings end and the forest begins. Our last visit will be to Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, the most sacred Theravada temple in the city. It sits atop the Doi Suthep mountain, reaching a height of 1,056 meters. Built in the early 19th century, the beauty of Doi Suthep is characterized by seven-headed serpent statues flanking the stairs leading to a golden pagoda in the Chiang Saen style. We’ll arrive at the hotel, dinner will be on your own, followed by an overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll transfer you to the airport in time for your scheduled flight departure.